v6 to v8 swap

[ihavtats29]

i know the cooling system will need an upgrade, the engine cradle has a extra set of holes for motor mounts , but will the rear end handel 400 hp?any other info will be helpfull

[92zcamaroperson]

you have what is called an open differential which only drives one wheel all the time no matter what. Technically it will be fine as long as you dont put slicks on it. But if you dont get a posi rear end and some decent tires there wont even be a point in having 400 hp because you will be all over the road.

[chevy_chic20041]

what year is it? i have been told that the rear end can handle it but i don't know for sure

[Rally Sport]

You'll also need to upgrade your front springs to handle the extra weight (Unless its an Ls1, that thing is lighter than my v6!) also a new transmission to fit the v8.

Just saying incase you didnt know already

[92zcamaroperson]

changing a rear isnt a big deal at all. Couple of guys of here have done in their driveways. A posi or limited slip 10 bolt out of z28(82-02) will give you added traction and is a little stronger. Still cant put slicks on them but some drag radials would work but dont expect it to last forever. Any rear end will take any amount of power as long as you dont have traction.

[wrightz28]

You'll lose serious benefits of the engine swap if you leave the 6'r rear end in (which won't live a long happy life anyway). Plus unless you had a 3.8 V6 in it, you'll need a new trans.

[666_speed]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Plus unless you had a 3.8 V6 in it, you'll need a new trans.

really? a 3.8 tranny will work with a v8 swap? didn't know that...

[92zcamaroperson]

really dont think it will....

[666_speed]

i didn't either....

[wrightz28]

Yes it will, a 3.8 is 90 degree motor. All of the lessors 3.4, 3.1, 2.8 are 60 degree motors and thus require a narrower bellhousing bolt pattern.

[92zcamaroperson]

ok so it will bolt up....But I would think that it would blow up before taking much power.

[wrightz28]

Well, i had ass-u-me'd that they'd know a 8 makes a heck of alot more tq then 6 and the internals would need some attention.

[ROUDA]

I think everything on a v6 trans and a v8 are the same except the bellhouse

[92zcamaroperson]

eh....400hp and 400+ torque would blow up both the stock 8 and 6 trans....point is if you need to you can use the trans but dont waste your time.

is this guy even still around or are we just talking to ourselves?

[666_speed]

that's neat to know...i didn't know that....coolness