I've been toying with the idea of selling my '94 and getting a '98 with the ls1 engine. I'm finding that the 6 speeds are kind of rare and pricey. I was wondering if anyone has converted a '98 six cyl automatic to an 8 cyl with a 6 speed. Since the engine and trans are coming out I could buy a very high mileage vehicle and save a ton of cash but I have the usual concerns regarding conversion costs, time and aggrevation. I don't work at or own an auto shop and I only have a one car garage that is currently occupied by my Chevelle. What do you guys think, would it be cheaper than purchasing a vehicle with the options I want?

me and a friend did a v6-v8 swap in his 96 camaro. It isnt that hard just prepare to have the car down for atleast a week so you can fab up new hardware, get the computer/wiring hooked up etc.

the easiest way to do it is to lower the k member with tranny hooked on from the bottom and lift the car/body from the top with a good strong engine hoist. the easiest way to do this is to get a strut tower brace that is made of steel (150-200 bucks) and lift off that point, with no motor and tranny in the car it is not that heavy and your engine hoist can support it.

then you need a v8 k member so basically jsut put the whole v8 setup and kmember on a small floor dolly and just push it under neath.

its a fairly involved process but nothing is hard it just takes time.

rick

FYI, a similar question ( 97 Camaro ) is discussed in Aug 2004 Chevy High Performance Q&A ...

Hey 1fast69, what type of hardware do you have to fab up? I really don't know how to do that kind of stuff, I'm more of a bolt on guy! I have an engine hoist but thought it might come out the top but I really haven't spent much time under the hood of 4th gen camaros. Also how hard would it be convert my '94 from an auto to a 6 speed manual? If I did that I could up the rear to 4.11's now that I have 2 over drive gears and with the lower 1st gear of the T56 that LT1 might not be so bad after all. I could pull up to those 350z's with confidence!!

I think you should be able to buy a ls1 4th gen Z28 for less than a 6 cyl and converting it to an LS1. A good deal for a used LS1 and trans might run you $4000 - $6000.

I'm thinking the same thing Dennis, just wanted to make sure though. I'll have to tighten the belt on the wallet for a while.

well my buddy got the whole kit and kaboodle-- motor auto tranny k member wiring harness fuel lines gauge panel new struts/springs for the v8

and everything else necessary for the swap for around 3000 i believe. In my opinion that is a pretty good deal.

when i said fab up some things, i meant just having the time to sort out the wiring, the sensors, and get a y pipe made up for it. Other than that all you need is patience.

good luck with what ever you do.

Rick