Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

6.0L in my 68?

Jump to Latest
16K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  Sixety8  
T
#1 ·
I took my 68RS to a very good local mechanic to fine tune my carb on my 427. When I picked up the car, he offered to give me a ride in his 66 chevy II with a 5.3L and a custom turbo set-up that he built. I have to say, this was the fastest 0-60 car I have ever been in. I asked him what he thought about swapping one of these engines in my car and he said the best bang for the buck engine was a 6.0L vortec (LQ4) out of a junk yard truck. Install a GM Z06 Vette cam and springs and you have over 400hp and the potential of 25-28mph on the highway. My 427 is fun to drive but the thought of the combo of big power, great reliability and good mph has got me thinking about this swap. I'm thinking I could pull off the swap for under 3K if I sell my 427 and do most of the install myself.

I searched this subject with no luck. Any thoughts or experience?

Doug
 
2
#2 ·
The concept of staying "stock" to the era is fine if your car is a significant example and complete. (in my opinion)
Personally I believe adding certain "modern" components make our cars more driveable and safe. The new components actually keep the cars alive and on the road more.
Yes, if I were you I would go with the 6.0 in a heartbeat.
My 68 is in the process of getting EFI added to the 327. I am torn about what to put behind it, but a 5 or 6 speed sounds like the way I'm going eventually.
-rack and pinion steering is in already
-4 wheel discs still in the boxes

I would love to slip in a new 5.3 or 6.0

-sigh-
 
T
#3 ·
Muscle, these cars are a sickness...I can't seem to leave my car alone. The plan to keep my car stock went out the window years ago. I'm running a tremec TKO 600 with a 3.73 posi and I love it. I'd like to be able to take my car on 500 mile road trips without worring about carb problems, overheating, and stopping three times for gas. The 6.0L would be sweet with my drive train combo.
 
#4 ·
Look in the Pro-Touring section here for a bunch of cars that have done the LSx swap. Also Pro-touring.com and Lateral-g.net have many cars that have done the swap. Also LS1tech.com has a wealth of information on these engines and lots of swap details.

The fuel tank/fuel supply setup is the major remaining issue with a choice of good, very expensive solutions or poor, inexpensive solutions.
 
#5 ·
Just to back up what's been said...
Abuddy of mine took a 99 Vette motor and topped it off with a magnacharger then stuffed it in his 86 ? Monte...it has been 11.32. I know this because he was next to me the whole way down the track when I went my 11.30 :eek:
He said coming home from the ocean, he was getting 24 to 26 MPG :mad:
 
A
#7 ·
Everyone I know has done it and never looked back.
Sure some people at car shows will give you crap, but our cars run, not sit, and YOU are the owner and driver, it's your money, why not save a ton by doing this swap? IMHO this is the most practical thing you can do.
I can't wait to do it. The new trucks make 420hp atc already, I don't even think the biggest baddest camaro made near that for the gen I years stock, if they did, they certainly weren't maintenance free, and they def. did not get 18-25mpg.

If you add a cam to any of the LS/LQ motors alone, you'll already be at or above 330rwhp
 
6
#11 ·
I say go for it. I have a 5.3 LQ motor off a 02 Silverado. It already been converted to the LS intake which you will have to do as well. I have been accumulating parts over the past 6 months. I should be ready to begin my swap shortly after the first of the year.

It is a popular swap and you get great HP and gas mileage. Hit up VEGA$ here on the board. He is a moderator and has done several swaps.
 
S
#13 ·
My daily driver is a Pontiac G8 with the 6.0 L76 in it. They came stock with about 385 HP. Mine has cold air intake, headers/exhaust, supercharger, pulleys, injectors, and a custom tune and puts down 540 HP at the rear wheels running only 7.5 PSI on the boost. I drove to SEMA in Vegas this week from SoCal and averaged 25 MPG at 75 MPH the whole way. If anyone ever finds a wrecked G8 you should snag the engine. I drive mine hard and figure if I ever wreck it I'll just pull the engine and drop it into my 68.
 
#21 ·
That list is good, although it lists the 824's as the ones with the lightweight/sodium filled valves. I've never even heard of 824's. I have only seen the 243's off the Z06 having them.

Good info on chamber size though.
 
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering