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4th gen camaro

SgtMarshal

SgtMarshal

Active member
I'm thinking about a next project. it seems like the 4th gen camaros are pretty reasonably priced, and a 3800 f body would be even cheaper. the 2 possibilities I am considering is either to pull the 4L60 and have it "Built" and do an all out turbo build, or find a donor LQ4 paired with a 4L80 and do heads and cam on it. I want to do it all on a budget keeping it as cheap as possible, but it also needs to be a simple build because i'm not the best mechanic. which project do you guys think would be cheaper and easier to pull off? also, at this point it is all a pipe dream, and will not happen anytime soon.
 


I dont like the idea of an LS1 or an LS anything because they cost nearly double of a similar iron block truck engine. the whole idea of the 3800 turbo F body is that it would be pretty cheap to turbo it while building the 4L60 would also be cheap. the alternative is the LQ4 with 4L80 because the engine and transmission can be had for 1500. I dont think I have ever seen an LS1 by itself for less than that
 


WhiteLightningGTP said:
A good friend of mine just put an LQ9 and T56 in his 4cyl auto S10. It is a TON of fun and still somewhat of a sleeper.
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thats amazing he was able to cram that engine in there. I would never expect that engine in an s10. ive heard of people swapping an LS1 into the s10, but the LQ4 is even bigger. I may have to rethink my idea and see about doing an swap into an s10.

I think a 5.3 would be a good candidate as well.
 
LS1 F-Body's are cheap these days, it would be easier to just buy one of them and build it versus going through all the trouble of swapping over a 3.8 car.
 
The LQ4, LQ9, LM7, L33, LS1 etc etc are all the exact same size, not in cylinder displacement but the engine itself.

The intake manifold and exhaust change other aspects of the size.

The LQ9 is just a better LQ4.


S10 swaps are great, a bazillon threads with pictures and info on the swaps. Running no a/c can make it quicker/easier swap and of course the oil pan and stuff needs to be swapped for like a H3 pan or something similar.
 


I would never consider dropping an LS1 to put in a 3800, that makes no sense, and like you say it is dumb. I would either buy a rolling chassis and put an LQ4, LQ9, LM7, L33, or an LS1, whichever is cheaper.

the other option is to buy a base model F body with the 3800, drop the engine and transmission, build the engine to run the biggest turbo possible, build the transmission to handle the power, put it all back together and see how it runs.

I like the suggestion of the S10 swap. a good used S10 will be even easier to find and will also be cheaper to buy. the S10 is more of a sleeper, and is probably a lot lighter. I am going to look into the S10 swap.
 
if you're looking for an fbody at all it should very well be an LS car.

do not think for one second that being 'unique' is the right path.
 


If I end up doing it, it will be a budget build, and LS F body cars do not often sell for less than 5 grand around here
 
you'll make more power with an LS fbody than you could with a 3800 fbody with a similar amount of money.

but whatever, it's your garage not mine.
 
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