LLT 3.6L swap in a gbody

[kad5118]

I have been toying with the idea of maybe swapping the new gen LLT 3.6 engine in my v6 gbody.has any one thought out the idea of swapping the cts or camaro v6 engines in our beloved gbodies.from what i understand they are nothing more than a lsx engine minus 2 cylinders and its a 60 degrees block vs 90 degerees block.Just the thought of having a 300 hp v6 in a gbody would be awesome.I think the hardest thing would be the motor mounts for the swap to work.what are some of your thoughts on this swap.Is there anyone thats doing these swaps

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

that would be awesome. You can get some power out of those things. Wiring would be difficult too. But I mean hey, if you have the coin/time, go for it!

 

[86 Grand prix]

X2 on the wiring. So much of the control functions tie into other systems. Someone may have a program that eliminates all of that stuff like they do the LS engines.

 

[Peter]

I dont know how they estimate 300hp because it sure doesn't feel like it. I work for a chevy dealer and drive the v6 camaros all the time and I understand it is a heavy car but they give me absolutely no pleasure at all.

If it were me trying to adapt a gm v6 into a car it would be a supercharged 3.8. They have tons of power potential, are extremely reliable and would be simpler. I couldn't speak for the bell housing but I assume some GM RWD trans fit it because they used a NA 3.8 in the firebirds and camaros

 

[DRIVEN]

from what i understand they are nothing more than a lsx engine minus 2 cylinders and its a 60 degrees block vs 90 degerees block.

I think you need to get a better understanding of what it really is. So far, the LLT hasn't earned a reputation as a great engine. There are about 50 other engine swap options that I would consider before the 3.6. Drive by wire, variable runners, VVT (X4), coil-on-plug, direct injection. None of this is plug and play. Certainly not impossible, but nowhere near cheap or simple.

I think the hardest thing would be the motor mounts for the swap to work.

I think the the EASIEST thing would be the motor mounts for the swap to work.

If you want 300hp in your Gbody it can be easily achieved with the average $700 Craigslist 350 SBC.

 

[efigp83]

I dont know how they estimate 300hp because it sure doesn't feel like it. I work for a chevy dealer and drive the v6 camaros all the time and I understand it is a heavy car but they give me absolutely no pleasure at all.

If it were me trying to adapt a gm v6 into a car it would be a supercharged 3.8. They have tons of power potential, are extremely reliable and would be simpler. I couldn't speak for the bell housing but I assume some GM RWD trans fit it because they used a NA 3.8 in the firebirds and camaros

I work at a Buick dealer also, but at least with the motor sitting that way, it would be easier to replace the timing chains when they stretch. LOL

 

[kad5118]

its a guy on ebay that rewire lsx harness and add a fuse box to the harness for 190.00 i figure that would solve the wire harness issue.the next challenge would be the motor as far as getting some custom made.along with the drive shaft.but im hoping that it wont be a hard thing to do being that the car came with a 3.8 carb turbo.

I dont want a 350 in there because the are just not as efficent as the new motors i would rather rebuild the turbo v6 thats in there if i was going to go that route.not to mention if that heavy camaro gets 30 mpg to the gallon then i can only image what a 80 monte would get being that its a lot lighter than the camaro.

 

[Peter]

I dont know how they estimate 300hp because it sure doesn't feel like it. I work for a chevy dealer and drive the v6 camaros all the time and I understand it is a heavy car but they give me absolutely no pleasure at all.

If it were me trying to adapt a gm v6 into a car it would be a supercharged 3.8. They have tons of power potential, are extremely reliable and would be simpler. I couldn't speak for the bell housing but I assume some GM RWD trans fit it because they used a NA 3.8 in the firebirds and camaros

I work at a Buick dealer also, but at least with the motor sitting that way, it would be easier to replace the timing chains when they stretch. LOL

I hear ya on that one these engines are an absolute mess and we have them torn down constantly. I didnt want to stick my head my *ss because I havent seen the camaros or rwd cadillacs with the 3.6 torn down so I wasnt competely sure if the LLT and VVT are completely the same. i can speak with certainty to call the VVT trash though and those transmissions with the 3.6's are also mush boxes

 

[efigp83]

its a guy on ebay that rewire lsx harness and add a fuse box to the harness for 190.00 i figure that would solve the wire harness issue.the next challenge would be the motor as far as getting some custom made.along with the drive shaft.but im hoping that it wont be a hard thing to do being that the car came with a 3.8 carb turbo.

I dont want a 350 in there because the are just not as efficent as the new motors i would rather rebuild the turbo v6 thats in there if i was going to go that route.not to mention if that heavy camaro gets 30 mpg to the gallon then i can only image what a 80 monte would get being that its a lot lighter than the camaro.

If you are really looking to go that route you would almost have to find a wrecked camero and get everything out of it b/c there is A LOT of electronics behind that engine between the high pressure fuel pump, coil on plug, and the cam phasers, besides the throttle by wire.

 

[kad5118]

yea if could find a real good deal on a 3800 motor i may settle for that it should be a direct drop in