LT4 Powertrain swap into a 5th gen Camaro.

[the_danielgarcia]

Now, before I get all the “Just trade in your Camaro” comments, the Camaro I have currently is kind of clapped out and at the end of its life. I was thinking once she’s finally done I can part it out, and start a whole new project on it like purchasing one of those Chevy preformance connect and cruise kits with the powertrain. I’m asking on this forum to see if anyone has any experience doing this? Essentially this Camaro is going to turn into an all out project car soon so any advice would help thanks. I’m looking at the LT4 + 10L90 since this car is already an automatic. Basically I’m going to rebuild this car from the ground up.

[Batmanntexas]

I say go for it. The LT4/10L90 will be an awesome powertrain for the 5th Gen...

Keep us updated on the progress!!

-Scott

[pyroguy]

Anything is possible with enough time, money, and experience. I think it would be an interesting swap, but it will be VERY involved. Best of luck to you! Start a build thread so we can watch your progress and see the final result.

[gtstorey]

It can be done but you really won't get anywhere that you can't get with an LS other than a 10 speed transmission. I don't think it will be worth the effort, other than to say you did it.

How are you going to integrate all of the instrument & BCM functions into the car.

There haven't been a lot of even making the LS V8 work in the V6 cars and those were a lot of work.

I just looked up the cost for the LT4/transmission C&C and it's almost $30k. No way/ No how will you convince me it's worth that to redo a wore out V6 car. You will be looking at $50k if you do the work yourself. $100k to pay someone to do it.

[ariZona28]

Maybe if you stumbled upon a totaled 6 gen ZL1 and did a complete transplant. Once again time/cost will be excessive. Don't forget you'll need suspension, brake, differential and probably a host of other small items. I realize folks like to showcase their mechanical and engineering prowess so if you fall into this category (and you have a thick wallet) go for it.

[Rock-It Man]

I will be following this thread. I have a 2010 and have ordered a 2023 ZL1. But so far, it's not getting built.

So my next best option is building up my beautiful 2010 2SS. I expect that if I put an LT-4 in it, tranny and rear end upgrades will be required.

Unfortunately, in my state, I will have to wait until 2026 until OBD is not part of the annual inspection.

[Wizard1183]

Your suspension can’t handle that engine much less an LS3. So not only are you have to dump money to get the engine and tranny to work with dash? But upgrading all suspension etc, you basically will have a body of a car and replacing everything else. It’s not worth it. AT ALL. Buy an SS model. Or something if you’re looking to upgrade. These cars are not pre 1985 where there was no computer and you’d swap parts and engines like it was underwear….

[morepowerjoe]

The only way I can see it is going to a holley efi system to make it work.

[CamaroCracka]

I'm all about doing things others won't even think about and if the LT4 if your thing, go for it. Nonetheless, the idea of swapping in crate packages is that it's simpler and more reliable. I think you will lose that doing it to a V6 car. If you look at it like you're starting with a body-in-white chassis and building a full on race car, you might be on the right track. Personally, if I were doing something like that, I would go LSX or even BBC with a solid rear axle. There is a lot more aftermarket support for those platforms.

Specifically on the diff and suspension, V6 or V8 does not really matter as you will need something stronger and the cradle is basically the same. Figure out what diff you want to go with, what the purpose of the car will be, e.g. 1/4 mile, mile, autox, road course, and choose your shocks, springs and bars accordingly.

Note, when you tread where others won't, you will inevitably ask yourself why you did it when things aren't working. I've had both success and failure on those sorts of endeavors. In hindsight, if I had known they were coming out with a ZL1 in 2012, I would have waited to buy my Gen5 and avoided a lot of work. Of course, I would not have been able to avoid breaking an axle and would probably be looking for replacement magnetic shocks too.

[InFiD3ViL]

This is doable. The issue is engine/trans management, while keeping full gauges and nannies. It would be easy enough to ditch the OEM systems and go aftermarket with Holly Terminator X and a screen, but then you lose all OEM functionality. I know I am vastly simplifying things here.

I dream of the day that the 5th gen starts getting successful LT platform swaps. Especially when it comes to the 8L/10L trans platforms. Most people will say it isn't worth it, since the LS can get comparable performance numbers and for cheaper. But the transmission improvements on the automatic side has been a game changer really. I would ditch this 6L80 in a second.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

I’d love to see this come together… subd. It’s gonna be very pricey and a lot of work but if you pull it off it will be cool.

[Wizard1183]

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

This is doable. The issue is engine/trans management, while keeping full gauges and nannies. It would be easy enough to ditch the OEM systems and go aftermarket with Holly Terminator X and a screen, but then you lose all OEM functionality. I know I am vastly simplifying things here.

I dream of the day that the 5th gen starts getting successful LT platform swaps. Especially when it comes to the 8L/10L trans platforms. Most people will say it isn't worth it, since the LS can get comparable performance numbers and for cheaper. But the transmission improvements on the automatic side has been a game changer really. I would ditch this 6L80 in a second.

6L80 transmission is crap because the first downfall of that transmission was the torque converter. Just buy an upgrade kit and watch YouTube video on dismantling it and beefing it up yourself.

[gen=5]

Originally Posted by gtstorey

It can be done but you really won't get anywhere that you can't get with an LS other than a 10 speed transmission. I don't think it will be worth the effort, other than to say you did it.

How are you going to integrate all of the instrument & BCM functions into the car.

There haven't been a lot of even making the LS V8 work in the V6 cars and those were a lot of work.

I just looked up the cost for the LT4/transmission C&C and it's almost $30k. No way/ No how will you convince me it's worth that to redo a wore out V6 car. You will be looking at $50k if you do the work yourself. $100k to pay someone to do it.

Lt4’s are about 10k with 30k miles or less ,trans about 2-3 both with controllers/ecu’s/ecms but your correct while it might sound cool,you can just drop a Maggie on a LS & have more power with one big mod ..

[PaulsSS]

Originally Posted by the_danielgarcia

Now, before I get all the “Just trade in your Camaro” comments, the Camaro I have currently is kind of clapped out and at the end of its life. I was thinking once she’s finally done I can part it out, and start a whole new project on it like purchasing one of those Chevy preformance connect and cruise kits with the powertrain. I’m asking on this forum to see if anyone has any experience doing this? Essentially this Camaro is going to turn into an all out project car soon so any advice would help thanks. I’m looking at the LT4 + 10L90 since this car is already an automatic. Basically I’m going to rebuild this car from the ground up.

Anything is possible and i've built a few franken cars-trucks but you have no idea what you are facing. Getting the engine and trans in and running is the easy part. Getting everything else in the car working WOW I don't think its possible unless you go everything old school. In my state you couldn't do it because it must have the original engine and ALL emission equipment in place even if they don't work. Visual inspection.