2012 ss camaro to 2016 ss camaro motor swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hitman1776 · 08-19-2021, 09:48 AM

I have a 2012 2ss camaro convertible that’s stripped of motor trans and ecm. Can I put a 2016 ss motor in it?

InFiD3ViL · 08-19-2021, 12:28 PM

Technically yes, you can fit one in I'm sure. But I haven't seen a successful LT swap into an SS yet. The biggest hurdle would be the ECM/TCM, harnesses, and various modules needed to run the engine and gauges.

As a standalone system I am sure this can be done, like with a Holly Terminator EFI type setup.

Hitman1776 · 08-19-2021, 03:51 PM

I just bought a 2016 ss motor with the harness and ecm included. I got a smokin deal on it with only 34,000 miles on it. Hopefully it’s not going to be a nightmare install. I’m trying to not break the bank! Lol.

gtstorey · 08-19-2021, 04:20 PM

All of the individual modules tend to "talk" to each other in modern vehicles. Trying to tie the LT4 ecu to the remaining modules may be impossible and will likely be a nightmare.

I did a quick internet search and didn't find anyone that had done it yet, in anything. I did find that it looks like even the motor mounts are in different locations.

I think you are going to wish you had sourced an LS based motor unless you just want the challenge. You are probably going to spend so much on making it work that it won't be cost effective even if the LT4 was free.

acutron42 · 08-19-2021, 05:24 PM

These are great replies. If you got a good deal on the motor look into selling it for some profit or trading it for an equal 5th gen setup.

Hitman1776 · 08-19-2021, 06:36 PM

I believe it’s a Lt1. The lt4 is the supercharged motor from what I’ve been reading. Hopefully I can get everything to work or I’ll sell it and get another motor with less headaches

G8One2 · 08-19-2021, 07:11 PM

The ECM, the harness and everything that controls one powertrain to the next, aren't compatible with the other. You'd have to swap over nearly everything in the car. I've done this numerous times converting limousines at past jobs I've had. Its not simple at all, not for your average hobbyist.

InFiD3ViL · 08-19-2021, 09:20 PM

Well man, I hope you are successful with this. They make engine mounts for just about every swap imaginable, so don't let something small like that discourage you.

The ECM, modules, and high pressure fuel system is where you will run into trouble. But I still think it could be done. It will just take a LOT of work, ingenuity, and $$$.

Many people NEVER thought you could do the V6 to V8 swap successfully in the 5th gen, and for a while everyone would try to talk people out of it and say 'Just buy an SS'. But quite a few have been done successfully now. I also know that people have successfully converted L99 auto cars into manuals and made it run and look like factory. (GPI has done it).

With enough money and time anything can be done. Is it a smart swap financially? Probably not, but imagine how awesome it would be for the 5th gen if we could eventually get the LT platform as an easy swap?

Hitman1776 · 08-19-2021, 11:34 PM

We’ll see how it goes. It would be pretty bad ass if I can pull it off! I got the car for $500 from my neighbor as a salvage. It was stolen and the motor, trans and ecm were taken. I paid $4100 for the motor today. So I’m in $4600 so far. The car is pretty clean as well. I’ll put up some pics.

Hitman1776 · 08-19-2021, 11:49 PM

Project pics

InFiD3ViL · 08-20-2021, 12:45 AM

Damn dude! $500???

Your neighbor wouldn't happen to be a crackhead, would he?

And double damn! Only $4100 for an LT1? I paid $3800 for my LS3 2 years ago and thought I got a great deal. You got a full accessory drive and everything. I see an ECM and trans too, was that included as in the deal?

Hitman1776 · 08-20-2021, 12:09 PM

Hahaha he’s not a crack head. He took a big loss and hooked me up big time. I was having some beers at his house and was like you want to get rid of the car. He said make me an offer. I jokingly said $500? He said I want it out of my driveway today. The rest is history. I pushed it from his house across the street into my driveway and boom all mine. And yes the motor, trans, wiring and ecm all included for $4100. It only has 34,000 miles on it.

InFiD3ViL · 08-20-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman1776

Hahaha he’s not a crack head. He took a big loss and hooked me up big time. I was having some beers at his house and was like you want to get rid of the car. He said make me an offer. I jokingly said $500? He said I want it out of my driveway today. The rest is history. I pushed it from his house across the street into my driveway and boom all mine. And yes the motor, trans, wiring and ecm all included for $4100. It only has 34,000 miles on it.

Damn dude, congrats on a couple of awesome deals! It would be an understatement to say you did very well.

Hitman1776 · 08-20-2021, 03:06 PM

Thanks man!

08-19-2021, 09:48 AM	#1
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	2012 ss camaro to 2016 ss camaro motor swap I have a 2012 2ss camaro convertible that’s stripped of motor trans and ecm. Can I put a 2016 ss motor in it?

08-19-2021, 12:28 PM	#2
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	Technically yes, you can fit one in I'm sure. But I haven't seen a successful LT swap into an SS yet. The biggest hurdle would be the ECM/TCM, harnesses, and various modules needed to run the engine and gauges. As a standalone system I am sure this can be done, like with a Holly Terminator EFI type setup. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

08-19-2021, 09:20 PM	#8
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	Well man, I hope you are successful with this. They make engine mounts for just about every swap imaginable, so don't let something small like that discourage you. The ECM, modules, and high pressure fuel system is where you will run into trouble. But I still think it could be done. It will just take a LOT of work, ingenuity, and $$$. Many people NEVER thought you could do the V6 to V8 swap successfully in the 5th gen, and for a while everyone would try to talk people out of it and say 'Just buy an SS'. But quite a few have been done successfully now. I also know that people have successfully converted L99 auto cars into manuals and made it run and look like factory. (GPI has done it). With enough money and time anything can be done. Is it a smart swap financially? Probably not, but imagine how awesome it would be for the 5th gen if we could eventually get the LT platform as an easy swap? __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

08-19-2021, 11:49 PM	#10
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	Pics of my project Project pics Attached Images

08-20-2021, 12:45 AM	#11
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	Damn dude! $500??? Your neighbor wouldn't happen to be a crackhead, would he? And double damn! Only $4100 for an LT1? I paid $3800 for my LS3 2 years ago and thought I got a great deal. You got a full accessory drive and everything. I see an ECM and trans too, was that included as in the deal? __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

08-19-2021, 03:51 PM	#3
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	I just bought a 2016 ss motor with the harness and ecm included. I got a smokin deal on it with only 34,000 miles on it. Hopefully it’s not going to be a nightmare install. I’m trying to not break the bank! Lol.

08-19-2021, 04:20 PM	#4
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	All of the individual modules tend to "talk" to each other in modern vehicles. Trying to tie the LT4 ecu to the remaining modules may be impossible and will likely be a nightmare. I did a quick internet search and didn't find anyone that had done it yet, in anything. I did find that it looks like even the motor mounts are in different locations. I think you are going to wish you had sourced an LS based motor unless you just want the challenge. You are probably going to spend so much on making it work that it won't be cost effective even if the LT4 was free.

08-19-2021, 05:24 PM	#5
acutron42 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: WNY Posts: 733	These are great replies. If you got a good deal on the motor look into selling it for some profit or trading it for an equal 5th gen setup.

08-19-2021, 06:36 PM	#6
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	I believe it’s a Lt1. The lt4 is the supercharged motor from what I’ve been reading. Hopefully I can get everything to work or I’ll sell it and get another motor with less headaches

08-19-2021, 07:11 PM	#7
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	The ECM, the harness and everything that controls one powertrain to the next, aren't compatible with the other. You'd have to swap over nearly everything in the car. I've done this numerous times converting limousines at past jobs I've had. Its not simple at all, not for your average hobbyist.

08-19-2021, 11:34 PM	#9
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	We’ll see how it goes. It would be pretty bad ass if I can pull it off! I got the car for $500 from my neighbor as a salvage. It was stolen and the motor, trans and ecm were taken. I paid $4100 for the motor today. So I’m in $4600 so far. The car is pretty clean as well. I’ll put up some pics.

08-20-2021, 12:09 PM	#12
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	Hahaha he’s not a crack head. He took a big loss and hooked me up big time. I was having some beers at his house and was like you want to get rid of the car. He said make me an offer. I jokingly said $500? He said I want it out of my driveway today. The rest is history. I pushed it from his house across the street into my driveway and boom all mine. And yes the motor, trans, wiring and ecm all included for $4100. It only has 34,000 miles on it.

08-20-2021, 03:06 PM	#14
Hitman1776 Drives: 2012 2ss convertible camaro Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 17 View My Garage	Thanks man!