Swaping in a V8 in 2000 Firebird coupe

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum.  I have a question for all the experts out there.  I have a 2000 firebird coupe with a V6 and auto tranny.  How difficut would a V8 swap be?  Would my existing computer work?  Thanks for any advice and tech tips.

Thanks again.

BigAl2000  

I've never worked on the fourth-gen f-bodies but I think it will be pretty difficult for the novice. You would need a special tool to assist you when you're ready to "drop" in the V-8 because when those cars were assembled the powertrain cradle was lifted into the body, that's why the windshield covered half of the motor. I always asked myself "how the hell did they put that motor in there?" How the tool works (I can't remember the name of it) is it allows the v-8 motor to swivel inside the engine compartment when lifting the engine. Your other option is to find a vehicle lift and lift the body off of the engine cradle. As for the computer you will need one that's specific to the v-8 motor that you're putting in the car. Hope this helps.  

Hi,

Myself having a forth gen Bird, it was a major pain removing the 3.4 out. I had to pretty remove everything besides the steering shaft to make it clear. I also could only pull the engine and not the usual engine/trans combo. Its not impossible but unless your on a tight budget or a really dyi kind of guy. I acually called numerius shops after having all the accessories out to see how much to drop both the engine and trans out. They quoted me around 300 bucks which i should have done but the couple extra hours were worth it. After I had the engine out, I put a jack underneath the trans and lowered it to ground on cardboard. Jacked the car up and slid it out from underneath. I wouldn't do it if you plan on using the trans but it worked well for me. I'm curious which V8 are you going with... LS1? My swap is going to include a Pontiac 350 mated to a TH-400. Well best of luck to you and keep us posted on the progress.

Dave  

I have a friend that wanted to do this with his 94 camaro, he got a wrecked 95 z28 and we dropped the whole front cradle out of it, after looking into it more though we decided it was more trouble than it was worth, he parted the whole z28 out, made probably a grand from it, sold his v6 car, and bought a 96 Z28 with headers and exhaust and 18 inch torque thrusts in great shape for like 4 grand.  I would think if you just want a fairly stock V8 car it would be cheaper to buy one and sell the V6 car, I also have a friend with a 96 LT1 formula, he bought it for like 2300 in really good shape also with pretty low miles.