Mikey Bollinger

So I have a 69 corvette and Not in the best condition but hey it's a project. It's not numbers matching or anything or else I would never do this but I'm considering swapping a ls1 from a newer corvette keeping it fuel injected and a t56 behind it. I've never done a project this big so I'd like to know what you guys think. What problems are there gonna be? Any friction points with the swap? What mods will I have to do to the car to make it work? Are there any common things people overlook when doing a project like this?

cobrachuck

Mikey
Is's a BIG deal do more reading here on the forum, have you considered a 355 or 383 ?
Everything gets changed including interior guage's not a cheap deal either mega $.
Chuck

SH-60B

I think its a great improvement, but I agree you should do some more research before starting:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...light=LS1+swap

10Seconds918

As soon as funds allow I plan to do the same. Its the #1 best mod to an older car you actually want to drive. It is not that hard and if you are just swaping from a donor and not building the motor its way cheaper than a 383 build or 406 sbc, more dependable and more powerful right off. And better gas mileage too.

Mikey Bollinger

which wiring mods will I have to make to support the computer system for the efi and all the sensors?

Mikey Bollinger

I've thought about a 383 but the reason i want to do the swap is to raise horse power without sacrificing fuel economy. Pretty much i want a daily driver that can win races

Jbster

You'll need the computer, unless you're going with a stand alone box like Megasquirt, and engine wiring harness from the donor vehicle or you can buy a harness from a vendor, but it will still take some work to hook it up. There are instructions and videos online of how to modify a stock harness. That is what I did on my swap and it is cheaper than buying a vendor harness or paying someone to modify yours. It's not that hard to do.

71 Vert LS1

LS1 in my 71. I spend the money for a harness and matching computer. I like Howell. Easy hookup of wires for power and such. It's more work redoing the fuel system. Having said that I wouldn't run anything else. LS6 in a 98 Wrangler, LS6 in 99 3 series BMW vert. 6.2 sitting on an engine stand waiting for a 67-72 chev pickup.

Need any help just ask.

myoriginal77

Easiest & BEST thing I have ever done, and I did it back in 2004 when you couldn't buy anything for the swap I might be the first one that did it -

I bought a wrecked 2004 - LS1 - had 656 miles - salvaged what I needed and sold the rest.

T56 - used the original hydraulic clutch from the donor car

I sent the harness out and had it retrofitted to remove unnecessary wires, they marked all the wires - easy hook up.

I'm using a GPS speedo, converter box for the tach, all other gauges work with original wires.

Replaced my gas tank with one out of a 73 - bottom feed to external walbro pump, C5 regulator & filter - Easy, used original fuel lines - added braided connections to it. Flush lines before using, I was amazed how much crap came out, I filled the line with Gumout, let it sit, blew it out.

Radiator & fans from donor - harness turns them on - Easy

12 years - Zero issues -

Happy Motoring, Frank

brick1234

another option is a carbed ls swap if you still want an old school look. I have a 73 that is that but retaining the turbo 400 (modified racing) that would keep it simple. Also am having a custom air cleaner/coil covers built to clean up the engine and make it look like a fuel injection setup. Best idea if your serious would to buy an ls1 f body car and sell what you don't need after the swap

cv67

It is a nice swap for mileage mpg and other factors but a stock LS1 will have less power than a Gen 1 383 or 400 until you start modding it.

brick1234

One thing also to consider is the weight of an all iron sbc (including heads and exhaust manifolds). My 73 doesn't have the new springs on yet and is raised a good 2 to 3 inches in the front after the swap with stock springs. No doubt the easiest thing is to drop in a 383 or 406 sbc for straight forward swap with nice power. Imo for a street car lighter is always better then a few extra hp

AnthonyGS

I think it's probably easier to build a 383 up and go aftermarket EFI and select a different overdrive transmission if what you want is power and fuel economy. This is the route I will go if I ever get a C3 I can bubba without feeling bad. My current ride is too orginal for that.


The LS platform is simply amazing, but look how many LS swaps are started and never finished. A 383 is a bolt in and aftermarket EFIs hook up so easily anyone can do it.


I'm currently wading through a late model mustang wiring harness to figure out what is needed and not needed for swap into a Miata project. I hate this kind of work and it will never look as clean as one of the simple throttle body injection EFI setups. I wouldn't care if I were working on any 70s car, I'd just stick with the old school engines and switch to modern electronics the easy way. The result will be almost the same.

Mikey Bollinger

What are your guys thoughts on forced induction paired with the ls1

Patro46

Hmmm. A C3 with an LS AND forced induction? Lemme think about it a minute.
Yea. I like the idea...

mrvette

Given it has been since '95...21 years now, I put DPFI on my L48 in the '72 and gained some 6 mpg for the effort.....highway was 24 mpg....so even more....

but that was the iron head L48 engine, stock as a stove with L98 stock injection on top....and a '88-92? computer.....no MAF sensor...speed density...still in the car....

Engine was changed for a '89 truck roller 4 bolt block with L98 heads and headers.....and a highly modified later LT1 induction retaining the HEI ignition in back.......

the ONLY ONE in the world.....BET on that......

Thanks to a very good welder buddy......