holley505

Ok I think I have made up my mine... LS1 conversion seem the way to go.

Just wanted to know from you guys about mounts and running AC, power steering, alt etc. I will be taking this to a shop to have is done. More than Likely Norris motorsports.

But was wanted to get a idea of huddle and pitfalls. and apx conversion cost... I have planned for the used engine and trans to cost about 3K to 3500.00 this will be a auto car.

This is best way, I can see for the money, to have good drivability and make at least 300 rwhp

Twin_Turbo

Why not go for a stick? you'll miss the smooth snappy feel of the LS1 with the auto

70 LS1

Your engine price is on the high side of average. If you are having a shop do the install, I would guess it will run you nearly $10000 by the time you are said and done. Here is a breakdown of my costs over 2 years ago. Bear in mind I did all the work myself.

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/70lt1/costs.shtml

There are a lot of custom parts that either need to be fabricated or purchased if you can find them. The conversion industry has grown immensely in the last few years since I did mine, but it is still a big undertaking. The auto will be a little easier.

Some of the things you are looking at are:
engine mounts: custom or Street and Performance
trans mounts: custom
fuel system: 3/8" line minimum, electric fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and fittings.
electric fans: you can use 93-02 F-body fans and wire them through a few relays to the stock computer.
air intake: there are several options available.
wiring: either a pre-made wiring harness (I recommend Speartech) or modify the donor engine harness.
accessories: you can use factory corvette accessories, but I don't recommend a corvette engine. Most people have custom acc. mounts made or use ones from S&P (very spendy).
exhaust: you may be able to use factory vette or F-body manifolds. As of now, no one has found a set of LS1 headers that will fit.

I am sure there is more, but you get the idea. Is there some reason you can't do it yourself and save a ton of money? Be sure you check out the conversion forum at LS1tech.com

Scooter70

Everything Jeff said....

Between he and I, we have drawings to make the custom motor mount adapter plates and a pretty nice alternator bracket.

I have lots of pics and info on My LS1 swap website and LS1Tech

It isn't all that hard to do yourself but I think Jeff's $10k estimate to pay someone else to do it is pretty accurate. If drivability and 300rwhp is all that you are after and you don't have the resources, time, or know-how to do it yourself, I'm sure that an aftermarket EFI system like the Holley 950 and a cam change on your current motor could get you there for much less investment. (What year/motor/transmission is your car currently?)

Part of the attraction of the LS1 (at least for me) was that I was able to do it myself and the cool-factor when I open the hood at a cruise show makes it all worth it.

Fevre

That and the ability of your passenger to reach down and touch your exhaust pipes.



Inside joke.

Scooter's (Matt) car runs smooth and awesome.

Scooter70

That's just the "Flinstone mod". (I really need to get around to finishing that center console.....) The car was just so nice to drive that I didn't want to waste any time working on it. That's what winter is for!

Budman68

You haven't fixed that hole yet. That means your not done and I win. You just started yours first...

I'm in it for about $4000, that's installing it myself. Alot of it is $50 trips to the parts stores. $10,000 sounds like a good guess-tamite to me.

My conversion ended up at 319 rwhp, so 300 should be easy to come up with.

Check out My Corvette photos and website for pics of the conversion.

holley505

thanks for the info guys... My car is a orginal (father got it new and gave it to me) 77 L-48 Auto. 68K miles... I am in the process of selling my Camaro and I have about 4K to spend so about 8 grand after the sell of my car... then about 2-3k more...i figure at this time.

I want a driver that still kick a lil tail.

my goal are a at least 300RWHP and working accessories to deive when I want to kinda car...rain sun and fun.... show and lil drag duty...

My daily driver is a 2000 slp SS will be paid off first of the year... so that frees up more cash for the vette project.

gdh

Too bad you don't live up here near me as I know a guy who will do this (LS1 or Lt1 + 6sp) for $6500 installed cdn. If I had of known him 3 years ago I would probably have gone that route. Now I am considering the Holley f.i. system maybe next year.

StingrayDK

Just being curious, would there any clearance issues running the steeriods R&P together with the ls1?

79ls1

10K is probably a little high. I'm having mine done for around 8K (labor included) and I got a lot of extra goodies like cam and valve train, 2800 stall, S&P's acc drive, headers, alum rad, ect, ect.
The main things are to be careful who you let do the job and make it as easy for the mech as possible, as his labor can eat you alive. For an auto, it's darn near bolt-in now, or can be. Also, if you buy your motor/trans on E-bay, make sure the donor car wasn't hit in the front or front sides.
300 rwhp is very little above stock for an auto, should not present a problem. I'll be putting down around 390-410 if all goes as planned. Hate to disagree with you, TT, but those numbers with the stall should give adequate "snappiness". I hate driving stick in this #$%@$% Cinci traffic.
It chafes a little for me to have mine done, but in my circumstance, it made sense.
Scooter, don't let 'em get to you, my console is out too. YAAABA DAAABA DOOOO !!!

79ls1

I'd be interested on knowing that too, especially with headers. Anybody?

MYBAD79

My daily driver is a 99 Z28 auto.... the current value is around 9500....
I have spent some time thinking about swapping everything into the Vette: engine, tranny, fuel injection, AC , radiator and so on.... would be great to have a '79 Vette that has >300 RWHP and gets 24m/gallon, working AC and so on....
I'll probably never do this but it seems that if you buy a complete LS1 equipped Camaro or Firebird you can get all the parts you need for <10000....

Hey, the seatbelts will also fit

70 LS1

I don't know, but the center link on my manual steering car is ~1/2 -3/4" away from the oil pan.

Budman68

I had to lower mine 1" to clear the pan. This is a before shot.


And yes my pan is 3" off the ground. I'm currently fixing that problem with new semi coilovers.

79ls1

Bud, What did you lower?

Scooter70

I actually had to modify my Pitman arm to clear the oil pan. (Thanks Norval.) I haven't seen the Steeroids system installed so I couldn't comment on its fit. If Fevre ever gets his car together, I'll take a look.

gdh

talk to SAMMAN, he had his done last winter

Budman68

I split the bracket that holds the end of the ram and welded in a 1" of plate stock. After grinding it down, it looks just like original. The ram now clears the pan at full right hand turns.

turtlevette

that cast aluminum oil pan doesn't give me warm fuzzies.

what do these thing run in the quarter in a c3. anyone got any timeslips?