Ls3-c2
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
Same here with a 4L60E. Cable throttle, F-body accessories, Art Morrison engine mounts...once the radiator shows up it's ready to fire up.
BTW, I had the gauges converted by Redline Gauge Works to electronic. Boy did they do a nice job!!
BTW, I had the gauges converted by Redline Gauge Works to electronic. Boy did they do a nice job!!
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Hastings NE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 643
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco CA
I'm looking to hire a mechanic/shop, that has experience with a C-2 LS swap. Any recommendations? I've received a few quotes and they are a little rich for my budget.
Yes, I will have the car hauled to the right person.
Yes, I will have the car hauled to the right person.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
Nothing fits
The rich quotes are because NOTHING fits, I mean not one single thing. If I am wrong name something for me. Everything that touches the engine will have to be changed.
Have you considered a nice 383? You can get 400HP if you need 400hp, It WILL Bolt in.
I would guess that LS conversions are 15-20K deals, by the time you are finished and add it all up.
Unless you car is really far gone from stock you may want to re-consider.
I mean, the LS cars are really neat, I like them and admire the craftmanship, and if your doing it to show off your skills well that is something different.....but.......It would be tough for me to commit to that program for a small marginal gain.
Have you considered a nice 383? You can get 400HP if you need 400hp, It WILL Bolt in.
I would guess that LS conversions are 15-20K deals, by the time you are finished and add it all up.
Unless you car is really far gone from stock you may want to re-consider.
I mean, the LS cars are really neat, I like them and admire the craftmanship, and if your doing it to show off your skills well that is something different.....but.......It would be tough for me to commit to that program for a small marginal gain.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 643
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco CA
The rich quotes are because NOTHING fits, I mean not one single thing. If I am wrong name something for me. Everything that touches the engine will have to be changed.
Have you considered a nice 383? You can get 400HP if you need 400hp, It WILL Bolt in.
I would guess that LS conversions are 15-20K deals, by the time you are finished and add it all up.
Unless you car is really far gone from stock you may want to re-consider.
I mean, the LS cars are really neat, I like them and admire the craftmanship, and if your doing it to show off your skills well that is something different.....but.......It would be tough for me to commit to that program for a small marginal gain.
Have you considered a nice 383? You can get 400HP if you need 400hp, It WILL Bolt in.
I would guess that LS conversions are 15-20K deals, by the time you are finished and add it all up.
Unless you car is really far gone from stock you may want to re-consider.
I mean, the LS cars are really neat, I like them and admire the craftmanship, and if your doing it to show off your skills well that is something different.....but.......It would be tough for me to commit to that program for a small marginal gain.
I've had 3 quotes from CA and AR and all the price quotes jive.
If you're going with LS3,4L70E, and everythng is new, the cost for just the parts is 18K. If you add A/C, tilt steering, and orig. gauges upgraded, add another $2,800. And that's w/o new, wider wheels, or suspension upgrades.
The only thing left is labor...
I'm now looking into a used LS2/tranny...plus, alot of the parts and harness are already included.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
Now if you had a truck motor, then that changes a bit. The intake will have to go, the FEAD needs to be swapped, oil pan...well that's about it.
The position I was in was I had a bone stock '64 that needed about everthing except for interior work and paint. The chassis needed to be rebuilt, radiator couldn't do it's job, brakes were awful, and I hated the wheels and tires. So I could rebuild the whole deal as per stock, or I could stuff in a LS since I was replacing all the key conversion items anyway (transmission, radiator, exhaust, and wiring). So it was a natural for me. BUT, if I were paying somebody else to do it, I'd just use a well-built small block with injection. I probably will have 300 hours into this when I'm done (which includes stripping the frame and powdercoating everything, replacing all wear items, etc), and at a normal shop rate, that's about $20k in labor. I'd pass on that...
Last edited by silvercamaro; Jun 17, 2011 at 10:38 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 504
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clara CA
The guys at Corvette Express in Vacaville are completing my frame off with an LS3. Give them a call.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 504
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clara CA
Thanks for your thoughts.
I've had 3 quotes from CA and AR and all the price quotes jive.
If you're going with LS3,4L70E, and everythng is new, the cost for just the parts is 18K. If you add A/C, tilt steering, and orig. gauges upgraded, add another $2,800. And that's w/o new, wider wheels, or suspension upgrades.
The only thing left is labor...
I'm now looking into a used LS2/tranny...plus, alot of the parts and harness are already included.
I've had 3 quotes from CA and AR and all the price quotes jive.
If you're going with LS3,4L70E, and everythng is new, the cost for just the parts is 18K. If you add A/C, tilt steering, and orig. gauges upgraded, add another $2,800. And that's w/o new, wider wheels, or suspension upgrades.
The only thing left is labor...
I'm now looking into a used LS2/tranny...plus, alot of the parts and harness are already included.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
Everything fit pretty well for me. The 4L60E fit nicely, stock shifter works great, exhaust manifolds have just enough clearance, F-body accessory layout is just right, F-body oil pans works well...I'd say just about everything fit nicely. I didn't even need to hack up the frame for the tranny. I was even able to use a dual-diaphragm booster for power brakes!
I like engine swaps, I get a sense of accomplishment from making things. I have done three swaps in the past, MG-mazda, Jaguar-chev, Sports racing car ford to mazda.
But.............building a car takes alot more time than fixing one!
Thats why I think a 383 with good aluminum heads is the hot set up. Now with that nifty FAST fuelie deal and a 5 speed, then you would reall have something!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
I guess I meant, NOTHING BOLTS UP! Not one single thing!, not the engine not the trans not the radiator, not the driveshaft, Not the wiring, not the guages, not the power steering, not the AC, not the speedo, . You get to make everything!
I like engine swaps, I get a sense of accomplishment from making things. I have done three swaps in the past, MG-mazda, Jaguar-chev, Sports racing car ford to mazda.
But.............building a car takes alot more time than fixing one!
Thats why I think a 383 with good aluminum heads is the hot set up. Now with that nifty FAST fuelie deal and a 5 speed, then you would reall have something!
I like engine swaps, I get a sense of accomplishment from making things. I have done three swaps in the past, MG-mazda, Jaguar-chev, Sports racing car ford to mazda.
But.............building a car takes alot more time than fixing one!
Thats why I think a 383 with good aluminum heads is the hot set up. Now with that nifty FAST fuelie deal and a 5 speed, then you would reall have something!
My radiator is a bolt-in too with off the shelf hoses.
But if a guy just wants something to bolt-on and go, then obviously a LS isn't the way to go. But in my opinion, the advantages of a LS engine far outweigh the downside of the extra work (which is easy for me to say, since I'm vary familiar with doing these swaps).
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood TN
Plenty of guys here have done LS swaps before, and I've done 2 LS conversions myself. Would say you are both right. Nothing fits out of the box, yet many of issues are fairly easy to overcome. Many of clever forum members have unique ways to to make things fit that you can search and see what they did.
Based on list above, would add fuel delivery to your list of additional expenses.
Based on list above, would add fuel delivery to your list of additional expenses.