LS1 Conversion for a C3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
LS1 Conversion for a C3
Has anyone put a late model Corvette motor (LS1) in their C3? If so how difficult was it and do and do you have any pics? In addition, where could someone come up with this motor? I would imagine if you could find one that was hit from behind that would be a start. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time and it would top off my resto. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
There are a handful of people who have done LS1 conversions. I just purchased a LS1 last weekend and will be installing it over the next couple of months. One thing that you will find is that there is no cookbook approach to installing a LS1 into a C3. Everyone has different transmissions, etc. that make each installation unique. There are engine mount adapters available for adapting the LS1 to standard 350 motor mounts, and almost any GM transmission will bolt up, but be prepared to do a lot of engineering yourself. There are some Internet resources available - ls1tech.com is a good one - but you will have to ask a lot of questions and figure out a lot of answers on your own. That being said, I can't wait to get that LS1 under the hood of my 72!
Rick B.
Rick B.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Check out www.fparts.us they are a corvette salvage yard and have LS-1's, LT-1's and L-98's for sale on ebay all the time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
There are several people on the site that have done it or are doing it. I'm in the latter. Here are some links to get you started. Most of these guys are on this forum.
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Conversion
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/gameshowbob/swap.html
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/budman78/
http://home.comcast.net/~baconjb/pictures.html
http://matt.undiagnosed.org/ls1/ls1_swap_home.html
http://members.tripod.com/~racerjoe/..._retrofit.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...7&page=1&pp=20
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177440
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Conversion
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/gameshowbob/swap.html
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/budman78/
http://home.comcast.net/~baconjb/pictures.html
http://matt.undiagnosed.org/ls1/ls1_swap_home.html
http://members.tripod.com/~racerjoe/..._retrofit.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...7&page=1&pp=20
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177440
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by Crazy81
SuprJames, Don't you have a magnacharger on yours? 
What mods did you do to the motor and what problems have you run into?
What mods did you do to the motor and what problems have you run into?Here are some pics of us doing the cam and heads this weekend. The older guy is my dad and he's been a huge help. He's a hot rodder from the 60's and still has his '37 Chevy Coupe he baught in '66. That's our next project. Wouldn't be able to tackle this car without him. The other pics are of the supercharger vs. the stock intake. It's a C5 supercharger and it probably would've been better for me to use the hot rod style because it sits back further. I'm pretty sure it will fit under a big block hood because it's only 3.5" higher then the stock intake.
Engine only has 19,000 miles on it and the heads we put on were brand new.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
From: Baytown Texas
[QUOTE=SuprJames]Not yet. I didn't do anything to the bottom end of the motor at all. All we've done to the engine is put on LS6 heads and a new cam last weekend. Hopefully by Monday I'll have the supercharger mounted and I'll throw the Hooker SS sidepipes on the chassis for some pics. Still have alot of work to do on the body off the car, so it will be a few months until I get it cranked.
Here are some pics of us doing the cam and heads this weekend. The older guy is my dad and he's been a huge help. He's a hot rodder from the 60's and still has his '37 Chevy Coupe he baught in '66. That's our next project. Wouldn't be able to tackle this car without him. The other pics are of the supercharger vs. the stock intake. It's a C5 supercharger and it probably would've been better for me to use the hot rod style because it sits back further. I'm pretty sure it will fit under a big block hood because it's only 3.5" higher then the stock intake.
Engine only has 19,000 miles on it and the heads we put on were brand new.[QUOTE]
Sounds lick you have a great dad.
That is going to be one kick *** Vette. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress!
BTW..... What cam did you go with?
Here are some pics of us doing the cam and heads this weekend. The older guy is my dad and he's been a huge help. He's a hot rodder from the 60's and still has his '37 Chevy Coupe he baught in '66. That's our next project. Wouldn't be able to tackle this car without him. The other pics are of the supercharger vs. the stock intake. It's a C5 supercharger and it probably would've been better for me to use the hot rod style because it sits back further. I'm pretty sure it will fit under a big block hood because it's only 3.5" higher then the stock intake.
Engine only has 19,000 miles on it and the heads we put on were brand new.[QUOTE]
Sounds lick you have a great dad.
That is going to be one kick *** Vette. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress!
BTW..... What cam did you go with?
Last edited by Crazy81; Sep 3, 2006 at 12:58 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
F body engine?
"Yep another ls1 guy here too,if you can go with a fbody engine,the pulleys
and accessorys fit much better then the c5 stuff."
Pat, What is about the F body setup that makes it a better fit?
Thanks!
and accessorys fit much better then the c5 stuff."
Pat, What is about the F body setup that makes it a better fit?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by curtis74
Has anyone put a late model Corvette motor (LS1) in their C3?
Nah, I don't think it's possible.
With all of these conversions being done lately, my car isn't so rare so I'm going to try to discourage all future swappers.
Don't go here. A couple of the moderators have cool LS1-powered 1970 Corvettes.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
I got one also....
OLD TECH... NEW TECH... LS1
F-body pan... and belt system a must... mounting engine and trans... will be tricky depending on what trans you will be using.
I am running the TH350 w/ 3000 stall
OLD TECH... NEW TECH... LS1
F-body pan... and belt system a must... mounting engine and trans... will be tricky depending on what trans you will be using.
I am running the TH350 w/ 3000 stall
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by 66 Blue Coupe
"Yep another ls1 guy here too,if you can go with a fbody engine,the pulleys
and accessorys fit much better then the c5 stuff."
Pat, What is about the F body setup that makes it a better fit?
Thanks!
and accessorys fit much better then the c5 stuff."
Pat, What is about the F body setup that makes it a better fit?
Thanks!
I'm pretty sure you'll have to get a new oil pan or modify your old one either way. You can switch to a rack and pinion and it should fit with the Corvette's or F-Bod's oil pans.
Try to get the engine and tranny together with wiring harness and computer. Makes life easier. Also, make sure you hook up the steam vent lines in the heads to the radiator. Had a friend recently who blocked them off and caused a hot spot in his heads.
