LS1 in a C3
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Oh man, this is a hot topic for me. I have been asking questions for a few weeks now. This swap has been done by probably 10-20 forum members now. I saw Budmans last year and that was all it took for me, I was hooked. I am now trying to figure out what I all I can get rid of to make the money to buy the LS and all the needed parts to go with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Wow Curt, I'm surprised you haven't seen all the LS1 threads of late. It seems like a spring kind of thing. Probably a new one every week.
Lots of guys have done it, but I know very little about the swap. Just search, using advanced search, and check the archive box.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
As a matter of fact I have started a few of them myself. Gotta try and learn all I can about this swap. The whole thing is going to be new ground for me.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
There are many members here who installed the LS1.
There is a section for "hybrids and conversions" on LS1tech.com - there you'll likely find anwers to any question imaginable....
A local junkyard offered me a LS1 with 6speed manual trans and the computer, wiring harniss and all accessories for $4200 - great deal, no shipping $$
Two reasons why I didn't buy:
1) I don't want to cut up my ss sidepipe headers to fit the LS1 heads
2) I have a LS1 in my daily driver and parts are too expensive compared to for example a LT1 (forged rotating assembly is $3500, heads are $2500, heck, the darn coil packs are $600
Even stock the LS1 is a great engine
There is a section for "hybrids and conversions" on LS1tech.com - there you'll likely find anwers to any question imaginable....
A local junkyard offered me a LS1 with 6speed manual trans and the computer, wiring harniss and all accessories for $4200 - great deal, no shipping $$
Two reasons why I didn't buy:
1) I don't want to cut up my ss sidepipe headers to fit the LS1 heads
2) I have a LS1 in my daily driver and parts are too expensive compared to for example a LT1 (forged rotating assembly is $3500, heads are $2500, heck, the darn coil packs are $600
Even stock the LS1 is a great engine
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 87
From: Bismarck IL.
Here is some photo's of My 73.The swap is not to difficult,it just takes time and money.My 73 has been finished since April,06and I have put 5,000 miles on the car.I get 25mpg highway and 19 city.The engine is a 2002 with 4l60e and it will break the tires loose in 2nd gear.The car is so much fun to drive.If you have any questions give me a call.Charlie
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
Great info everyone! I've been toying around with this idea for awhile as I've seen its been done and looks real sharp. One question I still have is this; will the LS1 heads accept the hooker header side pipe headers? I really like them and would want to keep them on my car. This project of course will be something I would tackle next winter.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
yep another ls1 owner here,wouldnt change back for the world.Just wish it would warm up here to drive again.I did use hooker headers for mine youll need to cut off the flange and weld a ls style flange to it.2 of the pipes line up and 2 dont youl have to move 2 of them to line up by cutting and rewelding them.Take patiance to get them right but it works and sounds great.I have pics of how they line up.
Last edited by PatsLs1vette; Jan 31, 2007 at 06:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
apples and oranges......
LS1: 320HP for $2000-$2500 used
LS2 400HP - very expensive used - if you can find one it's likely going to be $6000
LS7 505HP - what ??? $10000 ???
A 500 HP LT1 shouldn't cost you more than $5500, that's rebuilt with lots of new parts
LS1: 320HP for $2000-$2500 used
LS2 400HP - very expensive used - if you can find one it's likely going to be $6000
LS7 505HP - what ??? $10000 ???
A 500 HP LT1 shouldn't cost you more than $5500, that's rebuilt with lots of new parts
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I agree, I was just prolonging the inevitable. My 400 is now a roller, and with the LT1 intake I hope to reap some of the benefits.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The LS7 price tag can't be ignored.... no matter how hard you try...
