Where to go from Here???

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 29, 2010 | 10:34 AM

Terry J

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 125

Likes: 15

From: Brighton TN

Where to go from Here???

Ok Purchased my first vette a couple weeks ago. I cant decide what kind of engine/transmission to use. I would like to occasionally Drag/Road race it as it was initially getting setup for but mostly will probably just be driven around. I was into drag racing when i was younger and then got into 4wd's now im back to what i like best. Fast cars. So any suggestions on what I should do? Kinda looking for some type of direction here. Here are some pics of what im starting with.

I have a line on a 2003 LS 6.0 out of a truck that Ill have as soon as the guy has the time to pull it out but im still debating on maybe going big block? I have a WC T-5 tranny and a TH400 tranny I can use or maybe a 700r4. Whatever engine I go with will be basically just set in there and gotten running so I can take it to the paint/body people to do their thing. I would like to go fuel injected but right now thats alot of money to fork out when i have alot of other things to put the money into on it to begin with. Anyway as Ive said with all my ramblings Any ideas on what I can do or where I should start?
Thanks,
Terry J.

Sep 29, 2010 | 10:57 AM

Timsride

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 860

Likes: 0

From: Stratford Ontario

I personaly would use the 03 truck motor and an overdrive tranny depending what gears are in the rear. Its already set up for drag racing more or less, so You might as well keep it in that same setup. The fuel injection would be a nice thing to have for every day type driving. Going to a big block could cost a ton of money for what your going to get out of it. I guess where and how far You really want to drive it can be a big factor also. I would get it running and drive it and enjoy it. With this car Your only limited by Your budget. Just My two cents.

Sep 29, 2010 | 11:59 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

Likes: 12

From: Chattanooga TN

I would stay fuel injected and go with a 4L60E or 4L80E. To change an LS to carbureted is not cheap. Also the long flat runners could have some fuel distribution issues. No way I go to the trouble of an LS swap and then put a carb on it.

Sep 29, 2010 | 12:08 PM

Terry J

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 125

Likes: 15

From: Brighton TN

Sorry bout that. Running a 3.89 gear in the rear. WOuld like to go overdrive but Will a 4l60E/4l80E hold up to a bunch of pony's? Or do I need to go with my t-5 or a t-56? Going carbed is about 6-700$ and is just to get it drivable was my thought process. If i go LS then i figured I would gather all the other parts Im gonna need like the different intake setup and all the many many other things ive been reading about on the LS swap threads. Figured when I went with fuel injection I would pull the motor at the same time and build it more bigger/better. Driving will probably be to work and to shows stuff like that. 50-200 miles at a shot. Trailer it if it needs to go further. I actually have a 4l80E out of a 97 deisel truck I could use if that might work? Oh and am definatley changing the hood to an l88 hood or a 5" cowl hood. An LS with a tunnelram and two fours sticking out the hood would be kinda interesting!!

Last edited by Terry J; Sep 29, 2010 at 12:21 PM.

Sep 29, 2010 | 12:42 PM

jordan89

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 3,558

Likes: 4

From: Oakland California

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdtn

Definitely go with the fuel injected LS engine

. Big blocks are great, but you can get so much power out of the LS engines without having to spend big $$$$ like you would building the big block. You'll also get better MPG since you're planning on driving it for 50-200 miles, and you also get reliability that will much more difficult to get from a big block.

Sep 29, 2010 | 01:45 PM

Terry J

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 125

Likes: 15

From: Brighton TN

Ok going fuel injected presents one problem for me. Programming the computer. Wiring not a big deal. If I take my time Im sure i could build a wiring harness based on the harness I will get with the motor. My thing was buying the equipment to program the computer was gonna cost 800-1k depending on who i went with along with all the other things I needed to buy like intake and fuel components. Carb would be cheaper to start with then I could take my time on the fuel injection. Just a though unless you guys know a better way to go ahead and do fuel injection now and not spend 2k on misc stuff. Gotta save some money for body work!! LOL My ex father in law has a 75 stingray that I work on all the time and hes pretty good with body work so I'm hoping to have him help me with it cause I know nothing about fiberglass.

Sep 30, 2010 | 02:55 PM

Terry J

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 125

Likes: 15

From: Brighton TN

Whats the deal with the LC9 or similiar 5.3? How come I dont see anyone using these for upgrades? Maybe An L33?

Sep 30, 2010 | 03:28 PM

Terry J

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 125

Likes: 15

From: Brighton TN

I cant say completely a weekend track car becasue I love to drive my toys but that would be its purpose. Dont really factor gas mileage into the equasion since it wont be a daily driver.

Last edited by Terry J; Sep 30, 2010 at 03:33 PM.