383 crate vs LS motor

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Dec 15, 2011 | 06:01 PM

#21

73ls1

Pro

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 668

Likes: 87

From: Bismarck IL.

I did the LS1 swap 6 years ago and never looked back.Sure it is alot more work but I enjoyed every minuteof it.I did every but the harness and ecm. It is nice to turn the key to start and not have to pump the throttle. The stock engine horsepower was 190 and the LS1 horsepower is 340,quite the difference. The LS1 is stock so there is alot room for more horsepower.Last year I put 8000 miles onmy73 with 24mpg highway/20 city .So in my opinion the new technoglogy is the way to go.

Dec 15, 2011 | 06:19 PM

#22

Willytrash

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 327

Likes: 3

This is probably a question I could have answered myself. People with way more mechanical skill then myself would love the challenge of swapping to an LS motor. I on the other hand would probably need help with the 383 swap. I look at an LS swap and I feel like you might as well take a C5 chassis and drop a C3 body on it, the difficulty would be the same for me. Like it ain't gonna happen. Maybe I'm giving somebody some idea's.

Dec 15, 2011 | 06:39 PM

#23

Sunstroked

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,071

Likes: 147

From: S Nevada

That idea has already become reality Willytrash. The aftermarket has developed frames for the C2/C3 designed to use the running gear of the C6,C5 and C4. I dont know if anyone has grafted the C5's hydro formed frame rails onto a C3, but I'm sure someone is trying.

Many of us with old corvettes envision their cars in a certain way. And as long as it makes us happy is all that matters.
I was at a car museum many yrs ago, there was a nice 57 corvette with modern running gear and engine. A fellow next to me was really having a hard time with it. Just couldn't understand how someone could desecrate the originality of that car.

Dec 16, 2011 | 07:41 AM

#24

MalibuVLX

Racer

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 415

Likes: 10

From: Richmond Va

Gordon already chimmed in, but read his post about his swap and you may want to keep the SBC idea. Gordon has done many upgrades/modifications on his car and from the pics you can see he does it right. Just the power steering and accessories are a nightmare. That being said, if you have the time, skill and of course the $, that motor will out perform the older gen stuff and still get you the mpg of today's cars. That is what is so great about our passion, you can do it how ever YOU want. Good luck.

I'm doing a Borgeson steering box w Hydroboost right now and can't wait for the first trip around the block. Going from manual steering and brakes.