78-82 with an LS1 Engine Conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
78-82 with an LS1 Engine Conversion
What does the market look like for restomod Corvettes of the 78-82 vintage with an LS1 engine?
I know they have been done. Are the rare or plentiful? Reliable? What can one expect to buy one for?
Anyone reading this own one?
I'm thinking of one day owning a C3 I can drive a lot. This idea appeals to me. Thanks for indulging me on this.
I know they have been done. Are the rare or plentiful? Reliable? What can one expect to buy one for?
Anyone reading this own one?
I'm thinking of one day owning a C3 I can drive a lot. This idea appeals to me. Thanks for indulging me on this.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 17
From: MA
Lots of mods and money for 345hp. I guess its fuel injected and its certainly an improvement on the stock/carb 350 but then I could put my Tacoma's V6 in the car and would be an improvement. For the same money imagine what kind of 406 you could build or buy a ZZ6 long block for a few thousand less.
Last edited by M. Young; Mar 4, 2017 at 08:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
I'm a Mopar guy who believes that every American gearhead should own a Corvette at some point in life. For me it was a '96 LT4 with a six speed. The late C4 are great cars but I'm of the age that if you ask me to close my eyes and picture a Corvette it is a C3 I see. My budget is limited and I want a driver. So a 78-82 with an LS1 seems very appealing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,710
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
A few guys on here have done the swap. No idea of reliability or availability. I did observe an LS C2 get sold at Barrett Jackson that got more money than an equivalent stock car. That's N of one but it stuck in my mind.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Should be reliable if done correctly. There's lots of little parts that could cost you a lot of money if you're not careful. Personally I'd prefer (and so that's what I built) my modified sbc (stroker 383, hydraulic roller, alloy heads etc) with fuel injection and a 5 speed box (Tremec TKO600). Similar overall cost, minimal hassle, easy parts, and at the end of the day I feel that it's not an engine converted car that is likely to depreciate in value/appeal as more popular/better engine swap choices come along. BUT, no question the LS engine offers a number of advantages over a sbc, not least being weight (though alloy heads/intake/water pump do narrow the gap). I guess i like having it look 'right' under the hood, and the coil packs/fuel injection bananas etc don't provide that look for me.
P.s. I've done over 3000 miles in mine since Christmas, including nearly 1000 miles on a road trip in the past week. No dramas whatsoever.
P.s. I've done over 3000 miles in mine since Christmas, including nearly 1000 miles on a road trip in the past week. No dramas whatsoever.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
While I cant answer about your area market pricing ,I can about driving a 1977 model with a LS1/4L60.
Way better than what I had with the original motor/auto .
I have seen a couple for sale around here and they were asking higher numbers than a standard same age car . But they also had fresh paint jobs /newer interiors etc.
Not too many people it seems who go to the trouble (and expense?) of a swap actually leave the motor standard. thus a more expensive swap ?
Is you budget a limited buying budget or a limited build budget ? if your mechanically minded and can sort out how to get an OEM computer to run by splicing it into a c3 harness , its actually quite cheap to do yourself.
Way better than what I had with the original motor/auto .
I have seen a couple for sale around here and they were asking higher numbers than a standard same age car . But they also had fresh paint jobs /newer interiors etc.
Not too many people it seems who go to the trouble (and expense?) of a swap actually leave the motor standard. thus a more expensive swap ?
Is you budget a limited buying budget or a limited build budget ? if your mechanically minded and can sort out how to get an OEM computer to run by splicing it into a c3 harness , its actually quite cheap to do yourself.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
I wanted the reliability and mpg increase that fuel injection has, but didn't want to spend a lot. And I like to do all the work myself. I am putting an l98 TPI in my C3. Not killer HP but I want a driver. No need to have killer speed when traffic is bumper to bumper. Engines and parts are plentiful and not all that expnsive. COmputers are pentiful and custom made engine harnesses are not that costly. Also adding a 200R4 for the overdrive and no fuss install. And it also gets controlled by the computer. That's the route I went . Actually the route I am still on...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 148
From: Hunterdon Cty NJ
Kanvasman, any pictures of the C3 with the l98? I have a '91 (last year for l98) and a '70 and thought that the combo of the two would make a nice cruser. C4s are dirt cheep now you could do a nice budget build.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
I'm wanting a car that is done already, I just keep up the maintenance. I would not pass up a nice late L98, I'd be thrilled with an LT1 or LT4. In fact budget wise the LT1 should be what Im looking for.