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Been reading many posts about swapping the stock 350 for a LS engine/trans combo. For those that have done this, I am wondering what your reasons were? I get it if your stock engine died and it just made sense at that time. But like in my case I have stock L48 which I could add EFI, and whatever else to increase HP. And I could replace the trans with a 4 speed. So why do this swap if what you have is running fine?
Being a gear head for so long i
noticed any styling or mod that catches on becomes trendy for a spell, ls were very trendy, still are in some circles,
Grab a copy of car craft from 75, 85, 95, etc look at what was the end all to be all for that moment, some will give you a good laugh,
Trends come and go, lots if ls engines out there, and they do make good power, not my cup o tea, while i enjoy some builds that rival the space shuttle in complexity, i would rather just go old school with my classic car,
Old school builds just seem to have more spirit and heart for me....
I had a 500 HP 383 fuel injected in my 72. It ran great. But the old school Gen 1 SB are peaky in HP when you get up there in HP. I drove a few LS motors in the 500 to 600 HP range and the torque curve was way different than the SB Gen 1. The LS motor is just way smoother producing that kind of HP. Is it expensive YES. Is it worth it to everyone NO. I did it because I wanted to be a little different. Not so much different anymore since lots here have done this. A good fuel injected Gen 1 SB will provide plenty of good reliable HP. Personal preference.
I went somewhat old school on my Cobra motor. A stroked 351 out to 408. I did put fuel injection on it. It produces around 540 HP. Extremely fast but not as smooth as the newer motors. Technology does have its benefits.
Why not? If I could afford to, I would like to do it myself one day. I visualize an 82 with a blown LS3 engine but a stock look otherwise. (if that is even possible) Maybe even proudly put a custom "Cross Fire Injection" badge on the front fenders.
Could be the ultimate sleeper Corvette.
Last edited by crawfish333; 09-16-2017 at 06:41 PM.
Why not? If I could afford to, I would like to do it myself one day. I visualize an 82 with a blown LS3 engine but a stock look otherwise. (if that is even possible) Maybe even proudly put a custom "Cross Fire Injection" badge on the front fenders.
Could be the ultimate sleeper Corvette.
Sounds fun,
How much do you believe just the engine and related mods would cost for that sleeper?
I think you could probably find a C6 donor car which is totaled for maybe 10 grand. The blower can be had for 6-10 Grand.
I am not really smart enough to know what it would cost to put together or even if you could cram that under the hood of an 82, but I think it would be possible.
I may try it when I retire in couple of years. This is a crazy fantasy I have had for a few years.
Originally Posted by The13Bats
Sounds fun,
How much do you believe just the engine and related mods would cost for that sleeper?
Because it does everything better. More power, better drivability, better fuel economy, runs cleaner, it's lighter too. It doesn't install itself but in every other way it's better.
I have owned several vettes over the years but never a C3. That is destined to change soon as I have caught C3 fever...so my answer may seem myopic, small minded or misguided.
For me the purpose of an LS swap is to increase hp and performance. I wouldn't worry about doing that to a C3. They are beautiful and sexy and look better than 75% of all other cars when it is sitting still.
I'll probably wind up in a '76-'81. Those generally had +\- 200hp when new. My 40 year old specimen will probably dyno at 150 crank hp. That's probably 0-60 in about 8-9 seconds...but I'll look soooo good doing it.
I've driven a plain stock 06 with I think an LS2, isn't that what they have? 400hp and just a smooth and can be. I've said your grandma could drive that car to a 12 second time slip. That being said, I've never heard an LS engine that IMO sounded as good as a built small or big block. LS engines just don't sound as good to me. If I had the means to do whatever I wanted to my 79, it would get a stroker small block with fuel injection putting out 500 or so HP.
I have owned several vettes over the years but never a C3. That is destined to change soon as I have caught C3 fever...so my answer may seem myopic, small minded or misguided.
For me the purpose of an LS swap is to increase hp and performance. I wouldn't worry about doing that to a C3. They are beautiful and sexy and look better than 75% of all other cars when it is sitting still.
I'll probably wind up in a '76-'81. Those generally had +\- 200hp when new. My 40 year old specimen will probably dyno at 150 crank hp. That's probably 0-60 in about 8-9 seconds...but I'll look soooo good doing it.
Not myopic - we all have our own preferences and it only has to be 'right' for you. I like my old '69 SB. Been rebuilt with a mild cam and doesn't have the monster torque my old BB Chevelle SS had but I bought the car to have something to fart around with and have fun with. Old technology that still works fine appeals to me. I just couldn't see radically changing it from what it's been for all these years.
I've had other cars I've beaten like a rented mule and had fun - just don't wanna with this one. Believe me, once or twice when this old bastard hasn't wanted to start I can't help but think about modern performance & convenience .... but after I get it going that sort of fades away for me. If I ever need another motor maybe I'll feel differently.
Because it does everything better. More power, better drivability, better fuel economy, runs cleaner, it's lighter too. It doesn't install itself but in every other way it's better.
Once we found out the numbers didn't match we started looking at other options. Found a 2010 LS3 Dry Sump and figured why not. This was a long time ago when it was still relatively new to swap. The dry sump created some creativity, but now it's unique. From the outside it looks like a 454 like its supposed to be. The 5 speed TKO is nice too. Magna Flows sound great and the power is fun with both street and highway cruise. Just got it tuned perfectly and starting to have fun.
Once we found out the numbers didn't match we started looking at other options. Found a 2010 LS3 Dry Sump and figured why not. This was a long time ago when it was still relatively new to swap. The dry sump created some creativity, but now it's unique. From the outside it looks like a 454 like its supposed to be. The 5 speed TKO is nice too. Magna Flows sound great and the power is fun with both street and highway cruise. Just got it tuned perfectly and starting to have fun.
09-16-2017, 03:29 PM
LS Swap, why?
