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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 01:13 PM
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Default 78 engine sawp

I'm looking at purchasing a 78 pacecar edition and wanting to swap out the engine once I get it. I will do the whole shebang: connect and cruise, a/c sustem, power steering pump, brake system, starter, radiator, etc. I was thinking about a LS3 with the 8 speed tranny but I'm not sure it is the best option since I have never worked on a vette before. I figured you gear heads would have plenty of opinions. Thanks
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 01:26 PM
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What are you hoping to gain with an LS swap that the original drivetrain won't do?
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 01:34 PM
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Looking for more power and efficiency and less maintenance.
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 02:30 PM
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OP, with respect to your initial mention of an 8 speed transmission, I'd caution you that the C-3's transmission tunnel is somewhat narrow, with a Turbo 350 or Turbo 400 a fairly tight fit.
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 04:54 PM
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I doubt any manual transmissions bigger than the 6-speed Tremec Magnum will fit without much fuss.

Here's an LS3 conversion that did that, in a 78 no less.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...completed.html
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 10:25 AM
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Never worked on a Vette and yet wants to do a major swap, with minimal clues. What could go wrong? Hope you have a wheelbarrow full of cash. $10k on a good day $15k on a bad. And don't believe the knuckleheads here that claim to have done all this for $3k, I guarantee that their situation was quite different from yours.
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ratflinger
Never worked on a Vette and yet wants to do a major swap, with minimal clues. What could go wrong? Hope you have a wheelbarrow full of cash. $10k on a good day $15k on a bad. And don't believe the knuckleheads here that claim to have done all this for $3k, I guarantee that their situation was quite different from yours.
I fully expect to drop a 20 or 30 into this project. It will be for me. Not for show. And I want to drive it. Not park it to collect dust.
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 01:21 PM
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Wow, dropping 20 - 30K on car that will end being worth 20K. Well your car and your money - good luck.
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 03:33 PM
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with that kind of coin your choices are many.
I suggest LS3 427 and all the goodies.
6 speed, rear suspension, 18 wheels.
let us know what you decide.
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by RickM Z06
What are you hoping to gain with an LS swap that the original drivetrain won't do?
Be able to get out of his own way?
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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ratflinger
Never worked on a Vette and yet wants to do a major swap, with minimal clues. What could go wrong? Hope you have a wheelbarrow full of cash. $10k on a good day $15k on a bad. And don't believe the knuckleheads here that claim to have done all this for $3k, I guarantee that their situation was quite different from yours.
You can absolutely do a junkyard swap for $3K, or even $2K. But you'll need to use junkyard parts. An LS3 from GM starts at $6 or $7K just for the long block.
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19434648.html

If the OP can find a 78 Pace Car that someone has already restomodded, and is for sale at a reasonable price, that might save him some money. Buy why would the creator of such a beast want to sell it?

Originally Posted by calwldlife
with that kind of coin your choices are many.
I suggest LS3 427 and all the goodies.
6 speed, rear suspension, 18 wheels.
let us know what you decide.
What's an LS3 427?
With that kind of coin, the OP can have someone do the swap, and just get about the business of enjoying the car.

Good luck OP! Please start a build thread (or continue this one) when you find the car and start your build!

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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 04:13 PM
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since ls3 is 376ci, get one like this
https://www.lsenginekings.com/produc...-crate-engine/

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Old Mar 4, 2024 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard Daugird
Be able to get out of his own way?

Hahah

That's why I did the swap on mine.
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