Z06
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Shelby TWP MI
Z06
I have a 1982. ok. basically, the question is this, since the 350 has remained basically the same over the years, could i drop a Z06 engine in? I know the transmissions are in different places, but they should still link up correct? Is there any problems that might arise other than my need for a new hood?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
You'll need custom engine mounts, and of course everything will need to be wired up properly. People have dropped LS1s in on the forum. I'm sure someone will chime in eventually.
Keep in mind though - the LS generation of small blocks is actually significantly different. The 2nd generation (LT1/LT4) is the same dimension wise, but parts are not compatible with first gen at all.
I would love to have a third gen motor sitting under the hood of my 78, personally.
-Steve
Keep in mind though - the LS generation of small blocks is actually significantly different. The 2nd generation (LT1/LT4) is the same dimension wise, but parts are not compatible with first gen at all.
I would love to have a third gen motor sitting under the hood of my 78, personally.
-Steve
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Thye LS motors are actually not even 350s. There are still a Chevrolet small block but they share nothing in common with the old 350 motors. Yes it can be made to fit but takes some modifications. Some here have done it very successfully.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Thye LS motors are actually not even 350s. There are still a Chevrolet small block but they share nothing in common with the old 350 motors. Yes it can be made to fit but takes some modifications. Some here have done it very successfully.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by ShaneLU97
Just noticed in your sig on the left it says you are in South Jersey? Where at? I grew up in South Jersey and almost all of my family still lives in the area. Actually, going to be driving up there tonight to help my brother and his wife move. They just bought a house in Marlton.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Check out the link in my signature, then go to LS1Tech's Conversions and Hybrids Forum. There's enough reading there to keep you busy for the whole holiday weekend. The best suggestion I can give you is to absorb as much information as you can, then search LS1Tech. Most every issue that you will run into has already been answered.
Good luck. When you're done, the end result is worth all of the work.
Good luck. When you're done, the end result is worth all of the work.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I do live in Marlton. I grew up in Cherry Hill and left for a couple of years. I have been in Marlton since 85. Where in Marlton? I'm off Medford Evesboro in Country Farms. I am leaving for LBI in about 2 hours.
Have fun in LBI!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by yellow73sb
i dont think its worth it its to much money. i think the only way it could be good is with the suspension also.
LS series engines have been around almost 10 years now. Costs are coming down on used engines. Wiring is not that complicated. Parts are available. This is no longer uncharted waters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
The LS1 route might be the only way to go for us California C3 owners who want more power.The newer engines LT1-LS1 would be legal out here in our cars but its just expensive and a complicated swap.Even the L98 engine would be allright.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
GM is offering the Z06 engine as a crate engine. I think the availability may be a few months. As a crate engine you'd expect a little help to integrate the engine into your car. The motor mounts are different. If you have a C3 you're going to have to work the new bracket situation. I don't know about the electrics. Anyhow just offereing the Z06, 427 cubic inches,500 hp, looks like a fantastic deal. THANKS GM!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm betting the LS7 will be at least $10,000 to $13,000 because of the hand built factor. Still not a bad deal, but one hell of a sticker shock. I would guess GM will start lowering the price on the LS1 soon to reduce the amount of warranty motors and make room for the LS2 motors.
Motor mounts adapter are now selling on ebay for $39.99. I'm sure there is someone right now making kits or planning LS1 kits for the C-3.
It's not a hard swap, but it takes more than a couple of weekends.
As far as a complete C-5 suspension and driveline. You better be rich, because bubba can't do it. We are talking custom made carbonfiber driveshaft, major mods to fiberglass, and tons of electronics to make all the traction control and abs work. It would be easier to buy a flipped C-5 and paste a C-3 body on it.
Motor mounts adapter are now selling on ebay for $39.99. I'm sure there is someone right now making kits or planning LS1 kits for the C-3.
It's not a hard swap, but it takes more than a couple of weekends.
As far as a complete C-5 suspension and driveline. You better be rich, because bubba can't do it. We are talking custom made carbonfiber driveshaft, major mods to fiberglass, and tons of electronics to make all the traction control and abs work. It would be easier to buy a flipped C-5 and paste a C-3 body on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Budman78
I'm betting the LS7 will be at least $10,000 to $13,000 because of the hand built factor. Still not a bad deal, but one hell of a sticker shock. I would guess GM will start lowering the price on the LS1 soon to reduce the amount of warranty motors and make room for the LS2 motors.
Motor mounts adapter are now selling on ebay for $39.99. I'm sure there is someone right now making kits or planning LS1 kits for the C-3.
It's not a hard swap, but it takes more than a couple of weekends.
As far as a complete C-5 suspension and driveline. You better be rich, because bubba can't do it. We are talking custom made carbonfiber driveshaft, major mods to fiberglass, and tons of electronics to make all the traction control and abs work. It would be easier to buy a flipped C-5 and paste a C-3 body on it.
Motor mounts adapter are now selling on ebay for $39.99. I'm sure there is someone right now making kits or planning LS1 kits for the C-3.
It's not a hard swap, but it takes more than a couple of weekends.
As far as a complete C-5 suspension and driveline. You better be rich, because bubba can't do it. We are talking custom made carbonfiber driveshaft, major mods to fiberglass, and tons of electronics to make all the traction control and abs work. It would be easier to buy a flipped C-5 and paste a C-3 body on it.
Last edited by yellow73sb; Jul 2, 2005 at 11:52 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
The difference between the engines in C3s and C4s is very little, because they're both Gen I 350s, until the LT1. The LT1 had reverse flow and vortec heads, that's about the only difference between that and the Gen I 350. The LS1 marked the Gen III SBC and its displacement is 346 and almost entirely different than Gen I and II. IIRC the LS engines are 6 bolt mains, made out of aluminum, and have an advanced version of the vortec head design. I don't remember the other changes, but they're extremely different and you can't interchange any parts with them and prior SBCs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by markdtn
Why do you say that? Do you mean just to pull the old motor out and throw it away to put in a new one is not cost effective? Or do you mean that the fuel mileage savings are not worth the extra cost of wiring, mounts, etc.? Or what?
LS series engines have been around almost 10 years now. Costs are coming down on used engines. Wiring is not that complicated. Parts are available. This is no longer uncharted waters.
LS series engines have been around almost 10 years now. Costs are coming down on used engines. Wiring is not that complicated. Parts are available. This is no longer uncharted waters.