Dropping an LS1 into a C3 shouldn't be any harder than converting to TPI.
c3-ls1 conversion
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
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From: NJ
I did a TPI engine in a 66 Nova. I used the OE harness and computer, the toughest thing was the fuel system but all else was pretty easy. Painless wiring has ready to go conversion kits that make it even easier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by redc3
save the time and headaches and get an aftermarket efi system, and use on you current block
There are a whole lot of advantages to using the LS1 over the original iron block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Gig Harbor Wa
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by SuprJames
Why? Isn't that much of a headache really. One of the most simple engine conversions I've been involved with. I'm not finished with mine, but it took almost no effort to phsycially get the engine in the car. T56 just took a little modification of crossmember and cutting of tunnel to clear the shifter, but still not more then a days work. I haven't finished mine, but others on here have and the wiring isn't impossible. I'm just making it complicated by using Hooker Sidepipes and redoing everything on the car at the same time.
There are a whole lot of advantages to using the LS1 over the original iron block.
There are a whole lot of advantages to using the LS1 over the original iron block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by redc3
outside of installing a blower or turbo youve painted yourself into a corner, IMHO. and the only mod for aftermarket efi is an electric fuel pump. ive done it. sure the ls1 is a good engine, but dollar for dollar when were done, ill be wiating for you at the end of the track. and keisler would have sold you a shifter adapter so you wouldnt have to cut your floorpan.
I'm not so sure about your dollar per dollar statement. By the time you get heads headers, cam, fuel pump, return line, and all that good stuff you probably could've bought a LS1 and you haven't even gotten the EFI system yet. My EFI conversion on my '82 was around $3,000. Probably more when you add the dyno tuning, sequential distributor, and all the stuff I can't even remember right now. That's without even touching the actual performance of the engine. I know if I had to do my '82 over again I owuld've gone with a GEN III block coupled with a 4L60E.
I know Keisler sells a kit, but I dont' mind cutting my Vette up. The shifter seems to be in an ok position anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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LS engines are badass, no two ways about it. But if you're not content with 350-400hp they can get expensive. There is an article in this months issue of Hot Rod of how to get 531hp and 448 ft lbs out of a NA LS1, called LS1 Cook Book. It requires about 10K dollars worth of mods. But regardless any FI setup is going to be expensive if you demand 500hp. I've looked into it for my car, and with relatively slim pockets carburetion is the way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
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From: Gig Harbor Wa
For about $2000 plus the LS1 conversion you could be looking at 450 Rear Wheel Hp and 450ish Torque. So if you figure $5000 for the LS1 conversion, $2000 for heads/cam/tuning, you are looking at $7000 for 450 Hp, 6speed or 4l60E, 25+ mpg and high 11's in the quarter. Doesn't seem so bad to me.
Oh and you can sell your original motor and trans for around $1000. So now you are looking at 6K for all that.
What does a 502 cost??
Oh and you can sell your original motor and trans for around $1000. So now you are looking at 6K for all that.
What does a 502 cost??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: absecon nj
$2000 for heads/cam/tuning
thats what my brother has in his 04 c5 and its over 500 hp
When im done putting mine togther no heads stock 04 heads ported ill have way under 1800 including motor.Im doing a budget ls1 build.
thats what my brother has in his 04 c5 and its over 500 hp
When im done putting mine togther no heads stock 04 heads ported ill have way under 1800 including motor.Im doing a budget ls1 build.
Le Mans Master
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From: DFW TX
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St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by torqvette
Bit conservative don't ya think?Last edited by Budman68; Dec 5, 2005 at 08:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: decatur Il.
On a c3 ls1 swap the front A arms dont leave a lot of clearance for low mount alt and steering, also how involved is running fuel return line.What header choices do you have. thanx guys
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
I only run an alternator and it is mounted high on the driver's side. The fuel return is actually easier than you think. I have an inline pump mounted on the passenger's frame rail just under the tank. It sucks off the stock tank outlet. Just in front of the tank is the fuel pressure regulator. A lot of guys are using a 99 Corvette style fuel pressure regulator/filter. From the regulator a single line runs down the length of the car to the engine compartment. A seperate rubber line runs from the regulator nearly straight up to the old vent line return on the top of the tank.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
I have considered doing this in my 75. I have a C5 that runs 11's, gets 30 mpg on the highway, makes 389 at the wheels and idles like a stocker on pump gas with a very mild cam and heads. There are tons and tons of used H/C setups out there so you can definitely build a nice motor on a budget. Mine has 157,000 miles on it and still runs strong. Once you have lived with an LS1, you really won't want to go back to a gen1 SBC. The only advantage I can see with the gen 1 motor is that it is cheap and plentiful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
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From: absecon nj
LIke fastguy said you can build a ls1 on a budget with tons of used parts or brand new take off parts out there,im doing it right now,i even bought a brand new block for 450.00 for my start.I almost have everything to assemble it except for 3 more parts and ill have under $900 into the total motor.