C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

t56 / ls1 conversion progress

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
martinsw's Avatar
martinsw
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 16
From: vista CA
Default t56 / ls1 conversion progress

It is going slow, but got the stock engine/tranny out and in process of restoring engine bay. New AC/Heater seal kit on order, already redid all bushings, PS, ball joints, shocks previously. Planning to POR15 the engine bay and black cover coat.

Leaning towards lower cost al radiator (like Dewitts but costs lots more) my old radiator never did keep the tired old L48 cool...

Still a long road, but have enough parts on hand (LS1, T56, computer/harness, manual pedal assy, etc.) that I figured I'd get started.


Last edited by martinsw; Jul 29, 2006 at 10:34 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 10:54 AM
  #2  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default

Good job,keep us posted along the way.Im so glad these guys talked me into the swap.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 06:24 PM
  #3  
BerniesVette's Avatar
BerniesVette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Default

Wish I had an LS1! Tremendous difference!
Bernie
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
markdtn's Avatar
markdtn
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Default

Sounds like fun
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 09:49 PM
  #5  
Eddie 70's Avatar
Eddie 70
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

I am with you Bernie, I like the idea of the LS1 in one of these vettes. Keep the pics coming.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2006 | 11:30 PM
  #6  
Budman68's Avatar
Budman68
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

Make sure to have a steam vent bung installed before you put that radiator in. A simple 1/4" npt bung will work as high up on the passenger side as possible.

Keep the pics coming.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2006 | 03:42 PM
  #7  
martinsw's Avatar
martinsw
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 16
From: vista CA
Default

Originally Posted by Budman78
Make sure to have a steam vent bung installed before you put that radiator in. A simple 1/4" npt bung will work as high up on the passenger side as possible.
Buddy,
Sounds like those radiators don't have the overflow nipple just below the rad cap - is that why you say to put in the bung - to run to the overflow tank, bleed the system, or ? I was thinking of putting the computer where stock overflow tank was and getting smaller vertical metal overflow tank to put somewhere up high...
Steve
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2006 | 05:40 PM
  #8  
Budman68's Avatar
Budman68
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

You still need a recirculation tank for the radiator. I removed my stock one and added a smaller one from Jegs. JAZ brand. You need the bung for bleeding the air out of the heads. The steam pipe that crosses between each head. I actually plumbed mine in the upper radiator hose.


Last edited by Budman68; Jul 30, 2006 at 05:42 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 30, 2006 | 07:08 PM
  #9  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default

I didnt install one and have had no problems with air in the system so far.I also know chris 69myway did his that way too ,just blocked it off.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To t56 / ls1 conversion progress





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:25 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE