LS Engines? +'s & -'s?
03-05-2009, 07:11 AM
#381
Le Mans Master
With there being 3 '73 Corvettes in the family and the prices of gas shooting through the roof, I've been considering to add an LS engine to one of them... Now you maybe asking what engine I am considering. Well I have considered an LS1, but by the time its over it wont be an LS1 just an LSx engine.... By the time I'd be done, I think I would have an LS built slighty stonger than an LS6. I wouldn't want to go all out because the purpose of the engine is to have a mild street engine with good fuel economy..
What are the pros and cons to an LS engine?
Do any of you have a rough estimate what the gas milage was in the C5 Z06's with the LS6?
Like I said, this is a consideration I might put one in and I might not, but I think this brings up an interesting topic...
What are the pros and cons to an LS engine?
Do any of you have a rough estimate what the gas milage was in the C5 Z06's with the LS6?
Like I said, this is a consideration I might put one in and I might not, but I think this brings up an interesting topic...
Positives:
All aluminum construction (huge weight savings off front end)
Hydraullic Roller
Fuel Injected
HUGE aftermarket
VERY easy to modify to 500+ HP on a stock bottom end
Minuses:
Lots of modification needed to make it fit.
May need a different tranny (lots of modification again)
Summitt Racing has a carburated LS2 for $5299 that puts down 440HP nad 412ft/lbs so that may be worth looking into. Used engines can be had for less though if you wanted to modify heavily.
03-05-2009, 11:33 AM
#382
Safety Car
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Rick B.
03-05-2009, 11:34 AM
#383
Drifting
The 5.3 Motor is about 75lb heavier (still much lighter than your factory engine) and is only down about 10% on power with similar mods to a 5.7 motor.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...de-1500-a.html
Great info... except doesnt talk about CARB option. Which IMO is cheap and easy to setup. no computer, No Higher pressure fuel system, less wiring. And still gives the OLE SKOOL look of a C3
Can't help you with the gas mileage. I don't look at it. However it is better than the L48 and I am still running the Factory TH350 and 3.36 gear
Last edited by holley505; 03-05-2009 at 11:37 AM.
03-05-2009, 11:45 AM
#384
Melting Slicks
Like, if you want to retain AC, if you want to use your stock gauges, if you want a custom wiring harness or adapt your old one, if you're going to try to use the stock tranny, how much HP you want, etc.
03-05-2009, 12:22 PM
#385
Racer
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Location: Marietta Georgia
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I have seen engine tranny combos go for about that much... Thats why I am leaning towards the price being about neutral to get running how I like it....
I was thinking about buying a set up the way it is (maybe slight cam it up and put an intake on it), dropping it in, see what the mileage and power was like... Then when it came time to rebuild, I'd decided if I want more power or keep it the way it is?
P.S. Are you planning on rebuilding it soon?
I am still unsure about my plans, in ways, I cant see putting a new engine in an old car, if ya catch my drift...
I was thinking about buying a set up the way it is (maybe slight cam it up and put an intake on it), dropping it in, see what the mileage and power was like... Then when it came time to rebuild, I'd decided if I want more power or keep it the way it is?
P.S. Are you planning on rebuilding it soon?
I am still unsure about my plans, in ways, I cant see putting a new engine in an old car, if ya catch my drift...
06-28-2009, 09:11 PM
#386
Safety Car
Before this comes back to bite, I'm pretty sure the engine in the Camaro I bought today is an LS1 but came from the factory with a LS6 intake and probably an LS6 block. I think it was still labeled an LS1, not sure. I hear it's still an upgrade from the regular LS1. Still learning. That's what makes this stuff fun....gp
06-29-2009, 10:19 AM
#387
Drifting
All F-bodies and corvettes have LS6 intake from 2001 and up on the 346 engine.
True LS6 engines only came in the Z06 2001 385 hp and 2002-2004 405HP OR as a Crate Motor from GM.
A true LS6 engine has LS6 cam (which changed in 2002), LS6 heads, LS6 intake, LS6 Block, LS6 exhaust manifolds... LS6 cars also have a different manual tranny with different gear ratios.
Last edited by holley505; 06-29-2009 at 10:23 AM.
11-01-2009, 01:41 AM
#388
2nd Gear
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I think that you could do a LT-4 engine and add a intake package, with a full exhaust package and you would have great performance, all the way around. Figure 18-21 city and 28-33 hwy. Cost would be about $4,000 - $6,000. I have blueprinted this for myself, it is the C4 setup ( GSR ), still waiting to get my C3. Best bet, get the C5 set-up and do the same thing. This would be FreeFlow cats with a Complete Exhaust System and SLP Cold Air Induction package on the front end, with a few mods. C5 stock times are 0-60 in 4.1 secs. You would get into the 3's and still increase you gas mileage performance. From the 1996 C4, with a manual trans, to the current C6 series, you can't beat the Vette unless you spend 6 figures. And there's just No Body, like that C3 Body !!!!
Gotta Love, that "Bow Tie". Good Luck in what ever you decide to do.
Gotta Love, that "Bow Tie". Good Luck in what ever you decide to do.
Last edited by Blkice98208; 11-01-2009 at 02:52 AM. Reason: made mistake, said,"C5", when I should have said,"C4".
07-14-2010, 10:55 PM
#392
2nd Gear
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The Ultimate 73 C3 Vette ???
Okay, yes, I put it out there because I am searching for the specs and I think it would a formidable contender today. Believe it or not, Baldwin-Motion Performance, built a custom C3 Corvette for the movie, Cleopatra Jones. I am trying to find the specs on the original car and also, what the heck happened to that car. I believe it was a 1973 C3 and I can't remember if, MT, C/D or R/T did the original feature article on the car. Can anyone Help ?????
MT = Motor Trend, C/D = Car and Driver, R/T = Road and Track
MT = Motor Trend, C/D = Car and Driver, R/T = Road and Track
