LS6 in Stingray Possible?
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Navigator
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Schaumburg IL
LS6 in Stingray Possible?
So since I'm looking to restore a Stingray I was wondering if it would be possible to stuff a LS6 under the hood of one. Sounds like a cool idea to have a nice stingray w/ a ballsy LS6 under there :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
Are you talking about the high performance 454 of which they put 188 in the Corvette in 1971 or the new LS6 found in todays Z06? To both the answer is yes but the new engine would take a lot of work and money to do.
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Navigator
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Schaumburg IL
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (KingRat)
I was talking about the new LS6 that's found in the Z06's of today :D I think it'd be cool to have a nice fuel injected LS6 under the hood of such a sexy car as a Stingray Vette! :D I'd probably also stuff the auto tranny found in today's cars as well. I'm guess I'd need to fab motor mounts and all that to get it in there, right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Montreal QC
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
Anything is possible if you have enough money... I know one -63 (not sure about the year) convertible with new Z06 LS-6 engine under the hood! :cool: Z06 engine and shark would be a nice combination...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
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From: The Motor City
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (FinnShark)
There's someone around here working on the install of a LS1 (and T56) in a 1970, so the LS6 would be no different. I'm sure he'll jump in here when he sees this topic.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
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From: NM
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
One of the Corvette magazines, I forget which, is doing this. In a recent artical they had major problems with the waterpump. Its outlet is to the right side which put it right into the upper control arm. They had to do major surgery to the waterpump to move its inlet and out ports for the needed clearance.
tom...
tom...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
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From: Toronto Ontario
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (Tom73)
Anything can be done if you are handy with a full machine shop or lots of money to have some one else do it for you. This question is asked all the time and my answer is as stated by a tech guy in one of the Vette magazines. It is much cheaper to buy a BB then to install a BB in a SMP frame You must make a lot of Mods if done properly. The LS6 would be even more complicated and of course new wiring harness for the computer modules.
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Team Owner
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From: Republic of Texas
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (73-454)
Without a doubt it's possible. It would be a pretty cool set-up, but it wouls cost you twice the money of a Big Block and you would get half the performance in return. A LS6 crate motor for the Z06 cost $7,500 :eek:
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Navigator
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Schaumburg IL
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (Corey 68)
Yeah I know what you mean about it costing alot of money. If it's any easier I'll probably go with an LT style engine. Anyone know what it entails to do this? I'm not going to be building a full on drag car. That's not what I want at all, just something I can cruise around in, slam the gas and be thrown back in my seat, and occassionaly take it to the track and run a mid-high 12. That too much to ask? :D hehe.
No matter what I do, it's gonna be one quick butt :chevy
No matter what I do, it's gonna be one quick butt :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
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From: Gig Harbor Wa
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
Anything is possible. You might want to look for a camaro LS1 engine from a wrecked car. You can get a motor and transmission for a lot cheaper than an LS6 assuming you can even find one. You would have to find a wrecked Z06, of which there aren't too many.
The LS1 and 6 are essentially the same motor. If you find a 2001 or newer LS1 they are heads and cam. That's about it. If you go with an older one, you are looking at a different intake too.
As for installing either one into an older vette, it really is not too hard. You have to weld a few things even fewer if you don't change the transmission (i.e. transmission crossmember, motor mounts, shifter). You will need custom motor mounts, custom transmission mount, modify the shifter, figure out the wiring, come up with fuel delivery and exhaust systems. If you can read an electrical schematic and solder, you can save yourself about $900 on a wiring harness.
If you have your heart set on an LT1/4 or LS1/6, be sure you but the service manual for the car it came from. I don't mean one of those Haynes ones, I mean the actual $100 service manual that tells you everything you need to know to build a car.
Check out my website, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
The LS1 and 6 are essentially the same motor. If you find a 2001 or newer LS1 they are heads and cam. That's about it. If you go with an older one, you are looking at a different intake too.
As for installing either one into an older vette, it really is not too hard. You have to weld a few things even fewer if you don't change the transmission (i.e. transmission crossmember, motor mounts, shifter). You will need custom motor mounts, custom transmission mount, modify the shifter, figure out the wiring, come up with fuel delivery and exhaust systems. If you can read an electrical schematic and solder, you can save yourself about $900 on a wiring harness.
If you have your heart set on an LT1/4 or LS1/6, be sure you but the service manual for the car it came from. I don't mean one of those Haynes ones, I mean the actual $100 service manual that tells you everything you need to know to build a car.
Check out my website, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
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From: FL
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
Absolutely ANYTHING is possible. $$$ usually defines what's practical.
You can do better than a named Chevy motor designation (e.g., LS6) by mixing and matching and customizing. Sometimes it's not even as expensive that way.
-Noel
You can do better than a named Chevy motor designation (e.g., LS6) by mixing and matching and customizing. Sometimes it's not even as expensive that way.
-Noel
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,468
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From: Kirkland WA
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (Noel Carboni)
Actually, the LS-6 and the LS-1 are more different than people think. External dimensions are the same, but they are built differently, balanced differently, valves are different, heads are different. Check out the latest VETTE magazine that goes over the differences.
They are much more different than, say, the L48 and L82.
They are much more different than, say, the L48 and L82.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 308
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From: Greenfield OH
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
Personally, I think you are on the right track. Especially if your Vette doesn't have the original engine combo in it right now. I am actually thinking of something similiar.
When I bought my '71 LS5 a few months ago, it had a new crate motor under the hood and the original engine in pieces. Upon further investigation, I discovered a set of 1973 over-the-counter LS6 aluminum heads and aluminum intake in the lot. I also discovered the LS5 and LS6 blocks were the same casting numbers in 1971...hmmm! I know it would prolly cost a bunch, but, hey...this is the Corvette we're talking about, right?
I wish you luck my friend...dream big...sometimes they come true! :yesnod:
Weasle
When I bought my '71 LS5 a few months ago, it had a new crate motor under the hood and the original engine in pieces. Upon further investigation, I discovered a set of 1973 over-the-counter LS6 aluminum heads and aluminum intake in the lot. I also discovered the LS5 and LS6 blocks were the same casting numbers in 1971...hmmm! I know it would prolly cost a bunch, but, hey...this is the Corvette we're talking about, right?
I wish you luck my friend...dream big...sometimes they come true! :yesnod:
Weasle
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
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From: San Jose California
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (StockV6Cam)
I can understand your wish to put a new LS6 in your C3. It is truly a fantastic motor! BUT, you would have to do so much re-engineering with not only the bolt up stuff, but also all the computers and their innput have to be done just so.
You would be money ahaead to buy a used ZO6 for under $40 and get the whole package. You really can get an engine of your C3's period to fun every bit as strong as an LS6 with aftermarket fuel injection and modern cams. You are not as constained to emissions and mileage as the new car manufactures must be. A warmed over 350 can make just as much power as an LS6 and behave just about as quietly!
Chuck
You would be money ahaead to buy a used ZO6 for under $40 and get the whole package. You really can get an engine of your C3's period to fun every bit as strong as an LS6 with aftermarket fuel injection and modern cams. You are not as constained to emissions and mileage as the new car manufactures must be. A warmed over 350 can make just as much power as an LS6 and behave just about as quietly!
Chuck
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Medford, Or
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (Chuck Harmon)
Chuck Harmon-I'm positive I could convert a LS1/LS6 into a C3 for under 20k, If everything is done yourself. A LS1 out of a camaro (like Jeff '70LS1' is doing) is the way to go. They're a lot of us out there that can't afford $40k for any car. I get more looks at my inexpensive C3, then many C4 or C5's do. The C3 has a very distinctive look and you know it's a vette a mile away. This is why I like installing modern power plants into C3's and the satisfaction I did it myself.
Dan
Dan
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Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (vettedan)
Thing is for less money, time and trouble you could put a 600 horse small block in or even a ZR1 (all aluminum big block) in a C3. You could put a LS6 in a VW if you really wanted to and had money to throw away. For less than that convertion you could have a 'Vette pulling 9's. Your choice. :D
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Navigator
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From: Schaumburg IL
Re: LS6 in Stingray Possible? (Robert Holtman)
Very true, right now I'm just dreaming of owning a Corvette. I've wanted one ever since I can remember. Right now I have the little brother, the Camaro, but my sites have always been set on the Vette. I test drove a 2000 C5 last summer (Nassau Blue is the most beautiful color!) and it was awsome. Couldn't have asked for a nicer car to drive. But anyways, as I said before I'm probably just dreaming about having the LS6 in there. I'm sure when I get the car (which I will! nothings getting in my way of a C3 and a C5 (or 6 maybe) in the future) I'll just throw something that's powerful yet driveable in there. That's exactly what I want, some power, but mostely driveability is all I want. Nothing too loud, but enough to stomp 95% of the other guys :D