Ls engine swap question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Ls engine swap question
I know there is a sticky for this and hundreds of threads but I thought things keep changing and maybe someone comes out with kits. Rather than having to read through each thread as the builder posts one post at a time as they work on their car, with all of the other posts in between, has anyone ever just made a list of what parts are needed to do this swap?
May have to do it the old fashion way and read for weeks. I just figured that I'd ask and see. I am tossing the idea of it around but I know that budgets get blown doing these and I really don't want to have the car down for an extended period of time while I try to figure out what parts will fit and what ones won't.
Surely by now with all of the swaps that have been done, there is an easier way to research the swap.
May have to do it the old fashion way and read for weeks. I just figured that I'd ask and see. I am tossing the idea of it around but I know that budgets get blown doing these and I really don't want to have the car down for an extended period of time while I try to figure out what parts will fit and what ones won't.
Surely by now with all of the swaps that have been done, there is an easier way to research the swap.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
Like Gary said, there are two many variables to have a good list. I have had to search a lot of forums for the answers I have had to come up with, the search has been my friend. The best thing to do is gather all of your parts and information, then review your swap before you begin, then buy the rest of what you discover you are missing. Even after that you will find yourself still needing more parts when you are deep into the swap. I would not suggest you do the swap until you have decided to have the car down for an extended amount time.
The LS swaps are more than just dropping in a new motor and having it ready by the end of the weekend. You will have to deal with the cooling system, a new fuel system supply, maybe new gauges, or finding a way to reuse your old gauges, this all depends on what year motor you are using, and then you will deal with fitment issues on just about everything. The only way to avoid all of this aggravation is to buy a car already done, or send your car out for this swap.
The LS swap is not that difficult to do, however the car is down for a while and it will take more money than you originally plan for the project.
Riggs
The LS swaps are more than just dropping in a new motor and having it ready by the end of the weekend. You will have to deal with the cooling system, a new fuel system supply, maybe new gauges, or finding a way to reuse your old gauges, this all depends on what year motor you are using, and then you will deal with fitment issues on just about everything. The only way to avoid all of this aggravation is to buy a car already done, or send your car out for this swap.
The LS swap is not that difficult to do, however the car is down for a while and it will take more money than you originally plan for the project.
Riggs
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
You can still have a nice setup with the GEN 1 blocks, there is a lot on the market for these motors to become powerful and fuel efficient.
Looking back at when I was making the decision to LS or not, a part of me feels I should have stayed with the GEN 1 motor and added fuel injection to it. I feel being must of the way thru it even though I have spent a ton of money on this swap and all the other upgrades I have made to the car during the swap, it will be well worth the time and money I have spent. I will have a ride that is very modern and will have a platform that I can still add a lot of HP to in the future with out worrying about whether or not the bottom end will take the extra HP increases. I started out with a Gen 1 two bolt main block, and now I have a GEN 4 six bolt block that will take a bit more abuse then the old setup. In my case I would have kicked myself for not going this route, the LS is perfect for a the will see both street and track time. It should be fun to drive.
Good luck in what you decide to do.
Riggs
Looking back at when I was making the decision to LS or not, a part of me feels I should have stayed with the GEN 1 motor and added fuel injection to it. I feel being must of the way thru it even though I have spent a ton of money on this swap and all the other upgrades I have made to the car during the swap, it will be well worth the time and money I have spent. I will have a ride that is very modern and will have a platform that I can still add a lot of HP to in the future with out worrying about whether or not the bottom end will take the extra HP increases. I started out with a Gen 1 two bolt main block, and now I have a GEN 4 six bolt block that will take a bit more abuse then the old setup. In my case I would have kicked myself for not going this route, the LS is perfect for a the will see both street and track time. It should be fun to drive.
Good luck in what you decide to do.
Riggs
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
What Riggs said. In fact after I finished the 6.0 LSx, Richmond 6 speed, Vintage Air in my 68 corvette, I liked it so much I did another LS swap in a 72 Olds 442 that I use as a daily driver now. The Olds has a little more room for my dog, groceries, etc so I convinced myself it was a practical car.....
Last edited by Garys 68; Jan 14, 2012 at 04:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have had many motors in mine. I did a 383 first then i put fuel injection on it. That was by far a lot easier than the LS I am involved in now. I sold the motor to a forum member and he is in the process of installing the fuel injection. The LS swap is definitly time consuming but rewarding. I have driven in some LS cars and the power is very smooth and linear. Pus it adds to the cool factor when the hood is open
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I like the LS motors but after my last project am not in the mood for the time consuming trial and error.
Pretty soon I guess these old engines will be the wow factor when a hood gets opened
Pretty soon I guess these old engines will be the wow factor when a hood gets opened
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
You may want to get hold of Josh at Custom Image Corvette(now in SD), as he can put you together all the parts needed for your application. As mentioned, LS1 power delivery is strong, but maybe not as torquey down low. If doing the conversion, would probably go LS2, or LS3. I've owned two later LS/T-56 Vette's, and highway fuel milage is 25+ @ 70 mph. While LS series may externally look similar to original SB's, really a whole nother animal. Add in they only weigh 430 lbs, and the LS3's L92 factory heads flow 330 cfm intake.
