Hi, I have a 1968 i would love to get on the road again. It has been sitting in a garage for 24 years. The body is almost perfect, with next to no rust. The engine is done, and I am wondering which engine i should put in it. Should it be a standard 350 (the motor that was previously in it) or an LS1 or LS3 engine? I would love to hear what you have to say about it. And also, please tell me about other things i have to switch out of the car since it's been sitting for 24 years.

Thank you in advance

 

Drivability is hands down the LS3. I have worked on a local 67 with the 480 HP version. LS3 were sold as 430 or 480 HP something like 376 ci. The local one is equipped with a tko600 and 4.11 rear end and it is a pleasure to drive. A/C nice seats.

 

First things first.
Budget.

The biggest difference between the two option you listed is the cost of each. I have swapped a 5.3 in a few years before going back to the rebuilt original 350 so I am familiar with both options. A stock rebuild/crate engine can cost anywhere between $2000 stock engine rebuild to over $3000 for a fully dressed crate engine (intake carb accessories) and that would be an engine with 300ish hp

An ls swap is going to set you back a few thousand more. A new ls3 from summit is around $7000 no accessories just water pump, no harness, computer, fuel pump, regulator, engine mounts, or necessary oil pan for the swap so my guess for cost is that it will be around $8500+ with a new engine. Perhaps you can find one out of a wrecked car with more of the accessories or an engine with some miles on it for around $5k + odds and ends. There are other engine to go with, the ls1 you mentioned could be much cheaper depending on miles etc. The other question is do you want to keep the stock transmission if you are doing an LS swap? that could turn into thousands more

Next consideration is time and effort

Are you doing all the work or is a shop doing the work? It would be much easier and take less time to do a standard 350. This could get you behind the wheel sooner and save some money for the other things your car will need since it has been sitting for 24 years.

I wouldnt be surprised if it needs all new brakes. I like the company CSSB Inc for brakes and they have a full kit with calipers pads and master cylinder for around $500. I would explore the other options such as rotors and brake lines as well as E brake kit. With all the odds and ends the brake system could quickly climb to $800+. http://www.cssbinc.com/1967-76powerc...servior-2.aspx

Next consideration is gas tank and fuel lines, changing trans and diff fluid, grease front end/check wheel bearings, tires of course. Without seeing the car it is hard to say what else it will need but with C3 corvettes I always like to assume the worst. I would say stock engine and addressing brakes fuel system etc you could easily spend $5k+, LS swap youre looking at $10k+ and more time invested

 

I had the L48 replaced in my 75 Vette with a Summit Blueprint 383 Stroker crate engine for $4020.00 and free shipping. this unit was rated at 436 HP and 456 TQ. compare this to the mild 202 HP to the rear unit that I replaced. The old unit was bored 030 over mild cam long tube header alum intake and 650 Holley. I should have done the 383 prior to the rebuilt and saved myself some time, money and headaches

 

I think there's a middle ground between a standard long block SBC crate motor and an LS Swap: A fully dressed, EFI equipped turn-key SBC crate motor.

Around $6,000 instead of $8,500 like the LS swap, but if you're getting modern aluminum heads, 400+ hp, a roller cam block, and great driveability and decent fuel economy. IMHO, in terms of cost, power, longevity, driveability, and fuel economy the drop-in EFI crate motor is the middle ground and WAY faster and easier to install.

Drop it in, hook backup your existing exhaust system (assuming it's already decent), and install an inline fuel system and away you go.

https://blueprintengines.com/collect...sed-efi-engine
The LS swap probably adds to the desirability/resale value, though...

Adam

 

Sitting for 24 years. .I would almost bet that you have rust on your ring and pinon in your rear differential if it LITERALLY has not moved in 24 years.

As for the engine swap from stock motor type to LS. The LS will take more effort in regards to wiring and fuel system upgrade and other variables. So it depends on what you want to do. And UNLESS you have a scanner and the know how, if anything causes the CHECK ENGINE light to come on you either could fix it yourself or have to send it out to someone due to it is obviously more complex than an engine a carburetor and with no computer.

DUB

 

 

How original is the car? As for the engine in it now, what do you mean by "done?" Worn, worn out, or badly broken?

 

as op said that amount of time car has sat can very well lead to having failing tranny rear diff etc simply due to sitting so long. and I totally agree with sig and frosty budget for the job is a huge consideration, best advice is to keep same engine size as what is in it, pay attention to oil pan size, assuming replaceing 350 with 350 you are virtually assured the tranny angle and tunnel will fit as a bolt in and the engine motor mounts wont have to be relocated.
the only part I will change out everytime a engine swap is made regardless of condition is the motor mounts, so simple to replace at this time and a broken mount leads to all kinds of messy repairs later/

 

327 in my 68 was beyond repair last year. Opted to drop in a GM Fastburn 385 crate instead of LS purely because of cost of the la swap. Crate can almost bolt straight up. Extras I needed were flywheel due to the new one piece rear, gearbox rebuild as found issues while it was also out. Will also need to consider things like the distributer - reuse old and retain tach drive or convert to new at same time and go electric tach, fuel lines and intake reuse (the Fastburn I used had different dimensions so changes needed)