hester1947

C 3 LS conversion QuestionsHello every body, I'am in the process of an LS conversion,and found out that the conversion is not easy.
While doing some online research i found out that an LS Oil pan, would not clear the stock Rack and pinion unit, on a C3 Corvette.
When viewing the Corvette Forums, one Member said his Oil Pan would not work and he was going to used the Steeroid Rack & Pinion Unit to solve the problem.
Now I was not planing on replacing my Stock Rack & pinion Unit,but if that upgrade would solve the Oil pan clearance.
I would end up with an Upgraded Rack & Pinion,while keeping the Original LS Oil Pan.
One of my concerns is, if the Steeroid Rack & Pinion Unit,is for my Car with Power Steering,or only for Cars with manual Steering.
My question is has anyone ever done the Steeroid Rack & Pinion upgrade to resolve the LS Oil Pan clearance problem?
Thanks for any Input

Easy Mike

FWIW: no C3s had rack and pinion steering. If you have rack and pinion, it was added by a previous owner.

hester1947

Maybe I should had said Power Steering Unit,instead of Rack and Pinion,and there is always room for learning something that i did not know, but the Problem is still there.Thanks for your input.

bazza77

which "original" sump pan are you talking about ?

there is a about 7 or 8 different pans , depending on what vehicle it was originally put in

squared

Not using the power steering ram on mine as I went to the Borgeson steering box but yeah based on what I've seen with the oil pan on my engine and where the steering ram goes there would be interference. However with the Borgeson there's plenty of room since you don't use the ram.

corvettedave383

hey there, very easy to answer

ive got the steeriods power rack and pinion system on my car, ive installed a lsx/ls3 engine, using a holley oil pan and ive got tons of room and engine is set in its lowest possible mounting position aswell

have a look at the thread below, has a picture of my oil pan and steeriods rack, loads of room and other good info concerning LS swap and link to the exact oil pan ive used

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-mounts-2.html

https://www.holley.com/products/acce...ns/parts/302-3

hester1947

I want to thank all of you guys for your input.
The Engine that i have is a LS 3, 6.2, out of a 2008 Corvette .It.s the one that's rated at 430 HP.
The car that I'm putting it into is a 73 Corvette,with a TKO 600 5 speed.
Is the Borgeson steering box a Power steering unit ,or a manual steering unit?.
I just got the Motor 2 days ago,and right now I'm waiting on my Flywheel and Clutch and Pressure Plate.
Also i seen in a forum that because the Crankshaft on an LS Engine, is a little shorter than the older small
block GM Engine, and require an after market Pilot Bearing,to protect the output Shaft of the Transmission.
Once again thank you guys for your Inputs

Gordonm

hester1947

Thanks for the input. i will look at the Borgeso unit.That's was what i wanted to know.
So what I'm going to do, instead of putting x amount of money into an after market Oil Pan,
just put the money into an Upgraded Steering.Thank you Gordonm

squared

Got mine from VanSteel in Tampa, as well as other parts. Give them a call and they can give you some advice on what to do..

corvettedave383

surely the rack and pinion is better that borgeson system? not much money for a new holley oil pan

CiroRacing

As an option, I went with a Milodon road race pan for ground clearance. Fits fine with a borgeson box conversion.

R6n350GT

Check the one i found on rockauto, plenty of clearance
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/4003980-ls1-and-460le-into-a-1980-c3-part-list-1.html

bluegtp

You should be able to keep the stock steering setup if you wanted. I have a crate ls3. Switched the pan out to an fbody pan and done. I left the stock power steering setup. Good luck.

7t9l82

the c3 did not come with rack and pinion steering.

CiroRacing

FYI. As you may know, LS engines have oil starvation issues when cornered hard, which is why late model vettes come with dry sump systems. If you are replacing or removing your pan, Improved Racing makes effective baffle kits that bolt into various stock GM pans.

Rick

corvettedave383

thats the baffle iam using in my holley oil pan

http://www.improvedracing.com/oil-pa...pan-p-441.html

CA_WxMan

Rick,
That's a great tip. I have an F body pan that I'm going to use with my LS2 swap and have already picked up the Improved Racing baffle.
It looks like a very nice piece and has a couple of trap doors, similar to a road race pan.

I can't wait to get this motor swapped in and get back out there for another season of autocross.

Also, FWIW I had used another parts car and mocked up the motor/trans with the F-body pan and it fit great.

Take Care,
​​​​​​​Chris

squared

Hmm...wonder if I could weld one of those up to fit my pan for less than $25...