Just curious..,
Thread Starter
Obsessed
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 627
Likes: 394
From: Valencia, Spain
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Just curious..,
Not going to do it but if you were to swap out your 350 for a modern LS motor, do you have to install a whole computer system to run it?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,258
Likes: 7,848
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Yes. If your going to run a modern sequential port injected engine. You need a computer to run it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,031
Likes: 1,121
From: North tonawanda NY
No actually... They make intakes to mount a carb on LS motors and many people actually go that route even though you would be giving up much of the advantages of the motor. They also sell simpler aftermarket FI systems.
I was watching an episode of engine masters last week where they were running a carb powered LS with no computer and they mentioned the different aftermarket accessories available to run things like the coil packs without a computer
I was watching an episode of engine masters last week where they were running a carb powered LS with no computer and they mentioned the different aftermarket accessories available to run things like the coil packs without a computer
Last edited by augiedoggy; Apr 6, 2021 at 06:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Obsessed
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 627
Likes: 394
From: Valencia, Spain
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
No actually... They make intakes to mount a carb on LS motors and many people actually go that route even though you would be giving up much of the advantages of the motor. They also sell simpler aftermarket FI systems.
I was watching an episode of engine masters last week where they were running a carb powered LS with no computer and they mentioned the different aftermarket accessories available to run things like the coil packs without a computer
I was watching an episode of engine masters last week where they were running a carb powered LS with no computer and they mentioned the different aftermarket accessories available to run things like the coil packs without a computer
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
To run an LS engine with no computer, you will need the front cover distributor drive adapter.......there is no provision in an LS engine from GM for a distributor.
I have seen this setup in an old Chevelle and it always prompts me to think "why didn't you just build the engine that was in it or something similar?"
LS engines have excellent cylinder heads......but were never meant to fit in the hole......so it is 6 of one, a half dozen of the other......
Performance media has done a great job of convincing every 20 year old on the planet that you can drop one of these in over a weekend for $500....and they will fight you tooth and nail to prove they are wrong.
You CAN swap a crate engine over a weekend....alone.....I have and still do it......
Jebby
I have seen this setup in an old Chevelle and it always prompts me to think "why didn't you just build the engine that was in it or something similar?"
LS engines have excellent cylinder heads......but were never meant to fit in the hole......so it is 6 of one, a half dozen of the other......
Performance media has done a great job of convincing every 20 year old on the planet that you can drop one of these in over a weekend for $500....and they will fight you tooth and nail to prove they are wrong.
You CAN swap a crate engine over a weekend....alone.....I have and still do it......
Jebby
Thread Starter
Obsessed
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 627
Likes: 394
From: Valencia, Spain
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
To run an LS engine with no computer, you will need the front cover distributor drive adapter.......there is no provision in an LS engine from GM for a distributor.
I have seen this setup in an old Chevelle and it always prompts me to think "why didn't you just build the engine that was in it or something similar?"
LS engines have excellent cylinder heads......but were never meant to fit in the hole......so it is 6 of one, a half dozen of the other......
Performance media has done a great job of convincing every 20 year old on the planet that you can drop one of these in over a weekend for $500....and they will fight you tooth and nail to prove they are wrong.
You CAN swap a crate engine over a weekend....alone.....I have and still do it......
Jebby
I have seen this setup in an old Chevelle and it always prompts me to think "why didn't you just build the engine that was in it or something similar?"
LS engines have excellent cylinder heads......but were never meant to fit in the hole......so it is 6 of one, a half dozen of the other......
Performance media has done a great job of convincing every 20 year old on the planet that you can drop one of these in over a weekend for $500....and they will fight you tooth and nail to prove they are wrong.
You CAN swap a crate engine over a weekend....alone.....I have and still do it......
Jebby
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,258
Likes: 7,848
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
looks like I've been shot down just a bit. so, let me re - state this a bit differently.
A LS engine, set up as a LS engine, needs a computer to run it. it has a crank position sensor. NOT a distributor. it has 8 electrically run computer controled injectors. and numurus other sensors that the COMPUTER needs to acutely run this engine. Now, if you change the manifold, add on some aftermarket distributor. Yes perhaps you can run it with a carb and no computer. BUT WHY?. I have a computer running the EFI on my 77. seems much better overall to wire in the ECU and all the sensors. Or, just rebuild your early style engine with a roller cam and good heads.
A LS engine, set up as a LS engine, needs a computer to run it. it has a crank position sensor. NOT a distributor. it has 8 electrically run computer controled injectors. and numurus other sensors that the COMPUTER needs to acutely run this engine. Now, if you change the manifold, add on some aftermarket distributor. Yes perhaps you can run it with a carb and no computer. BUT WHY?. I have a computer running the EFI on my 77. seems much better overall to wire in the ECU and all the sensors. Or, just rebuild your early style engine with a roller cam and good heads.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
looks like I've been shot down just a bit. so, let me re - state this a bit differently.
A LS engine, set up as a LS engine, needs a computer to run it. it has a crank position sensor. NOT a distributor. it has 8 electrically run computer controled injectors. and numurus other sensors that the COMPUTER needs to acutely run this engine. Now, if you change the manifold, add on some aftermarket distributor. Yes perhaps you can run it with a carb and no computer. BUT WHY?. I have a computer running the EFI on my 77. seems much better overall to wire in the ECU and all the sensors. Or, just rebuild your early style engine with a roller cam and good heads.
A LS engine, set up as a LS engine, needs a computer to run it. it has a crank position sensor. NOT a distributor. it has 8 electrically run computer controled injectors. and numurus other sensors that the COMPUTER needs to acutely run this engine. Now, if you change the manifold, add on some aftermarket distributor. Yes perhaps you can run it with a carb and no computer. BUT WHY?. I have a computer running the EFI on my 77. seems much better overall to wire in the ECU and all the sensors. Or, just rebuild your early style engine with a roller cam and good heads.
But as I said too....WHY? Added expense and complexity.....and you still have to dick with putting an LS engine in the hole it wasn't meant for.....
I agree.....if you are going to LS swap.....do the whole deal with all of the electronics......to me, that is part of the reason to do the swap, they go hand in hand.....more power and more control.
Jebby
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,595
Likes: 8,418
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Why would you? It’s cheaper to keep it intact and the computer is small and easy to remove if you decided to later. I bought a LS engine and tranny from a wrecked 2012 Camaro, had Speartech make me a harness and unlock the ECU, and dropped it in my 1988 LR Defender. There were literally five wires to connect. So, cheaper, easier and better.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
All the swap parts will get expensive fast as well
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 2,017
From: MA/NH Seacoast
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario