Sorry, I have to ask a stupid question --

What is the feasibility of dropping an LS6/7 into a C4?

Reason I ask is I'm intrigued by the fact that GMPP will or is making the LS7 available as a crate motor, and the cost of comparable HP from even a 383 is getting "up there". (Hmmmm..... A daily driver making over 500 ponies, NA; no muss no fuss...??)

Has anyone done the LSx to C4 swap, and what would entail to get a computer for the LS(7), for the sake of discussion? I understand there are SEVERAL individual computers aboard the C6. What all would be entailed to get the LS7 under the '95 hood?

And a related question: I get frustrated trying to find a part or even a catalog at GM Parts Direct. (I saw once that they were offering a crate LS2 for $5000!) If I don't have the part number, the only option is that catalog web page and that isn't all that easy to use either .


P.

 

Oh NO, here we go again...

 

 

This question is getting beat up more than the "airfoil" threads of old... I may have to start one of those again

To address the original question, it is very possible, but it will take an immense amount of $$$ investment and far too much time to make it worth while... no I have not done it, but that is the general consensus here.

 

damn, it'd be smog legal too. My bro put in a 99 4.3L in his toyota, that only had 3 computers. But it required taking the dash and wiring harness out of the chevy also.

 

i know I'm going to get killed for this comment, but go get a Mazda RX7 and drop an LSx motor in it... you'll be running mid/high 11's and no one will see you coming

 

I ask this a year+ ago! Always seems to be lots of talk not many doers when you pencil out the headache and $$$$$$$$$. I didn't even began when I couldn't see anyway to keep ZF-6. Bought Bowtie block and parts for 400+ CID Stroker then found Callaway and lost interest. Still might have to use the bowtie block if Callaway needs more kick ????

 

I have a buddy of mine who wants me to do it to mine. I haven't decided yet.

It is doable and depending on how far you go will determine how much.

There are plenty of guys out there putting LT1 and LS1s into older hot rods and keeping the fuel injection.

You can buy a complete LS1 and trans off ebay for less than $5k and that includes everything you need.

 

I'd love to yank the 5.3 out of my truck, do some porting and add a small cam. Even with 23 less cubes it would put the L98 to bed real quick!

 

This seems to be a popular subject as of late.
I did the LT1 swap into my 84 and if I where to do it today to my 94 it would be the LS1.
The best way would to get a F-body A-4 set up and then the rest would be a lot simpler.
motor mount adapter plates (S&P sells them for $80)

electrical, do it your self or get someone to fab a 4 wire hook up for an LSx harness (Jims performance can do this)

Exhaust, Trial and error here or fab your own

Assy's, This one would need to be test fitted to see if the LS1 assy will fit as is or if some fab work would have to be done.

ECM, send it off and get VATS disabled and any codes you need disabled such as emisions that may need to be eliminated (rear O2s come to mind)

Ther is a guy in NC sticking LT1 and LS1 motors in everything you can think of, his most popular conversion is sticking an LT1 into a Jag, he had three on his lot the last time I was up there.

 

I do know that I had a similar conversation with the California ARB about putting an LS6 in my Corvette. From an emissions standpoint, I can understand why Californians would want to do this. Gives you newer, more popular technology in your older vehicles and dont have to worry about "will this pass smog".

As far as monetary investment, eh. Half dozen of one... If you are asking if its possible, I probably wouldnt do it if money was a factor. Watch enough Monster Garage, American Hot Rod, and hell if your bored enough, that show on MTV where they make POS's into... into... uh, better than POS's. Just about anything can be done.

Here is another option: http://www.dartheads.com/sbcironeagle.aspx Large cube small block, good for up to 455CID. Make those new Z06 owners green with envy with 28 more cubes.

 

There was a guy on the forum who put an LS1 in an 84. I think his name might have been RacerX but Im not sure.

 

Sounds like a major PITA to me...

Why not just beef up your present engine?

I couldn't imagine the fitment issues, and especially the electrical/ECM issues involved.

My question is though, why doesn't GM have any LTx crates available???

 

I think anything can be done and I'd bet someone somwhere has done it, but I would also think that the reason that most people would back away is probably the $$$$$ comparison. It probably ends up cheaper to go to an aftermarket block, heads, big ci. and still retain for the most part everything else. I like the idea too, (like the big chief also) and I would think some of the bigger guys like DRM would be able to put together a package like that for a guy ......but at what kind of $$$$$

 

This is what a stock bottom end LS1 with a H/C package , LT's and some bolt on's can do! Imagine your C4 running like this...Notice the smooth idle. (Low 11's, all motor)

http://fuzzydiceracing.com/k/Bako_Run_4-15.mpg

 

Again,
Just a point of refernce. Three years ago I asked about how ahrd it would be to swap a LT1 into a crossfire car because I had a great deal on a LT1 with harness,ECM and assy's and everyone told me it would be a lot cheaper to build my current motor. I was able to compleate the LT1 swap for $3500 and that included rebuilding the LT1 with ported heads. Many don't realy get into Fab work but I think a LS1 project could be done for about 1.5-2K plus Motor, Trans and ECM and Harness. Now that does not include rebuilding the motor so you would need to start with a good motor.

$1000 LT1
$800 (Head work)
$900 (Rebuild kit for LT1, including H/C, the block did not need to be bored so I reused stock pistons and crank)
$300 (Block work)
$500 (Misc items)

 

I was close its TracerX not racerx

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?u=3064

 

Thanks for your comments, good or bad . I understand "engine swap", as I put a SBC into a '73 Vega - from scratch, fabricated ALL brackets, mounts, etc, etc., including shifter bell crank assembly (Pwr Gld xmission). So, to those who indicate sticking w/ the existing platform, I hear ya! And to those with experience in the swap, I'm intrigued, and thank you (I saved your comments to my "project file").

I'm a ways off from beginning my upgrade project - still doing the research (wishing to take advantages of the rich experience on this board which is incredible!). I'll probably tear her down next winter, so I have a year to learn as much as I can about what it takes to do exactly what I want it to do. (It's sort of like buying a manual-only 35mm camera...It forces you to learn and to think about every aspect photograph.)

I don't intend to experiment for experimenting sake, but I do want to understand these things to the point I can really be dangerous!

No really, I just want to get to the point where I can spec my mod project and have a reasonable idea of what the end result is going to be. Lots of roads to take - NA, FI, flow rates, cam grinds, etc... I just need to understand what the advantages and disadvantages are of each one, and Uz guyz are really putting me on the learning fast track!

Thanks again for indulging me.

P.

 

It would be a relatively straight forward swap. The 4l60E and the T56 are almosr identical to the 700r4, so trans mounts would be good. THe exhaust could be reused from the C4, and coupled in at the front of the engine. , as well as the driveshaft. Radiator hoses would have to be configured differently, as the LSX pulls from the thermostat housing. The Fbody power steering pump is on the same side, as well as the alternator. Motor mounts, The motor mounts would be close if not exact, but wouldnt take much to fabricate. Oil temp senders and coolant temp and oil pressure would have to be adapted from NPT to metric bolt thread for the coolant, and tapped at the LSX oil filter sender. Starter, no big deal, tach would have to be adapted from the LSX 4 cyl output to the vette 8cyl input. (lsx puts out 4 cyl tach reading) and the speedo for the lsx is 6000 ( I believe)ppm (pulses per mile) Vats, as well as other items in the harness (charging resistor, ) can be done from LT1350.com fro a reasonable price. The biggest problem I could see is the reduction of 75 to 100# from the front of the car. You may have to lower the front of the car. As far as trying to get the performance of the ls1 with your L98 dollar per dollar, as well as fuel mileage, it would be hard to do. I have a Lincoln mark VII LSC with a stock 2001 LS1 4l60E in it . First time to the track it pulled a 13.2 @ 106.3. THis is with street tires and walking it out of the hole. The rear O2 sensors are also not deleted. The performance would be very similar to the C5.

 

At the $10k level for mods, there are a lot of things to consider . I'm still in the research mode and I appreciate the input - all of it.

Thanks again y'all!

P.