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z06 engine in a C4

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Old Dec 9, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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Default z06 engine in a C4

hi all

just wanted to know if anyone has put a Z06 engine in to an early c4
(86) thinking of doing a bit of a swap if i can find the right engine

just wanted to see how much work was involved

many thanks
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 02:27 AM
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Originally Posted by UK guy
hi all

just wanted to know if anyone has put a Z06 engine in to an early c4
(86) thinking of doing a bit of a swap if i can find the right engine

just wanted to see how much work was involved

many thanks
LS6 (C5 Z06) or LS7 (C6 Z06)?

The LS7 is about 20 grand for a crate motor. That's a ton of cash ya know?
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by UK guy
hi all

just wanted to know if anyone has put a Z06 engine in to an early c4
(86) thinking of doing a bit of a swap if i can find the right engine

just wanted to see how much work was involved

many thanks
As the previous poster mentioned, that would get very expensive unless you find a wrecked Z06 to donate parts. But seeing as you're from the UK, that would be difficult too, not to mention the custom fabrication, wiring, and drivetrain work. The engine will fit for sure, but it won't be an easy marriage.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 11:28 AM
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Sure would be nice to have that kind of power as well as mileage on tap though....
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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cant afford a new engine but know of a used one sitting in a tv studio

have sent an email to see if i can buy it

i was thinking i would be great to have the modern running gear in a classic car and MORE power could make it into a bit of a street sleeper
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by UK guy
cant afford a new engine but know of a used one sitting in a tv studio

have sent an email to see if i can buy it

i was thinking i would be great to have the modern running gear in a classic car and MORE power could make it into a bit of a street sleeper
It'd be challenging enough to marry an LT-5 engine to a base model C4. I can't imagine the work (let alone money) it'd take to plop a Z06 engine in one.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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My concern would be the frame. I mean your putting double the HP in her.

Jim
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Sweet 90
My concern would be the frame. I mean your putting double the HP in her.

Jim
Nah, the frame will be fine. The half shafts/u-joints will blow long before the frame twists.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by shakedown067
Nah, the frame will be fine. The half shafts/u-joints will blow long before the frame twists.
But would you dare take the targa top off?

Jim
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 05:21 PM
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Logic suggests it would be a nice conversation piece or a show car. By the time the total investment is done a C6 could be had for less. It does present some interesting challenges however.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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HP= cubic $$$-- How fast do you want to go? Thats the undeniable math. If you`ve got the bucks, you could have a LS-7 installed in a lawn tractor
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by shakedown067
Nah, the frame will be fine. The half shafts/u-joints will blow long before the frame twists.
Depends on how you drive it. There's a 1,200 HP C4 out there that's street driven daily.

Quite a few C4 cars putting out more than 600 HP.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 09:50 PM
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Sounds great but what would it be worth after you dumped all that money into it. I'd probably put it towards a Z06.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 09:57 PM
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Why? My old 86 C4, with a few mods beat Z06's .. it is not all about HP. My opinion is the C4 is the most underrated SuperCar. I can document it. But do not have the time to find the old video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tomfs8zyYgM
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 02:36 AM
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IF we are talking 02-04 z06, then the ls6 is basically just an ls1 with better heads and cam. From what my research leads me to believe, it is a moderate level swap, has been done before, and can be done for under 5 grand if you do the labor yourself. In fact, I currently have long term plans to do this swap in my 85 and have gathered many of the needed parts. I am going to use the good-running ls6 that is currently in my denali. I am going to swap it for the original lq4 6 liter, when I turbocharge it. Then put the ls6 into the corvette.

The ls7 would be a whole other ball game, being dry sump and all.
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 03:46 AM
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Here ya go boys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9lkJU9NyLI

Olcrusty
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 03:55 AM
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BTW, the C4 Vette above with the LS7 has a automatic that is why the rear end jumps up when he puts it in gear. The LS7 is listed in one of the parts catalogs for $11,999.00 ready to drop in. Won't be buying too many of those suckers.

Olcrusty
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 05:20 PM
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This thread is hilarious. Double the power, the frame will twist!! You'd have to invest C6 money to do the swap!! Harder than swapping an LT5!!

My car makes 450 RWHP, and the frame didn't twist (close to LS7 power, around 465 RWHP stock). Unless C6's are under $10K (and actually quite less if you do the work yourself and look for deals), it's less than a C6. Certainly not harder than an LT5 swap, seeing as how LSx parts are very easy to find, while LT5 parts are much harder.

Do a search, lots of tech on LSx swaps. Buying a crate LS7 is a good deal, if you want the dry sump. If you don't need the dry sump, then you can build a nice square port LSx for much cheaper and make plenty of power.
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by kenv
HP= cubic $$$-- How fast do you want to go? Thats the undeniable math. If you`ve got the bucks, you could have a LS-7 installed in a lawn tractor
Well said... anything is possible if you have the buck$
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by olcrusty
BTW, the C4 Vette above with the LS7 has a automatic that is why the rear end jumps up when he puts it in gear. The LS7 is listed in one of the parts catalogs for $11,999.00 ready to drop in. Won't be buying too many of those suckers.

Olcrusty
A lot cheaper out of a wreck though.
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