Erod ls3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Erod ls3
Just ordered one.
Still in (sticker) shock. Credit Card fraud department tried to stop me but I convinced them I'm me.
More as this develops.
All those video threads with one Vette spinning out & hitting another are haunting me just now...no traction control in the '87
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Not exactly. There are several build threads documenting the mods needed. Most folks swap from a donor car & get a lot of stuff that doesn't come with the EROD. (I'm going with the EROD for CA emissions compliance and to get a new engine rather than a swap engine with mileage comparable to my L98.)
In broad strokes: the mounts are different, the accesories mounts have to be adapted for the C4, the transmission (if you replace it) has to be adapted to fit the C4 c-beam, the interface to the digi-dash requires a little work.
I am not doing the work myself but have been working with a shop with C4 LS swap experience for several months planning this swap.
In broad strokes: the mounts are different, the accesories mounts have to be adapted for the C4, the transmission (if you replace it) has to be adapted to fit the C4 c-beam, the interface to the digi-dash requires a little work.
I am not doing the work myself but have been working with a shop with C4 LS swap experience for several months planning this swap.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Just did a search on this engine and on another forum there is a thread where it cranked 494 HP and 440 TQ.
California legal
...awesome
It comes with the California tune. A tuner can tune it for DD and "de-tune" it for the biennial SMOG test.
California legal
...awesomeIt comes with the California tune. A tuner can tune it for DD and "de-tune" it for the biennial SMOG test.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
The biggest problem with the C4 is the CCM. 89 and earlier cars can adapt the Atari dash to LS conversions ok, just not the later ones...that and the ABS won't talk to the new ecm.
If it wasn't for this hurdle, I think you would have seen dozen of C4 conversions already.
If it wasn't for this hurdle, I think you would have seen dozen of C4 conversions already.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
The biggest problem with the C4 is the CCM. 89 and earlier cars can adapt the Atari dash to LS conversions ok, just not the later ones...that and the ABS won't talk to the new ecm.
If it wasn't for this hurdle, I think you would have seen dozen of C4 conversions already.
If it wasn't for this hurdle, I think you would have seen dozen of C4 conversions already.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Before pictures: ride height
One question I couldn't resolve reading other LS swap threads is how much the ride height will change with the lighter engine. For reference I created a story stick measuring the height at the front bumper (10 1/8") and drivers side fender (26 3/16"). I got my son a nice camera last Christmas so drafted him to take a few pictures:
Front bumper height:
Drivers side fender height:
I've been warned the oil pan will be lower after the swap. I didn't measure the clearance with the L98 but have these two views under the car:
Front bumper height:
Drivers side fender height:
I've been warned the oil pan will be lower after the swap. I didn't measure the clearance with the L98 but have these two views under the car:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Before pictures: Digi-dash & L98
Gonna have to sell the L98 & 700R4 to help with the costs.
Here's the digi-dash showing the mileage (64536.7) and all gauges functioning (engine off):
Here are four views of the engine. DD so not cleaned up:
The engine is running fine. I'm not doing this swap to resolve any problems, just a dumb guy indulgence. Here's a brief start and idle video:
Trivial observation: I'm surprised to see the distributor cover---it was missing the last time I opened the hood. I just had an oil change & figure my mechanic (not the one doing the swap) had it laying around the shop and put it back on.
Here's the digi-dash showing the mileage (64536.7) and all gauges functioning (engine off):
Here are four views of the engine. DD so not cleaned up:
The engine is running fine. I'm not doing this swap to resolve any problems, just a dumb guy indulgence. Here's a brief start and idle video:
Trivial observation: I'm surprised to see the distributor cover---it was missing the last time I opened the hood. I just had an oil change & figure my mechanic (not the one doing the swap) had it laying around the shop and put it back on.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
a point to consider. The LS3 is all aluminum, plus a plastic intake and might weigh 40-50 lbs less than the L98. The ride height might increase slightly.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
The estimates I've read are in the 150 to 200lb range. The closest comparison to my swap is C4orce2's hot cam LS3 & he reported a minor lift that he left as is. I hope to report a direct before/after comparison for the two locations measured above.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I wish you live closer to give you a free hand with this LS3. Id love to get some experience on doing this
swap. 490 HP stock sounds good and a Maggie or E-Force on top of that would make it even better
for any Vette owner
swap. 490 HP stock sounds good and a Maggie or E-Force on top of that would make it even better
for any Vette owner