c4 ls1 conversion
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
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c4 ls1 conversion
im looking to do a ls1 swap in a c4 corvette need help/ideas want to get a oem wire harness and computer and i also want to upgrade the instrument panel to a c5 instrument panel how difficult would this be. and what can i remove from vehicle to deduct weight i plan on turning this into a drag racing car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Kingsland GA
im looking to do a ls1 swap in a c4 corvette need help/ideas want to get a oem wire harness and computer and i also want to upgrade the instrument panel to a c5 instrument panel how difficult would this be. and what can i remove from vehicle to deduct weight i plan on turning this into a drag racing car.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Canandaigua New York
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
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From: Newark DE
You can't post links to searches..
Here's one for the OP
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...lsx-swaps.html
and you'll probably find more help over in the Hybrids & Conversions forum on ls1tech.com.
Here's one for the OP
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...lsx-swaps.html
and you'll probably find more help over in the Hybrids & Conversions forum on ls1tech.com.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
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From: Phoenix Arizona
I agree. I had a LS376/480 Hot Cam GMPP crate engine installed in my '92 almost 2 years ago. My goal was to create a unique C4 and I accomplished that. I never intend on racing the car and only take it to shows. So my goal was entirely different from the original poster. My build cost me just over $22,000 and that was with a big discount on the labor. For that money I could have bought a great C5. If you want to race a car and you want a LS1, get a cheap C5 and strip it down. Just my 2cents.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Willington Ct
I agree. I had a LS376/480 Hot Cam GMPP crate engine installed in my '92 almost 2 years ago. My goal was to create a unique C4 and I accomplished that. I never intend on racing the car and only take it to shows. So my goal was entirely different from the original poster. My build cost me just over $22,000 and that was with a big discount on the labor. For that money I could have bought a great C5. If you want to race a car and you want a LS1, get a cheap C5 and strip it down. Just my 2cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
I went into my EROD LS3 swap with a good idea of the costs. Ch@0S has shown it can be done for much less DIY.
The thread 85MikeTPI has some good swap thread links & the OP is well advised to start there.
Heres a dash swap link
http://www.vetteworksonline.com/c5dashconversion.htm
The thread 85MikeTPI has some good swap thread links & the OP is well advised to start there.
Heres a dash swap link
http://www.vetteworksonline.com/c5dashconversion.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I think if you shop smart its doable cheap. It's taken me longer than everyone else but I have saved tons, I have about 3k in mine.Not the entire car just the swap. Looking back with all the info The guys have posted presently (and I) it should be a no brainier. Half the battle is knowing what to buy the other is the wiring. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
If it's a drag car , i would just slap a good carb on it like the new prosystem SV1.. guys at the local track are making more power with a carbed lsX setups . carbs now a days are not like they use to be few years back .
http://www.prosystemsracing.com/svseries.html
http://www.prosystemsracing.com/svseries.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
If it's a drag car , i would just slap a good carb on it like the new prosystem SV1.. guys at the local track are making more power with a carbed lsX setups . carbs now a days are not like they use to be few years back .
http://www.prosystemsracing.com/svseries.html
http://www.prosystemsracing.com/svseries.html
And wow that is one bad a** looking carb. I guess technology has helped the carb along as well.
Last edited by ch@0s; May 22, 2012 at 08:44 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
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From: Newark DE
I think if you shop smart its doable cheap. It's taken me longer than everyone else but I have saved tons, I have about 3k in mine.Not the entire car just the swap. Looking back with all the info The guys have posted presently (and I) it should be a no brainier. Half the battle is knowing what to buy the other is the wiring.
Farming out labor for the swap will send the costs through the roof...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
yes thats one bad **** ... I have one going on my motor , you can get them to flow in the 2300 cfm range
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Willington Ct
Much of the reason mine went so far over budget wasn't related to the swap itself, but the $3500 ccw wheels, c5 brake package, and nearly $2000 in steering and suspension upgrades. I also replaced the ring and pinion with a 3:75 ratio and in the process had to do the housing as well because of a crack discovered. D44 housings themselves go for several hundred dollars.
