C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LS1 swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:53 PM
  #1  
silverdroptop's Avatar
silverdroptop
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Ringgold GA
Default LS1 swap

I was just curious to see if anyone here has installed the LS1/LS6 into the C4.
If so what all was involved and is it worth the effort?
A guy from the local dyno shop was toying with the idea and it sounds interesting, what do you guys think?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:10 PM
  #2  
1985 Corvette's Avatar
1985 Corvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
Default

Hmmm, well it can be done and it sure would be a surprise to anyone when you open the hood.......but that's probablly where the pros stop. Takes quite a bit of enginuity and fabrication, along with a buttload of patience to set it just right in the C4 framerails. Not saying this from experience but I've heard a couple of stories. Ah well, they wouldn't sell LS1s in crates if they didn't expect people to do an engine swap. Your friend would probably be better off taking a crate 350 and building it up with some go-fast goodies from GM. Then again, that's just me, a 350 V8 is a 350 V8 no matter the designation code.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:29 PM
  #3  
IBEAM700's Avatar
IBEAM700
Safety Car
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Default





Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:38 PM
  #4  
silverdroptop's Avatar
silverdroptop
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Ringgold GA
Default

IBEAM700
How difficult was the swap?
What were some of the more difficult aspects of the project?
How much fabrication was involved?
Are you completely satisified with the end results?
What about the performance of the car now?
I thought it might not be a involved as it might first seem when you think about the available motor mounts and wireing harnesses available now for swaps into older cars and even setups for 3rd gen F-bodys.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:57 PM
  #5  
IBEAM700's Avatar
IBEAM700
Safety Car
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Default

Oh its not mine. it belongs to anothe forum memebr, but i cant remember who... maybe someone else will chime in with the answer
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 10:03 PM
  #6  
silverdroptop's Avatar
silverdroptop
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Ringgold GA
Default

From what I can see in the picture it looks like the A/C & alternator compressor have been relocated for this car.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 09:23 PM
  #7  
-=Jeff=-'s Avatar
-=Jeff=-
Race Director
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,594
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by IBEAM700
Oh its not mine. it belongs to anothe forum memebr, but i cant remember who... maybe someone else will chime in with the answer

That is TRACER X's car
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2005 | 05:11 AM
  #8  
Jeffvette's Avatar
Jeffvette
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Default

Never really paid much attention to the swap.

Fuel inlet, is on passenger side for C4... driver side C5.
Oil fill has been swapped to accomadate fuel rail change.
Alternator is in same location as it is in the C5
Throttle Linkage has been moved to passengr side... F-body TB?

Apparently Street & Performance makes motor mounts for the LS1 in a C4, wiring harnesses have also gotten cheaper.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 31, 2005 | 03:30 PM
  #9  
kopbet89c4's Avatar
kopbet89c4
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Default

IMHO, I'd rather go with an EFI 454 cubic inch high performance SBC crate engine. Looks like they would have more potential than the LS1/6, but just with lower revs.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2005 | 05:05 PM
  #10  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Originally Posted by xeugep
IMHO, I'd rather go with an EFI 454 cubic inch high performance SBC crate engine. Looks like they would have more potential than the LS1/6, but just with lower revs.
As far as torque #'s go (stock for stock) you have a valid point. If you come across a chance to drive a built (even mildly) LS1, you'll forget all about big blocks...Those motors absolutely rip!
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2005 | 11:55 PM
  #11  
kopbet89c4's Avatar
kopbet89c4
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
As far as torque #'s go (stock for stock) you have a valid point. If you come across a chance to drive a built (even mildly) LS1, you'll forget all about big blocks...Those motors absolutely rip!
IMO there's nothing better than that instant brute torque of a 400+ block from idle all the way up to the usual redline of 4500-5000 rpms. Just got done driving an EFI 502 cubic inch big block squeezed in a 90's Camaro and I think its the best type of "sit the f*ck down" action I've never acheived on ANY Honda. I'm so tired of 9000-10000 rpms on Honda's low torque motors with the 5.x final drive ratio. I'd rather have a tall geared rear end mated to a good, built automatic trans with a tall overdrive ratio for economy. Best of both worlds!
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2005 | 04:07 AM
  #12  
LS1C4's Avatar
LS1C4
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Default

I used C5 motor mounts for this swap. I was the first to put one in a C4 and did not have the luxury of ready made motor mount adaptors and such. It was challenging and fun doing this swap, even more fun to drive. As for putting a big block in instead, I guess if you want to pull the IRS and put a 9 inch with a spool and drag race that is one way to go, but as for me I would rather retain a balanced car that handles well and not put all that weight out on the front end of the car.

Regards
TracerX
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LS1 swap





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:29 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE