LS7 engine in an early C4 ????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: Northern VA
LS7 engine in an early C4 ????
Hi All,
LS7's are selling NEW at jegs for 12,500 and I have a 1986 convertible that would just LOVE to have that engine in it's bay.
There are also all sorts of engine swap books on ebay for the Ls1/Ls2/Ls6 engines.
1) Would the LS7 physically fit in the engine bay and under the hood?
2) What tranny / differential combo can be used
3) Would any of you even consider such a cockamaimee idea???
LS7's are selling NEW at jegs for 12,500 and I have a 1986 convertible that would just LOVE to have that engine in it's bay.
There are also all sorts of engine swap books on ebay for the Ls1/Ls2/Ls6 engines.
1) Would the LS7 physically fit in the engine bay and under the hood?
2) What tranny / differential combo can be used
3) Would any of you even consider such a cockamaimee idea???
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Hi All,
LS7's are selling NEW at jegs for 12,500 and I have a 1986 convertible that would just LOVE to have that engine in it's bay.
There are also all sorts of engine swap books on ebay for the Ls1/Ls2/Ls6 engines.
1) Would the LS7 physically fit in the engine bay and under the hood?
2) What tranny / differential combo can be used
3) Would any of you even consider such a cockamaimee idea???
LS7's are selling NEW at jegs for 12,500 and I have a 1986 convertible that would just LOVE to have that engine in it's bay.
There are also all sorts of engine swap books on ebay for the Ls1/Ls2/Ls6 engines.
1) Would the LS7 physically fit in the engine bay and under the hood?
2) What tranny / differential combo can be used
3) Would any of you even consider such a cockamaimee idea???
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: SpringHill florida
truer words have never been spoken,and unless your a very good mech/fabricator,i would not do this in the garage,plus there's a whole lot of electrical work,it funny,i was thinking the same thing this morning to put the ls7 ant its interior in a c4(thats how much i love the body style)but a job like this dont by a pro would cost about 24,000 (including the motor and tranny). i myself would rather have a fully built turbo motor(6,500$) and a good turbo setup(7,000) and u could make tgwice the hp of the ls7.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Nice engine, dry sump TI rods etc.
But $12k for the engine and a lot of work not to meantion the extra $$$ for 500hp???
One of these would bolt it and it's 600hp
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=173640
But $12k for the engine and a lot of work not to meantion the extra $$$ for 500hp???
One of these would bolt it and it's 600hp
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=173640
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
When I purchased my '90 vert I also looked at the ZR-1, I asked if the ZR-1 option was available in a vert. I was told the vert could not handle 375 hp or tq the ZR-1 put out. Furthermore insurance on the ZR-1 was 3500.00 yearly and I did not have any tickets.
LS-7 engine IMO is too much for a vert.
Don't think I answered your question, although hope it helps
LS-7 engine IMO is too much for a vert.
Don't think I answered your question, although hope it helps
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Its a small-block, and if LS1s fit, I dont see any reason why the LS7 wouldnt.
I doubt an automatic would be a good idea here, and you'd probably need a beefed up manual....i.e., not just an off-the-shelf piece. I have no idea about the bellhousing or stuff specific to making an LS fit.
I dont see why you couldnt mate the whole thing to a D44. I wouldnt even consider a D36 though.
I still think swapping to the LS engines is just going to be a big headache.
Theres a long thread on the LS1 swap into C4, run a search and read that thread.
I doubt an automatic would be a good idea here, and you'd probably need a beefed up manual....i.e., not just an off-the-shelf piece. I have no idea about the bellhousing or stuff specific to making an LS fit.
I dont see why you couldnt mate the whole thing to a D44. I wouldnt even consider a D36 though.
I still think swapping to the LS engines is just going to be a big headache.
Theres a long thread on the LS1 swap into C4, run a search and read that thread.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
In the latest (I think) GM Hi Tech and Performance mag, there is a group of crate engines listed (Natural Born Killers). One company makes the LS7 with a wet sump oil system so you would not have to deal with the exterior dry sump system. Other than that mod, it looks like it is an all GM LS7, rated at 505hp
I think the wiring and computer is the hardest thing and an additional cost. No idea about the tranny bolting up.
I think the wiring and computer is the hardest thing and an additional cost. No idea about the tranny bolting up.
Last edited by GeosFun; Jul 19, 2007 at 03:46 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
