Yes, it can be done. TracerX has one in his 84, with an automatic, all from an F-Body. Hood clearance isn't an issue, in fact it has better hood clearance. The air conditioner needs to be relocated to the top side of the motor, LS1's are mounted down by the oil pan. There is a place that specializes in this stuff at http://www.tunedport.com. You can use the stock radiator or similar aftermarket, I didn't realize they went back to regular coolant flow, I thought they were reverse flow like the LT1/LT4, so that actually makes it easier. Fuel lines are on the opposite side of the motor, a fairly minor issue. You would need to use Camaro style shorty headers for clearance, not a big deal.

You need the Camaro oil pan for frame clearance. Need to use Camaro throttle body for cable linkage, but both of these parts can be changed if you happen to have a Corvette LS1/6. Supposedly the accessories are closer to the motor in the C5 compared to the F-body, not sure if one is better than the other, Trace said he used the Camaro spacing, but thinks the Corvettes could work just the same.

I also found out that I can use a F-body trans in my C4, Trace used the Auto out of the car he transplanted from and made a couple brackets to adapt it. This makes it nice and simple, pull a complete LS1 and 6spd from an F-body and you're ready for transplant.

Wiring looks like I could buy a loom from tunedport.com, they have this stuff all day long for street rod transplants, so I feel confident there. One area is the stock gauges, Trace said he didn't really try to make them work, he fabricated his own gauge cluster. I have thought of doing this myself, but would like to try to get the stock dash working, doing a custom dash just adds more time and money to this project. I would do the motor first, try getting the factory dash working, then add a custom dash later down the road. Any dash experts out there have a solution to this?

That is what I have for now, I will continue doing research to see how much this will cost and how long it would take. As soon as I sell my 94 I will be seriously be looking at doing this project.

Jeff


[Modified by 89BP, 9:41 PM 11/19/2001]

 

I would imagine that its quite involved. Probably better off with a crate motor.

 

There is a tech article in the Jan. 2002 Corvette Fever on pp.81 about swapping an LS1 into an '87. Dave Emanuel didn't say anything about the engine not fitting but the LS1 6sp. is mounted to the rear axle. He also made mention of needing to use both the ECM and the PCM.

-John

 

I guess I will need to go and get the newest issue of Corvette Fever, thank you John you gave me exactly what I was looking for.

Jeff

 

Use an LT4, cheaper, easier, more power.

 

Don't do it for cost...your L98 wins everytime.

 

Cheaper? The lowest I have seen for a complete LT4 has been $5,500, if you can find one, so if you have a source I don't know about please fill me in. Easier? It is just as difficult actually. A guy locally has an LT4 in his 89 Auto, and it cost over $10K, and took a long time to install and get running right, my dad was actually a part of that install. So even if you take the labor cost out, it is very costly to put in an LT4, which is what I originally wanted to do when I bought this car 2 years ago. I have seen Camaro LS1's going complete for very little money. One could debate about an LT4 having more power than an LS1, I would say they were extremely close.

Now back to the issue. Will one go into a C4?

Jeff

 

I love my L98, tons of torque, but absolutely no top end. I want to do it for many reasons. One is availability of LS1's, they seem to be quite plentiful. It would be lighter over the front end, which is good for cornering. I could make excellent power with simple bolt ons, and still have an essentially stock GM motor, which I like the thought off. Everytime I add up doing an L98 I come up with $6K complete with all the parts to make it run right.

So back to the issue. Will an LS1 go into a C4?

Jeff

 

Yes.

Someone here put an LS1 in an 84.
It came under some suspicion when some components were in "odd" places
Turns out that he had to use a Camaro LS1. I forget why.. but it was done. Probably cost 10+ to do it.

 

TracerX in Houston put an LS1out of a Camero in an 84. He would have to tell you why he used the Camero parts, but it worked better. Had some additional go fast goodies added. I know the car was running around here. Page Trace and he can tell you about his car. Looked awesome and ran really strong.

 

Thank you very much HWoods, I am assuming that TracerX is in the Corvetteforum? Anyone out there know him, or know how I may get in touch with him?

I was actually planning on a Camaro LS1, they are very inexpensive and easy to find. Once you use the word Corvette the price goes up 30% or more for the same thing in other cars, go figure :) Anyways, thanx again.

Jeff

 

Yup, I know Trace. I will get him to come post on here.
The install is pretty difficult as the motor is dimentionally different. There are a lot of one off pieces that you will have to have made. What I usually tell people on something like this is if you have to ask how much it cost to do this, this project is not for you. You didn't ask, so you may be perfect for this conversion.
Have fun,

 

I think they chose the LS1 from the camaro because the corvette has the drive by wire thing on the TB.
Plus the Camaro probably comes with a bellhousing, if it is usable I dont know.

Also I remember Trace had some problems as the LS1's motor mounts were not in the same place as on the L98/LT1/4's.

 

It can be done. I used the motor and trans out of a 98 camaro. The camaro motor uses a standard cable throttle setup and has the wingless oil pan needed for clearance. I made flat plates and used c-5 motor mounts which simplified things. Had to fab a bracket for rear trans mount to attach to factory vette torque arm. special pulleys ,fuel rail, etc were needed.

Give me a call and I will be more than happy to give you advice and point you in the direction that you need to go.

Regards
Trace

 

TTT.....I edited my original post....read that :)

Jeff