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

Yet another LSx swap thread

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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 12:20 PM
  #21  
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Ouch!
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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 10:18 PM
  #22  
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wow that's bad. Hopefully some parts can be salvaged. Good luck Chad
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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 10:29 PM
  #23  
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Default ls swap

Wow definitley D.O.A. But as far as the swap goes the tailshaft would be the only issue.

G.M.P.P. swap harness/ecm
Speedhound motor mount adapters (just got mine the other day)
Melrose C4 LSx swap headers

For the trans mount, do a search on solid rear conversions most use autos but the concept most have come up with is basically the same.
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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 10:34 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by C4forlife
Wow definitley D.O.A. But as far as the swap goes the tailshaft would be the only issue.

G.M.P.P. swap harness/ecm
Speedhound motor mount adapters (just got mine the other day)
Melrose C4 LSx swap headers

For the trans mount, do a search on solid rear conversions most use autos but the concept most have come up with is basically the same.
I agree. The swap is very doable, just not doable for me right now. For my modest hp goals (400 RWHP), an LS1 swap just costs more than I can afford. If 500 RWHP was the goal, things might be a lot different, since that kind of power is harder to get with LTx stuff, where as 6.0L and L92 top end parts can do it much easier.


Nothing from the bottom end is salvageable. The heads are really the most important thing, and I think they will be OK. They have lots of bent valves (you can see marks on lots of pistons), but the chambers don't appear to have any damage.
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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 10:59 PM
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It looked like at least one of the combustion chamers got smacked hard. But that can be fixed. Getting a shortblock would be the simplest and most cost effect way to get you back on the road.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 01:11 AM
  #26  
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They are just flesh wooouunnddsss
Seriously, get a new Golen shortblock? Then get your heads cleaned up.
LSx swaps are nice but if you are in a hurry, redo the LT4 stuff. 383/396 and maybe some new Dart heads (supposedly they flow VERY well) or AFR new stuff, Jesel Shaft mounts etc etc.

Originally Posted by Mojave
For those that are interested, here are some pics of the carnage from my LT4

LT4 Destruction 1
LT4 Destruction 2

It appears as though the failures started at the 5 and 6 rod bearings, and then spread from there. In total, there were 3 broken rods (I never found the rods for 5 and 6) and 11 holes in the oil pan. Lots of bent valves, but I'm holding out hope I can salvage the heads.

As much as I want to try an LS1 swap, I just don't think I can swing it right now. If there was a good, proven solution to the whole shifter/c-beam issue, then maybe, but I don't have the fab capability in my driveway.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 04:48 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
It looked like at least one of the combustion chamers got smacked hard. But that can be fixed. Getting a shortblock would be the simplest and most cost effect way to get you back on the road.
I found a deal on an unassembled, low mile LT1 for cheap; hopefully some fresh bearings and rings, and it will be ready to go.

Originally Posted by steve40th
They are just flesh wooouunnddsss
Seriously, get a new Golen shortblock? Then get your heads cleaned up.
LSx swaps are nice but if you are in a hurry, redo the LT4 stuff. 383/396 and maybe some new Dart heads (supposedly they flow VERY well) or AFR new stuff, Jesel Shaft mounts etc etc.
Any flow numbers for the Dart heads?

http://www.dartheads.com/products/sb...ro1-heads.html

The numbers there don't look all that great: only 180cc intake port, where as the LT4 are 195cc (LT1 is 175cc). The valve sizes are decent: 2.02 and 1.60, stock LT4 is 2.00 and 1.55, stock LT1 is 1.94 and 1.50.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 06:48 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Mojave
I found a deal on an unassembled, low mile LT1 for cheap; hopefully some fresh bearings and rings, and it will be ready to go.



Any flow numbers for the Dart heads?

http://www.dartheads.com/products/sb...ro1-heads.html

The numbers there don't look all that great: only 180cc intake port, where as the LT4 are 195cc (LT1 is 175cc). The valve sizes are decent: 2.02 and 1.60, stock LT4 is 2.00 and 1.55, stock LT1 is 1.94 and 1.50.
pm cuisinartvette. ron has a set of ported LTx heads that might fit your bill, and your budget.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 10:26 AM
  #29  
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From the Dart site.
257 intake
172 exhaust

Looks to be measured at .500.Cant find any umbers above .500 or below, Id be curious to see them.
Considering its a 180cc runner thats not too bad:with a little work Im sure they could really rock. Dont need giant numbers to make power on the street.

how much are the Dart heads?
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 02:30 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Mojave
I found a deal on an unassembled, low mile LT1 for cheap; hopefully some fresh bearings and rings, and it will be ready to go.



Any flow numbers for the Dart heads?

http://www.dartheads.com/products/sb...ro1-heads.html

The numbers there don't look all that great: only 180cc intake port, where as the LT4 are 195cc (LT1 is 175cc). The valve sizes are decent: 2.02 and 1.60, stock LT4 is 2.00 and 1.55, stock LT1 is 1.94 and 1.50.
The Z28 guys aer getting real excited over here. Bret "SStrokerAce" and some other guys who are heavy hitters are really lookiing forward to these heads.
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546614
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 02:46 PM
  #31  
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If I were to ever think about an LS1 swap, I would also convert over to carb because wiring would be a PITA. As long as you have a mild cam and a well tuned carburetor, LS1s should be efficient enough to get decent gas mileage about equivalent to their mass fuel injected counterparts. And really there would not be much wiring at all. I bet that would greatly simplify the swap. And since you want to keep a stick shift, you could do pretty well on fuel economy. Yes, I'm ready with my FLAME SUIT on!!!
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 02:50 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by hooblyboobly
If I were to ever think about an LS1 swap, I would also convert over to carb because wiring would be a PITA. As long as you have a mild cam and a well tuned carburetor, LS1s should be efficient enough to get decent gas mileage about equivalent to their mass fuel injected counterparts. And really there would not be much wiring at all. I bet that would greatly simplify the swap. And since you want to keep a stick shift, you could do pretty well on fuel economy. Yes, I'm ready with my FLAME SUIT on!!!
I disagree. For a road race car, fuel injection is really handy. Dealing with sloshing fuel in a float bowl isn't a battle I want to fight. Yes, I realize that it can certainly be done, but I just don't see the point. I don't know how to tune a carb, nor do I ever want to have to re-jet because the weather changed. The hard part for me is not the wiring, but the transmission issues. Also,the LS1 computer/fuel injection setup is really good.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 05:52 PM
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Appear to be some real gearheads over there.
Bolting on an aftermarket head is good, but taking one and then working it further in most cases is even better. Others dont respond quite as well. stuff.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by steve40th
The Z28 guys aer getting real excited over here. Bret "SStrokerAce" and some other guys who are heavy hitters are really lookiing forward to these heads.
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546614
Looks like they flow just about as well as the LE1 heads right out of the box with smaller ports @.500" lift
Interesting, very interesting.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 09:00 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Appear to be some real gearheads over there.
Bolting on an aftermarket head is good, but taking one and then working it further in most cases is even better. Others dont respond quite as well. stuff.
I think in the OP's case, if he is wanting to make some serious HP at the tires, the LT4 and LT1 heads can only go so far. Now AFR/Brodix (yes they have'm too), and DART are making some really great heads that get us the potential to make allot more power.
I remember Phil Tobins car making 475rwhp with a 401 and big cam, high compression and seriously worked over AFR 220's?
Now we have heads with a proven track record, thrown into our mold allowing us to get more competitive with the LSx crowd. IMHO
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 04:12 PM
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Here is a pic of the oil pan for those who are interested:



This was the 'bad' side. There are at least 2 holes on the bottom part of the pan, in front of the sump, as well as more dents and holes on the other side.


After exchanging some emails with Lloyd Elliot of EPortWorks, I think I'm going to fix and port my LT4 heads. My hp goal is a modest 400 RWHP (can't afford to make any more), and my heads with some work and a good cam should make that without too much trouble.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #37  
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Well, if youre gonna blow it, blow it sky high!!!

I cant beleive there were two rods missing altogether, thats a heck of a mess.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 09:04 PM
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Sounds like a good plan to me Chad. I also think you should clean the oil pan and then hang it on the wall in the garage. Write a date on it too. Maybe do the same with the small chunks. Just put them in a clear glass jar or container.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Speed Hound
Sounds like a good plan to me Chad. I also think you should clean the oil pan and then hang it on the wall in the garage. Write a date on it too. Maybe do the same with the small chunks. Just put them in a clear glass jar or container.
I have already cleaned it up so it can be saved. I still haven't pulled all of the chunks out of it yet, but the ones I have removed are in a box.
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Old Jan 2, 2008 | 02:18 AM
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WTF it looks like a pipe bomb whent boom in there !
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