engine swap
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
engine swap
hey, hypothetical situation, has any one tried to put a zr-1 engine into a 85, i just bought one(85), and i am thinking about some possible performance paths. thiw one is one of the more outlandish. also, if posible, does anyone know where i can get a zr1 engine with a transmission, preferably a 6spd manual, also, did that engine ever come with an automatic? i doubt if it did, but if it did, what were its specifications.
for all of you who think i sound like a horrible noob, its because i am, and i would apreciate help, not snide remarks.
thanks
for all of you who think i sound like a horrible noob, its because i am, and i would apreciate help, not snide remarks.
thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
hey, hypothetical situation, has any one tried to put a zr-1 engine into a 85, i just bought one(85), and i am thinking about some possible performance paths. thiw one is one of the more outlandish. also, if posible, does anyone know where i can get a zr1 engine with a transmission, preferably a 6spd manual, also, did that engine ever come with an automatic? i doubt if it did, but if it did, what were its specifications.
for all of you who think i sound like a horrible noob, its because i am, and i would apreciate help, not snide remarks.
thanks
for all of you who think i sound like a horrible noob, its because i am, and i would apreciate help, not snide remarks.
thanks
I'd go with a SBC or LT1. Stay away from the ZR1 LT5 crap. Lots of money for no benefit. If you had a ZR1 car it would be one thing, but spending all sorts of money putting an LT5 in a '85 vette is gonna get some strange looks from folks. You can spend way less to go faster with a more traditional engine.
-- Joe
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
thanks man, i already sent a message to that guy with the tranny. why would it be to much work? what would i have to do to get it to work?
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
thanks man, i already sent a message to that guy with the tranny. why would it be to much work? what would i have to do to get it to work?
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
Good attitude
Do something different because you can. It will give YOU the feel you want driving your car. The replies are meant to give you alternatives but in the end if you spend $5K and don't like it you will think that you should have gone the $10K and done it the way you wanted.
Once you decide jump in and don't look back......
Good luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 426
Likes: 16
From: Concord CA
I put a LS1 with a Viper T56 in my 71' Chevelle.. and beleive me.. I have the bug to do all of my classic's now.. and beleive in these engine ! (just need to save more $$$ for the engines, I need at lease two more! 71' Nova and 48 Ford Truck, maybe my 88 C4)
It is a stock engine, 4.10 gears and I still get 23+mpg at Highway speeds.
It is a stock engine, 4.10 gears and I still get 23+mpg at Highway speeds.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I put a LS1 with a Viper T56 in my 71' Chevelle.. and beleive me.. I have the bug to do all of my classic's now.. and beleive in these engine ! (just need to save more $$$ for the engines, I need at lease two more! 71' Nova and 48 Ford Truck, maybe my 88 C4)
It is a stock engine, 4.10 gears and I still get 23+mpg at Highway speeds.
It is a stock engine, 4.10 gears and I still get 23+mpg at Highway speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
thanks man, i already sent a message to that guy with the tranny. why would it be to much work? what would i have to do to get it to work?
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
also, i have tats on my neck, so i get weird looks all the time, so i am used to it. this is one of those long term plans, something to try you know, not something to do right away.
If you do go this route start hanging out with the Oklahoma crowd and get to know the guys who work at Mercury marine...
The primary problem is that it's an expensive swap that is not as maintainable. Good luck in whatever you choose to go with and let us know!
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 426
Likes: 16
From: Concord CA
Thanks.. here is my Cardomain pages on my Chevelle Project..
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2353903
I now have in the garage, drive way and side yard... 71' Chevelle A-Body, 84' Z28 F-body, 79 G-30 VAN (4x4), 71' Nova X-body, 87 Fiero P-body and now the 88' Y-body...
Along with a 1948 Ford F-1 1/2Ton Truck and a 79 RX7..
I think I need to stop for now.. LOL
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2353903
I now have in the garage, drive way and side yard... 71' Chevelle A-Body, 84' Z28 F-body, 79 G-30 VAN (4x4), 71' Nova X-body, 87 Fiero P-body and now the 88' Y-body...
Along with a 1948 Ford F-1 1/2Ton Truck and a 79 RX7..
I think I need to stop for now.. LOL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
It's not as if you can just throw a carby on it and go driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Another vote for no..From the fuel system, cooling system, ECM, etc etc its all different. Nothing on the motor is chevrolet or "SBC" and damn near all of it is discontinued. Youd need the ZF with the Z specific input shaft, too many little things to list. Getting parts like a non existant thermostat housing and the whole 6 hose coolant bypass system, accessories, etc etc. Used PS pump, $400 for ex.
You dont want an LT5 in your car.
Go Big CI SBC, LSx, BBC, forced induction, etc .More bang for the buck, easier, simpler.
You dont want an LT5 in your car.
Go Big CI SBC, LSx, BBC, forced induction, etc .More bang for the buck, easier, simpler.
