LS9 in a C4?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
LS9 in a C4?
Suppose GM sells a select number of LS9 crate engines, which probally wont happen. Would it even fit in the C4? Could a C4 with its design and driveline take the abuse of all that power and tourqe of the LS9? Even if you modify the drivetrain and suspension could the C4 chassis hold up, or would it bend and break? Suppose someone solved the equation and made it work, that would be one mean C4! 
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I know LS engines fit under the hood but i'm not sure about the LS9 cause of the blower. You'd have to measure to find out. Also, no way would a stock C4's drivetrain withstand that kind of power for very long. It would have to be beefed up.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
why not an ls7 or ls3 or ls6. Slap a nice cam in any of those and they have proven over and over to be monsters and no headache of tuning FI. Ls7 is way under rated anyway. I read a 3rd party article a while ago when the did cam and heads on the motor... the results were rediculous. I wont quote them, but they were jaw dropping
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Yes, any LS-series engine can be made to fit. But pick up a crate big-inch small-block and super/turbocharge that. Equal/better performance for a lot less than whatever GM would ask for the LS9...if they ever sell it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 702
Likes: 2
From: Conyers Ga
My guess would be, depending on the age of the C4, you'd probably twist it in half from the torque and either break a plastic roof panel or misalign the doors. I mention this because after some spirited driving on some twisty mountain roads, my plain old L98 managed to misalign my roof and it took four people to get the roof back on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
My guess would be, depending on the age of the C4, you'd probably twist it in half from the torque and either break a plastic roof panel or misalign the doors. I mention this because after some spirited driving on some twisty mountain roads, my plain old L98 managed to misalign my roof and it took four people to get the roof back on.
I happened to crack my paint from it twisting. I should have known better than to get on it with the roof off. This is a valid point once you get over 500ftlbs
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Duncanville Texas
targa twisting
s crazy as it sounds yes it can be twisted with enough power and tire. I always though but have yet to try a permanent bolt in targa like the ZO6. IT would seem to be more effective bolting directly to the eight bolts behind the brackets instead of the current four.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,283
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Can a C4 handle that much power, definetly. I am only in the middle of the pack with just over 600hp. John Meaney is up near the top with his 89 and 1300+hp. Now on slicks at the track, that is another story (you will blow the rear end first, usually)...But on street tires on the street...
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
I wouldnt want to drive it. unless you were refering the 600 horse? even still thats pretty nuts on street tires
also, there is additional bracing that can take some of that flex away.
