Frankenstein SBC with LS Heads
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Frankenstein SBC with LS Heads
I read an article in the new issue of Vette last night and I found a very interesting article about a new Gen-I type block that has been redesigned to accept LS heads and valve train components. Seems like a nice way to bring even MORE to the L-98 crowd and although very promising, just wondering if it’s worth the expense.
R/Noland
R/Noland
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
I've looked at a couple of different write ups on the new block. The idea is interesting but it still requires a lot of custom parts that make me wonder if it is worth it too. What exactly do you save over doing an LSX swap?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,946
Likes: 39
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I read an article in the new issue of Vette last night and I found a very interesting article about a new Gen-I type block that has been redesigned to accept LS heads and valve train components. Seems like a nice way to bring even MORE to the L-98 crowd and although very promising, just wondering if it’s worth the expense.
R/Noland
R/Noland
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ype-block.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Noland, here you go.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ype-block.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ype-block.html
LOL, Brian, EVERYTHING can't have a Blower Bro!......Not EVERYTHING!
R/Noland
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
There's that, the cost of a used LS engine is frequently pretty high, and even though the ground has been broken, there still isn't a straight bolt out bolt in swap to an LS engine. This looks to be a straight bolt out bolt in once you buy the custom accessories they sell.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,946
Likes: 39
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
There's that, the cost of a used LS engine is frequently pretty high, and even though the ground has been broken, there still isn't a straight bolt out bolt in swap to an LS engine. This looks to be a straight bolt out bolt in once you buy the custom accessories they sell.....
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
There's that, the cost of a used LS engine is frequently pretty high, and even though the ground has been broken, there still isn't a straight bolt out bolt in swap to an LS engine. This looks to be a straight bolt out bolt in once you buy the custom accessories they sell.....
Noland
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Kathleen FL
I've heard the Warhawk bare block itself costs over 4 grand and up... IMO not worth it. It would just be better to swap in a REAL LSx motor like what I'm doing. The cheapest I have come up with would be a nice 5.3L without a rebuild. Looks like a drop in, fully running 5.3L conversion would cost around 4 grand fully operational if you do all the work yourself and skip the recommended rebuild/refresh process...
Here's some stuff that comes to mind:
Melrose LS1 C4 headers $800 shipped
Melrose LS1 C4 motor mount adapter plates: $100
Complete 5.3L pull out from junkyard: $400
C5 Corvette accessories: $1000
LS1 intake: $30
LS1 returnless fuel rail: $30
LS1 Camaro oil pan: $200
1999-2002 Camaro wiring harness + ecm: $300
Various sensors + bolts + gaskets + belt: $200
If you are keeping the A/C, add $500.
If you want a mild cam, add $500
Here's some stuff that comes to mind:
Melrose LS1 C4 headers $800 shipped
Melrose LS1 C4 motor mount adapter plates: $100
Complete 5.3L pull out from junkyard: $400
C5 Corvette accessories: $1000
LS1 intake: $30
LS1 returnless fuel rail: $30
LS1 Camaro oil pan: $200
1999-2002 Camaro wiring harness + ecm: $300
Various sensors + bolts + gaskets + belt: $200
If you are keeping the A/C, add $500.
If you want a mild cam, add $500
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I have been researching this, as I would love to drop an LS engine into my car. The problem is that the LS block is shorter then the gen 1 block, so if you want to reuse your ZF transmission, you have to cut into the firewall, or fab a new c beam. ZF Doc is putting an LS engine into his C4, but he is using a ZF from a ZR1, w/ the longer input shaft. There is a vendor over on LS Tech forum that makes kits to swap LS engines into other cars, and he says he is working on a kit to do this, so we'll see.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Kathleen FL
If you use your stock 700R4 with a 5.3L swap, the cost would still be be much cheaper than with using a 6 speed manual... cost could actually end up in the 3 grand range if you fab up a custom pulley set up and leave out some stuff, i.e. A/C, powersteering, etc...
Just make sure the TV cable is set up right or you WILL have transmission issues!
I know a heads/cam 5.3L in a formerly V6 Camaro putting down 395 rwhp through an automatic... 5.3L is still the best bang for the buck! That guy has about $2800 in this swap, tuned and running perfectly! Sure you can spend an extra $500 to $800 more on a nice fresh 6.0L and make 50-80 rwhp more on average with the same type of heads/cam combo. Is it worth it? IMHO, YES!!!
Just make sure the TV cable is set up right or you WILL have transmission issues!
I know a heads/cam 5.3L in a formerly V6 Camaro putting down 395 rwhp through an automatic... 5.3L is still the best bang for the buck! That guy has about $2800 in this swap, tuned and running perfectly! Sure you can spend an extra $500 to $800 more on a nice fresh 6.0L and make 50-80 rwhp more on average with the same type of heads/cam combo. Is it worth it? IMHO, YES!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Well I'm still stunned from the $4K on the bare block response. That's INSANE!........... BOY, I guess I'm not the one that'll look at this type of setup anytime soon. I also couldn't see myself going the LS swap route in the 91, given a 383 Super Ram would be more bang for the buck than a 5.3L swap and put down better numbers. I'm sure once the price of that block reaches down to the Sub-$1.5K range, then I'll glance that way again but for now it's WAY out of my League.
R/Noland
R/Noland
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Kathleen FL
Well I'm still stunned from the $4K on the bare block response. That's INSANE!........... BOY, I guess I'm not the one that'll look at this type of setup anytime soon. I also couldn't see myself going the LS swap route in the 91, given a 383 Super Ram would be more bang for the buck than a 5.3L swap and put down better numbers. I'm sure once the price of that block reaches down to the Sub-$1.5K range, then I'll glance that way again but for now it's WAY out of my League.
R/Noland
R/Noland
If you skip the rebuild, the complete/running/tuned swap can be done for 4 grand even. Heck, there are LSx long block assemblies in racingjunk.com for $700. That includes most of the accessories, the coil packs, intake and the oil pan already. Seems to me that classified ad website would be the first place to look for LSx parts.
