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

84 "LS1" Engine Swap/Build

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 06:07 PM
  #1  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default 84 "LS1" Engine Swap/Build

Well after some research I have decided to do an "LS1" Engine Swap/Build. This was the thread that convinced me to do this swap...
Click HERE
and I started to wonder if anyone has done this swap in a C4. It turns out that corvette fever has done this swap in a C4 and its called Project C4orce. Once I saw that I knew that, that was the engine swap I wanted to do. The reason I'm not doing an actual LSx swap is because it is too much money for a high school kid.

So today I managed to get down to the junkyard and pick up an LM7 327 (5.3L) engine from a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500. It has 52k miles on it and cost me $600. It seems to be in good condition and everything but I have 30 days to return it so I am going to be doing compression test and a leak down test first. Once its good I will be swapping the truck intake for an LS1 intake, fuel rails, and injectors that I bought used for $130 (still waiting for it to come in the mail). All I need to get the motor running is a LS1 harness and ECM then it will be good to go for the swap.

Here are some pics of the motor the way it is now (how it came from the junkyard)












It came with everything besides an alternator and belt.

Enjoy
Cory
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 07:29 PM
  #2  
Mojave's Avatar
Mojave
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
Default

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...-6-0-swap.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...o-my-85-a.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ith-4l60e.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...-ls1-swap.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...2-into-c4.html
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 07:44 PM
  #3  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Awesome!! I did my first engine swap at 16 and it was the best feeling in the world when it was done. Take a lot of pictures.. we would love to see them. Good luck
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 07:57 PM
  #4  
rickneworleansla's Avatar
rickneworleansla
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Default

Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #5  
Pwnage1337's Avatar
Pwnage1337
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Default

I'll be watching this thread!
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 12:19 AM
  #6  
subtlez28's Avatar
subtlez28
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Janesville WI
Default

Cool Cory!

I'm mid swap on an LS1/T56 into my 84. Mine was a running swap at one time, but I purchased it as a basket case. It should really be done by now but life has kind of gotten in the way...

Where are you located?

Keep us updated!
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 01:56 AM
  #7  
ndanl's Avatar
ndanl
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Timisoara, Romania
Default

Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 07:58 AM
  #8  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Cool Cory!

I'm mid swap on an LS1/T56 into my 84. Mine was a running swap at one time, but I purchased it as a basket case. It should really be done by now but life has kind of gotten in the way...

Where are you located?

Keep us updated!
I live on Long Island
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 03:35 PM
  #9  
1985 Corvette's Avatar
1985 Corvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
Default

What kind of power can be expected out of this particular 5.3 LS variant with the LS1 intake? Looks like a very cool project! The closest junkyard I know of doesn't carry cool stuff like that.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 04:49 PM
  #10  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

The stock 5.3L has 285-295 hp and torque is 325 lb·ft to 335 lb·ft. But with the LS conversion it will make more than that. I have heard ranges from 325-360 HP and 370-390 lb·ft. I am not sure about these numbers since some guys did more to their engine than just swapping intakes but once mine is done and I get it on a dyno I will give you exact numbers
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 04:51 PM
  #11  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Well got my LS1 Intake today









Thanks to CF member Vette Cruz-in
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 06:47 PM
  #12  
Vette Cruz-in's Avatar
Vette Cruz-in
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 7
From: Rochester NY
Default

Good luck with the engine swap. I wish I had the skills and guts to take on a project like that!!
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 08:36 PM
  #13  
1985 Corvette's Avatar
1985 Corvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
Default

Originally Posted by eilax053
The stock 5.3L has 285-295 hp and torque is 325 lb·ft to 335 lb·ft. But with the LS conversion it will make more than that. I have heard ranges from 325-360 HP and 370-390 lb·ft. I am not sure about these numbers since some guys did more to their engine than just swapping intakes but once mine is done and I get it on a dyno I will give you exact numbers
Sounds like a good start! I was also wondering because it's a smaller in displacement, would it be able to rev higher? That'd be mighty sweet to have an LT4/LS3 redline capability.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #14  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Originally Posted by 1985 Corvette
Sounds like a good start! I was also wondering because it's a smaller in displacement, would it be able to rev higher? That'd be mighty sweet to have an LT4/LS3 redline capability.
Im not sure on that one
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #15  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Well got it set up in the garage on a stand and started to rip it apart



Intake off




Cleaning it up and took off all the accessories








Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 11:56 PM
  #16  
Pwnage1337's Avatar
Pwnage1337
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Default

Lookin good!
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2009 | 11:54 PM
  #17  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Heres a quick test fit



Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 84 "LS1" Engine Swap/Build

Old Oct 17, 2009 | 09:21 AM
  #18  
Bluewasp's Avatar
Bluewasp
Race Director
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Reply
Old Nov 29, 2009 | 11:01 AM
  #19  
eilax053's Avatar
eilax053
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Well finally got some free time to get a little work done on the engine. I spun it upside down and took off the oil pan to check out the bottom end and look at the cylinder walls. It looks great. You can still see a slight bit of cross-hatch pattern on the walls.









And heres the difference between the truck oil pan and the Firebird pan.








Now im back on hold untill the new windage tray arrives. Also in the market for an LS1 harness and ECM. Might start disassembling the car to get ready to pull the crossfire
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2009 | 01:57 PM
  #20  
92ZR1WANNABE's Avatar
92ZR1WANNABE
Racer
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Casa Grande Az
Default

Damn

Looking at the bottom end of that motor , it looks like it never had a oil change in its 52k miles.


Good luck with the swap and keep us all up to date with lots of pics
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:15 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE