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

LT4 swapped with LS9

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2011 | 03:37 PM
  #21  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

Will, do you have any clips of your car i would like to hear it. What I understand is that I should shoot for the 400rwhp range for a daily driver out of the LT. Which websites sell the parts I need are should I just let the shop pick them out for me.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 03:38 PM
  #22  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

on ebay iv seen ls6 engines selling for $5500(new)
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 04:02 PM
  #23  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

im having a hard time finding parts when I search, especially cams. Always the lt4 hot cam comes up...anything more agressive I can get my hands on as well as all the supporting mods?
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 04:03 PM
  #24  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

Originally Posted by petrov83
Will, do you have any clips of your car i would like to hear it. What I understand is that I should shoot for the 400rwhp range for a daily driver out of the LT. Which websites sell the parts I need are should I just let the shop pick them out for me.
Sure. I have numerouse clips on my photobucket but I'll have to wait until I get home to link them for you (my work has photobucket access blocked).

Until then here is a video on youtube of me playing around at a 1/4mile track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0qDV...ature=youtu.be

***EDIT*** Here is a close up idle and rev clip of my 92.



400-450RWHP is pretty common for LTX's. In good air that will put around 115-120 mph in the 1/4. With good traction you'll run well down into the 11's.

I built a very mild 383 LT4 for a member here. He ended up with 421RWHP. The car runs good, gets good mileage and the power delivery is easy to manage/drive. He and I did a nice write up for the forum a few years ago. All the part numbers, engine specs and plenty of pics and video is in this thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...-pictures.html

He's got over 25K miles on the motor since then and it's as good today as it was the day I built it. Total cost to duplicate this engine today would be probally in the 8-10K range.
Will

Last edited by rklessdriver; May 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #25  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

Camshaft is no problem. Talk to my cam grinder Mike Jones.

www.jonescams.com

**EDIT**
Plenty of video here of me destroying Shelby GT500's, Steeda Mustangs, Backhalf race cars, F bodies and the occasional Civic.... All with very little driving effort on my part.

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...cpZZ1QQtppZZ16

It's not about how much HP you put down on a chassis dyno. That Red Shelby GT500 puts down 615RWHP and he was on drag radials (same as me)... I didn't even launch hard and drove by him in 2nd gear like he tied to a pole... It's about building an engine combination that works and has a useable powerband that your car can take advantage of.
Will

Last edited by rklessdriver; May 25, 2011 at 05:46 PM. Reason: add video links.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 05:07 PM
  #26  
pr0zac's Avatar
pr0zac
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
Default

Originally Posted by rklessdriver
Problem with the LTX series of engine is small bore stock block, lack of good cyl heads and limited RPM (7000 because of the computer) to make that kind of power. An L98 car would be much easier with the availiable aftermarket big bore blocks and roll deck heads. Any moron could make 600RWHP easily with a 12* or 15* 421 or 434.

No so easy with an LTX. Limited to right around 400 inches and 4.06 bore.... 23* cyl heads that don't flow that great to begin with are now pinched off even more....

I can make 500RWHP pretty easy with 383 LTX (or bigger), using off the shelf 23* heads and a mech roller. You'll have to adjust valves every 6months or so depending on how much you drive it and you'll have to remove the Altenator to get that drivers side rocker cover off....

I can build pretty much the same LTX engine with a big aggressive hyd roller cam - just barley short of the 500RWHP mark (similar to the engine I built for my 92).

Both of these are 10-15K motors.

None of these engines are something your going to want to drive everyday.... I mean I drive my 92 on the street alot, the AC, cruise, ASR and power everything still works.... but it eats gas, is so fast at the track had to install a roll bar (and now it's not enough roll bar), I have to then wear a helmet & fire suit and it is really fricken loud. It also destroys rear ends pretty easily which gets to be a real expensive problem after the first couple of times.

If your willing to have a car you can't make more than one pass at the track without getting sent home or willing live with a pesudo race car on the street I'll be happy to key you in on what I have.... I personally wouldn't want to add another 100RWHP to it.
Will
i agree. i would say i am in the same ballpark power as will and my car can be driven around and have ac and all that.. its fast and all but you are just waiting for the next thing to break in the driveline. loud isnt the word.

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/e...10315-1635.mp4

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/e...10323-1419.mp4
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 06:21 PM
  #27  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

i wish i could hear it in person the microphone im sure doesnt do it justice. if i go 383 with low compression pistons and a supercharger on the lt do think ill be in 600rwhp range? Am I going to start breaking parts at this hp?
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 09:43 PM
  #28  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

Originally Posted by petrov83
i wish i could hear it in person the microphone im sure doesnt do it justice. if i go 383 with low compression pistons and a supercharger on the lt do think ill be in 600rwhp range? Am I going to start breaking parts at this hp?
I don't see why not. With the right blower you just turn the boost up until you get what you want.

A 355 is a much better forced induction engine because of the taller piston compression height.

Yes you'll break parts, like ujoints, stub axels, half shafts and rear ends if you really hook it up and abuse it on the launch. Take a look in my photobucket there are some pics of the last time I exploded halfshafts and ujoints.
Will
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Michael S. Palmer
Old May 26, 2011 | 08:26 AM
  #29  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

ouch..does anyone make reinforced ujoints, stub axles, half shafts and rear ends? anyway to make them handle the horsepower? also how much would a 355 setup cost and what would be the horsepower before the supercharger?
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 08:27 AM
  #30  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

i don't plan on running anything but stock 315 tires, i am not going with drag radials so would i still break them?
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 09:31 AM
  #31  
dizwiz24's Avatar
dizwiz24
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,668
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by rklessdriver
Problem with the LTX series of engine is small bore stock block, lack of good cyl heads and limited RPM (7000 because of the computer) to make that kind of power. An L98 car would be much easier with the availiable aftermarket big bore blocks and roll deck heads. Any moron could make 600RWHP easily with a 12* or 15* 421 or 434.

No so easy with an LTX. Limited to right around 400 inches and 4.06 bore.... 23* cyl heads that don't flow that great to begin with are now pinched off even more....

I can make 500RWHP pretty easy with 383 LTX (or bigger), using off the shelf 23* heads and a mech roller. You'll have to adjust valves every 6months or so depending on how much you drive it and you'll have to remove the Altenator to get that drivers side rocker cover off....

I can build pretty much the same LTX engine with a big aggressive hyd roller cam - just barley short of the 500RWHP mark (similar to the engine I built for my 92).

Both of these are 10-15K motors.

None of these engines are something your going to want to drive everyday.... I mean I drive my 92 on the street alot, the AC, cruise, ASR and power everything still works.... but it eats gas, is so fast at the track had to install a roll bar (and now it's not enough roll bar), I have to then wear a helmet & fire suit and it is really fricken loud. It also destroys rear ends pretty easily which gets to be a real expensive problem after the first couple of times.

If your willing to have a car you can't make more than one pass at the track without getting sent home or willing live with a pesudo race car on the street I'll be happy to key you in on what I have.... I personally wouldn't want to add another 100RWHP to it.
Will
I heard a saying once: if the engine your building is not blown, then it sucks.

Ltx is a great engine for forced induction. Steel block, extra bolt around each cylinder in the head (vs. Lsx), reverse cooled.

As for the ecu: 7000 rpm is pretty high, an aftermarket ecu (though expensive) is a good investment (map not limited to 1 bar, etc.)

So there's a lot of difft ways you can look at it.

I will agree w. Will though that a n/a ltx based motor wont cut it.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 10:11 AM
  #32  
dizwiz24's Avatar
dizwiz24
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,668
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by petrov83
i wish i could hear it in person the microphone im sure doesnt do it justice. if i go 383 with low compression pistons and a supercharger on the lt do think ill be in 600rwhp range? Am I going to start breaking parts at this hp?
Should be in the 700 rwhp range if you go with a big procharger style heat unit (d1sc or bigger, see if an f2 will fit) and comp ported afr 210 eliminator heads. Go with large combustion chambers so you can keep the dish to a minimum in your pistons).

Greg at blowerworks makes the unique corvette ltx procharger dedicated drive brackets so you can run 2 belts (one for sc, the other for acc) to ensure you wont get belt slip.

The off the shelf vortech (discontinued) and procharger ltx corvette kit hardware has known belt slip issues.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 10:26 AM
  #33  
petrov83's Avatar
petrov83
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

any videos pics of such a setup? how much $$$ do you think this 355sc would run me?
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 11:21 AM
  #34  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

I know for a fact my 92 will spin a regular 315 radial from a 50mph roll to past 80mph.

With supercharged 600RWHP on tap you wouldn't have enough traction to destroy anything but tires and the revlimiter.

Couple of people here have Gregs kit and it's a nice peice. Check in the C4 forced induction section. Don't even wast your $$$ with that little PS1C Procharger is a bolton toy blower kit for stock motors and you won't ever make any real power with it.

For that kind of power your going to need good forged stuff in the bottom end. 4340 crank, 4340 rods and 2618 alloy pistons. 8.5 to 9.0 SCR and some really good flowing good cyl heads with pretty big port volume. I agree the AFR 210 would be a good choice for a 355 LTX with a bigger blower head unit like the D1. Your going to spend 5-10K on a motor like this but you'll have a first class peice that will stand up to some real power for a long time if you do it right.

Will
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 11:39 AM
  #35  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Why bother with all that power if youre just running a street tire, it will never hook up anyway.

At some point a sticky tire becomes a safety issue rather than a cool factor thing. Why not just do something with 400-450 rwhp NA will be much more affordable and be a handful on the street.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 11:49 AM
  #36  
C4orce2's Avatar
C4orce2
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Default

You will have a problem going with a LS9 for $20K. I had a LS3 hot cam put in mine. The GMPP crate engine and kit were around $9K and by the time we were done I had over $16K in parts alone. Total build cost was over $22K and that was with a huge break on the labor costs. End result, 480rwhp. If I recall correctly, the costs of a new GMPP LS9 was around $27K.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 12:27 PM
  #37  
STL94LT1's Avatar
STL94LT1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Default

IMHO, an LSx whatever is going to ruin the look and sound of a C4 Grand Sport. Purchase a set of AFR LTx 195 Comp heads, a matching cam and valvetrain, headers, 4.10 gears and be done with it.

If you want an LS engine, use your $20k to buy a higher mileage C5 Z06.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LT4 swapped with LS9

Old May 26, 2011 | 12:34 PM
  #38  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Good point, C5Z06 are starting to get affordable why not get the whole car to go with the motor you want, less in the long run.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 02:05 PM
  #39  
5abivt's Avatar
5abivt
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
Default

Lots of good advice here from experienced buidlers. My .02 is if you are considering an ls9 just supercharge an LTX and 600rwhp should be no problem at all with the right components.
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 02:22 PM
  #40  
Fubar569's Avatar
Fubar569
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
Default

My first impulse is: "If you wanna lay down some BIG numbers then get yourself a BIG BLOCK"

My 2nd impulse is: "Go BIG or go HOME"

After doing options 1 & 2 i'd just rather build a mild 350 combo and boost the **** out of it. Way easier, far less hassle, less time, likely more reliable. 500whp easily. When you're running boost head flow isn't as important as some will lead you to believe but it sure does help.

Yank your motor, install a fully forged & balanced rotating assembly, install a midrange set of heads and a mild cam, and toss any number of available centrifugal charger kits or turbo kits on the car. goals accomplished.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:14 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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