LSX 454 In C4
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 658
Likes: 7
From: Perth Amboy New Jersey
Johnny, you pull the trigger on this and you will go down in C4 Tech history as having the baddest engine swap ever. All motor, brand new 7.4 liter V8 that's an LS?
DO IT! Do for those of us who can only dream it. What kind of FI intake can feed that monster?
On a side note: this engine makes me wonder why one would cough up 14 grand for a LS7 that is down 100 ponies by comparison.
DO IT! Do for those of us who can only dream it. What kind of FI intake can feed that monster?
On a side note: this engine makes me wonder why one would cough up 14 grand for a LS7 that is down 100 ponies by comparison.
Don't get me wrong, engine swaps are always fun, it is the foundation of our hobby, it keeps us sane and out of trouble, plus it make you vehicle yours, not just another factory model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
Why would this be the baddest engine in C4 history? a big block 502 or bigger and John Meaney turbo 400, is at the top of my list, IMO. The LS swap is the rave, the new thing to do. The LS is a really good platform and the power potential is better than Gen 1, Gen 2 stock because of the heads. Most of the problems that happened with the Gen 1 & 2 have been fixed with the LS series. You can put a 18/15/13 degree head on a Gen 1 and make equal or more power than LS. The LS in an old car has a wow factor to allot of people. To me the swap is more interesting than the fact that it is a LS engine in a car/truck that did not come with one. Now if you put a LS in place of a 4/6 cylinder vehicle that did not come with a 8 cylinder is always a good read.
Don't get me wrong, engine swaps are always fun, it is the foundation of our hobby, it keeps us sane and out of trouble, plus it make you vehicle yours, not just another factory model.
Don't get me wrong, engine swaps are always fun, it is the foundation of our hobby, it keeps us sane and out of trouble, plus it make you vehicle yours, not just another factory model.
Last edited by 1985 Corvette; Mar 24, 2012 at 10:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
After coming back from the Hot Rod Power Tour,, I'm really interested in the LSX,,, possibly with a Magnuson on top.
When I take the cost of a block at $2300, new heads for $2100, and the rest of the stuff I'll need to build a 406 or 421, the LS7 is starting to look mighty appealing
I'll have to ask my boss for a raise,, but wait, I am my boss
I could take the $4400 for paint I was getting ready to spend and add that to "go fast fund" but I really want a Maggy on top
Guess I'll start looking thru the installation history from others.
When I take the cost of a block at $2300, new heads for $2100, and the rest of the stuff I'll need to build a 406 or 421, the LS7 is starting to look mighty appealing
I'll have to ask my boss for a raise,, but wait, I am my boss
I could take the $4400 for paint I was getting ready to spend and add that to "go fast fund" but I really want a Maggy on topGuess I'll start looking thru the installation history from others.
Last edited by LD85; Jun 5, 2012 at 08:57 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
That LSx 454 will whip the pants off the ZZ502 any day. 
Most the crate 502s are dogs, the HO454 is a joke. They need a cam change and heads to start running hard.
Cubes are always good though no matter what.
Love to have that LSx 454 the power is already there....and HUGE potential to turn up the wick.
Most the crate 502s are dogs, the HO454 is a joke. They need a cam change and heads to start running hard.
Cubes are always good though no matter what.
Love to have that LSx 454 the power is already there....and HUGE potential to turn up the wick.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
Well if its the same dimensions here's mine. Fits like a glove. No pumps, no sensors, no ECU, no bull.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSCF0216.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/DSCF0216.jpg
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
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Dont get my wrong with the LSx stuff is cool, and makes sick power compared to the Gen 1 stuff, but if you are going to go thru the hassle of an LSx powerplant sell the car, and buy a modded C5. The C5 platform is far better depending on what you are looking at.
The reason why I modded my 88 is because I like the looks, and that very well could be reasons why guys want to do a LSx. I could have easily sold mine, and bought a C5 Z06.
I guess no matter what car you buy, if you are a real car guy you will always sink money into it to make it your own. I dont know anyone around my parts with a 421 stuffed under the bonnet in a C4. Most would think I was crazy spending that kind of money on an old C4. That's "hotrodding".
Opinions are like *******s. Everyone has one.
Just research the LSx stuff. Most guys dont finish the projects, and there is a reason why.
The reason why I modded my 88 is because I like the looks, and that very well could be reasons why guys want to do a LSx. I could have easily sold mine, and bought a C5 Z06.
I guess no matter what car you buy, if you are a real car guy you will always sink money into it to make it your own. I dont know anyone around my parts with a 421 stuffed under the bonnet in a C4. Most would think I was crazy spending that kind of money on an old C4. That's "hotrodding".
Opinions are like *******s. Everyone has one.
Just research the LSx stuff. Most guys dont finish the projects, and there is a reason why.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Dont get my wrong with the LSx stuff is cool, and makes sick power compared to the Gen 1 stuff, but if you are going to go thru the hassle of an LSx powerplant sell the car, and buy a modded C5. The C5 platform is far better depending on what you are looking at.
The reason why I modded my 88 is because I like the looks, and that very well could be reasons why guys want to do a LSx. I could have easily sold mine, and bought a C5 Z06.
I guess no matter what car you buy, if you are a real car guy you will always sink money into it to make it your own. I dont know anyone around my parts with a 421 stuffed under the bonnet in a C4. Most would think I was crazy spending that kind of money on an old C4. That's "hotrodding".
Opinions are like *******s. Everyone has one.
Just research the LSx stuff. Most guys dont finish the projects, and there is a reason why.
The reason why I modded my 88 is because I like the looks, and that very well could be reasons why guys want to do a LSx. I could have easily sold mine, and bought a C5 Z06.
I guess no matter what car you buy, if you are a real car guy you will always sink money into it to make it your own. I dont know anyone around my parts with a 421 stuffed under the bonnet in a C4. Most would think I was crazy spending that kind of money on an old C4. That's "hotrodding".
Opinions are like *******s. Everyone has one.
Just research the LSx stuff. Most guys dont finish the projects, and there is a reason why.
If someone would give me $10k, i would move on, problem is, no one will give me $10k
Honestly, I can add a Supercharger and have more HP than a LSX
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Dont get my wrong with the LSx stuff is cool, and makes sick power compared to the Gen 1 stuff, but if you are going to go thru the hassle and cost of any real build sell the car, and buy a modded C5. The C5 platform is far better depending on what you are looking at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
After coming back from the Hot Rod Power Tour,, I'm really interested in the LSX,,, possibly with a Magnuson on top.
When I take the cost of a block at $2300, new heads for $2100, and the rest of the stuff I'll need to build a 406 or 421, the LS7 is starting to look mighty appealing
I'll have to ask my boss for a raise,, but wait, I am my boss I could take the $4400 for paint I was getting ready to spend and add that to "go fast fund" but I really want a Maggy on top
Guess I'll start looking thru the installation history from others.
When I take the cost of a block at $2300, new heads for $2100, and the rest of the stuff I'll need to build a 406 or 421, the LS7 is starting to look mighty appealing
I'll have to ask my boss for a raise,, but wait, I am my boss
I could take the $4400 for paint I was getting ready to spend and add that to "go fast fund" but I really want a Maggy on topGuess I'll start looking thru the installation history from others.
I still dont get why people say its so expensive. It is if you go with all new stuff and have nothing to sell.. Sell your current engine and acc and your half way there.
Oh and once the swap is done the road is paved for future LS goodies/engine transplants.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
Very cool. If I had a shoppe to trust up here on Canada that had a brain I think I would have tried to do something like this but I settled on another LT4. If I went lsx it sure as hell would have been a big cube big bore solid roller monster. I'm making 610 hp out of a 370 ci LT4. I'm scared for the cheese like chassis just thinking what stupid power I could have made with a 8500 rpm solid roller big bore 402/427.
It ALWAYS comes down to the same things..
1. ECM . IMO this is the easiest issue to deal with as standalones are common place and very easy to do.
2. Drivetrain. I'm STILL confused as to what the options are for transmissions and what needs to be done in order to fit certain ones. In every thread I end up seeing top secret brackets and machines mounts of some sort that no one wants to talk about. I usually leave the thread right there.
3. Probably more like accessories etc but I'm too tired to type.
It ALWAYS comes down to the same things..
1. ECM . IMO this is the easiest issue to deal with as standalones are common place and very easy to do.
2. Drivetrain. I'm STILL confused as to what the options are for transmissions and what needs to be done in order to fit certain ones. In every thread I end up seeing top secret brackets and machines mounts of some sort that no one wants to talk about. I usually leave the thread right there.
3. Probably more like accessories etc but I'm too tired to type.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I am going to put mine in the same position with an adapter. Right now the goal is to get it going then tweak from there.
Adapter:
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_ac.html
Adapter:
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_ac.html