You would think that GM would show more interest in developing an LS3conversion pkg for the C4, even as a venture with an outside fabricator.

What would you pay for an LS3 crate engine and related parts for the conversion, excluding the trans?

 

.......... Here's your chance to become that famous outside fabricator -engineering a kit for the swap .........................

 

I would not pay for it. I would buy a superior car with the LS3 in it already if that is what I wanted. If I would do any fabricating on a C4 it would be a BBC. Unless you plan to make huge HP, why bother with the extra cost when you could get a stroker kit and make about the same HP.

 

I think some people would rather put an LSX in their car than a BBC. BBC from what I've read is harder than LSX. Just my opinion.

LSX = modern computer technology.

 

I would expect GM has their hands full trying to sell new, expensive Corvettes these days.....I don't think making kits to retrofit modern drive trains in older cars will help their cause in that arena....an aftermarket company may be more inclined to do so, however; but I am sure most aftermarket companies would see the market for this product somewhat marginal at best.....most C4 owners probably would love to do it if their pocket book allowed.....the kit would cost more than the value of the C4 in most cases, I am sure.

GM at this point would be happier (or at least much more motivated) for you to take your C4 to the local Chevrolet dealer (or sell it outright) and trade up to a C6 completely equipped with LS3 power.

 

About 12 months ago I had a LS3 "hot cam" installed in my '92. For details go to my thread in this forum called "LT1 conversion to LS3 hot cam". You can also see more pics of the build by googling "C4orce2" and look for the photobucket. When I had it done by Corvette Restoration AZ (which is now out of business and its owner passed away) we went to a gentleman in Florida named Wes Burch to build a computer interface that tied the old C4 computer into the E67 GM computer that came with the kit. The interface allowed us to save all the digital readings on the dash board, with the exception of the mpg calculations. We bought the crate LS3 Hot Cam engine from GMPP. The engine and kit totalled just under $9,000. With everything else we did (see the pics) the total parts cost was about $16,000. However, its now putting out just over 580 SAE net hp and 605 SAE net tq. Be careful though, the LS3 Hot Cam will not pass most emissions tests; it certainly would not pass here in AZ. I've not seen anyone else try the LS3 Hot Cam, but for very little additional cost, you get a great deal more horsepower.

 

Here's another option for the ls swap

 

I think think an LS3 is a bettermotor than a BBC with its aluminum structure(less weight) and easy HP potential. As far as a superior car, if you're referring to a C6, a C4 has better interior(seats too) and looks. Because I already have the Z07 package the only thing missing is the power. Something out of the norm

 

Norhing, too many oiling issues on the track. Stick with a sbc, for 9k you could build a screaming 383. My 2.

 

Modern ASE trained Chevy technicians can`t even work on a C4, & GM is not interested in having them do so. To GM a C4 is just an old Chevy.

 

I'm still collecting parts and building a "garage" for my '92 LS3/L92 T56 swap. It will have the OEM ECM integrated into it with full use of the stock gauges,etc., and it will be fully documented for free (as are all my projects)

Problem is it's a year out or more, so you'll get what you pay for..

 

Most guys cringe at spending 3k for a motor let alone a whole LOT to do a LS3 conversion. Theres always the crowd that will spend whatever amount to get what they want but they are few and far between.

 

That was just for me. It's much easier to do the LS swap than a BB swap.

 

why would you want to? you would still be stuck with a 20 year old.... AC system... suspension... dash... wiring... sound system... rear end... brakes... cooling system... interior... etc.

for that kind of money buy a new car? - If I could do it all over again? i would have saved the money I put in the engine plus purchase cost and just bought a newer year and left it alone.

 

The same reasons why each of us get on C4 every day & night.

We all love C4 Corvettes.

None want to give up on a C4.

We all have to be different from others.

Many cant afford a Hot running C5 or C6.

Many can't get a bank loan to purchase that C5 or C6 in this very tight US & Global economy.

LS engine is the future.
Not going away.
Has many key advantages that can not be ignored forever.

Build what you want,
not what the crowd wants.

BR

 

When is a c5/6 a superior car?

The c4 is the better car if you know how to mod it correctly.


I imagine a caged lsx c4 would run circles around all your c5/6 z cars.

 

He's totally correct right here. Why do you get on to this website then?

Honestly, im tired of all the jerks on cfot who would look into my profile and try to belittle me because I had a c4.

Yeah, I got a c4. No my life is fine. Yes, I have a job. No I don't wish I had a c5/6.

Yes my c4 will beat your c6 z06. What's your point?

I got so tired of those pieces of crap that I don't post there anymore.

I've found im better friends with mustang guys then late model c5/6 owners.

So its the c4 for me

 

LOL>>>>>>>>>>>

I told you guys some time ago that the MUSTANG Guys like the body lines of a C4.
They all seem to admire them.

 

There are probably very few of you that have spent as much on your C4 as I have when I had the LS3 Hot Cam put in last summer. Its true, I could have taken that money and bought a great C5 or an early C6, but who wants just another C5 or C6. I've already owned a '02 coupe and a '03 Z06 so the idea of buying another one was not appealing to me at all. I wanted, and got, a very unique C4 that is faster than any stock C5 or C6 other than the ZR1s.

It all depends on what each of us want. If you just want to be like every other vette owner, go get a C5 or a C6. But if you want to have a unique car, modify a C4 or earlier generation. I've got over $50K in my car and I'd do it again every time.

 

Although I am an admirer of the LSX generation and recognize the potential of those motors as outstanding, I think many do not know or understand that if you choose your combination wisely, you too can have performance that is competitive with the LSX generation with Gen 1 efi motors.

A simple example would be a 383 built with a good set of cylinder heads, moderate hyd roller cam & Miniram, which will equal somewhere around 500-520 HP and around 470 ftlbs of torque..... this is in the neighborhood of HP and Torque a stock 427 ci LS7 motor puts out. And will perform like one too with easy deep 11 second et potential at 120+ mph, yet have perfectly street friendly manners. You could put one of these together for somewhere around $ 7500

Spend just a little bit extra with the short block with a Dart SHP block and rotating assembly and get yourself a 420-434 sbc. With a moderate hyd roller cam that is street friendly and you'll find yourself with an easy 550 HP and even as much as 600 HP dependent on cylinder head & cam choice selection...... this of course can create performance easily on par with just about any naturally aspirated generation motor. Fact is, you can buy short blocks already built with the SHP block for right around $ 4000.... which is just a little more than a 383 short block would cost you. With the creation of the Dart SHP block, I'm not sure I personally will ever advise somebody to build a 383 again except maybe for those on an extreme tight budget.

Nowadays, with the continued advancement of cylinder heads and cam/valvetrain advancements, there is no reason every modified C4 cannot have performance that is competitive with any generation.... just choose your parts carefully. (And get rid of the long tube TPI runner philosophy..... torque flash = going slow)