1985 drive train swap
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
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1985 drive train swap
I picked up an old beat up Vette with a very tired motor (105k), and automatic trans, but it has a PERFECT body, and should make a fun street racer/bracket racer. As these year Vettes were low on HP anyway (around 200hp, in spite of being injected), I see little reason to do a rebuild. A friend has a low mileage 1999 LS-1, with the complete drivetrain assembly (manual trans), electronics, alternator, basically everything. Can anyone tell me what kind of a nightmare I'm getting myself in to if I do a complete motor/drivetrain/electronics/etc. swap. Thanks in advance for any help... Doug
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
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From: Naples Campania
How bad?
:
Is it worth it?.....
Is the setup free?
What car did it come out of?
What motor do you currently have.
You might be suprised by the L98s. If you do it right, you can create a bit of a torque monster. Then again, I blew my L98 twice before I bought the new block so......
I think it would be worth it.
:Is it worth it?.....
Is the setup free?
What car did it come out of?
What motor do you currently have.
You might be suprised by the L98s. If you do it right, you can create a bit of a torque monster. Then again, I blew my L98 twice before I bought the new block so......
I think it would be worth it.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
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The motor/drivetrain is from a 99 Vette. The current motor is an injected 350 that puts out less than 200HP (im told). I could purchase just the motor, and rebuild the tranny and rear end, but I really like the idea of swapping everything to a low mileage system that already knows one another.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I don't know how well a C5 motor will fit into a C4. Should be enough room, but components will have to move. I'm sure someone here has done it or at least tried it. It sounds like a huge PITA.
Check to see what motor you have. Look at the VIN. http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/vininformation.htm is a one to go off.
If you were swapping a C4 motor into it, I wouldn't see a problem. But a C5 engine might be too big of a project.
Check to see what motor you have. Look at the VIN. http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/vininformation.htm is a one to go off.
If you were swapping a C4 motor into it, I wouldn't see a problem. But a C5 engine might be too big of a project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
You can use the C5 engine, but you need a camaro oilpan and accessories. You will not be able to use any of the drivetrain from the C5 as in that car the tranny is at the rear of the car.
From the factory the stock L98 in that 85 was 230 hp and 330 torque at flywheel. My old 86 which was same engine with an exhaust only made 200 wheel hp and 315 wheel torque. Now I believe that car may have been a freak, not sure though but it outran quite a few other L98 cars, had the 3.07 rear gear too which probably helped more than anything. I wouldnt be suprised if the other cars in the club that day were 2.59 or whatever the base rear was, all were auto's. That L98 while maybe not the fastest engine is very torquey and fun. Drive itwith that engine first. Oh they also last a lot more than 100k miles
From the factory the stock L98 in that 85 was 230 hp and 330 torque at flywheel. My old 86 which was same engine with an exhaust only made 200 wheel hp and 315 wheel torque. Now I believe that car may have been a freak, not sure though but it outran quite a few other L98 cars, had the 3.07 rear gear too which probably helped more than anything. I wouldnt be suprised if the other cars in the club that day were 2.59 or whatever the base rear was, all were auto's. That L98 while maybe not the fastest engine is very torquey and fun. Drive itwith that engine first. Oh they also last a lot more than 100k miles
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Not any more
The GEN I ( '55 - '00 ) and GEN II (LT1 w/ reverse cooling ) are called SBC's because most parts interchange
The GEN III engines are normally called LSX's to identify them from the earlier version because the only thing they have in common is the badge on the rocker cover
do a search on here , plenty of info from guys who have done LSX swaps into C4's
The GEN I ( '55 - '00 ) and GEN II (LT1 w/ reverse cooling ) are called SBC's because most parts interchange
The GEN III engines are normally called LSX's to identify them from the earlier version because the only thing they have in common is the badge on the rocker cover
do a search on here , plenty of info from guys who have done LSX swaps into C4's
Last edited by vetteoz; Nov 6, 2012 at 05:48 PM.
