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

Installing Ford engine for 84

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Old May 9, 2017 | 12:06 PM
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Default Installing Ford engine for 84

I have a v10 ford engine and I want to see what do I need to install it in my corvette( 1984), which by the way has a bad engine I am aware that I need to do some fabricating work and stuff but im not really sure about the transmission
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Old May 9, 2017 | 01:25 PM
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You will be much better off just selling the V10 and using that money to rebuild or replace your Corvette's existing engine.

Assuming you can make it fit (questionable), you will end up spending considerably more money and the car will be worth less than if you just rebuild the 350 that's in it.
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Old May 9, 2017 | 04:26 PM
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It won't fit your trans. Your Trans uses a C-Beam, so swapping it is a major pain. The transmission that comes behind those is a 4R100, and they're not equipped to handle a C-Beam suspension. They also require a computer to operate both trans controls and engine controls. Major, major mods everywhere with this swap. It will handle horribly. I have serious doubts it will physically fit without even MORE major modifications.

Good friend of mine had a V10 in his 3500 pickup and based on driving that, I'm not even sure you would want it if someone installed it for you and gave you the car afterwards.. I know I sure wouldn't.

Sorry, bro! Hate to throw cold water, but this is a bad idea.
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Old May 9, 2017 | 04:26 PM
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PS: For the money you would spend doing this, look at a rebuild and a supercharger, instead.

IMO.
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Old May 9, 2017 | 04:34 PM
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I've only seen the V10 once or twice but from what I remember it's much longer than a sbc. I'm guessing you would either have to push the front end out or cut the firewall in an attempt to make it fit. This is not taking into account the C-Beam to transmission issue.

That does not take into count items like additional weight and handling issues you'd undoubtedly run into.

Another vote for getting another sbc for a replacement.
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Old May 9, 2017 | 10:17 PM
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Sounds like it could be cool if this is a project on the side that you could take some time on. Not sure if that Ford V10 can be hopped up some but for the barely 300 hp and 420 torque, it wouldn't be worth it. Now if you can end up extracting more out of it later after making it fit, that could be cool. You'd need custom everything behind the motor. That's a lot of work but how many people normally get to say they have a V10 hotrod?


My vote is yes IF you have access to a slew of fabrication tools, know how, and don't mind a few years of research and trial and error.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 12:04 AM
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Even if you can you shouldn't. Waste of time. Waste of money. If you don't want to rebuild or replace the small block and you have to have something more exotic while now common place do an LSx swap IMCO.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by dorri732
You will be much better off just selling the V10 and using that money to rebuild or replace your Corvette's existing engine.
Originally Posted by confab
I'm not even sure you would want it if someone installed it for you and gave you the car afterwards.. I know I sure wouldn't.
...this is a bad idea.
Originally Posted by 3JsVette
Even if you can you shouldn't. Waste of time. Waste of money.
X4. That engine is LONG, FAT, HEAVY (620 lbs), fuel sucking pig....and on top of all those virtues, it's gutless -288hp - 360 hp depending on year/application. They also like chucking spark plugs and roller finger/followers. Finally, it's a butt ugly engine. Don't open the hood at Cars and Coffee.

It won't fit between the bell housing and front cross brace/steering rack. It won't fit between the master cylinder and AC box. It won't fit under the hood, and it may not even fit between the frame rails.

I think it's a terrible idea.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 04:59 AM
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this guy's a - you guys can't possibly think this is a legit thread - noob, no profile, first post, subject - a ford v10 in an 84 -

Last edited by Joe C; May 10, 2017 at 04:59 AM.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 09:43 AM
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You never know....but you're probably right. Trollbie.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 09:52 AM
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Ya'll might have just directed him towards the FALCONER ZR-12 -

Maybe the OP will GOOGLE THAT!!!
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Old May 10, 2017 | 01:56 PM
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why wreck a good chevy with a ford engine jmo
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Old May 10, 2017 | 02:59 PM
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That is like a fat girl in a bikini, just cause you can dosen't mean you should. A rebuilt short block will be a heack of a lot cheaper then all the work you'll go through to make the V-10 fit. Besides that engine was not built for horse power it was built for torque.
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Old May 11, 2017 | 08:46 AM
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I agree with the guy on the hot roof tar kettles those engines were built for torque not HP. I'll bet they are designed to turn over 5,000. I'll bet you can get a rebuilt short block for about 700.00, you will spend way over that trying to fit that V-10 into to your car. I bought a complete LS motor for less than a grand. It's not cheap trans planting one of those by the time you buy motor mounts, oil pan, bell housing, clutch flywheel, ect..
I'm doing that because I wanted to get rid of the Optispark and I want the potential a LS offers.
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Old May 11, 2017 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvete
I have a v10 ford engine and I want to see what do I need to install it in my corvette( 1984), which by the way has a bad engine I am aware that I need to do some fabricating work and stuff but im not really sure about the transmission
Sell that boat anchor v10 and use the money to buy a salvage yard 6.0L LS. Better than a Ford V10 and lots of support to make it fit.
Also you wont have people wondering why your Vette never runs as it's BAD karma to put a "F" engine in a vette
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Old May 11, 2017 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Tesla220
Sell that boat anchor v10 and use the money to buy a salvage yard 6.0L LS. Better than a Ford V10 and lots of support to make it fit.
Also you wont have people wondering why your Vette never runs as it's BAD karma to put a "F" engine in a vette
Really if you want to stand out as something Different make a Right hand Drive LS-6 ZF-6 Speed 84 Corvette, No one Probably short of another Continent Will not even come close
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Old May 11, 2017 | 02:14 PM
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The Triton V-10 is a 415 cid engine and I just sold My F250 SD to buy my corvette because although the truck was mint the mileage sucked & the power wasn't impressive.
The numbers look good on paper for the V10 for HP & torque but it sure didnt feel that strong at all, I was very disappointed in that engine....
Then It started blowing out spark plugs and that's about $400 apiece to fix or you can buy an expensive kit to fix it yourself.
My advice is to shy away from the engine but you obviously can do as you wish.
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