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

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Old Nov 22, 2020 | 10:55 AM
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Default Newbie questions

Hello all,
I just bought my first Corvette. It’s an automatic ‘84. I’m not a fan of the crossfire engines and I’m thinking about putting in an LS. So my first question is where can I get good parts for this task. I tried doing a search on the forums but get everything but what I’m looking for. So any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Xmetal
Hello all,
I just bought my first Corvette. It’s an automatic ‘84. I’m not a fan of the crossfire engines and I’m thinking about putting in an LS. So my first question is where can I get good parts for this task. I tried doing a search on the forums but get everything but what I’m looking for. So any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
If you are not a fan of the xfire then why did you buy an 84? Lots of LS engines out there, all it takes is $$$$! Am sure there are many LS owners on this site.
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 09:17 AM
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$90 F-body pan, $40 pickup tube, $35 ICT billet adapter plates to use your stock mounts, $160 flex plate to work with your current torque converter (or whatever one you plan to use).

That's what it takes to get it bolted into the car, bolted up to the trans and converter. Depending on the trans, you can skip the flexplate.
My first go-around with a TH400, I used a $7 pilot hub bushing and opened up the converter bolt holes in the flexplate with a 1/2" carbide bit.
After I went for big power, when I ordered my torque converter I just had it made to fit a stock 4L60e flexplate on my 4.8 and swapped on a spare.

Make sure you get the radiator hoses, wiring, ecu, accessories, literally everything you can. If you don't use them, you might end up using a portion of them in some way.
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 10:58 AM
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Welcome to the Corvette Forum Xmetal!

There are a bunch of folks here on this Forum who all love their 1984 Corvettes. The Automotive magazines raved about the 1984 Corvette and gave it high marks. I would not ditch the Crossfire engine quite yet until you get to "know" it.

The Crossfire engine is a pretty unique system but for the most part it is straightforward. I would suggest you get the Crossfire working its best and drive the Corvette for a while. Ask other Crossfire owners how they got into the 12 second category.

Switching your C4 to an LS engine is very possible but can be expensive depending on your abilities as a mechanic. I had been offered two LS3 engines for my 1988 C4 and I chose not to make the swap. My C4 has been able to get above 30 mpg on highways and for trips it is a comfortable Car to drive.

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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 05:43 PM
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I would go LS3 aluminum swap (for the weight savings).

you are on the right track with your thinking

could make it a real sleeper
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 08:57 PM
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I already have an LS that I’ve been looking to put in something and this car is perfect for what I’m looking to do. Does anyone have a preferred vendor they like to deal with?
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 11:28 PM
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Too bad you are ditching the CF, pretty reliable motor really when done right. If your ECM is in working order, there are plenty of members here that will buy it from you since it will work in an 82 if it is from an 84 auto. GL with the LS swap.
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Old Nov 23, 2020 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Xmetal
I already have an LS that I’ve been looking to put in something and this car is perfect for what I’m looking to do. Does anyone have a preferred vendor they like to deal with?
Vendor for what? I gave you a cheap $300 (or less) recipe to get the engine bolted into the car and up to your trans.
Knowing what you actually plan to do with it would help actually point you to where you want to go.
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Old Nov 25, 2020 | 07:39 PM
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Ive got an LS type direct injected 5.3 motor in my ‘18 silverado DD

my supercharged 93 pulls way harder.

ls motor isnt all that
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Old Nov 25, 2020 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by dizwiz24
Ive got an LS type direct injected 5.3 motor in my ‘18 silverado DD

my supercharged 93 pulls way harder.

ls motor isnt all that
Stock engine in a heavy truck, vs supercharged engine in a lightweight car.
Where TF is captain obvious?

P.S., my 250k mile junkyard 4.8 I grabbed for $200 and threw boost at made more power than your supercharged LT1 EVER will.
Apples to apples comparisons suck, don't they?

Last edited by JoeNova; Nov 25, 2020 at 07:44 PM.
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Old Nov 25, 2020 | 07:49 PM
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Just like home for the holidays. I miss those days.
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Old Nov 26, 2020 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Stock engine in a heavy truck, vs supercharged engine in a lightweight car.
Where TF is captain obvious?

P.S., my 250k mile junkyard 4.8 I grabbed for $200 and threw boost at made more power than your supercharged LT1 EVER will.
Apples to apples comparisons suck, don't they?
that’s what I’ve heard from everyone up and I’ve looked at a lot of them in other vehicles and the reliability and performance are what I’m after and that’s why I’m doing the build. Does anyone make a set of headers that will work in the application?
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Old Nov 26, 2020 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Stock engine in a heavy truck, vs supercharged engine in a lightweight car.
Where TF is captain obvious?

P.S., my 250k mile junkyard 4.8 I grabbed for $200 and threw boost at made more power than your supercharged LT1 EVER will.
Apples to apples comparisons suck, don't they?
Yah but you're gonna be fkd once Diz figures out how to get an opti on the LS. But only if it has a Mitsubishi sensor. I think he gets royalties every time he says "Mitsubushi Sensor".
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