C4 - LS1 Transplants $$ vs performance
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
C4 - LS1 Transplants $$ vs performance
So has anyone considered just dumping the L98 and starting over with an LS1? Seems that the price for parts and time to get another 100 hp out of a L98 is better spent buying a wrecked C5, pulling the engine and parting out the rest.
Your thoughts?
Your thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
This has been talked about on the forum before. It's not impossible, but the swap is VERY time and $$$ consuming. It would be WAY cheaper to mod the L98.
Try using the search button a bit, I think you'll find all the info you'll need.
Try using the search button a bit, I think you'll find all the info you'll need.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
stick with the L98... there are tons of things you can do, within the guidelines of CARB... and it will cost a bunch less.
if you want an LS1, then by all means trade up to a C5.
FYI: The only thing the LS1 and SBC share is bore center (other than they are both engines, of course).
if you want an LS1, then by all means trade up to a C5.
FYI: The only thing the LS1 and SBC share is bore center (other than they are both engines, of course).
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 375
Likes: 2
From: CA CA
Actually its much more expensive to build an L98 that makes 400 horsepower than to do an ls1 /w 4l60e setup.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
Originally Posted by VTESPEED
Actually its much more expensive to build an L98 that makes 400 horsepower than to do an ls1 /w 4l60e setup.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
you got any pics of that install?????
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 10
From: Nashville TN
Originally Posted by VTESPEED
Actually its much more expensive to build an L98 that makes 400 horsepower than to do an ls1 /w 4l60e setup.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
An LS1 conversion can be done fairly easily for $3500-4000 complete
Several friends of mine have been picking up ls1's with tranny complete with everything for $2500-3000 lately....
You need about $750-1000 in extra stuff to complete the conversion...pretty simple.
Ditch the L98. The LS1 will drop 200-250 lbs off the car and make tons more horsepower.
My friend did one in his C4 that should go in the 8's this year and is still a daily driver setup big cube ls1.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
That day is coming...if it's not already here.
GenIIIs are becoming available all over the place. You can pick up a GenIII truck engine (iron block) cheap. Aftermarket parts suppliers are already stepping up to the plate with motor mounts and wiring harnesses to retro fit the GenIII mill into earlier model vehicles and street rods.
Dollars-wise our Vettes aren't in the cost effective catagory anyway. We drive one to stand ourselves apart from everyone else. We build them up to stand ourselves apart from each other (in a fraternal sorta way).
So who wouldn't want to be the first kid on the block with a LSx in his C4? That day is coming!
The wifes T/A has a LS1; that is an awesome (I don't use that word lightly here) engine! My C4 has mods; heads, cam, headers, TB...etc...still the T/A is faster and more comfortable to drive. I hate to say it too fellas but the L98 is dead. Long live the L98.
GenIIIs are becoming available all over the place. You can pick up a GenIII truck engine (iron block) cheap. Aftermarket parts suppliers are already stepping up to the plate with motor mounts and wiring harnesses to retro fit the GenIII mill into earlier model vehicles and street rods.
Dollars-wise our Vettes aren't in the cost effective catagory anyway. We drive one to stand ourselves apart from everyone else. We build them up to stand ourselves apart from each other (in a fraternal sorta way).
So who wouldn't want to be the first kid on the block with a LSx in his C4? That day is coming!
The wifes T/A has a LS1; that is an awesome (I don't use that word lightly here) engine! My C4 has mods; heads, cam, headers, TB...etc...still the T/A is faster and more comfortable to drive. I hate to say it too fellas but the L98 is dead. Long live the L98.
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by MtlSphere
That day is coming...if it's not already here.
GenIIIs are becoming available all over the place. You can pick up a GenIII truck engine (iron block) cheap. Aftermarket parts suppliers are already stepping up to the plate with motor mounts and wiring harnesses to retro fit the GenIII mill into earlier model vehicles and street rods.
Dollars-wise our Vettes aren't in the cost effective catagory anyway. We drive one to stand ourselves apart from everyone else. We build them up to stand ourselves apart from each other (in a fraternal sorta way).
So who wouldn't want to be the first kid on the block with a LSx in his C4? That day is coming!
The wifes T/A has a LS1; that is an awesome (I don't use that word lightly here) engine! My C4 has mods; heads, cam, headers, TB...etc...still the T/A is faster and more comfortable to drive. I hate to say it too fellas but the L98 is dead. Long live the L98.
GenIIIs are becoming available all over the place. You can pick up a GenIII truck engine (iron block) cheap. Aftermarket parts suppliers are already stepping up to the plate with motor mounts and wiring harnesses to retro fit the GenIII mill into earlier model vehicles and street rods.
Dollars-wise our Vettes aren't in the cost effective catagory anyway. We drive one to stand ourselves apart from everyone else. We build them up to stand ourselves apart from each other (in a fraternal sorta way).
So who wouldn't want to be the first kid on the block with a LSx in his C4? That day is coming!
The wifes T/A has a LS1; that is an awesome (I don't use that word lightly here) engine! My C4 has mods; heads, cam, headers, TB...etc...still the T/A is faster and more comfortable to drive. I hate to say it too fellas but the L98 is dead. Long live the L98.
