billy mild

Has anyone done an LT5, northstar, or 5.0 coyote motor swap into a C5 FRC?

CactusCat

The older LT5 and Northstar motors would work, but since the LS motors are so well supported, why would you? The LS have been proven for many years and there are TONS of options/support available. So it would be unlikely you'll find an LT5 or Northstar in a C5. The coyote motor is interesting, but again why? All those older Fox bodies that are so fast.. you usually find an LS motor in them. I wonder why? It appears the coyote is a pretty decent motor but all the computer stuff would be a daunting task IMHO. Interesting topic and question though....

dbgoodwin

These would all be very unique ideas. One thing to remember though: just because you are unique, doesn't mean you are useful.

enoniam

I believe you'd really have your hands full trying to fit a coyote motor into a C5. Compared to late Ford V8s, the LS engines are quite compact.

zeevette

Forget the Ford cammer motors. They're physically large, especially in the width. Besides, in almost every way, the LS is a better motor, for less money, and much less work to modify. If you're determined to defy logic, put a C7 LT1 in it. At least it'll fit.

Vetteman Jack

I'd agree with sticking with an LS platform - plenty of aftermarket support for making the car a better performer.

billy mild

Would STS-V engine fit? I know they made XTS-V's and were based off of the corvette.

envyz06

I don't get why but I don't think a coyote engine would fit. Now the new LT4 would be something I would like to see!

Phanni

That's simply a LS engine, Just go for a LS3 or 7 much easier.

enoniam

STS-V engine is a supercharged Northstar...

roadbike56

According to the book All Corvettes Are Red, the Northstar would not fit in the final C5 body. It was one of the engines considered early on, but as the design was finalized it became clear the Northstar was not an option. Besides, I don't think it would out perform an LS. IMHO, an LS 2 or LS 3 are a better option.

BigStig

why not a 20B 3 rotor wankel.. or a 4bt (4cyl turbo cummins).. woo, how bout a stanley steamer swap.
not sure where we're going with this.

Fastbird

This. Not to mention the head gaskets. I absolutely loathe that stinking northstar motor. Done way too many of those and the head bolts. Oh the head bolts.

Seriously though, there's lots of LS options that drop right in and really can't be beat (I'm not an LS nut hugger, when I say can't be beat I mean in terms of cost, ease of installation, and relative power to cost). Anything from a mild LS1 to a wild huge CID LSx setup, it all pretty much drops right in. Unless you really just want to spend a lot of money to be different???

Nyt_Muves

As I understand it, Overhead cam vs pushrods. Makes the modular fords VERY WIDE as well as top heavy. One of the advantages to our engines is their helping to maintain a low center of gravity.

Phanni

The Northstar has a two piece engine block and most of them have a severe oil leakage problem.

Vinny 2001

Wasn't the Northstar engine offered in the Cadillac XLR? I realize the XLR was based on the C6 but it seems to me it would work. (or was it based on the C5?)

RC000E

Swaps usually happen because they solve a problem for the vehicle in question. For Nissan 240's, FD RX7's, etc...LSx's are small, compact, affordable, modular and make a ton of power. Build an FD or 240...you can put 20k into the setup and still not make the brute force of a junkyard 5.3 build.

Coyotes are being swapped, simply because the market is saturated with LS's. You go to a Goodguys show and it's LSx mania.

I think the LT5 is a motor that BELONGS in other things...but is the C5/6 one of those cars...it's tough to say. The LT5 doesn't really do anything better than an LSx, and it certainly isn't cheaper. Sure...there are some rep points to be scored but...in a C5/C6 which is in that current...mehhh...stage of life at shows and events, it'd be minimal.

The LSx is so damn hard to beat...that's the problem. This is why the engine took the custom car, drift world, time attack world by storm. Compact and brute power, simple to wire, etc.

A Northstart...jeez...that shouldn't even be in the conversation.

In my opinion the ONLY possibility to consider is to create something the Corvette COULD have been...which is an NA 12cyl car possibly...something more european, gear reduction starter, etc. For that, there are a couple Benz and BMW 12cyl that are affordable, that COULD work and give a Corvette an exotic exhaust note that it's NEVER had.

Speaking of FD's though, you could always stuff a 3 or EVEN 4 rotor in a Corvette. With a huge bridge port...whoa...would sound nasty. FormulaD has a 4 rotor miata and man...that thing just screams like satan.

IMXCITD

why.....the LS is a great platform that loves to be modded. Spend the $$ on modding your LS.

FYRARMS

Black 02

Most of the ones mentioned would be a downgrade, or so cost preventative that you could make 2x the power for half the cost with a LSx engine.

LSx engines are finding their way into 911s, M3s and countless imports for a reason. Heck, there is even a LS powered Ferrari 360 and I believe a Diablo. Why take this awesome platform away from your car?