dropping a v6 into a c5?
After finishing off the interior and the paint, I've run out of things to do on the 'vette, I'm thinking of embarking on a truly unique upgrade --- swapping out the 22 year old, three generation-old antique LS1 for a modern, efficient v6.
I know that this has been done before, and people rave about not only the increased fuel milage but, frankly, the better responsiveness and higher-revving power from a good v-6. Though I've yet to see a tutorial-- here's one swap I've come across, and this thing looks like a BEAST!
https://tinyurl.com/Swapping-LS1-for-V6
I'm not nearly as familiar with v6's as with v8's, but I think I can probably get one with at least close to the power I'm running now (maybe with twin turbos?) and the gas milage will be through the roof.
So, any thoughts? has anyone done this?
Any suggestions on where to source a decent motor? and any ideas on where to source adapters?
Thanks for any suggestions !!!
Edit: looks like it's been done before in c3's:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...to-new-v6.html
(((and today's date is.....?)))
Last edited by JMG2; Apr 1, 2022 at 12:39 PM.





That being said if you really want to **** people off go with a 3.5l Ecoboost ford V6 with aftermarket turbos.
Putting Fords in chevys is the ultimate revenge.
AND, if flat-plane crank v4's are used, you effectively have a modern take on the flat-plane crank with 8 cylinders.
And since each 4 cylinder motor gets about twice the gas milage, using two motors would get you at least 4 times better gas milage.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts





After finishing off the interior and the paint, I've run out of things to do on the 'vette, I'm thinking of embarking on a truly unique upgrade --- swapping out the 22 year old, three generation-old antique LS1 for a modern, efficient v6.
You got me.... Nice work.
T4l
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
The C5-C7s might be great (if not ideal) candidates for an EV swap. Strong chassis, good aerodynamics, rust free bodies and front engine/rear transaxle layout.
1. Keep the rear drive, +/-500 pounds of batteries up front in lieu of the 460 pound LS-1 (net weight gain of 40 pounds).
2. Maintain the 50/50 weight distribution by putting those front batteries' weight behind the front axle.
3. Something akin to a Tesla drivetrain in place of the rear +100 pound transaxle (the Tesla drivetrain has a total weight of about 210 pounds for a net gain of 100 pounds).
4. +/-300 pounds of batteries in place of the fuel tank (19 gallons of gas weighs 114 pounds, means a net gain of 200 pounds).
5. Suspension upgrades to handle the extra weight, if necessary. The converted C5 would weigh in at around 3,600 or so pounds (net gain of around 400 pounds), and it would still be a relative EV lightweight (the Tesla Model 3 weighs between 3,648 and 4,2450 pounds).
Environmentally friendly too.
This could really be an insane swap, thanks for all the insights guys!
However, don't you think repurposing as many ICE vehicles as possible by converting the powerplant and drives to electric rather than scrapping them makes the best environmental (as well as economic) sense?
I'm thinking along the lines of firearms conversions of the 1800s. Flintlocks converted to percussion when superior ignition systems were developed. Percussion firearms converted to cartridge (e.g., the trapdoor Springfield) when the self contained cartridge came along. Such conversions effectively spanned 100 years of technological advances. American, "Yankee" ingenuity. Something we've lost somewhere along the way.
Imagine, rather than the so called "big three" focusing on manufacturing new electric vehicles, they shifted their focus by offering dealership conversions of their existing vehicles for 1/2 the cost of a new EV. I could see the government potentially coming in and offering considerable incentives for this sort of initiative.
Just one man thinking out loud.
Anyway, just my thought, I'm going to stick with ICE for this project, but thanks for the suggestion.
I’m going to find a 454 big block with dual thirsty inefficient 4-barrels sitting on a high rise then I’m going to plumb it out with headers and no cats. Then I’m going to feed it non-ethanol with lead additive.
I will then cash in my 401 to fill it up for a short drive.
















