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dropping a v6 into a c5?

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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:04 PM
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Default dropping a v6 into a c5?

Just finished up some mechanical upgrades to my c5, including a super charger, cam, headers, full exhaust, etc. etc.
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.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:10 PM
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Before I would embark on a v8 to V6 swap, I would take a hard look at an electric conversion. Thats becoming the new "Hot Rod" marketplace.
LJS
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:12 PM
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This is the best april fools.

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.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:19 PM
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thanks, couldn't resist.

But a Ford ecoboost .. there's an idea :-)
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:20 PM
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Mazda K engine, 1.8liter V6, incredible fuel economy and tire-shredding power.



If it was on a radio Flyer...​​​​​​​
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by acroy
Mazda K engine, 1.8liter V6, incredible fuel economy and tire-shredding power.



If it was on a radio Flyer...
that would look awesome in the 'vette's engine bay!!
​​​​​​​
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:33 PM
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Why not a 4 cylinder? My little 4g63 2.0 liter puts out 900 hp in low boost, 1400 hp in high boost. Probably could fit two of those engines under the hood for a combined 2800 hp. Best of all, it does it with 87 octane gas.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Why not a 4 cylinder? My little 4g63 2.0 liter puts out 900 hp in low boost, 1400 hp in high boost. Probably could fit two of those engines under the hood for a combined 2800 hp. Best of all, it does it with 87 octane gas.
That's not a bad idea... another added benefit, two v4's under the hood would likely sound just like a single v8 -- I'm sure you could run the exhaust from both motors into a single collector.
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.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 02:25 PM
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Here's a semi sane answer - wait for the new Dodge in line twin turbo 6 which is supposed to replace the Hemi. Alternatively, look East - the Hyundai built 3.8 from the now discontinued Genesis Coupe put out 340hp and change, is a modern quad cam V6, variable valve timing, the works. And came with a 6 speed. Quite of few of those cars ended up in wreckers due to "driver error".
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 02:59 PM
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[QUOTE=JMG2;1604945598]Just finished up some mechanical upgrades to my c5, including a super charger, cam, headers, full exhaust, etc. etc.
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




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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 03:19 PM
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Second vote for an EV conversion once GM releases their eCrate drivetrains:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ArmchairArchitect
Second vote for an EV conversion once GM releases their eCrate drivetrains:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
Maybe, but I think to stay true to the soul of the 'vette, I should keep it an internal combustion engine.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ArmchairArchitect
Second vote for an EV conversion once GM releases their eCrate drivetrains:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37354/...sier-than-ever
Actually, I have thought the same thing myself. Assuming I keep my C5 long enough and I live long enough to do this sort of conversion to my C5. Particularly should the battery and electric motor technology improve as it likely will when the time comes to say goodbye to the ICE.

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.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 06:05 PM
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If building a V6, be sure to check out the new Ferrea collapsible valve stem valves. They're guaranteed not to bend if they kiss a piston, and at lower rpm, under lower oil pressure, they partially collapse to reduce lift and duration, sort of the same principle as the Rhoads lifters, but it's all in their patented collapsible valve stem instead. I'm looking at a set now, but they're pricey......
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by grinder11
If building a V6, be sure to check out the new Ferrea collapsible valve stem valves. They're guaranteed not to bend if they kiss a piston, and at lower rpm, under lower oil pressure, they partially collapse to reduce lift and duration, sort of the same principle as the Rhoads lifters, but it's all in their patented collapsible valve stem instead. I'm looking at a set now, but they're pricey......
Collapsible, huh? that sounds INSANE! I'll have to check them out...
This could really be an insane swap, thanks for all the insights guys!
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by wdcraig

Environmentally friendly too.
well, depends on how you look at it :-)
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by JMG2
well, depends on how you look at it :-)
True- no question the batteries and fabrication costs of the conversion units wouldn't in and of themselves be an environmental plus. And of course the electricity has to come from somewhere.

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.
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To dropping a v6 into a c5?

Old Apr 1, 2022 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by wdcraig

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 more along the lines of keeping the heart-and-soul of the 'vette intact by putting in a stump-pulling heart-rate raising good 'ole American v6. Electric has its place, but I think that would really just ruin the 'vette.
Anyway, just my thought, I'm going to stick with ICE for this project, but thanks for the suggestion.
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Old Apr 2, 2022 | 05:13 PM
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I'm converting mine to a single leaf blower two stroke motor and will be running 12 turbos on it. I'll be getting tremendous gas mileage with it.
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Old Apr 2, 2022 | 05:34 PM
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Screw this.
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.
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