Ok, so I've decided to sell my 3000GT VR4 and upgrade to a 99'-01 hardtop or vert. I want to eventualy get an LS2 in there but the money is not there yet for any modding, I dont want to kill what I have saved on mods, just the car . Assuming I want the LS2 at some point in the future would it make sense to save up for that and get bolt on stuff like headders/Xpipe, heads, cam, etc before doing the swap?... Will any of that fit on a LS2 short block? I want everything to work well in the end and still be a good upgrade for when I have the money to do it. I did all the bolt on installs on my VR4 but doing a swap is an all new area for me so just thought I would ask here where the info is.

 

It makes most sense to save up enough $ until you are ready to build your 402 stroker LS2 motor, and that way you can have the perfect cam and heads selected for your new motor to make optimal power and run as good as possible.

YOu can get LS2 stroker 402 motors now build for around $7,000.00 and in the meantime just focus on finding yourself the right vette that you want as that will be the biggest part to complete and then build the motor and get the right headers, intake for the 402 LS2 motor when you can afford all of it.

If you buy performance engine parts for your stock 346 cube LS1/6 motor in the C5 your buying, your just wasting $ if its the 402 LS2 stroker you want, as you will have to redo the heads and cam to make optimal power with the LS2 motor. The heads and cam and everything else would be interchangeable between the two motors but just would not be the right choice of parts on the bigger stroker that has 62 more cubic inches (346cid in a stock LS1/6 vs 402 cubes in a LS2 stroker motor with 4.00 inch eagle crank).

If you want to get a big seat in the pants performance gain in the new C5 simply add 4.10 gears and you will be for sure and save up for that perfectly speced/built LS2 402 stroker (which by the way is an awesome motor that will make an easy 500 rwhp)

 

Its so hard for me to save for somthing big like that, I want all the little engine bolt ons done first, but I guess I could save up for a little while longer than usual or just do suspension and drivetrain stuff etc. Could get a new c6 zo6 clutch in first I guess, makes sense anyways right?

 

I would not put the clutch in until you have to as that is an easy fix but when you do the clutch LS7 upgrade is perfect for you.

Honestly, consider putting in 4.10 gears as the car will wake right up and 6th gear will become useable and with the stroker motor in the future you will really be hauling azz!!

 

Ok I'll look into that tomorrow.

 

Where can I find some product info on the 4.10 gears? I did some looking but didnt see much for sale. Basicaly how will they make the car feel compared to stock, its going to be a daily driver... Considering that fact that it will need to be fairly streetable maybe I should go with a charger on the LS1 instead of a larger engine?

 

99-00 FRC's, 01 is the Z06

I'd suggest finding one with 100k plus miles for around $15k, even a low mile LS1 motor will only bring $1500

 

Yea I meant an 01 vert, but yea I was thinking that, just worried about rust as I am in the salt zone. BTW what does FRC stand for?

 

Fixed Roof Coupe = Hardtop - all Z06 are FRC

 

The LS1 and the LS2 block are essentially the same with a 4.00" bore vs 3.90" (except for relocation of MAP sensor, upgraded knock sensors, etc.). You never said you wanted a stroker motor, only that you want an LS2. Just buy a Z06, punch it out to a 4" bore and you basically have an LS2 motor (LS2 uses the '01 385 horse Z06 cam). Stroke is the same on both motors, so you could still stroke it if you wanted.

If you are planning on heads and cam, then you don't even have to buy the Z06, just do the same to your LS1. With 6 bolt mains, the LS1 is good for 700 hp on the stock bottom end. Lots cheaper. Leaves you money to buy those 4.10s with.

 

It would be nice if it was that simple. You can't just punch a LS6 out to 4.00". You have to resleeve the block. And if you are going to take time and expensive money resleeving, you might as well go to a LS7 sized 4.125". You see, the bore size of an LS6 is 3.898" and has a maximum allowable overbore of 3.095". Basically, you start with a 346, and you end up with 347.

Hammer

 

Well I'd like to get to a touch under 500 RWtq but I'd like to stay NA, dont like the forced induction thing much after having a VR4. Everything could change with more information in my head but right now I'd like to get a 99-00 hardtop or convertable and swap in a larger LS2, dont know anything about stroking it, I'd like to spend less than 8k on a new working motor for the car, maybe more with install considered but I dont have that right now this is all a plan for the future, I only want to spend what it will take to get the car right now but if I can find a FRC for ~16k I will be a lot closer to having funds to do a swap that much sooner.

Is there anywhere where I can read all about stroking an LS2? Its never been an option with any car I have owned up till now so I know nothing about it.

Edit: looked on autotrader, cant find any hard tops for less than 19k within 300 miles of me, is there anywhere else I should look for one?

 

if you are serious about finding a cheap frc, you will need to fly/drive; there is one in C5's 4sale for 15 or 16, it's white in NJ, slashed seats, some paint blems

 

I have been reading this forum for quite some time. I believe you should take the advice of Steve in CT ...find a used C5 that you would enjoy.

If your not tracking it and want wind in the hair then get a convertible.

If you think you might enjoy going to track events then decide if you want the hatchback with the lift off roof or a 1999/2000 FRC (fixed roof coupe)

Buy the car you like. Then in my opinion contact Steve in conn. as he has a great reputation and great pricing.

You tell him what you want to achieve and steve can lay out the options and the costs.

If it were me? I'd go with the l92 414 cubic inch motor and the worked heads (dual valve springs) and l76 intake.

Steve has one of the finest computer tuners from what has been discussed on these forums. (slowhawk)

I think you'd be best served in finding the car you want. Enjoying it and dropping in the motor and clutch at the same time. I've heard the textrella clutch is good but have no first hand experience with it. I think its better than the ls7 clutch package.

As far as small bolt ons? Don't waste your money. Do an air filter mod and then step up to the motor/header/clutch and I wouldn't bother with the rear gears...

Of course if you find a higher mileage corvette of your dreams for 15 grand or so....and drop the motor in right away...

That would be the best of both worlds...

Best of luck and enjoy.

The C5 is a hell of a car.

 

Thank you all for the responses its given me a lot to think about. For now I am just going to focus on getting a good price for my VR4, but I have sold one before for a profit so I know the market pretty well, but still first things first. Again thanks for all of the responses, I think I'll just get a C5 and a blackwing and call it done till I want to do somthing big. Its all just dreams till I make it real .

 

Good point, I meant to say re-sleeve, but accidentally used some old school terminology. With a Darton re-sleeve, you can go as far as a 4.160 bore. Using the stock stroke, this will give you 393 cu/in. Re-sleeving will run $1200-$1300, add a set of pistons for $500-$600 and you are in it for $1700-$1900.

Compare this to an LS2 (402) short block for ~$4500 or an LS7 short block for ~$6000.

I'm just throwing some options out there. The original post said that he wanted to change his (future) LS1 to an LS2. That is a lot of money to spend for an increase of only 18 cu/in.

 

Have you considered an 02-04 C5 Z06?
The C5 Z06 with just basic bolt-ons (headers/intake/gears) is a very strong combo.
I suggest that you find a corvette club in your area and seek out rides in a Z06 and C5, both stock and lightly moded, that will give you a good base line of what to expect. JMHO.

 

Would be cool, maybe I should do that, but I dont know if people will take time to show me thier setup. Then again I have met some realy helpfull people through 3SI (3000GT Stealth International forums). I've riden in a lot of 3000GTs and they all seem the same to me even ones with upgraded everything. I dont think I can afford a Z06 as my budget is around 21k I think but I still have to check a mutual fund to see how its doing this year.