Has anyone dropped a crate LS7 into their C5??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
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From: Redacted
Has anyone dropped a crate LS7 into their C5??
Just curious...I was looking into it 2 years ago or so...and now the cars finally paid off 
. I know theres some issues with knock sensor location and reloctor wheel compatability, getting an oil pan to run wet sump, etc...just wondering if anyone on here had done the swap.
. I know theres some issues with knock sensor location and reloctor wheel compatability, getting an oil pan to run wet sump, etc...just wondering if anyone on here had done the swap.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have looked into this as well and based on all I have found if doing this today I would contact Va Speed for a sleeved LS2. I think the installation problems are greatly reduced and so is the cost. The LS7 is a nice motor, but there are a number of things required that wouldn't be with an LS2 block unless you need features such as dry sump.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Redacted
yea I definately dont need dry sump, etc. When I was looking into it a few years ago, I had found a company that would take a stock LS7 crate motor, put the pan on it for wet sump, convert the reluctor wheel, and include the harness adapters to make it a drop in ordeal...it wasnt cheap, I think it was around 15K, but in thinking about it, the idea of 1.) a legit 427 in my C5 was kinda cool, 2.) reliability of a bone stock crate motor, 3.) GM warranty still good on the motor. Ill have to see if I can dig up the company and the old emails...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
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From: Haymarket VA
I have looked into this as well and based on all I have found if doing this today I would contact Va Speed for a sleeved LS2. I think the installation problems are greatly reduced and so is the cost. The LS7 is a nice motor, but there are a number of things required that wouldn't be with an LS2 block unless you need features such as dry sump.
A Darton sleeved LS2 will be stronger than an LS7.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Galaxy Traveler
Car Craft or Hot Rod magazine did an article on converting the LS7 to wet sump recently. I'll try to look when I get home and see which mag it was.
Edit: Found it online. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ion/index.html
Edit: Found it online. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ion/index.html
Last edited by Han Solo; Feb 11, 2010 at 04:19 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Pasco WA
Lots of ways to get 427 CI, or more, that're better/cheaper than a LS7. Just a couple of weeks ago, a vendor was advertising various combinations of stroker motors for great prices, based on LS3 blocks, I believe. I'd go LS3, or 2 before crate LS7. Of course, Jay Leno went with a LS7 swap in his C5Z, but he's got a couple of extra bucks, if the rumors are true. 
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Redacted
yea, I realize that you can probably make more power for the same money off a stroked LS2/3, but theres still something appealing to me about just buying the LS7 crate motor from scoggin dickey and dropping it in, especially if I can get the necessary parts to essentially make it a plug and play application
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I have looked into this as well and based on all I have found if doing this today I would contact Va Speed for a sleeved LS2. I think the installation problems are greatly reduced and so is the cost. The LS7 is a nice motor, but there are a number of things required that wouldn't be with an LS2 block unless you need features such as dry sump.
That's exactly what I did too, though it wasn't done in Virginia. 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 238
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From: middle tennessee
Since you are on the topic, what is the easiest swap into a C5? I like the LS3 and LS7 but have heard they are both more difficult. I wanted to do H/C on my 98, but a new engine might be the ticket. If I were going LS7, i would just get the C6Z 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Diego California
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,387
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From: Jacksonville FL
I wouldn't do the crate motor either. Why not get more power and upgrade some parts before it's installed? Also, I wouldn't limit myself to 427 ci. ERL sells a dry sleve 454 shortblock for $5000.
I went with the LS7 block three years ago. I would probably do things a little different now, but I wouldn't go with the LS3.
I went with the LS7 block three years ago. I would probably do things a little different now, but I wouldn't go with the LS3.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
I bought a LS7 short block,Wet sump from SDPC a few years back and put it in my 97 with no problems.Make sure you get the 24x reluctor.It came with the knock sensor's and everything else to put it in.So far I put about 20k miles on it.And alot were 1/4 mile 
...........Paul
...........Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,468
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From: Black Forest CO
That is the route that I went as well. Doing it this way is a little bit less spendy vs. the LS7 crate engine.
I bought a LS7 short block,Wet sump from SDPC a few years back and put it in my 97 with no problems.Make sure you get the 24x reluctor.It came with the knock sensor's and everything else to put it in.So far I put about 20k miles on it.And alot were 1/4 mile ...........Paul
...........Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
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From: San Diego California
I've heard it can be done. But I just wondering if anyone has actually done it and passed smog? Sure, somebody knows a guy who knew someone.
But getting a crate engine LS7 then putting it in only to find out it won't qualify would be a major B****!!
But getting a crate engine LS7 then putting it in only to find out it won't qualify would be a major B****!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,983
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From: Stoney Creek Ontario
read a post last fall, CF member had an LS7 built up and installed in his C5 - might have been done by Vengence or one of the other vendours down that way - can't exactly recall which one though, as I recall it worked out pretty good! A local forum member up here is presently doing it to his '99 coupe.... figuring it out by himself, but then again, he owns a good shop and has some good techs available....