Crate Engine. Worth it or not?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Crate Engine. Worth it or not?
Here is my question.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Anyway you look at it, putting an LS7 in a C5 is BIG $$$$$$$$$.
Rather than rebuild your LS1 I'd look into a crate LS6. They can be had relatively cheap if you shop around. If you rebuild your LS1 the right way you'll end up about the same expense but down on performance.
A good compromise to the LS7 would be a crate LS3. Drop a cam in it and you get a lot of bang for the buck. The electronics necessary for the swap are available off the shelf.
Rather than rebuild your LS1 I'd look into a crate LS6. They can be had relatively cheap if you shop around. If you rebuild your LS1 the right way you'll end up about the same expense but down on performance.
A good compromise to the LS7 would be a crate LS3. Drop a cam in it and you get a lot of bang for the buck. The electronics necessary for the swap are available off the shelf.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Just after posting this thread i too had the LS3 thought cross my mind.
Still not a direct drop into a C5 but better performance than a LS6 and not nearly the work or cost of an LS7.
Love the look of my C5 alot more than the look fo the C6's. Or else id just consider buying a C6.
Still not a direct drop into a C5 but better performance than a LS6 and not nearly the work or cost of an LS7.
Love the look of my C5 alot more than the look fo the C6's. Or else id just consider buying a C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Here is my question.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 52
From: Sicamous BC
and the rear diff. 
Better shafts & clutch pac......something like stage III...2.5k
Maybe you already need new tires......something sticky will be required....maybe rims so you can fit a bigger tire as well.
Better shafts & clutch pac......something like stage III...2.5k
Maybe you already need new tires......something sticky will be required....maybe rims so you can fit a bigger tire as well.
Procharged F1X 7.18 @ 197
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 8
From: Staten Island NY
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Last edited by joe11204; Oct 18, 2010 at 09:40 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 12
From: Salt Lake City UT
It has difficult to beat a crate LS6 (405Hp) around 4k complete.
or
a crate LS3 (approx. $6400-6900) complete (436HP or 480HP -hot cam). You just need a Lingenfelter wire kit to adapt 58x to 24x(LS1 system).
or
a crate LS3 (approx. $6400-6900) complete (436HP or 480HP -hot cam). You just need a Lingenfelter wire kit to adapt 58x to 24x(LS1 system).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 5
From: Freeport, FL
I myself am tossing around the idea of an LS2 or LS3 short block and a set of L92 heads. I figure a good project that wont break the bank but has lots of potential.
An LS7 sure would be sweet though
I guess it just depends on what you want the car to do and how much you want to spend
An LS7 sure would be sweet though
I guess it just depends on what you want the car to do and how much you want to spend
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Here is my question.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Am i better off to drop some big bucks on a crate engine or would it be wiser to put that money into a total rebuild of my LS1?
Im thinking about dropping an LS7 into my C5.
But if i remember right the cost of a crate LS7 is about $14,000.oo Dollars. HOLY S***.
And thats B4 the computer.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 4
From: Arlington TX
Just got an LS6 (technically a caddy engine) to replace my LS1, with 1 year warranty for 3500 shipped. Or get the 'vette' version with 3 year warranty for ~3900 shipped. Bargain!
No problems, bolts in, warranty, and 350/350 RWHP/TQ to the ground after a tune.... with no mods...
No problems, bolts in, warranty, and 350/350 RWHP/TQ to the ground after a tune.... with no mods...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Just got an LS6 (technically a caddy engine) to replace my LS1, with 1 year warranty for 3500 shipped. Or get the 'vette' version with 3 year warranty for ~3900 shipped. Bargain!
No problems, bolts in, warranty, and 350/350 RWHP/TQ to the ground after a tune.... with no mods...
No problems, bolts in, warranty, and 350/350 RWHP/TQ to the ground after a tune.... with no mods...
That is a real bargain. Imagine if the OP decided to get top of the line headers/mid pipe section while the engine's out anyway....it'll cost about half the entire price of a crate motor, just for the exhaust, and that doesn't count a catback!
