Looking for Crate Engine. Something Fun.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Looking for Crate Engine. Something Fun.
Well bad news here. To make a story short. My car had to be left somewhere in an ice storm. When I went back to pick it up the freeze caps came off. I had only hoped that was it. After getting it towed home and looking at it a week later their is oil on the floor. I am going to get it checked but more then likely the block is cracked.
Therefore I am looking for a crate engine. I dont want to spend a rediculous amount. But I do not just want the traditional stock LS1. Looking for something that is under 450-500 hp.
I am not trying to spend over 6k on this.
Any suggestions.
My car is a 2003 C5 Corvette.
Therefore I am looking for a crate engine. I dont want to spend a rediculous amount. But I do not just want the traditional stock LS1. Looking for something that is under 450-500 hp.
I am not trying to spend over 6k on this.
Any suggestions.
My car is a 2003 C5 Corvette.
Last edited by gra03vette04; Feb 16, 2011 at 09:40 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Well bad news here. To make a story short. My car had to be left somewhere in an ice storm. When I went back to pick it up the freeze caps came off. I had only hoped that was it. After getting it towed home and looking at it a week later their is oil on the floor. I am going to get it checked but more then likely the block is cracked.
Therefore I am looking for a crate engine. I dont want to spend a rediculous amount. But I do not just want the traditional stock LS1. Looking for something that is under 450-500 hp.
I am not trying to spend over 6k on this.
Any suggestions.
My car is a 2003 C5 Corvette.
Therefore I am looking for a crate engine. I dont want to spend a rediculous amount. But I do not just want the traditional stock LS1. Looking for something that is under 450-500 hp.
I am not trying to spend over 6k on this.
Any suggestions.
My car is a 2003 C5 Corvette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles CA
I would personally buy used.
Cheapest new LS6 crate motor I found was for around 6k: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-C...item3ef45c7053
LS2s however are much cheaper and I found a rebuilt one for 3200:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REFRE...item3a62214279
The LS6 is more desireable but for its not worth the extra money. The LS2 isn't a direct swap though so read this and see if it's too much work: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...de-please.html
Cheapest new LS6 crate motor I found was for around 6k: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-C...item3ef45c7053
LS2s however are much cheaper and I found a rebuilt one for 3200:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REFRE...item3a62214279
The LS6 is more desireable but for its not worth the extra money. The LS2 isn't a direct swap though so read this and see if it's too much work: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...de-please.html
Last edited by SoDiezl350; Feb 16, 2011 at 09:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
There are so many choices to choose from. I do not remember which coolant came in but I will make sure that it has really good coolant this next time. I live in Dallas and it rarely ever gets as cold as it got. It was a record low in like over 10 years.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I hope you get back on the road soon !
I recently changed my coolant to Prestone Dexcool Premix Extended life. Its good down to -34F.
Toque
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Sounds like it was way to diluted. Did the heater core and radiator survive?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
As I understand it, the LS3--base motor for the C6--is available in a crate for reasonable $. It goes into a C5 with just a couple of minor tweaks needed and gives you 430 horses plus that extra response from its slightly larger displacement. I also hear that if you want to make a simple cam swap before putting the LS3 in you can up that figure 30 to 50 horsepower('tho that would kill any warranty you might get with the crate engine).
