I have the possible option of changing out the engine and trans (auto) from my current 99 Corvette with another built engine and trans (6-speed) from a wrecked 99 corvette.

How difficult is this? I have done this type of work on c3 corvettes, but nothing as electrically advanced as this.

What are your thoughts? I will have all the parts to make the swap

 

That is too broad of a question to ask.

There are some here on the forum, that really shouldn't be torquing down their lug nuts.
There are also plenty here on the forum, that are quite capable to
Safely & properly do the most of the complicated of jobs.

Myself, if I were to have the switch out you described, I'd be doing some research on which would be the best shop, to have the work performed...properly.

 

Well the reason I ask, is that on the 70s Chevrolets, its pretty self explanitory, un bolt everything, take it out and then bolt in the new one. Ad for the LS1 there are tons of electrical stuff that I dont know about.

 

Doing a set of headers or tranny, clutch, engine change out, was no big deal on 55-70's Chevrolet.


However, working on the C5 Corvette is a different kind of animal then when working on a 70 's Chevrolet.

I suggest getting the set of service manuals & become familiar with the electrical & mechanics of the C5 Corvette.

The 3 set service manuals will save you a bundle of cash.

 

If you have access to a lift you can pull the whole assembly out in one piece from underneath. The front and rear cradles are meant to come out, so those come with engine/driveline while the body is supported by the body jacking points (behind front wheel and forward of the rear wheel).

I have pulled and engine and the driveline before with out a lift (from the top) on jackstands, but the the engine is seperated from driveline (you still have to drop the front cradle about 4 inches). The entire drive line comes out in one piece along with the rear cradle from the bottom.

It's not a difficult job if you have pulled engines and transmissions before, but it is a long process. I would highly recommend buying a factory manual set, but you can get all the information you need from the internet. The manual is just insurance and a good quick reference.

On old cars, I used to label all the electrical connections with that blue 3M masking tape. For the most part, most of the connectors on the newer vette will only plug into a nearby connection. The only thing I've ever miscabled were the O2 sensors. It does matter which bank is left and right so take note when disconnecting.

Switching an auto to a standard is a whole other topic. This I have never done so the only thing I know about this besides the hardware swap (including pedal assy) is you would have to modify the computer programming, meaning you need access to a tuning programmer or you can mail in you ecu and have somebody else modify it.

That's the summary of everything in a nutshell, but there are a lot of details I would look into before attempting it.

 

I've had my C5 long enough to have gotten into quite a lot of things. I'd call this thing by and far the easiest car I've worked on. Yes, there are some things that are a nightmare. But, what car doesn't have them. For a motor coming out the top, this LS1 would be 1000% easier than doing an Lt1 in a F Body. Btdt, now that's not fun. Electrically, the wiring is not too bad. Again, I'd venture to say there's no more of that than there is on a 4th gen F body.

If you're not under the gun for time, and you're not afraid of tackling the job, I say go for it. There's lots of info on the subject here on the forum. Several people documented the change fairly well from what I saw. I've never done one myself, but, all the reading I've done here has helped immensely with other tasks. I think I'd trust the info here + service manual as recommended above, to get me through the job.

I certainly wouldn't let lack of 'experience' stop me. I figure it like this, the first time someone else did this stuff, they'd never done it before either! People are just people, they have no divine grace. If someone else can do it, there's no reason you can't.

There is a writeup I saw recently where the person spells out ALL the parts you will need from the donor car. Make sure you've got the stuff, some is available from GM if you don't have them, a couple things are not. Let'r rip!

 

I don't mean to insult but keep in mind this is nothing like doing the same job in a C3.
While there may be some efficiencies due to the connection between "front and rear" drivetrain, in a C5 changing the engine, and changing the transmission are two separate jobs. They don't come out together unless you simply pull the entire body off the frame (which might just be the best method)

 

I have looked into it a little more and I was contemplating just changing the whole frame (engine trans rear and suspension)

 

It ain't rocket science, if you can turn a wrench and pay attention to what you're doing, you can do it. Get the service manual. I plan on doing my engine this winter.

 

if someone has not mentioned it already, the biggest differance between this kind of engine seap and one in a 70's car is that if you are going to put in a "built" engine and trany you can probably figure out how to do allyhe work yourself just fine...but after you are done you will probably have to take the car to a tuner shop to have them reprogram your cars computer, bout $500....the rest you should be able to do on your own, but computer programing takes special equipment and training....you cannot just swap the computer either as I understand it, because serial numbers come into play and can confuse the computer lol


thats my understanding anyway

 

This is the part that I am not sure of. I can turn a wrench and have done things like this before. I know that the engine and trans that I am considering are better than the stocker ones I have currently, so idk how much tuning it will need. We will see what happens

 

I think you'll be fine, worse that will happen is that without a computer tune after the mechanical swap out you might not get all the power available from the upgraded powerplant and trany

there is a section in this websight called C5 Scan and Tune thats got tons of C5 computer tuners at all levels of experience, I recomend going to that section and reposting your plan and asking those guys what to expect or look out for...also, if ya really want to DIY the whole thing you can buy your own computer tuning equipment for a few hundred bucks and get those guys in that section to tell ya exactly what to do... its can't be rocket science, and everything is easy taken one step at a time


could become a cool learning experience


have fun... and keep us posted on your progress, preferably with pictures included :-)

 

oh, and be sure to tell the guys in the Scan and Tune section that you are moving from auto trans to manual as the computer manages shift points in an auto, so that may come into play

lol, and ask them to speek in "wrench turner" language as opposed to computer tuner language ;-)

there are a lot of very friendly helpful guys at this forum, so I'm sure you will be fine