Temporary Truck Engine for Corvette???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: CA
Temporary Truck Engine for Corvette???
Hello Lovely Corvette Community,
I searched, couldn't find specific info on this.
There was a thread somewhere about a budget corvette race car build that utilized a 4.8 truck engine due to power to weight rules limitations, but that's a different situation entirely.
Sooooo, basically I have it in my mind to pull my engine and have it on a stand for a while to do xyz. But, I also would like to be able to drive the car at that time.
I live right by a pick n pull, so my thought was that I could grab a serviceable engine from there, and use that in c5 while having the original engine on stand.
The only thing is it's not very common to see LS1 cars end up in the pick n pull, since they usually get parted out by individuals instead. But, there are trucks a plenty in there!
My concern is that I would grab a 5.3-5.7 out of something and then find that the accessories or some other thing would interfere with it working in a corvette application.
Anybody have input about that specifically, or just food for thought type comments about the idea in general? I appreciate any constructive and or entertaining commentary. Thank you.
I searched, couldn't find specific info on this.
There was a thread somewhere about a budget corvette race car build that utilized a 4.8 truck engine due to power to weight rules limitations, but that's a different situation entirely.
Sooooo, basically I have it in my mind to pull my engine and have it on a stand for a while to do xyz. But, I also would like to be able to drive the car at that time.
I live right by a pick n pull, so my thought was that I could grab a serviceable engine from there, and use that in c5 while having the original engine on stand.
The only thing is it's not very common to see LS1 cars end up in the pick n pull, since they usually get parted out by individuals instead. But, there are trucks a plenty in there!
My concern is that I would grab a 5.3-5.7 out of something and then find that the accessories or some other thing would interfere with it working in a corvette application.
Anybody have input about that specifically, or just food for thought type comments about the idea in general? I appreciate any constructive and or entertaining commentary. Thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,356
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
I think we'll need more specifics about your C-5, in order to provide an adequate answer. What year is your car? 6 speed or automatic? Just off the top of my head, I think you'd need to swap over the front accessories, such as alternator, power steering, a/c, etc, to Corvette stuff, at a minimum.....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
If you get a similar vintage 24X crank/1X cam sensor engine then you should be able to swap over the front accessories, the intake manifold/throttle body and exhaust manifolds to fit it in there. Then, some tuning to make it run nicely.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Just look up any C5 iron block swap. Most individuals that go into big budget boost territory use something like a 5.3L Vortec. It will be quite a bit heavier than the LS1 due to the LS1 being all-aluminum so that would be a good time to ensure suspension bushings and components are in good shape.
The other big thing you'll have to re-use in addition to the C5 accessories and such will be the timing cover and oil pan. The C5 has a specifically designed oil pan to account for the relatively shallow sump.
The other big thing you'll have to re-use in addition to the C5 accessories and such will be the timing cover and oil pan. The C5 has a specifically designed oil pan to account for the relatively shallow sump.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 740
Likes: 83
From: MN
You can get aluminum 5.3L engines in some trucks. I have an L33 in my C5, which is an aluminum block out of an '05 Silverado. It ain't temporary, but I'm in that budget boost category 
The LM4 is another, cheaper aluminum option.
As other posters have said, swap the accessory drive, intake, and exhaust parts, and you should be in business. I can't really tell the difference between my L33 with an LS6 cam and the original LS1.
The LM4 is another, cheaper aluminum option.As other posters have said, swap the accessory drive, intake, and exhaust parts, and you should be in business. I can't really tell the difference between my L33 with an LS6 cam and the original LS1.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: CA
You can get aluminum 5.3L engines in some trucks. I have an L33 in my C5, which is an aluminum block out of an '05 Silverado. It ain't temporary, but I'm in that budget boost category The LM4 is another, cheaper aluminum option.
As other posters have said, swap the accessory drive, intake, and exhaust parts, and you should be in business. I can't really tell the difference between my L33 with an LS6 cam and the original LS1.
The LM4 is another, cheaper aluminum option.As other posters have said, swap the accessory drive, intake, and exhaust parts, and you should be in business. I can't really tell the difference between my L33 with an LS6 cam and the original LS1.
Ideally I'll get aluminum. Could even get lucky and score a car engine, but I think pick n pull will be about 250 for long block. So, unless I can get close to that price elsewhere, it will be coming from there.
I actually have a use for an SUV coming up too. Got some free time, going to camp/adventure etc, and thought about getting LS1 SUV for pretty cheep and then parting it out later and taking whatever I fancy. Seems like a cheap and reliable method since I'll start with something I know runs well.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 740
Likes: 83
From: MN
My u-pull yard only gets iron blocks that have been to the moon and back--if you can snag an aluminum block at yours, I'm pretty jealous. Just remember to get one out of a wreck--if the body looks good, then the engine is probably the reason it's there!
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,356
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
Adding 100lbs to the front end will make the front suspension feel soft.
I would prefer the the Z51 springs with this set-up.
Personally I would rather concentrate my efforts on getting the engine you intend to use built and installed. All that assembly and disassembly leaves more potential for error. I like the entire car to be purpose built where all the parts complement each other. It seems like the money spent on the second engine could be spent on expediting the installation of the permanent unit. Then again I don't know everything about your goals.
I would prefer the the Z51 springs with this set-up.
Personally I would rather concentrate my efforts on getting the engine you intend to use built and installed. All that assembly and disassembly leaves more potential for error. I like the entire car to be purpose built where all the parts complement each other. It seems like the money spent on the second engine could be spent on expediting the installation of the permanent unit. Then again I don't know everything about your goals.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: CA
Adding 100lbs to the front end will make the front suspension feel soft.
I would prefer the the Z51 springs with this set-up.
Personally I would rather concentrate my efforts on getting the engine you intend to use built and installed. All that assembly and disassembly leaves more potential for error. I like the entire car to be purpose built where all the parts complement each other. It seems like the money spent on the second engine could be spent on expediting the installation of the permanent unit. Then again I don't know everything about your goals.
I would prefer the the Z51 springs with this set-up.
Personally I would rather concentrate my efforts on getting the engine you intend to use built and installed. All that assembly and disassembly leaves more potential for error. I like the entire car to be purpose built where all the parts complement each other. It seems like the money spent on the second engine could be spent on expediting the installation of the permanent unit. Then again I don't know everything about your goals.
That's really the idea behind it. Have the engine I want to build out of the car, so I can build it. Ideally I'd spend a few hundred bucks total, maybe less, (or maybe more, replace seals etc.),so I could drive the car in interim. And then mess around with that cheap motor to learn more on it afterward.
I may even take the approach of getting LS powered SUV or Truck for other purposes and borrow that motor for a while after I use it for some camping and house projects. Plenty of cheap examples available. Even if I messed up the engine somehow, could replace it easily from junk yard.