So in 97-2000 the LS motor only made 345 horses. in 2001 they bumped it to 350 horses. Apparently there is some difference in the motor as Im am hearing that they have a different part number for the 01 and up motor than the 97-00 motor. My question is this If i dropped an 01 and later motor into my 2000 would there4 be anything to watch for? would the tune on the computer be the same? is there any reason that this swap would not work? I have a good deal on a 2001 motor but I want to make sure before buying it and doing the swap

 

I dont have any direct answers but I'm curious is something wrong with your existing engine to warrant spending all that time and effort swapping it out for another used motor?

 

For a 5HP gain...

 

There's no way anyone is that dumb

Gotta give OP the benefit of the doubt. If I was spending the kind of coin it takes to swap engines (assuming he's not DIY) I'd be dumping money into a rebuild and some new heads/cam on my existing motor.

 

hey you gotta spend money to get more horses right? :p no I have 200k plus miles on my motor right now and I have real bad blowby right now. I was looking to get the engine rebuilt but the process for that is long. first I need to pull the engine then take it to a machine shop to have them rebuild it. then wait 6-8 weeks then have the motor put back into the car. While the car is without a motor I need to have the car towed home then of course have it towed back once the engine is ready. This car is my daily driver (as you can probably tell with 200k on the odometer. For all of this I am looking close to 10 grand (2800 to R&R the motor and another 6 grand to the machine shop to do the work plus the towing bills) on the flip side I have a line on a 2001 motor that has already been rebuilt and they want 2800 for the motor then since this will be a direct swap in I have someone who will do the swap for a grand and it will be done in 1 weekend......but he lives in another town a couple hundred miles away so that is why I wouldn't have him do it if I went the route of me rebuilding ther motor at the machine shop.....The towing bill alone would kill me

 

Good line of thinking. You just want a working motor, and not "more horsepower"

Sounds like you already did the math. While I can't answer if it's a DIRECT swap I'm gonna bet that it won't be much of a hassle even if a few specific parts still need changing.

 

Have you considered a new crate LS3 engine?

Brand new by GM, makes quite a bit more horsepower and torque.

However they cost $7000.00 at least, plus need some conversion parts to make it work in C5.

I've always understood LS1 block can't be bored out, liners are too thin, max of .0010?

Now, on the LS3 swap, I've read some get trouble codes when going WOT (pedal floored) due to the knock sensors being different/or being located on outside of engine vs inside like the LS1.

I'm trying to figure out how others fix this issue, I want a crate LS3 for my 1999 vert 6 speed, and my LS1 runs excellent, just want more power, plus hand-me-down the LS1 into my 1965 Chevy C10 pickup. Win win for both C5 and C10.

Is your C5 automatic or manual?

 

sadly I live in CA and an ls3 swap is not approved for our cars even though the ls1 is no longer available to us

 

May as well go with an LS3. Vendors like TSP will allow you to build an LS3 to your specs, so you can change things like the reluctor wheel to avoid having to use a lingenfelter box. Racetronix sells all the other harnesses you may need.

 

Well disregard my post, your reply showed up after I replied.

 

On the LS1 engines, in 2001 the Z06 option was offered with a more powerful version of the LS1 called the LS6, I believe the first year it made 385 hp, then 2002-2004 made 405 HP and 400 ft lbs trq.

This engine is had better cylinder heads, camshaft, and intake, and a better block for high RPM breathing in the crankcase.

In 2001 regular Corvettes and LS1 Camaro and Trans Ams, the LS6 intake came on LS1 engines, most likely to keep from having 2 intakes, they just used the updated better design LS6 intake on all LS engines.

Also, the same years 2001-2004, all LS1 engines got the LS6 block, just like the LS6 intakes.

The LS6 intake probably adds 5hp, but with modifications to engine like performance camshaft and headers, the LS6 helps the engine make more power as it breathes better.

So, if you found a good used/and or rebuilt LS1, if it's complete with intake, it "should" have the LS6 intake, but they look a lot alike from the top, someone could have swapped it for a LS1 intake, so don't just assume.

Say you get the good 2001 LS1 and it has the LS6 intake, you could probably get by without doing a tune, but for $150.00 you can mail your ECM to East Coast supercharging and they will do a mail order tune on it.

This is a good time to add long tube headers if you want extra performance, while swapping engine, while getting a updated better tune.

I just worry if you have a automatic transmission with 200k, even on stock LS1, it could go out.

Now I'll say this, and normally I wouldn't think this way, as I do my own wrenching.

It might be easier and cheaper in the long run to just buy another C5 that is in nice shape with lower miles.

Think of engine swap prices, transmission rebuild.

Look at used C5 prices.

The fact you are paying others to do the work, another low mileage (under 100k) C5 might just be the way to go.

Then sell your C5 to someone who likes to wrench on their own stuff, not sure what you could get, say if you sold it for 5000, you might come out ahead.

Lots to think over.

 

Moved to C5 Tech.

 

First off mine is a real corvette so it is a manual trans. Also a couple of years ago I upgraded it to an rpm trans as for buying another one well I have done a lot of upgrades to this one so all that stuff would have to be swapped over and I have no idea the true condition of a used one. Not to mention a certain sentimental value to this one as it is my first Vette and it was always my dream car so buying a new one is not in the picture for me. Also I do wrench on my vette but right now I dont have space to do a motor swap and as for going internally to the engine well that to be honest scares me lol

 

Nevermind the headers, the ECS mail order tune (actually you might be able to have it, not sure) probably best to leave it factory.

Here in the Phoenix area on emissions test, they plug into the OBD 2 port, and it checks the cars systems, either ready or not ready.

Now, when I got my C5 back on road after being parked over 4 years, I failed the test because the C5 systems were not ready, because I put in a new battery.

I had 2 options, either go drive lots hoping the systems self check themselves and report ready, or they put it on the Dyno which is normally for OBD 1 1995 and older cars and motorcycles.

They let me do the Dyno with sniffer in exhaust test because, I couldn't get car registered until it passed emissions test, and it needed possibly hundreds of miles of driving to get the systems to be ready and report everything is ok.

Can't be driving around in a unregistered car, the DMV gives a 3 day temporarily permit, to only be used to drive to emissions test, DMV, or auto repair shop, only in normal business hours, no driving at night.

My C5 passed the sniffer test, and I still only payed the original fee, 18 bucks?

I'm due again and will probably go Tuesday.

Bought car in California, but moved away before tests needed.

How do they do the emissions test there now?

I remember these expensive test called Smog 2, and people having to pay 300 bucks, I usually got my other cars tested for under 100 dollars in late 1990s until 2004.

Sniffer and Dyno, or just plug into OBD 2 under dash?

 

I just want to know, how would emissions test place know you have a LS3.

If you get the one with the stock cam it should pass sniffer test.

If they check OBD 2, all should be the same?

Maybe I'm missing something.

Don't have LS3 fuel rail covers, put LS1 covers on, or leave off. Lol

Now the crate LS3 makes the most sense, you have a RPM built T56, you don't wanna get rid of car, can't run cam and headers, the LS3 should be a nice upgrade in power, will be fresh and have a good warranty.

That's it, you need crate LS3, unless someone can tell me how smog check place will know.

 

Menu
Cart
Home ›Don't Worry, They Aren't that Bad: CALIFORNIA SMOG LAWS

 

In California they say to go to the ref station on an engine swap yes that is correct ho0wever they have time and time again failed ls3 swaps into the C5 even when done properly through a reputable dealership (Abel Chevrolet) Yes the car absolutely would pass a sniffer test and the obd2 test however it would fail on the visual inspection. This has happened to 3 of my friends with C5s who auto cross their cars and they were put into the position of having to turn their car strictly into a race car or sell it out of state since it won't pass smog. Since this is my daily driver I have to have it pass smog

 

The 5 hp was mostly due to the LS1s getting the LS6 intake. The cam also changed slightly.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...cam-specs.html

 

You could most likely just drop in the newer engine and the PCM would not have too much issues coping with it. The only thing that I can see that would cause an issue is the injector size change between your 2000 and the 2001 (if they are different). You could always install your old injectors (if they are different) on the new engine. Injectors flow rate changes must be programmed into the PCM. Don't know if the few pounds/hr change would be that significant.

You would need to use your OEM exhaust manifolds and mid pipe as the 2001 is much different configuration wise than yours. The 2000 and 2001 exhaust manifolds are different at the outlets and will NOT connect to your 2000 LS1 mid pipe. If you got the mid pipe from the 2001, you would be all set!!!
You will need to use your old 2001 A.I R. system piping as it connects to a different location on the exhaust manifold, The oil dip stick is different on the 2001. (use your old stick and tube). The steam vent piping under the intake manifold is different but that should be transparent and not an issue. I cant remember if the 2001 PCV system pluming changed to the simpler system on the LS1 engine or if its the same as your more complex plumbing that runs behind the intake manifold.

That's about all that I can think is different. If you have specific questions, let me know. I added a 2002 head, intake and exhaust manifold to a 2000 a few years ago. Had a good time converting it over. Lots of lessons learned!

Bill

Bill