LS2 or LS3 in '99 C5
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 457
Likes: 54
From: Dallas, Oregon
LS2 or LS3 in '99 C5
Hoping all you experts out there can tell me what trouble I'm going to have putting an LS2 or LS3 engine in my '99 coupe. Things like - Are they direct bolt-in's? What about wiring/throttle body interchangeability? Will the '99 drivetrain take the increased power? Can I do this from the top? Etc.
AND, thank you!
AND, thank you!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
Recent post here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Yes you can do it from the top. You need to drop the front cradle about 4” while supporting the engine.
Oregon Ron
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Yes you can do it from the top. You need to drop the front cradle about 4” while supporting the engine.
Oregon Ron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 24
From: Pensacola FL
Recent post here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Yes you can do it from the top. You need to drop the front cradle about 4” while supporting the engine.
Oregon Ron
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Yes you can do it from the top. You need to drop the front cradle about 4” while supporting the engine.
Oregon Ron
That's my thread that Ron is talking about. There is a good article that was posted to my thread. I am doing an LS3 swap. But if you read that article you will see it is best to do the engine drop from the bottom. My buddy is building the exact stand that is pictured in the photo's. It definitely is going to be fun and with all the upgrades I am doing its gonna be about 27k. But this is my Unicorn car. I have always wanted a C5 WHITE either FRC or Z06. An I will be keeping this car for a very long time
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
I agree on LS3. Not gonna be a super cheap swap regardless. So I'd for sure go with LS3 if it was me. Only 30hp difference, but I think the LS3 has a lot more potential for less money in the long run. My .02. Good luck......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 457
Likes: 54
From: Dallas, Oregon
Thanks very much! So you're confident that your driveline couplers, trans, differential, axles, etc will stand the extra torque and horsepower? That is a big concern ofr me because I don't want to have my LS1 changed out for an LS3 with 85 more HP and twist out my transmission (6M) or axles! My '99 is pretty much a virgin as far as I can tell... I'll have to have someone change out the engines, so I want to acquire and provide as much of the necessary new stuff as possible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 187
From: California
I run much more hp then stock in my ls1 ... 3x then what it came with factory. I say tuning matters most but not every car is the same just try to use quality parts .. For my car the transmission and rear end is all bone stock with the exception of a clutch twin disk dual friction stage 3 .... 9.5 inch disk size, shaved and balanced billet fly wheel...
Last edited by Speedy007; Jan 19, 2021 at 03:17 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
It would be wise to check the driveshaft couplers.
The rest of the drivetrain is fine as long as you don’t put sticky tires on it and take it to the dragstrip.
Prob should put a new clutch in it.
I did mine in my one car garage, so no choice on out the top. Had to weld a 1ft extension on my cherry picker to get past the nose of the car.
If you are using the 430hp LS3, a small cam will wake it up big time. I wouldn’t bother with the higher hp offerings from GM.
The rest of the drivetrain is fine as long as you don’t put sticky tires on it and take it to the dragstrip.
Prob should put a new clutch in it.
I did mine in my one car garage, so no choice on out the top. Had to weld a 1ft extension on my cherry picker to get past the nose of the car.
If you are using the 430hp LS3, a small cam will wake it up big time. I wouldn’t bother with the higher hp offerings from GM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 457
Likes: 54
From: Dallas, Oregon
I run much more hp then stock in my ls1 ... 3x then what it came with factory. I say tuning matters most but not every car is the same just try to use quality parts .. For my car the transmission and rear end is all bone stock with the exception of a clutch twin disk dual friction stage 3 .... 9.5 inch disk size, shaved and balanced billet fly wheel...
Thanks again to all..................................... Oregon Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 187
From: California
Is there anything wrong with your engine? no sense in spending that kind of loot for a piece of mind just saying ...not worth it ls1 is a die hard motor .
Last edited by Speedy007; Jan 20, 2021 at 01:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
Thanks very much! So you're confident that your driveline couplers, trans, differential, axles, etc will stand the extra torque and horsepower? That is a big concern ofr me because I don't want to have my LS1 changed out for an LS3 with 85 more HP and twist out my transmission (6M) or axles! My '99 is pretty much a virgin as far as I can tell... I'll have to have someone change out the engines, so I want to acquire and provide as much of the necessary new stuff as possible.
