Engine swap options
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City Missouri
Engine swap options
Hey all,
now that the LS3 and LS7 have been discontinued by GM what are the best engine swap options for a c5 Z06? Anybody doing anything with the newer LT1 engines? Seems like the LT engines would be a considerably difficult swap. Really regretting not starting on this project sooner now.
thanks
now that the LS3 and LS7 have been discontinued by GM what are the best engine swap options for a c5 Z06? Anybody doing anything with the newer LT1 engines? Seems like the LT engines would be a considerably difficult swap. Really regretting not starting on this project sooner now.
thanks
Uneducated autodidact
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 249
From: West of the Sabine, Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
Best bet now is a Gen IV out of a junk yard or build your own engine. Plenty of bare blocks out there.
I’m not positive, but you might be able to use a Gen V LT engine block, but I wouldn’t do the full engine. Trying to run Direct Injection on a C5 would be a nightmare.
I’m not positive, but you might be able to use a Gen V LT engine block, but I wouldn’t do the full engine. Trying to run Direct Injection on a C5 would be a nightmare.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 874
Hey all,
now that the LS3 and LS7 have been discontinued by GM what are the best engine swap options for a c5 Z06? Anybody doing anything with the newer LT1 engines? Seems like the LT engines would be a considerably difficult swap. Really regretting not starting on this project sooner now.
thanks
now that the LS3 and LS7 have been discontinued by GM what are the best engine swap options for a c5 Z06? Anybody doing anything with the newer LT1 engines? Seems like the LT engines would be a considerably difficult swap. Really regretting not starting on this project sooner now.
thanks
There are many aftermarket sources for new and reman engines, so there is no shortage of them for a swap.
And, used, of course, as mentioned above.
Swapping a later LT1 or LT2 engine is a much more difficult proposition, and not the best way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
What difference does it make to an engine swap that GM may be discontinuing the LS3 or any other engine???
There are many aftermarket sources for new and reman engines, so there is no shortage of them for a swap.
And, used, of course, as mentioned above.
Swapping a later LT1 or LT2 engine is a much more difficult proposition, and not the best way to go.
There are many aftermarket sources for new and reman engines, so there is no shortage of them for a swap.
And, used, of course, as mentioned above.
Swapping a later LT1 or LT2 engine is a much more difficult proposition, and not the best way to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 874
OP may be considering a GM sourced engine for the warranty. HOWEVER-Said warranty will not apply to any engine NOT INSTALLED BY THE GM DEALER!! This is a deal breaker for a lot of people. If you dont qualify for the warranty because you installed it yourself, this opens the door to a lot more sources. If you pay GM to install a $7,000 engine, it will be $10,000 when all is said and done.....
Blueprint Engines has a very good warranty...
Warranty
We give your BluePrint engine the industry's best-in-class warranty for 30-months / 50,000 miles — with the extra confidence only BluePrint can provide. Our warranty applies to individual or professional installations and is fully transferable.
BETTER THAN THE REST.
The satisfaction of our customers is our highest priority at BluePrint Engines. We use quality components to balance your engine's rotating assembly within two grams of spec. We dyno test your crate engine and certify that it's ready to deliver horsepower and torque.We give your BluePrint engine the industry's best-in-class warranty for 30-months / 50,000 miles — with the extra confidence only BluePrint can provide. Our warranty applies to individual or professional installations and is fully transferable.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
Offering a warranty, and actually being covered if something goes wrong, are 2 TOTALLY different things. I wish anyone luck getting free parts and labor. GM WILL NOT COVER IT UNLESS A DEALER INSTALLS IT, PERIOD. You must also purchase the matching PCM. This is only when buying from GMPP.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Orlando Florida
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,932
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The merv knows his ****. I agree, whatever you do, keep it 24x. I personally won't touch that Lingenfelter conversion box with a 100 foot pole.
Also, IMO the LT engines are way over complicated for not a huge gain. Not to mention the PCM and wiring nightmare to make it all work including the dash.
I have seriously considered a cam swapped 24x swapped used LS3 build for my car and taking the iron forged supercharged 408 combo out to stick in a drag race project.
Also, IMO the LT engines are way over complicated for not a huge gain. Not to mention the PCM and wiring nightmare to make it all work including the dash.
I have seriously considered a cam swapped 24x swapped used LS3 build for my car and taking the iron forged supercharged 408 combo out to stick in a drag race project.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 1,778
From: THE BEACH..
Yup there's a point when too much power isn't fun anymore.
Exactly, I don't want anything that's not needed. Buddy of mine had a 1999 FRC, in it was a 6.2l bottom end, 24X Crank, top end was a good set of Cathedrals with a FAST 90 on it if I remember right. Stock Throttle Body. Had a decent Cam in it but nothing crazy. Car made really good power and torque in a nice range.
The merv knows his ****. I agree, whatever you do, keep it 24x. I personally won't touch that Lingenfelter conversion box with a 100 foot pole.
Also, IMO the LT engines are way over complicated for not a huge gain. Not to mention the PCM and wiring nightmare to make it all work including the dash.
I have seriously considered a cam swapped 24x swapped used LS3 build for my car and taking the iron forged supercharged 408 combo out to stick in a drag race project.
Also, IMO the LT engines are way over complicated for not a huge gain. Not to mention the PCM and wiring nightmare to make it all work including the dash.
I have seriously considered a cam swapped 24x swapped used LS3 build for my car and taking the iron forged supercharged 408 combo out to stick in a drag race project.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 144
Likes: 22
From: Lees Summit MO
I went with a Gen 4 6.0L with Ported 243 heads, 2.020 intake, 1.576 exhaust valves, Fast 92 intake, LS2 TB, .610 lift cam, relocated the knock sensors. Was an easy upgrade. End result was 460 RWHP and 440 RWTR and still get 28 MPG at 75 miles an hour!. Got to love high hp and a low drag coefficient.