well here goes. ive never really considered a LS1 as a swap, this one is just about too good to pass up. I can get ahold of a camaro engine with 30,000 or so miles on it for a very good price, but i need to buy the computer/wiring/accessories. other than that it comes with everything on it. ive already looked at the LS1 swap from a forum member, and i have sent him a message with no reply yet. hopefully some of you hot rodders and custom car builders out there can give some knowledged advice.
1. where can i buy the computer for this engine, and what might it cost?
2. does ANYONE have an idea what it would cost to put this engine in the car? even ballpark figures would be good since right now i dont know if it would be 1000 or 5000... assume that i have everything needed- a complete running engine with a 6 spd tranny and computer and all. the main costs i am looking for are the hidden ones such as custom fabricated mounts(which i know i will need), custom crossmembers, fuel setup and any other little costs that add up fast to adapt this engine to work with the late 70's technology in the vette.
3. is there any downside that i should know that is specific to a ls1 swap such as this- as opposed to finishing my half built standard chevy block?
thanks for any help that i can get on this!
:seeya

 

no one has any ideas? :confused:

 

you have to talk to the c3 guy who has done it. Sounds like a costly idea. But if you pull it off im sure it would be well worth it. If it were me, i would try to find a motor with all the wires and computers to go with it. Dont buy it untill you can find those parts :smash:

 

I too was looking at doing this swap. Forum member, "70LS1" has done it I believe, a link to his page is here: http://www.vetteworksonline.com/links.htm (last one listed). You'll see the mention of "Street & Performance in Jeff's page. When I called my mechanic about an LS1 swap, he too mentioned this place for some of the custom fabrication work needed. Their site is here http://www.hotrodlane.cc/ and show how to install an LS1 into a 1968 Camaro but say, "While this story covers the installation of a LS-1 with a T-56 6 speed into a 1968 Camaro, by no means does it limit it to just Camaro’s. With several bracket configurations, wiring harness, and motor mount adapters supplied by Street & Performance, located in Mena, Arkansas, you can put a LS-1 in just about anything with wheels or even wings." To the left, on that page of links you'll also see a red bar that says '95 LT1 in '76 Vette. An LT type engine fits more directly into our cars as there is less fabrication work needed, but the coolness factor of having the aluminum LS1/6 is so much nicer. I've also heard the LS engines take to modifications better.
If you're quick, I was really looking at this combo off EBay that comes with everything needed in the engine bay, a T56 and then some, all with just over 7,000 miles :eek: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2416268222 I just don't have the money right now, oh well, I'll find another combo when I do have the money.
Hope any/all this helps you.

 

ive actually sent messages to two people that i had found with a LS1 style swap into a c3- no replys as of yet. my main concern is that i will spend lets say even 5k on the engine/tranny setup and have to spend another 6k to install... in which case id put in a ROD 6 spd and finish the standard chevy block that i have. thanks for the links! this is a big help since i can have some more information- and that helps quite a bit since i havent found much. let me know how your install goes if you decide to go through with it! :smash:

 

I was going to, but I got shot down at home for a loan larger than $4K. I could get an LS1 if that was the only thing I was buying and if I didn't pay a shop to install it. Unfortunately before the engine let go I was saving up to buy: new springs, shocks, gas tank, steering box, motor mounts, a sideview mirror, et cetera. Then the motor died :rolleyes: :( What was I to do?

I thought about what would speed up the pace to make my car more reliable and figured that while I was replacing the engine I would add a 6 speed. To shorten a long story, I have to settle for getting only 2 of the 3 things I really wanted; a T56 and my "fix it" list. The engine? I'm going with a cheap $1200+ LM1 crate engine from gmpartsdirect.com (for the time being). I figure I can save gas with the 6 speed, enjoy my new suspension and read up more about installing an LS6 into my car one of these years. While I'm reading and saving money why shoot for only an LS1 :cheers:

 

*cough*crate 572 *cough* :lol: