Which LS engine for a C1?
08-17-2009, 10:25 PM
#1
Which LS engine for a C1?
Getting ready to update my 62. Would appreciate input about which LS engine would be best fit for the C1's. LS1 or LS?? Accessory location appears to be different on Corvettes, Camaro and Pontiac GTO's. Will be using a new frame and automatic transmission.
Thanks
Don
Thanks
Don
08-17-2009, 10:34 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
What do you call "fit"
Fit?. Describe fit? Or rather make fit, with a hundred new parts and a few hundred hundreds!
I think it depends how far you want to go.
describe your expected outcome.
How far gone is your car from stock?
Its the dark side, no turning back.
You have to really commit!
I think it depends how far you want to go.
describe your expected outcome.
How far gone is your car from stock?
Its the dark side, no turning back.
You have to really commit!
08-17-2009, 11:37 PM
#3
Safety Car
As far as the best engine, there is absolutely no difference in any of the LS engines. The lowly 4.8 liter engine is the exact same external dimensions and mounting points as the LS7! Now, that being said, there are many different accessory drive setups, and none of them fit the C1 very well. Most people use something like Street and Performance's high/wide drive setup. It kind of depends on what accessories you are going to run. If you are just going to run Alternator and PS pump, the Corvette style alternator/PS bracket will probably work, but no stock GM A/C bracket will work. F body LS1 and GTO's used a drive setup that was 3/4" further forward then the Corvette, but I believe all current LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, L76 and all the others use the Corvette balancer and water pump, which moves the belt back.
This is one of the expensive things for these conversions. buying a drive setup that will work. Of course, you have to use side mounts, which means a rack and pinion steering unit, which means new front suspension, ............ This is why so many guys that do this swap, just buy a new chassis, that makes provisions for all these items, and gets rid of the X in the middle of the frame which limits your choices in transmissions. as has already been stated, make sure you really understand the costs associated with this before you start down this road.
When all is said and done, it is pretty hard to beat the LS drive train for a powerful, economical, and reliable option, but it ain't an easy swap. Any of the engines will make way more horsepower than you can effectively put to the ground, but a LS3 would be the engine of choice for most people, just since it is the current production model. It is real easy to wring over 500 HP out of these engines without much effort.
I am building my 3rd Resto-mod right now, and I am going with a brand-new 2009 Pontiac G8 motor and six speed automatic trans.
Regards, John McGraw
This is one of the expensive things for these conversions. buying a drive setup that will work. Of course, you have to use side mounts, which means a rack and pinion steering unit, which means new front suspension, ............ This is why so many guys that do this swap, just buy a new chassis, that makes provisions for all these items, and gets rid of the X in the middle of the frame which limits your choices in transmissions. as has already been stated, make sure you really understand the costs associated with this before you start down this road.
When all is said and done, it is pretty hard to beat the LS drive train for a powerful, economical, and reliable option, but it ain't an easy swap. Any of the engines will make way more horsepower than you can effectively put to the ground, but a LS3 would be the engine of choice for most people, just since it is the current production model. It is real easy to wring over 500 HP out of these engines without much effort.
I am building my 3rd Resto-mod right now, and I am going with a brand-new 2009 Pontiac G8 motor and six speed automatic trans.
Regards, John McGraw
08-18-2009, 02:43 AM
#4
Drifting
New crate LS3 + GMs own controller kit. Absolutely the best bang for the buck
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...roller_Kit.jsp
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...roller_Kit.jsp
08-18-2009, 03:40 AM
#5
Race Director
Go with a big small block and 700R4 if all you want is more power.
Same HP capability as an LS motor (almost, depending on budget) without the conversion hassles.
But, if you need to put a new frame on because of rust, etc, any LS you can imagine/afford, will work.
Doug
Same HP capability as an LS motor (almost, depending on budget) without the conversion hassles.
But, if you need to put a new frame on because of rust, etc, any LS you can imagine/afford, will work.
Doug
Last edited by AZDoug; 08-18-2009 at 03:42 AM.
08-18-2009, 06:53 PM
#6
Racer
As far as the best engine, there is absolutely no difference in any of the LS engines. The lowly 4.8 liter engine is the exact same external dimensions and mounting points as the LS7! Now, that being said, there are many different accessory drive setups, and none of them fit the C1 very well. Most people use something like Street and Performance's high/wide drive setup. It kind of depends on what accessories you are going to run. If you are just going to run Alternator and PS pump, the Corvette style alternator/PS bracket will probably work, but no stock GM A/C bracket will work. F body LS1 and GTO's used a drive setup that was 3/4" further forward then the Corvette, but I believe all current LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, L76 and all the others use the Corvette balancer and water pump, which moves the belt back.
This is one of the expensive things for these conversions. buying a drive setup that will work. Of course, you have to use side mounts, which means a rack and pinion steering unit, which means new front suspension, ............ This is why so many guys that do this swap, just buy a new chassis, that makes provisions for all these items, and gets rid of the X in the middle of the frame which limits your choices in transmissions. as has already been stated, make sure you really understand the costs associated with this before you start down this road.
When all is said and done, it is pretty hard to beat the LS drive train for a powerful, economical, and reliable option, but it ain't an easy swap. Any of the engines will make way more horsepower than you can effectively put to the ground, but a LS3 would be the engine of choice for most people, just since it is the current production model. It is real easy to wring over 500 HP out of these engines without much effort.
I am building my 3rd Resto-mod right now, and I am going with a brand-new 2009 Pontiac G8 motor and six speed automatic trans.
Regards, John McGraw
This is one of the expensive things for these conversions. buying a drive setup that will work. Of course, you have to use side mounts, which means a rack and pinion steering unit, which means new front suspension, ............ This is why so many guys that do this swap, just buy a new chassis, that makes provisions for all these items, and gets rid of the X in the middle of the frame which limits your choices in transmissions. as has already been stated, make sure you really understand the costs associated with this before you start down this road.
When all is said and done, it is pretty hard to beat the LS drive train for a powerful, economical, and reliable option, but it ain't an easy swap. Any of the engines will make way more horsepower than you can effectively put to the ground, but a LS3 would be the engine of choice for most people, just since it is the current production model. It is real easy to wring over 500 HP out of these engines without much effort.
I am building my 3rd Resto-mod right now, and I am going with a brand-new 2009 Pontiac G8 motor and six speed automatic trans.
Regards, John McGraw
08-18-2009, 07:14 PM
#7
Safety Car
Yep, the 4L65E trans will fit in the tunnel without any surgery. It is close, but it fits! I have this drive train in my 59. It actually fits better in the 59 than it does in the 65.
My latest project uses a 6 speed auto, and I am here to tell you, that trans does not fit anything built before 5 years ago! That puppy is tall, and wide at the top. It is also deeper from the centerline to the bottom of the pan, so the pan will hang down lower, no matter what.
I can not imagine putting one of them in an older Corvette.
Regards, John McGraw
08-18-2009, 11:22 PM
#9
Safety Car
08-19-2009, 07:00 AM
#10
Safety Car
Pretty hard to beat Billy Dawson's frame at Corvette Correction. Good guy to deal with and a great product!
with John. I've built 12 cars on Billy's frames. Great service, great frame. I've used LS1, LS6, LS2, and LS3.........I guess the next one should be an LS9!!!!!! WhoooHooooo!!!!!!!!Mike Coletta
BTW, I started using the Vintage Air "Frontrunner" pulley system. I've now installed it on 3 cars. It is light years ahead of any other product. Kinda pricey, but worth every dime.
Last edited by mike coletta; 08-19-2009 at 07:02 AM.
