LS motor in a C4
10-02-2007, 11:33 AM
#21
Drifting
Thread Starter
I'd have to say if I was starting with an LT4 car, I would stay with it. The only way I wouldn't is if my goals and desires could not be met by using the LT4. My goals and desires aren't such that a properly built LT4 couldn't meet them in 90% of cases
Have you thought about turbocharging the LT4? That would turn heads and make really nice power.
Also, personally I am not gaga over the LS7. You can build an LS2 for a lot less and make more power than a stock LS7. That could make this swap a lot more justifiable to you.
Have you thought about turbocharging the LT4? That would turn heads and make really nice power.
Also, personally I am not gaga over the LS7. You can build an LS2 for a lot less and make more power than a stock LS7. That could make this swap a lot more justifiable to you.
Last edited by GS023; 10-02-2007 at 11:36 AM.
10-02-2007, 11:41 AM
#22
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10-02-2007, 12:01 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
The basic problem with swapping in an LS7 is the $15K price tag for the motor. You can find a nice LS2 for around $3K with most of the accessories. Both the LS7 and the LS2/3 are going to be a major project installing them into a C4.
Another much more sane engine swap choice for a C4 is the Chevy ZZ383 motor. (Most everything will bolt right up.) The ZZ383 is under $5k brand new with warranty from Scoggin Dickey and has 425hp. Add headers, K&N air filter, injectors, and a good tune and you can easily equal the 505HP of a LS7.
Another much more sane engine swap choice for a C4 is the Chevy ZZ383 motor. (Most everything will bolt right up.) The ZZ383 is under $5k brand new with warranty from Scoggin Dickey and has 425hp. Add headers, K&N air filter, injectors, and a good tune and you can easily equal the 505HP of a LS7.
10-02-2007, 02:37 PM
#24
Safety Car
10-02-2007, 03:37 PM
#25
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very true. I did not know this was going to be a car that saw track time. If that is the case, dry sump is a huge consideration. Power per dollar though, LS2 will get you there for less.
Joe, I think really what you need to do is step back and think what do I need power/torque wise to be happy or reach a goal. Then from there decide what route to take with an engine. Also, keep any rules in mind if that is the type of racing you might get into.
Joe, I think really what you need to do is step back and think what do I need power/torque wise to be happy or reach a goal. Then from there decide what route to take with an engine. Also, keep any rules in mind if that is the type of racing you might get into.
10-02-2007, 04:50 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
Power for cheap: 6.0L Iron block (yes, not as light, but cheap!), get L92 top end from Chevy (heads and intake are also cheap), add a decent size cam, and you are knocking on 500 hp.
10-02-2007, 06:58 PM
#27
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quite Mojave, you're giving away my next project's secrets. 
The more I am involved in all this craziness we call the car hobby, the more I am simply interested in driving and enjoying my cars. Yes, an LS2 would be nice to say you have and to own but a built 6.0 iron block is so easy and cheap. I'd rather go down the road making great power to help move all that extra money I have in my pocket from not buying an AL block. To each his own though. You certainly will not go wrong choosing an iron block or an aluminum block
The more I am involved in all this craziness we call the car hobby, the more I am simply interested in driving and enjoying my cars. Yes, an LS2 would be nice to say you have and to own but a built 6.0 iron block is so easy and cheap. I'd rather go down the road making great power to help move all that extra money I have in my pocket from not buying an AL block. To each his own though. You certainly will not go wrong choosing an iron block or an aluminum block
12-19-2007, 04:38 PM
#28
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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It looks like Corvette Fever magazine and MAM are blowing a bizzilion $ on a threadbare C-4 Project. They are installiing a 5.3 iron block truck engine in it, but that's basically the same genarics as the Aluminum series. I stumbled upon it behind one of the trailers and tents at Funfest last friday a week ago and took these pictures of the engine going in so far. They have removed the body so its bare @ssed naked and you can see everything.
so there you are...pictures are better than imagination
so there you are...pictures are better than imagination
Am I wrong? Your LSX C4 does not have A/C?
12-19-2007, 06:09 PM
#30
Safety Car
Another much more sane engine swap choice for a C4 is the Chevy ZZ383 motor. (Most everything will bolt right up.) The ZZ383 is under $5k brand new with warranty from Scoggin Dickey and has 425hp. Add headers, K&N air filter, injectors, and a good tune and you can easily equal the 505HP of a LS7.
I agree with the fellow that said you should stick with the LT4. If you're looking for more 'grunt' from the car, go with some 4.10 gears and then you'll have more grunt than the tires can stand. I've driven an LS7 and it does not seem to have more 'grunt' than my stock LT4 with 4.10's. It will pull like a freight train once it starts moving though. For the expense and trouble of swapping an LS7, you could have something similar to my build and be making much more HP than a stock LS7.
12-19-2007, 06:24 PM
#31
Team Owner
I've driven LS1 cars before and have to say that i'm not impressed with the stock power. I've seen where some mods can shoot the numbers through the roof but those parts are crazy expensive. I think its a different direction that you may want to research. More to it than just horsepower.
12-19-2007, 09:21 PM
#32
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I've driven LS1 cars before and have to say that i'm not impressed with the stock power. I've seen where some mods can shoot the numbers through the roof but those parts are crazy expensive. I think its a different direction that you may want to research. More to it than just horsepower.
PLRX, the car will have AC when it is done. I just hope it won't be horrible to make it fit. I plan to put a Sanden compressor on the top passenger side like the L98s
Last edited by Speed Hound; 12-19-2007 at 09:26 PM.
12-19-2007, 10:10 PM
#33
Melting Slicks
I've driven LS1 cars before and have to say that i'm not impressed with the stock power. I've seen where some mods can shoot the numbers through the roof but those parts are crazy expensive. I think its a different direction that you may want to research. More to it than just horsepower.
LSx power is the cheapest kind; the most expensive part is getting the motor in the car.
What else is there other than power for an engine? I can't imagine any reason to keep an LT1/4 or L98 over an LSx other than the cost of installation. After that, it IS cheaper to go fast.
12-19-2007, 11:15 PM
#35
Hey thanks for posting the pictures of C4orce. That's the first time I have seen the seats. The car left the shop the week before Carlisle with no seats and I haven't seen it since. I hope to have it back with me sometime next week.
As I am sure some of you that have seen the car know, we are spending more money on it than is necessary to get the LSx into a C4. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to do some dress up work to make it look better. As such, items like using braided hose and fittings for the heater hoses is not necessary. It just looks much better this way to me. I hope others agree. The car is very far from complete even under the hood. We needed to get the car drivable so many temporary parts are on the car. Case in point, the wiring harness for the engine is the modified truck harness that came with the engine. We will be using a completely new one built from scratch for the final assembly. Also that filter will not be sitting on the end of the TB like that.
Back to the original topic. There are many threads on this subject that cover a great deal of the basics and will help answer many questions. Costs are no where near as high as people who have not done this swap will claim. It simply depends on how you go about it. It also greatly depends on what year car you are starting with. The later cars will be harder to deal with due to the different, ie more, computer issues. If you have a ZF, at this time the only solution is replacement. It simply will not fit behind an LSx motor. We are trying to work on a solution. We know what needs to be done. It is simply a matter of can it be done without getting a custom one off piece made. We will let you know if we come up with a solution.
An LSx swap can be done and I believe it's 100% worth it.
As I am sure some of you that have seen the car know, we are spending more money on it than is necessary to get the LSx into a C4. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to do some dress up work to make it look better. As such, items like using braided hose and fittings for the heater hoses is not necessary. It just looks much better this way to me. I hope others agree. The car is very far from complete even under the hood. We needed to get the car drivable so many temporary parts are on the car. Case in point, the wiring harness for the engine is the modified truck harness that came with the engine. We will be using a completely new one built from scratch for the final assembly. Also that filter will not be sitting on the end of the TB like that.
Back to the original topic. There are many threads on this subject that cover a great deal of the basics and will help answer many questions. Costs are no where near as high as people who have not done this swap will claim. It simply depends on how you go about it. It also greatly depends on what year car you are starting with. The later cars will be harder to deal with due to the different, ie more, computer issues. If you have a ZF, at this time the only solution is replacement. It simply will not fit behind an LSx motor. We are trying to work on a solution. We know what needs to be done. It is simply a matter of can it be done without getting a custom one off piece made. We will let you know if we come up with a solution.
An LSx swap can be done and I believe it's 100% worth it.
12-19-2007, 11:24 PM
#36
I just like watching the LSX build, because a boy can dream right?
12-20-2007, 03:37 PM
#38
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I received a brochure from ProCharger. They charge $5K+ for a C4supercharger kit. Have anyone done this, is a $5k Supercharge worth it.
12-20-2007, 03:58 PM
#39
Le Mans Master
12-20-2007, 04:03 PM
#40
Team Owner
You can do heads/cam on an LS for the same price or less than heads/cam on an LT1. The LSx motors are not expensive any more if you shop around or don't go after the latest and greatest. For instance, buying a used LS6 over a late LS1 when you're planning heads/cam anyway does not make much sense. It could save a thousand or more to buy the LS1.
PLRX, the car will have AC when it is done. I just hope it won't be horrible to make it fit. I plan to put a Sanden compressor on the top passenger side like the L98s
PLRX, the car will have AC when it is done. I just hope it won't be horrible to make it fit. I plan to put a Sanden compressor on the top passenger side like the L98s
Its the high cost of buying a LSx engine and then having to upgrade it, ouch.