Corvette Fever stuffs LS1 in an 87
02-27-2007, 01:51 PM
#22
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02-27-2007, 03:05 PM
#23
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It's called "being at work," dammit. 
There is one minor flaw with the plan of using a 5.3l truck engine... it's against the law!!!
The EPA is rather specific on this subject - legally, you cannot install an engine for a truck into a car. It's that simple. Now, this isn't a problem in many states, but could cause issue in CA and the other states that are following CARB style rules. Just a heads up.
Also, many states with **** retentive inspection will check all documents - receipts from salvage yards, ect, to prove provenance of the engine. This is where you get hit and hit hard. It's an all new way to stop theives from selling stolen parts. This is a warning to those in PA and NJ. It's how they will figure the engine came from a truck and ding you.
I wish it was as simple as passing the sniffer... but it ain't.
The iron and aluminum motors are not the "same" casting. The iron blocks are cast differently, because they don't need the mass to support them. However, fitment is the same.
I will have to pick this issue up.
There is one minor flaw with the plan of using a 5.3l truck engine... it's against the law!!!
The EPA is rather specific on this subject - legally, you cannot install an engine for a truck into a car. It's that simple. Now, this isn't a problem in many states, but could cause issue in CA and the other states that are following CARB style rules. Just a heads up.
Also, many states with **** retentive inspection will check all documents - receipts from salvage yards, ect, to prove provenance of the engine. This is where you get hit and hit hard. It's an all new way to stop theives from selling stolen parts. This is a warning to those in PA and NJ. It's how they will figure the engine came from a truck and ding you.
I wish it was as simple as passing the sniffer... but it ain't.
The iron and aluminum motors are not the "same" casting. The iron blocks are cast differently, because they don't need the mass to support them. However, fitment is the same.
I will have to pick this issue up.
02-27-2007, 04:13 PM
#24
Team Owner
I'll bet that you could do this project relatively inexpensively. Painless Wiring has all kinds of LSx harnesses and I'm sure that someone with patience could make it work with a factory ECU. The F.A.S.T. ECU would be another option, but they are pricey... I would personally go with an aluminum LSx block, but that's just me... There some killer swaps in the "Conversion" section of LS1tech...
02-27-2007, 05:50 PM
#26
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So lets say i put in a 6.0L/vortec/lq9/lq4 into my '85 in a state that dose not have those epa laws and then move to a state that has them. Would i have to sell it off?
Also a lot of people go with the iron blocks because of the weight. They are closer to the wieght of lets say a 350. This way you don't have to find someway of lowering the front. That and if you boost them they are stronger.
Also a lot of people go with the iron blocks because of the weight. They are closer to the wieght of lets say a 350. This way you don't have to find someway of lowering the front. That and if you boost them they are stronger.
02-27-2007, 06:06 PM
#27
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I know what you are saying... I suspect if you bring it in, it will depend on the awareness of the inspector. If the car has been tagged in another state for a few years, they will expect it to at least be "legal."
Hence, it might come down to a smog issue, and the inspector knowing it's a truck engine vs a car engine.
You see, the EPA allows for the installation of NEWER car engines, so if the guy can't tell the difference between a iron and aluminum block, you're golden.
Hence, it might come down to a smog issue, and the inspector knowing it's a truck engine vs a car engine.
You see, the EPA allows for the installation of NEWER car engines, so if the guy can't tell the difference between a iron and aluminum block, you're golden.
02-27-2007, 06:28 PM
#28
I know what you are saying... I suspect if you bring it in, it will depend on the awareness of the inspector. If the car has been tagged in another state for a few years, they will expect it to at least be "legal."
Hence, it might come down to a smog issue, and the inspector knowing it's a truck engine vs a car engine.
You see, the EPA allows for the installation of NEWER car engines, so if the guy can't tell the difference between a iron and aluminum block, you're golden.
Hence, it might come down to a smog issue, and the inspector knowing it's a truck engine vs a car engine.
You see, the EPA allows for the installation of NEWER car engines, so if the guy can't tell the difference between a iron and aluminum block, you're golden.
in California is beyond me. We have emissions testing but it's going away and it's nothing like the nonsense you guys are stuck with.
02-27-2007, 06:31 PM
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OK, and one more. So for those who live in an epa state how dose it work for those building a motor from scratch. Could you get away with it if you went and bought a new iron block?
02-27-2007, 07:13 PM
#30
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02-27-2007, 07:15 PM
#31
Team Owner
These are not strictly CARB rules, but EPA rules. Everytime someone removes a cat from their car and doesn't replace it, an EPA fine of $10k COULD be levied. If they find out.
And every so often, they do...
02-27-2007, 07:23 PM
#32
Le Mans Master
I would of paid a little more for a junk yard LS1, plus it is lighter. They were worried about the car sitting to high, just lower it. I don't see this being that good of a build up, most if going through all the trouble would do 346 or bigger and max it out.
02-27-2007, 07:34 PM
#33
It's not BS. For the most part, it's simple enforcement. CA simply enforces the mandates of the EPA.
These are not strictly CARB rules, but EPA rules. Everytime someone removes a cat from their car and doesn't replace it, an EPA fine of $10k COULD be levied. If they find out.
And every so often, they do...
These are not strictly CARB rules, but EPA rules. Everytime someone removes a cat from their car and doesn't replace it, an EPA fine of $10k COULD be levied. If they find out.
And every so often, they do...
A 10K fine for removing a cat, that's a tougher fine than DUI
02-27-2007, 07:37 PM
#34
Team Owner
If the vehicle being tested is running clean then it shouldn't matter if it's a truck engine with no converters. The bottom line is what's comming out of the exhaust, everything else should not matter.
A 10K fine for removing a cat, that's laughable in a country where we have sex offenders sentenced to probation.
A 10K fine for removing a cat, that's laughable in a country where we have sex offenders sentenced to probation.
However, the EPA logic is based upon a rather well established understanding that people don't always do the right thing.
With that in mind, the EPA came down hard on automakers for the pollution issues. And I am glad they did. If not, the automakers would never have changed their ways. If you think they would have...
The fines are really there to discourage institutional removal. If a garage was doing it, or a dealers service bay, it's bad... real bad.
As for sex offenders, well, can't comment on all of them, but the government is coming down on them like a ton of bricks, too.
02-27-2007, 07:43 PM
#35
Team Owner
Stock-bottom LS1s have seen 650rwhp (mine personally saw 576rwhp on a regular basis) and forged LS1s well over 1000rwhp (mine lives at 650rwhp). I've never heard of someone splitting the aluminum block...
Now, will an iron block hold the heads better? Yes, but there are ways around that and you have to be WAY up there in power before it becomes an issue...
02-27-2007, 07:46 PM
#36
I am not disagreeing with you.
However, the EPA logic is based upon a rather well established understanding that people don't always do the right thing.
With that in mind, the EPA came down hard on automakers for the pollution issues. And I am glad they did. If not, the automakers would never have changed their ways. If you think they would have...
The fines are really there to discourage institutional removal. If a garage was doing it, or a dealers service bay, it's bad... real bad.
As for sex offenders, well, can't comment on all of them, but the government is coming down on them like a ton of bricks, too.
However, the EPA logic is based upon a rather well established understanding that people don't always do the right thing.
With that in mind, the EPA came down hard on automakers for the pollution issues. And I am glad they did. If not, the automakers would never have changed their ways. If you think they would have...
The fines are really there to discourage institutional removal. If a garage was doing it, or a dealers service bay, it's bad... real bad.
As for sex offenders, well, can't comment on all of them, but the government is coming down on them like a ton of bricks, too.
02-27-2007, 09:13 PM
#37
Team Owner
I don't know about you, but I'd be plenty willing to have the front suspension tweaked for an 80+ lb weight savings in a nose-heavy car...
Stock-bottom LS1s have seen 650rwhp (mine personally saw 576rwhp on a regular basis) and forged LS1s well over 1000rwhp (mine lives at 650rwhp). I've never heard of someone splitting the aluminum block...
Now, will an iron block hold the heads better? Yes, but there are ways around that and you have to be WAY up there in power before it becomes an issue...
Stock-bottom LS1s have seen 650rwhp (mine personally saw 576rwhp on a regular basis) and forged LS1s well over 1000rwhp (mine lives at 650rwhp). I've never heard of someone splitting the aluminum block...
Now, will an iron block hold the heads better? Yes, but there are ways around that and you have to be WAY up there in power before it becomes an issue...
02-27-2007, 09:13 PM
#38
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03-03-2007, 07:27 PM
#39
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how much lighter is a ls1 then the l98? If its a little lighter in the front wont that help you in the 1/4 mile. and put you closer to a 50/50 weight? if they want to save some money they can pick up a 98 ls1 they seem to be cheaper.
03-04-2007, 02:38 PM
#40
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For me the weight savings isn't worth the extra money. First your going to pay twice as much for a aluminum ls1. The cheapest i hve seen is in the mid to upper 1k's. You can get the iron for as little as 700 complete.
So ok you went with the aluminum now you have to get a coil over kit witch isn't cheap. And dependining on you vette is if you have to do some modifying so the coil mounts will not bend or brake off. So in the end you'll be spening al lot more for the same conversion.
So ok you went with the aluminum now you have to get a coil over kit witch isn't cheap. And dependining on you vette is if you have to do some modifying so the coil mounts will not bend or brake off. So in the end you'll be spening al lot more for the same conversion.