jovo14

I have an opportunity to buy a late model F-body LS1 engine. But will it fit under the hood of my C3? Where can I get more information about this? Has anyone ever done this? :confused:

LAvetteman

Do a search. There is alot of information in the archives. LS1 is the ultimate all around mod. :thumbs:

Gameshow Bob

I've started the process and almost have mine running. Check out my website for some slightly out-of-date progress.

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/gameshowbob/

---Are signatures not working anymore?


[Modified by Gameshow Bob, 1:49 PM 7/7/2003]


[Modified by Gameshow Bob, 1:50 PM 7/7/2003]

BlueL36

LS1 in C3? Saw one at Bloomington Gold-

1969Vette383

Yes it can be done, hang one, let me get my references :D

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/70lt1/ls1.shtml Here's one

I haven't found my other saved URL yet, but I do recommend the search feature. Just search for LS1 in the C3 Corvette forum and choose the archive option. :cheers:

I too had an opportunity to get an F-Body LS1 engine + T56 off EBay for $4000 and the combo had just over 7,000 miles on them :eek: That's barely getting broken in. I just couldn't come up with that money immediately. Oh well, there will be other deals when I do have money.


[Modified by 1969Vette350, 12:38 PM 7/7/2003]

jovo14

Bob - that sure did not look easy, but it's definatly the way to go!!!

Thanks for the great info. :thumbs:

70 LS1

To answer your question, it will fit under the hood. The LS1 actually sits shorter than a standard small block due to the low slung intake design. There is plenty of clearance to the hood.

Since no one makes a conversion kit, there are several different routes to go. Check out Gameshow bob's site and mine. His is almost running and mine has been running for about a year now. If you have the chance to get one, I strongly recommend it. I absolutely love it.





And here is what it sounds like if you are interested.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/70lt1//ls1-1.wav

Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. That is why we are all here.


[Modified by 70 LS1, 3:09 PM 7/7/2003]

1969Vette383

Thanks for chiming in 70LS1, I posted a link to your page above :thumbs:
There was another site I'd seen before about stuffing an LS1 into the engine bay of a C3, I just can't find it in all of my infinite bookmarks.

1969Vette383

Here's a place called "Street & Performance" whom I heard about when I asked my local Vette mechanic if an LS1 + T56 would fit in my '69. http://www.hotrodlane.cc/
They're out of Mena, AR and if you browse their site you'll see they have installed an LS1 in a 1968 Camaro and a 1939 Ford.

SmokedTires

Check out this C2 LS1 install :eek:

mrvette

Well Bob, looks as if you payed too much attention to the old TV commercials advertising mechanics' school.....you know...'learn to tear a car apart and put your future together'...type thing.....

did the nasty there, you did.....Isn't it lovely how if there is two or more bolts on anything, expecially if it's hard to get to....how all but ONE come off easy...but that last one....well ....oh well.....

GENE :D :D :D

Weird Science

How much performance do you get with the LS1? I wonder if any headers would fit. Stock, the F-Body guys run deep 13's, dont they? With no cats and minor mods I bet 12's are easy. Check your mileage yet? I considered the LS1.. Only thing holding me back is I really want sidepipes. I have not checked but I would think sustom headers into pipes would be prohibitively expensive.

My dream would be LS1 with sidepipes and centrifigal S/C. The kits for vettes/F-Bodys look pretty compact and I wonder if they would fit.





[Modified by Weird Science, 8:49 AM 7/10/2003]

Gameshow Bob

Street and Performance has some must-have pieces for the conversion to make it go easily. Their motor mount adapter plates, the modified thermostat housing, modified fuel rails, they also have accessory brackets that are very nice if you are interested in running A/C

70 LS1

Gameshow Bob
It would have been nice if that had all that when I did mine. I had to make all my own parts.

Weird Science
The LS1 is awesome. Much faster than the old 350horse 350 that was in my 70. The torque comes on early and is strong to the end. I raced a stock 2001 C5 and had him be a few carlengths. Haven't gone to the track yet, but my guess would be high 12's. Mileage is 26+ on the highway.

As far as the sidepipes, you could spend well over $1000 and have custom pipes made, or you cour pick up a set of hooker pipes and have them modified to fit the LS1. Shouldn't be more than a few hundred bucks for the modifications. Oh and there is more than enough room for a supercharger or turbos. I think a roots style blower would even fit under the hood.


[Modified by 70 LS1, 11:14 AM 7/10/2003]

Weird Science

I am interested in AC.. Are you saying AC would not work without custom brackets?

Speaking of brackets, I know for an LT1 conversion you want a Vette LT1 or there is accessory interference issues. Is there a particular LS1 to get to make the swap a little easier?

Fevre

They make a roots style super charger for the LS1? That must be an interesting set up.

Weird Science

I think having the only S/C LS1 C3 with sidepipes would be worth doing.. Good idea on the pipes. I wonder if modding the headers to fit would be easy enough that I'd only be out a few hundered.

Do all LS1 computers have the ability to shift a 4l60e? Or do I need to find an original Auto computer?

thanks.. I've checked your website out many times over the last couple years and followed your install. Now waiting for Gameshow Bob to update his. :)

as far as S/C, the main problem I see is space for the intercooler. I think the ATI kit with air/air would be out. Vortch water/air would fit, but I think the best bet would be alcohol/water injection for the best fit.



[Modified by Weird Science, 11:43 AM 7/10/2003]

Fevre

I hope to be the first 383 retro LT1 intaked FI s/c vette but I need to get cracking on it before someone else does it. Just got my forged 383 crank this week. :hurray:

Gameshow Bob

Well, there are a few different ways to go if you are concerned with accessories. If you just want an alternator and power steering, then the vette setup is best. If you want a/c also, you have to locate a compressor in the stock c3 location. There is 0% chance to get it working in its default location, fbody or vette. Vette and fbody have different crank pullys, and S&P makes brackets that work with the fbody pully. So you can either go with the fbody pully location, and use all S&P brackets like I did, or go vette style and only fabricate a custom a/c bracket. Here's the S&P catalog page that shows the locations of the various things. B is the setup im using. D is the stock vette setup, E is the stock fbody.




[Modified by Gameshow Bob, 12:53 PM 7/10/2003]

Weird Science

Bob- Why will the stock AC location not work? If it's a matter of hoses, that does not concrn me. If it doesn't physically fit, that's another story.

Fevre- I also considered LT1 S/C setup.. Less headaches for sure and pipes would bolt right up. LS1, imo, has a slightly higher coolness factor and weighs less with the aluminum block. I'm just gatering info now and haven't made any descisions yet.