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98 LS-1 into an 85 Vette?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slo Vette
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Slo Vette

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Im not sure this is in the right forum, anyway Im new to the Corvette world, (Camaro Driver) Anyway I just got an 85 Vette CHEAP and a used 98 Corvette LS-1 CHEAP. Now I want to put'em together. Can anyone help point me in the right direction? Im going to need new coil packs, and a new ECM. Im also pretty sure Im going to need new engine mounts, wiring, ect. Oh and a transmission, it came with the 4+3, but I want a 6-speed. Im not sure I could use the 4+3 even if I wanted to. Is this even worth it??? Or should I put that LS-1 into something else (more worthy?)
 
Wow, for the money you'd end up spending, I would just mod up that LS1 and leave it in the Camaro. A little exhaust work on that Camaro and you'll be running with C5 Vette's!
 
The LS-1 is out of a 98 Vette, its not in the Camaro.
I have 411 RWHP 418 RWTQ NA in the SS (1999 # 968) :)
Anyway how much am I looking at to do this??
 
Just looked in the Ecklers catalog and they have a Richmond 6 speed transmission kit. I quote "best replacement for Doug Nash 4+3 transmissions. Less costly and better performance than rebuilding original."

The cost on this kit alone is $3795.

And in terms of integrating all the electrical stuff into a C4, I have no idea how that would be worked out.

It would be a huge project that would take a lot of money and a lot of time. And if you're not doing it yourself, you can expect to multiply the cost at least 2.5 times.
 
IMHO its going to cost you more time than money since you already have the car and the engine.

Do you have to get that M6?

Thats about ~3-4K right there. I would figure since you have already most of the hardware its going to cost you a lot of effort.

Why are you going to need new coil packs? Should work with the ECM right?

......what I am getting at is the hardest (I think) thing your going to run across is trying to get the senors from the stock gauges to work with what you have.

I don't know what the difference between the two systems are going to be. ECM from engine and ECM from corvette. Do they use the same spoken (program) language etc.

Does the older vette have OBDI? I know modern fbods have OBDII.

The hardware part is easy (relative of course), its the electronics that are going to be kicking you in the but!
 
Hey Slo Vette, sounds like a unique and challenging project.

I am sure it can be done, as people are figuring out how to put the LS1 in nearly everything these days.

I have yet to see this mod done to a C4, so you might be blazing new trails. We have a few members here shoving them into C3s. The biggest problems seem to come from the motor mounts, accesories, and exhaust. After you get past that, hooking up the wire harness and computer is a breeze.

You can just about e-bay all the parts you need for that engine. I think you should start there and always compare the prices to new OEM as sometimes e-bay will cost you more.

If you do this, PLEASE set up a web page and take plenty of photos and keep a journal.


Thanks, and welcome to CAC.


Chris
 
I'll take lots of pictures, if someone will host them for me. This should be an intresting learning experience if nothing else.
Someone on LS-1 Tech.com said they put an LS-1 in to an 84. I sent him a PM asking for details, part numbers, pictures ect... He has yet to respond, but I sure hope he does. It would be nice to have someone I can ask questions of.
 
Personally I would grab an aftermarket harness for the motor. Something like what you would use in a a street rod application. There are plenty of them around. 2 different cars altogether, so it's like a street rod install. You're gonna have some difficulty with the flywheel regardless of which trans you use, unless, you use an F-body t-56. That is waht I would try and use. I think the hardest part will be the motor mounts/exhaust and the transmission. The wiring is easy. I woud dump the digital cluster and put aftermarket gauges in as well. Much easier and a better setup.

It wont be a bolt in install, but would be cool.

Have you thought of selling that LS1 on ebay for a pretty penny and then building a regular SBC motor for the vette. It would be MUCH easier and you can make power cheaper. Plus it's all bolt in and aftermarket parts are a plenty. Thats what I would do if I was in your situation...

Steve
 
Well I got the LS-1 basically free, I had to pay for shipping ($400.00) So I don't really think I can get much cheaper than that as far as engine goes. I was thinking of a split pattern cam, 224/227 .563/.569 114 LSA, LS-6 intake, LT's, and a mild dose of nitrous out to produce enough HP/TQ for a daily driven street car. Which is what this would become. I can get a rebuilt Camaro T-56 with the steel shift forks from D&D for about $2,200.00 +or- a hundred $ or so. Someone on LS-1 Tech said Street and Performance makes motor mount adaptor plates. So a little more home work and Im going to give this a shot. Who makes aftermarket gauges? Also I want to put 91+ front, and rear fenders and spruce up the interior. One thing I don't like about this car is the dash and the gauge cluster. Anyone make aftermarket kits or something?
 
Yeah... thats the link I saw about adding gauges... except I personally like Autometers over the VDO's he used, but it's all a personal preference....

That would be a hardcore setup, with a Camaro T-56.. I'm sure you will need a custom length driveshaft also.. but thats easy... and a modification to the torque arm part that holds the tranny in place. You will also need a few things... but it would be a killer setup.

D&D is pretty fair on price and would be a good place to source from...Eckler's is so high I would never buy something like a transmission setup from them. Only some resto items that you cant find anywhere else..

Be prepared to dump some cash in it... but would be awesome...
 
Ok another option just came up, I just bought an engine block and crank shaft from a 1969 Chevy 427. Would this fit?
 
Slo Vette said:
Ok another option just came up, I just bought an engine block and crank shaft from a 1969 Chevy 427. Would this fit?

I don't think it's the question of will it logistically fit into the engine compartment. What you want to do is something along the lines of organ transportation. Will it fit in there? Yes. The question is if it is compatible.

The difficult part would be to get the brain (cpu) to do what the body (engine) wants to do. They both have to be on the same page.
 
Edmond

touched basically what I was getting at.

What are your thoughts on the project slo vette?
 
Slo Vette said:
Ok another option just came up, I just bought an engine block and crank shaft from a 1969 Chevy 427. Would this fit?

It has been done, that is a big block in a C4. The motor mounts are the same, trans is the same, etc, but again, you will have to get creative with the exhaust and accesories.

I saw an old Vette magazine with a yellow C4 that had a 502 crate motor stuffed in it. The 1/4 mile numbers were staggering, and the description of the sound of the car, and the massive size when opening the hood was awesome.

I honestly think you would get more attention, turn faster ETs, and have more fun with the 427 than you will have goofing with the late model mouse motor.
 
Going with the LS-1, talked to Mark at Street & Performance and he talked me into it. He also gave me the phone number of a couple of others who did this also. Talked to them and they also said it wasn't too bad. I will have to relocate some of the accessories and have a tranny mount fabricated. More updates as I get further along. (this may take awhile as Im broke)
 
The car is COMPLEATLY stripped now, just finished pulling the tranny (wich is for sale by the way,;) :D, along with almost everything else) What a weird looking peice of crap. :r
Anyway as soon as I figure out how to post pics I'll start a photo journal of the transplant.
 
saweet! Definitely keep us posted on the progress.

I know it can be a PITA to take a snap shot of everything but maybe the CAC can do something to help with the documentation and post it up for other members or future members who are going with the same project.

Frank
 
You can use the gallery right here on the site to upload and share your progress.

Let us know if we can help with that.
 
I will need help with that also but I have to get the pics scaned and on my computer first, or get a digital camera.
 

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