ls1 in a c3: how much $?

[tomj1404]

ok i've got it narrowed down to either the LS1 or the LT1/4. If i went with the LT# it would most likely be the LT1 because its probably cheaper. So any ideas on what would be better? LS-1 or LT-1? I was hoping I could do this fairly soon (within a year or so), but the more I look into it the more I think i'm gonna have to wait until i graduate college so I can actually finance this project but who knows.

 

[Last Ride]

Tom--
A few years ago, I was in the same boat as you. I wanted to go with a modern motor when my L48 took a crap on me. At the time, the LS1 was still too new, and there weren't many lying around. I went with a takeout motor from a wrecked 1995 Corvette (takeout motors are cheaper, you usually get the accessories and transmission as well). I got the motor and transmission with accessories for around $3500 shipped halfway across the country. I am sure you can find them cheaper now! Anyway, I can't stress enough houw important it is to find someone that knows what they are doing! The first guy that did the initial install charged around $4500 to get the motor in the car, buy little accesories, etc. Well, I drove the car home (about a month after he said he would be done), and then the problems started. They began small enough, but I didn't get to drive the car a whole lot as I was still in college and it stayed at home. Finally, the bigger problems started, and I had the car in and out of shops having little things fixed that the other guy screwed up until finally I had a shop pull the wiring harness that the first guy installed and put in a Painless wiring harness (I recommend this). Well, that was about another $3000 on top of what the first chump stole from me. The bottom line is, either motor can be done (if I were doing it again today, I would go with the LSx), but be careful with whome you trust your money! To answer your question, I think both would fit under a stock hood. My LT1 (which now runs great!) actually sits lower than the old L48. Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[tomj1404]

how much horsepower does your LT1 get? I read that the LS1 has about 345 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque for a '97. What kind of transmission do you have? I've pretty much got my heart set on a 6 speed manual, but were those only on LT4's or can you get a 6 speed manual for the LT1?

 

[silver 80]

Don't forget that you also have to get the whole clutch set up.....pedals, linkages.hydraulic clutch? a different brake pedal.

 

[Last Ride]

how much horsepower does your LT1 get? I read that the LS1 has about 345 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque for a '97. What kind of transmission do you have? I've pretty much got my heart set on a 6 speed manual, but were those only on LT4's or can you get a 6 speed manual for the LT1?

I would guesstimate my LT1 putting out around 330-340 hp through a true dual exhaust. The LS1 numbers you mention above are for the Corvette flavor of that motor. I think the F-Body and the LS1 crate motor are rate at 320 hp. To answer the question about the six-speeds, yes you can get an LT1 with a six-speed. The LT4 was a 1996-only motor, but the LT1 ran from 1992-1996 in the Corvette, and from 1993-1997 in the F-body. All Corvette LT1's in 1996, however; were automatics. As for finding a motor with a six-speed, I hear the F-body drivetrains are more common and even more desirable due to the fact that the F-bodies used the T56 while the LTx Corvette used a ZF. As I understand it, the T56 fits better than the ZF. I don't remember why the F-body LS1's were more popular for swaps as all cars now use the T56. Could be that there are simply more F-body donors? I wouldn't pay too much attention to the advertised hp rating as the motors can be tweaked for more power without doing too much. As others have mentioned, it is more than just the drivetrain you have to worry about. Converting to a manual requires more pieces, and some custom work has to be done. These motors you are looking at are a pretty radical departure from the traditional SBC. You don't need to swap out the gauges, but most of mine don't work anyway Again, good luck on whatever you decide. The cheaper alternative might be to find one someone else has already done. There aren't too many, but I am sure that would be cheaper if you could find one! I am selling mine, but that is just so I can start over with another C3! In all honesty, if money is a concern, either hold off and enjoy the car until you get some money flowing in to play with, or go with the LT1. They make good power, and there is a healthy aftermarket for them. On the other hand, the LSx is "the next big thing." I think someone else on this forum suggested a C3.5 forum. Doesn't sound like a bad idea!

Bryan

 

[70 LS1]

Don't forget that you also have to get the whole clutch set up.....pedals, linkages.hydraulic clutch? a different brake pedal.

I got the pedals with mine and ended up not using them. I am using the stock 1970 pedals. The clutch master cylinder actually attached to the pedal in the factory location and uses the same hole in the firewall. I had to enlarge it a little, but not much. I built a bracket to mount the master cylinder to the firewall and voila instant hydraulic clutch.

 

[tomj1404]

The '82 is an automatic (of course), would it be very hard to put in a hydraulic clutch? how much would that cost? I decided that when I do this its gonna be the LS1, I really like how it looks and it is "the next big thing," and I think I'm day dreaming too much but I already decided that I'll put on the LS6 red covers because they look cooler :L Anyway, I've got some money in the bank, and I think if i keep saving my money I might have enough to do this project next summer :s and hopefully I'll have a digital camera by then too so I can post some pics

 

[70 LS1]

You are going to have to find a pedal assembly from a C3. Shouldn't cost too much. As far as installing it, it is quite easy. It almost bolts into place. You would have to cut a hole in your firewall and fabricate a bracket for the master cyliinder. When you get the engine and tranny, the clutch and lines will already be installed. Once it is in, just bleed and go.

 

[tomj1404]

is there enough room to get in there and do what you need to do as far as maintenance goes? how it is now there's barely enough room to get my hands in there and change the spark plugs

 

[70 LS1]

Plenty of room. The LS1 is only a little wider than a standard small block and still narrower than a big block. If I look in the engine bay, I can see the ground all around the engine.

Is that what you meant?

 

[tomj1404]

yeah thats pretty much what i meant, i just wanna make sure that i'm not gonna have to pull engine to get to stuff for maintenance lol. Did you use your same driveline and rear end? what kind of gas mileage do you get now? I was gonna completely restore the interior this summer, but now I think i'm just gonna do the carpet and seats, maybe some new door panels, and then wait until I get the new engine and then pull the dash and get a new one with new guages and all that. And what about other mods? Are there any modifications to brakes, steering, or suspension that I should do before I get this engine/tranny?

 

[Last Ride]

The only thing I had to change from stock when installing the LT1/4L60E was the driveshaft. It had to be shortened, but that was no big deal. As for the suspension and brakes, I say that if they are still in decent shape, don't worry about them right now! My suspension has held up nicely and is still stock. I do have the Vette Brakes Performance Plus system and a Steeroids power rack sitting in boxes in a mgarage, but I haven't gotten to them yet! My brakes started leaking shortly after the motor was installed; first the fronts, then the rears about a month later. I replaced all four with Vette Brakes O-ring calipers and haven't had any trouble since. I don't think the brake failure had anything to do with the motor, just bad timing. If your brakes aer bad, replace them first. Better have the whoa before the go!

Bryan

 

[Blue82]

tomj1404 , these guys http://www.fuelinjection.com/ are out of San Antonio and they pull entire systems from low milage cars. They should have some good information for your project.