LS6 motor in a C2

[Mark Stahl]

A while back someone was going to stuff a similar engine into their C2. I believe it was from a newer GTO. (I could be wrong on engine size) How did it work out. Or if anyone has done this what are the ups and downs of this type of swap? Thanks Mark.

 

[BarryK]

Mark
You are proably thinking of John McGraw. He is installing an LS2 or LS6 (i forget which) in a '65 project car with a SR111 tube frame.
That motor came out of a wrecked GTO

 

[Mark Stahl]

BarryK, thats the one. How did it work out for him? Thanks Mark.

 

[BarryK]

he's still working on it. If you look, he just posted a new thread last night regarding his '65 project. He was working on the floorpan to allow it to fit on the tube frame.
I think he had already placed the motor in frame at least once to check the fit or measure for the motor mounts or something, I'm not sure.
John is a nery nice guy so if you ask in his thread for details of the motor or whatever info you are looking for I'm sure he would be glad to try to help you.

 

[John Mcgraw]

Mark,
My project will probsbly drag on for almost another year. I will be happy if it is ready for Carlisle 2007. Even though my car is more than a straight engine swap, The LS engine is a very easy swap into an early Corvette. Basically, any car that was equiped with a smallblock or bigblock Chev engine, can take any of the LS engines with a minimum of work. The physical dimensions are very close and there is a large aftermarket of people making parts for putting these engines in a wide array of cars. There are a set of motor mount plates available from a number of sources that bolt to the stock LS mount points, that allow you to put early GM motor mounts on the engine and install it with absolutely no cutting or fitting. I make my own at home out of aluminum plate and save the $100. The overall length is the same as well, so the trans will bolt up to the stock trans mount as well. You will need to modify the fuel system to give high pressure fuel for the injectors, and have somebody modify the program in the PCM to eliminate unwanted functions, but otherwise, the swap is pretty straight forward. If you want to use A/C, you will need to go to an after market drive setup since the stock LS compressor will not clear a stock C2 frame. The performance, economy, and reliability of these engines are pretty hard to beat. The LS1 in my 59 can smoke the tires at any speed below 40 mph, but will still knock down 25+ mpg on the highway. I can walk out to the garage after not driving it for a couple of weeks and it will still start on the first revolution! On my 60, it would take 1o seconds of cranking and at least a minute of warming up befre the engine was really fit to drive, but with the LS engine, you just get in, turn the key, and drive. Modern computer controlled engines are changing the whole face of the hotrod aftermarket. You can now have an engine that can scare the poop out of you, wile still delivering great economy and ecxceptional dependability.

Regards, John McGraw

 

[Mark Stahl]

Thanks John! It does seem like a great solution for those looking to make a motor swap. Best of luck getting her finished. Mark.

 

[studiog]

Found some info on the LS6. A Z06 crate motor has a street price around $7300.00. 346 CID and 415 HP. From what John McGraw says its attributes are its combination of power, driveability and fuel economy. Very interesting. Just wondering if I'd be able to deal with all the computer related controls?


http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/smallblock/0503em_ls6/

 

[John Mcgraw]

Found some info on the LS6. A Z06 crate motor has a street price around $7300.00. 346 CID and 415 HP. From what John McGraw says its attributes are its combination of power, driveability and fuel economy. Very interesting. Just wondering if I'd be able to deal with all the computer related controls?


http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/smallblock/0503em_ls6/

A better choice is the newer LS2 engine that is used in the C6 Corvette and the GTO. It is only about $5400 brand new, and puts out in excess of 400 hp and TQ. The computer stuff is a little intimidating at first, but it is not that bad. You just pay someone to do your programing for you, and after that, it is truly plug-and-play. The best bet is finding a low mileage drivetrain from a late model car, and then you get all the little bits and pieces you need for the swap. You can usually find a real low mileage complete drivetrain for less than $6K including engine, trans, harness, computer, and all accessories.

Regards, John McGraw

 

[firstgear]

so what is the story of putting the LS7 in the C1 or C2? Has anyone done anything to make the computer controls for that motor easier to use and install?

 

[JohnZ]

I took my NCRS Chapter through the GM Performance Build Center (where they build the LS-7 and the supercharged Cadillac Northstar by hand) last Wednesday for a couple of hours, and I asked the Plant Manager about availability of the LS-7 crate engine. He said they're running flat out at capacity (150 LS-7 engines a week) to supply the demand for production engines, and although they've released the crate engine, when you order one, you'll go on a list and wait....and wait....until they're caught up with production to the point where they can build some crate engines.

 

[John Mcgraw]

There are some LS7 engines to be had out there if someone really wants one, but there are still a lot of issues to deal with. The harness and computer still have not been addressed, so you are stuck with aftemarket race computers that do not have a lot of the functions of factory computers. The problem stems from the fact that the LS7 has a 58X reluctor wheel while other LS engines use a 24X wheel. It is not very likely that the effort will be invested in cracking the new factory computer anytime soon, given the low production of this motor. I would guess it will probably be at least another 1 - 2 years before a solution arrives that uses the GM computer. The $13K price for the engine includes no accessories at all. and does not include the oil tank or lines. I looked at it very hard while I was deciding on an engine for the 65 project, but came to the conclusion that I would have boatload of money invested in it, and still would not have the level of support that other LS engines enjoy. A LS2 with a Magnacharger will develop as much power for less cash. It would have been cool to have the first LS7 powered midyear in town, but it wasn't worth that much to me! Rich Lagasse is going down that path with his 63, but he more patience than I do! LOL

Regards, John McGraw

 

[studiog]

A better choice is the newer LS2 engine that is used in the C6 Corvette and the GTO. It is only about $5400 brand new, and puts out in excess of 400 hp and TQ. The computer stuff is a little intimidating at first, but it is not that bad. You just pay someone to do your programing for you, and after that, it is truly plug-and-play. The best bet is finding a low mileage drivetrain from a late model car, and then you get all the little bits and pieces you need for the swap. You can usually find a real low mileage complete drivetrain for less than $6K including engine, trans, harness, computer, and all accessories.

Regards, John McGraw

Thanks for the info John. I truly value your advice and opinion.

 

[firstgear]

A LS2 with a Magnacharger will develop as much power for less cash.

I love the look of a Magnacharger....that might be the ticket as well......