Ok, I just sold my '66 Mustang and am hoping to sell my '94 C4 (see avatar). I'm wanting to buy a bumper C3, put an LS engine in it and just drive the crap out of it...daily! What could be better than driving a classic Vette, with modern running gear, every single day?
Ok, so here's my thoughts: I've got $12-14k'ish to spend on the car now. When the C4 sells I plan on doing the LS swap.
First, it's always said, and I know from experience as well, it's better to buy a car done than to do it yourself, $$$ wise. I'm not sure this is the case with an LS powered bumper C3 because I feel like typically those cars are going to be in the $30k + range, probably more of a show car than a driver (frame/undercarriage detailed, etc). I want to take a car that would fit in at any show, and drive it...the difference being it's not going to be a frame-off job...the details under the car don't have to be perfect because their going to get beat-up by the daily driving. So, what to do?
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is just how much I can use from a car that's a good car in the LS swap...and if I'm going to have to change everything, would I be better buying a car that needs more work and start from scratch? The obvious questions are:
1. Is the, say, 350 out of a '70 worth anything to anyone once I pull it?
2. Let's assume an automatic car, whatever automatic trans came in those early C3's...can I use this behind the LS?
3. Can I continue to use all the C3 brake and steering components or will I have to a rack and pinion as well as swap the master cyl out?
I've done an LS2 w/4L60E into a '64 Impala...it was an awesome engine/trans combo (and I'd like to have the 400hp as opposed to the 300 LS1), but it was outragious to do $$$ wise. :-/ I had to swap EVERYTHING it seemed to make it work. Headers, driveshaft, all kinds of electronic crap, etc...I'm looking for a much simpler swap this time, thus the reason I'm hoping to keep the original C3 trans. From what I hear, the LS1 is a much easier swap than the LS2 because of some of the electronics. I also understand that I can use the F-body accessories that may come with the LS1, only replacing the A/C compressor with Josh's bracket, using an early '80's Vette compressor (to be able to continue to use the cars factory A/C without having to make changes).
I guess what I'm looking for is a simple as swap as possible...changing as little as possible, and I'm looking for advice from you folks that know more than me about these Vettes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ok, so here's my thoughts: I've got $12-14k'ish to spend on the car now. When the C4 sells I plan on doing the LS swap.
First, it's always said, and I know from experience as well, it's better to buy a car done than to do it yourself, $$$ wise. I'm not sure this is the case with an LS powered bumper C3 because I feel like typically those cars are going to be in the $30k + range, probably more of a show car than a driver (frame/undercarriage detailed, etc). I want to take a car that would fit in at any show, and drive it...the difference being it's not going to be a frame-off job...the details under the car don't have to be perfect because their going to get beat-up by the daily driving. So, what to do?
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is just how much I can use from a car that's a good car in the LS swap...and if I'm going to have to change everything, would I be better buying a car that needs more work and start from scratch? The obvious questions are:
1. Is the, say, 350 out of a '70 worth anything to anyone once I pull it?
2. Let's assume an automatic car, whatever automatic trans came in those early C3's...can I use this behind the LS?
3. Can I continue to use all the C3 brake and steering components or will I have to a rack and pinion as well as swap the master cyl out?
I've done an LS2 w/4L60E into a '64 Impala...it was an awesome engine/trans combo (and I'd like to have the 400hp as opposed to the 300 LS1), but it was outragious to do $$$ wise. :-/ I had to swap EVERYTHING it seemed to make it work. Headers, driveshaft, all kinds of electronic crap, etc...I'm looking for a much simpler swap this time, thus the reason I'm hoping to keep the original C3 trans. From what I hear, the LS1 is a much easier swap than the LS2 because of some of the electronics. I also understand that I can use the F-body accessories that may come with the LS1, only replacing the A/C compressor with Josh's bracket, using an early '80's Vette compressor (to be able to continue to use the cars factory A/C without having to make changes).
I guess what I'm looking for is a simple as swap as possible...changing as little as possible, and I'm looking for advice from you folks that know more than me about these Vettes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.