My '81 is getting up on miles and I decided to convert her to a newer engine/transmission from a wrecked C5 or C6? Has anyone done this and if so what engine/transmission do you recommend? Or perhaps any other chevy engine/transmission that you know would work? I'm located in Alabama and started my search today with little success. Are there any junk/savage yards around these days with decent reputation? Thanks!

You have one job infront of you, what I have heard you can place a newer C5/C6 engine in your car. Its a good size job because you will need to install all the computer equipment that is needed to run the newer engines. Have you considered to go with an engine from earlier model Vette and stay away from all the computer dependant motors? That was you can build it up with out haveing to worry about this nonsense.

You have one job infront of you, what I have heard you can place a newer C5/C6 engine in your car. Its a good size job because you will need to install all the computer equipment that is needed to run the newer engines. Have you considered to go with an engine from earlier model Vette and stay away from all the computer dependant motors? That was you can build it up with out haveing to worry about this nonsense.

I have a buddy who is a mechanic here in town who is looking into a few options for me, he stated as well that it would be easier to go with older engine w/o computer. I'll keep you posted. Thanks

It has been done but its a lot of work and money. You would be way better off going with a nice early style engine you can get some really nice 383c.i engines these days with alum heads and rollor cam. They make lots of power and you can use all your brackets and pullys and headers and no computers or wiring to worry about. LS engines in C-3s are cool but you can spend as much or more then what you paid for your vette to do the swap.

I agree it's not a cheap thing to do. BUT you can get all the performance you'd want, AND get mileage and reliability too. Imagine having a high performance car and being able to jump in, start it and drive away with a nice smooth idle, no hassles, and no spending a couple hours tinkering with it. I'd drop an LS into the 77 I have in a flash if the cash was available.
The link below has complete engine/trans/computer/wiring available in just about any combination, or they will custom build too.

http://www.southernperformancesystems.com/

:food-smiley-019:

I can see where an LS engine from a C5 or C6 is do able in a C3 car.and would be extremely nice....but how are you gonna make the transmission from one work in a C3? Its in the rear of the car as part of a transaxle unit.

check this out ... some interesting reading ....

(what ever on post limit) ...

corvetteforum.com
C3 Tech/Performance

its been done .... like anything else with our hot rods ... it just time and money ...... :sm_party:

oh yeah .... our C3s are a total match ... other then the CrossFire thing of course ....

I know a guy in California that has a LS-1 in his 82. AFAIK, all he did was a chip in the ECM and that car is really quick. Drop in thing too. I think he used an LS powered Camaro as a donor- got the engine, trans, hyd clutch, all the wiring and dropped it in.

They make a plate to move the mounts from the LS to the "old school SB" locations- pretty much a bolt in deal. Takes some on the spot engineering, but that's no deal either.

had an interesting chat today at the shop with a guy whose dad put an LS1 in his sand buggie .... used an EFI system to control the basics of the engine .. he said delfi also make a system for this purpose .... this certainly is doable ....