Is there any reason why an new crate LS3 engine will not fit in a 1989 corvette

Why would you want to butcher your C4? For performance? Your TPI will easily run 12's with a few mods, the LS3 will run 13's.

Maybe his engine's getting old and he found a good deal..Found a brand new(2k miles) LS3 for half the crate cost. I bet it would fit...don't take my word for it though.

Why would you want to butcher your C4? For performance? Your TPI will easily run 12's with a few mods, the LS3 will run 13's.

Thanks for your thoughts. Actually I have about $11,000 to $12,000 to spend on upgrading my stock 1989 corvette I've owned since new.

Over the past few months I 've settled on either having the original engine turned into a 383 stroker or put a zz383 crate in it. I will have this work done by a local shop. Going this route, I'm still not sure what TPI to put on it, Holley Stealth Ram??? or what!

I am scheduled to drop the car off on Tuesday this week to discuss the build and with this post, I'm trying to make sure I'm not overlooking any obvious options.

Your thoughts are appreciated as I am not an expert in this area.

My goal is to end up with a street legal corvette capable of running in the low 12s.

It's an 89 convertible so there's the whole roll cage issue for being faster than 13.5. I'd like to get confirmation that purchasing a hardtop from someone like smoothline tops will get me around this issue.

Please contribute as your guidance has a high probability to influencing what I end up with and obviously I will post the results here.

At the end of the day, I'm sure what ever I end up with will be pretty cool. I just don't want to say, crap I should have done x, y x two weeks after spending the money and having the car built out.

Thanks for your honest feedback

For performance? Your TPI will easily run 12's with a few mods, the LS3 will run 13's.

Don't worry about him , he is still trying to get his CrossedFire into the 14's;if he ever makes it to a track. Obviously he has a world of experience running a LSX in his car:pigsfly:
LS swap easy , many have done it.
Check over on a real site where certain people are not always talking about *****

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1890797-yet-another-lsx-swap-thread.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1772532-c4-ls1-swap-headers-now-available.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1717374-another-ls1-swap-thread-pics.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569497123-post5.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1563627777-post16.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/2123593-my-budget-ls1-swap-game-plan.html

Your thoughts are appreciated as I am not an expert in this area.

Neither is 85L98-84L83 ;ask him what color your shocks should be for best performance?


your guidance has a high probability to influencing what I end up with

Bad move .
Get better results tossing a coin :thumbsup:
Ask him what his ACTUAL experience in motor swaps is. Has he installed and run a LSX in a C4 ????
Don't believe every opinion you read on line; check the credibility of the poster first.

Don't worry about him , he is still trying to get his CrossedFire into the 14's;if he ever makes it to a track. Obviously he has a world of experience running a LSX in his car:pigsfly:
LS swap easy , many have done it.
Check over on a real site where certain people are not always talking about *****

]

Thanks for the information great links.
From reading these articles it looks like putting an LS in a C-4 with a ZF6 speed requires a fair amount of fabrication, one article estimates about $8,000 in labor/fabrication. so that's too much for me.

For my budget I can allocate $7,500 to $8,500 for the engine, installation and whatever else I might need to make it run.

The rest of my budget is for drag radials, new rear end gears, exhaust and a hardtop(if that will get me around the roll bar requirement.)

Looks like sticking with my current block and have it built out as best it can is the safest way to go.

I want to stay away from custom part fabrication.

Neither is 85L98-84L83 ;ask him what color your shocks should be for best performance?



Bad move .
Get better results tossing a coin :thumbsup:
Ask him what his ACTUAL experience in motor swaps is. Has he installed and run a LSX in a C4 ????
Don't believe every opinion you read on line; check the credibility of the poster first.

Now that you flamed a couple of guys who are trying help.....

Can you add any value by answering my questions!

I'm open to suggestions.

I'm capable of vetting the validity of the responses or asking for second opinions on the forum.

Now that you flamed a couple of guys who are trying help.....

Can you add any value by answering my questions!

I'm open to suggestions.

I'm capable of vetting the validity of the responses or asking for second opinions on the forum.

Sorry, for the post above.

I didn'tg realize you posted twice. - Great information.

It was excellent and perfectly addressed my situation

Thanks for your help

Don't worry about him , he is still trying to get his CrossedFire into the 14's;if he ever makes it to a track. Obviously he has a world of experience running a LSX in his car:pigsfly:
LS swap easy , many have done it.
Check over on a real site where certain people are not always talking about *****

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1890797-yet-another-lsx-swap-thread.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1772532-c4-ls1-swap-headers-now-available.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/1717374-another-ls1-swap-thread-pics.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569497123-post5.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1563627777-post16.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-tech-performance/2123593-my-budget-ls1-swap-game-plan.html


A real site, that is so gay. All they talk about over there is waxes and polish, and who has taken their car to bloomington:smilielol5:

Neither is 85L98-84L83 ;ask him what color your shocks should be for best performance?



Bad move .
Get better results tossing a coin :thumbsup:
Ask him what his ACTUAL experience in motor swaps is. Has he installed and run a LSX in a C4 ????
Don't believe every opinion you read on line; check the credibility of the poster first.

Sounds like somebody is a little jealous. As far as shocks goes, I would not put pink shocks on my car. My 84 has red edelbrock IAS shocks, they look great and work good, I will be putting yellow bilsteins on my black 85. Both shocks are good and look great. I don't know what kind of chinese crap you install on yours but back off, I just gave my opinion on his car. If it were me I would keep the C4 closer to a C4, if you want a LSx engine just buy a C5 or C6, I don't like hack jobs. That goes for C2 and C3 with a TPI, I'd rather have a snorting 4 barrel carb in those cars. This is just my opinion, I'm not telling the OP what to do. If you have a problem with me just say it. If it is jealousy go get help and deal with it, there is no need to pick fights with others:catfight: because you have already lost.

that is so gay. All they talk about over there is waxes and polish,:

Did you read any of the links I posted.? Almost step by step details on LS into C4
There are people over there that have done more perf mods to their cars than you will ever do

This is just my opinion, I'm not telling the OP what to do. .

The OP was aking for details not opinions.
So what facts did you base your opinion on when you stated "the LS3 will run 13's "

Did you read any of the links I posted.? Almost step by step details on LS into C4
There are people over there that have done more perf mods to their cars than you will ever do

Whatever!

Smokinvette is the $h!t. Don't start bragging up a forum that is all advertising and car polishes.

The OP was aking for details not opinions.
So what facts did you base your opinion on when you stated "the LS3 will run 13's "

He can do what ever he wants to his 89 vette, and you can back off, I don't care what other people do to their vettes, good for them. What I care about is when someone like you is trying to drag someone over to another forum that is full of weirdo's and your attitude of sniffin around where I am and trying to start something. You couldn't pull any old threads from this site, I guarantee those same threads will be here also. Why not post and stop picking fights. You will just end up banned or bitch slapped.

The OP was aking for details not opinions.
So what facts did you base your opinion on when you stated "the LS3 will run 13's "

Do you have an LSx in your C4?

The OP asked "
"Is there any reason why an new crate LS3 engine will not fit in a 1989 corvette" and you tell him it won't run any good with no back up info ?????? I never said to do it either; just directed him to relavent info from people who have EXPERIENCE in the subject.Note experience; not random opinions!

What I care about is when someone is trying to drag someone over to another forum .

I don't care what site people vist; gotta go where the info is. Any LS in C4 writeups here on Smokin????
Just to show I'm not biased , here is a link LS in C4 that is not to Corvette Forum
http://mcspeed.homestead.com/LSXC4.html

I guarantee those same threads will be here also.
Show me some that are here then.

You will just end up banned or bitch slapped.
You have lasted this long

The OP asked "
"Is there any reason why an new crate LS3 engine will not fit in a 1989 corvette" and you tell him it won't run any good with no back up info ?????? I never said to do it either; just directed him to relavent info from people who have EXPERIENCE in the subject.Note experience; not random opinions!



I don't care what site people vist; gotta go where the info is. Any LS in C4 writeups here on Smokin????
Just to show I'm not biased , here is a link LS in C4 that is not to Corvette Forum
http://mcspeed.homestead.com/LSXC4.html


Show me some that are here then.


You have lasted this long

ignore and nearly reported:stupid:

ignore and nearly reported

And ???????????:pigsfly:

ignore and nearly reported:stupid:

And ???????????:pigsfly:

Lets all get along boys.....:rofl::rofl:

You may want to check out the LQ4 that came in some of the GM trucks. It's a 6.0 liter cast iron LSX. It certainly won't shave any weight off your front end, but people report finding LQ4's with 30,000 miles on them for less than $1,000. If you're building on a budget, you can't go wrong!

Check out www.EngineFactory.com and speak to Matt Walsh. I will go for the 383 Mini Ram 450Hp, key turn ready and beautifully chromed. Fits with no mods.
Too expensive for me though!!!!!

450 HP / 383 Stroker Mini Ram Corvette Fuel Injected Engine


Replaces any Small Block Chevy Originally Equipped with TPI


4 Bolt Main, Full Round Seal Block

New Scat CS383 Stroker Crankshaft

Eagle I Beam connecting rods w/ 190,000 PSI Rod bolts

H860CP 10 to 1 Hypereutectic Pistons

Sealed Power Chrome Moly Rings

Heavy Duty Double Roller Timing Set

Aluminum fast burn E-TECH Edelbrock 64cc Chamber cylinder heads with 2.02 Int. x 1.60 Exh. stainless steel valves, hardened valve Seats, chrome moly retainers & 1.46" Valve Springs

Hi-Po Hydraulic Roller Camshaft

Hydraulic Roller Lifters

Clevite 77 Tri-Metal Bearings

New hardened pushrods and Guide Plates

Comp Cams Roller Rocker Arms #1301-16

Melling High Volume Oil pump

Complete Fel-pro Gasket set

New GM Harmonic Balancer

New Flexplate for Automatic Trans.
(Standard Flywheel add $200)



New Chrome Oil pan, Timing cover and Baffled Valve Covers

New Dipstick, Diptube and Oil filter

Mini Ram Fuel Injected Intake Manifold #500-505

New Water Pump

New Fuel Rail Kit #500-507 Corvette,#500-508 Camaro&Firebird

New 30lb. Fuel Injectors #300-512

New 58mm Throttle Body -1000 cfm

Bosch Fuel Pump

Custom Computer Chip

New Champion Spark plugs gapped and installed

High Temp. Resistant Ignition Wires

New Thermostat Housing

Balanced, Blueprinted and Painted with High Temp Enamel Paint

Packaged and Crated for Shipment

Instructions Included with a Video




$9,999.00

The Mini- Ram Intake Manifold is ideal for any Corvette enthusiast. It delivers more torque from 2,000 to 2,700 RPM than a stock or modified TPI, and gives an awesome rush of power from 3,500 RPM to 6,000 RPM. The reason the TPI intake is so restrictive is due to its intake runner length, which is 17 inches long. The average carburetor intake is about 5-6 inches long, and the Mini- Ram intake is 3 inches long. The shorter runner produces a higher peak RPM. The higher peak RPM produces more horsepower. That is why it makes so much more power. The same runner concept is why the LT1 motors made 60 more HP over the TPI motors out of the box. If you look at stock TPI aluminum head flow numbers, and compare them to stock LT1 aluminum head flow numbers, you will see little difference. Also cam specs are very similar, and the throttle bodies, and cubic inches are the same. So why does the LT1 make more power? Simple, intake runner length is the main difference, shorter runner more RPM, and RPM is Horsepower. If GM put a 17 inch long intake runner on the LT1 motor, the numbers would be the same as the TPI motors.



1-800-326-6554


WWW.ENGINEFACTORY.COM

A real site, that is so gay. All they talk about over there is waxes and polish,

I see you are still a CF member and posting over there :vomitbuddy:

Why would you want to butcher your C4? For performance? Your TPI will easily run 12's with a few mods, the LS3 will run 13's.
Where did you come up w/that? Bone stock LS3's in C6's are running 11's. The C4 is a better drag platform so 11's w/an LS3 would be pretty easy to achieve. Far easier than getting a TPI 350 into the 12's.

Must be all that TPI building and drag track experience that you have, right? :coffeetime:

Lets all get along boys.....:rofl::rofl:

I don't understand. The problem here is CLEARLY, one sided. IMO, there is no "boys" about it, but rather...."BOY" (singular). One person gave out misinformation to the OP, the other gave correct and documented information that can actually help the OP.

There is a very quick and simple fix to both the "flow of information" AND to the bickering. Kill two birds w/one stone.

Put another way, Vetteoz is making an excellent effort to help the OP; and that's what forums are all about. His efforts however, are being sidetracked and undermined by the ignorant and the immature. That's not fair to the OP or to the person trying to give good and honest advice. Or to the rest of the forum, quite frankly.

If you are looking to park an LS engine in a C-4 it has been done quite a few times and on another forum the are photos, guidelines, and how to's by several guys.

And yes, the LS motor is a far better engine to the Gen 1, no contest.... If I had to do all over again, I would drop in a LS....Peroid :thumbsup:

Wow, I've been gone a few days, lots of posts.

So, here's what I did while you all where posting.

Just bought a new crate 383 stroker with mini ram and headers from TPIS.
I'll have it in the car in two weeks tops. and I'll let you know what I think.
But I'm pretty sure it will be way cooler than the stock engine.

Just bought a new crate 383 stroker with mini ram and headers from TPIS.

Who is doing the tune?
MR needs someone who really knows what they are doing to get it right.
Lots of off idle popping and lean out otherwise.

Who is doing the tune?
MR needs someone who really knows what they are doing to get it right.
Lots of off idle popping and lean out otherwise.

The motor has been built, tuned and dyno'd by TPIS. TPIS is also providing the computer chip.
I expect it to run out of the box. So we'll see. I'll let you know.

It just seemed like a much simpler and safer way to approach this project. If it where a carbureted engine I would have been more up for experimentation.

The motor has been built, tuned and dyno'd by TPIS. TPIS is also providing the computer chip.
I expect it to run out of the box. So we'll see. I'll let you know.

It just seemed like a much simpler and safer way to approach this project. If it where a carbureted engine I would have been more up for experimentation.

Looks like a hassle free crate engine, with a chip and everything. Do you have an auto? If you do you will want to get a higher stall converter.

:catfight: :stupid: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I don't understand. The problem here is CLEARLY, one sided. IMO, there is no "boys" about it, but rather...."BOY" (singular). One person gave out misinformation to the OP, the other gave correct and documented information that can actually help the OP.

There is a very quick and simple fix to both the "flow of information" AND to the bickering. Kill two birds w/one stone.

Put another way, Vetteoz is making an excellent effort to help the OP; and that's what forums are all about. His efforts however, are being sidetracked and undermined by the ignorant and the immature. That's not fair to the OP or to the person trying to give good and honest advice. Or to the rest of the forum, quite frankly.

TPIS is also providing the computer chip.
I expect it to run out of the box. So we'll see. I'll let you know.


TPiS tunes tend to be rich to prevent torching the engine .
Many have had to get the TPiS tune adjusted several times to be perfect.
MR tune is very fussy

Looks like a hassle free crate engine, with a chip and everything. Do you have an auto? If you do you will want to get a higher stall converter.

With more torque of 383 why does he need a higher stall?
Might want to get a D44 first.

With more torque of 383 why does he need a higher stall?
Might want to get a D44 first.

it's a ZF6 manual And Convertible

It is what it is!!!!!!

I'm still curious if I can actually get this down the track without a rollbar. Cause I better be faster than 13.5 or I'll be really pissed.

ha ha ha. This car has been sittin in my garage collecting dust for over 15 years. I'm looking foward to having some fun with it.

I really appreciate all your help.

it's a ZF6 manual It is what it is!!!!!!
Cause I better be faster than 13.5 or I'll be really pissed. .

Easy low 12's IF you can launch right. Launching man C4's is an art .
Similar setup on another Forum (383 / MR ) 12.0XX , best 11.9 390RWHP:thumbsup:
Many with a better reving engine have gone to 3.73 - 4.10 gears to get the best from the MR.
Can you post up the engine specs?
Heads / cam /etc?

Can you post up the engine specs?
Heads / cam /etc?

ha ha no way. I'm not having you call my baby ugly before I even get it home!!

Let me put the motor and see what it does. We can disect it later.

ha ha no way. I'm not having you call my baby ugly before I even get it home!!

Let me put the motor and see what it does. We can disect it later.

Just interested in the cam specs;
lower gears may get you in the cam sweet spot earlier :thumbsup:

I would love to see a LS3 C4.

-Adam

As others have said this swap has been done and well documented on several other forums so a lit of the bugs have been worked out. My suggestion is that you find a take out from a recycling yard with low mileage. You can find these relatively cheap and get the entire engine, computer, wiring and trans as one whole thing. This will make the swap significantly easier, save money that could be spent on upgrading the engine and the car itself. However, before you do anything I would suggest you decide what you intend to do with the car. It seemed from your post that you were looking to build a primary drag vehicle. If that is your intention, I personally would go the LS route. I'd spend the money on a stroker, nitrous, trans and beefing up or swapping in a 9 inch straight rear axle rather than mess with the IRS.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u309/vetteoz/turbo1.jpg

It seemed from your post that you were looking to build a primary drag vehicle. If that is your intention, I personally would go the LS route. I'd spend the money on a stroker, nitrous, trans and beefing up or swapping in a 9 inch straight rear axle rather than mess with the IRS.

Thanks for the reply. I ended up buying a 383. It is scheduled to arive on Wednesday this week.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u309/vetteoz/turbo1.jpg

Wow, Some serious work went into that build.
Thanks for the picture!