I have a 1963 Split Window Coupe that was built on the 2nd Monday of production in Sept of '62. Sadly, the engine was built in Dec of '62, but is a correct vette engine. I am thinking of installing a LS3 Crate engine (480 hp) in it, along with a Tremec TKO 5 speed tranny. Anybody out there done this? Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

Keith

You may want to contact Bob Lund, Bloomington, MN. He is the expert in the Twin Cities area on midyears. He may have some experience in this area.
Good luck, I just swapped my engine in a '63 SWC, but I kept the 4 spd tranny.

I have a 1963 Split Window Coupe that was built on the 2nd Monday of production in Sept of '62. Sadly, the engine was built in Dec of '62, but is a correct vette engine. I am thinking of installing a LS3 Crate engine (480 hp) in it, along with a Tremec TKO 5 speed tranny. Anybody out there done this? Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

Keith

unless you are out for the latest i would put in a GM 383 crate engine as it will take a lot less effort and you will not have to cut up your corvette

Keith
I was on the phone yesterday with Keisler intending to order either a TKO 500 or 600 for my '63 roadster. At the last moment, their sales rep asked if my car had shim type body to frame mounts or rubber donut type as found on some later '63's and all other mid years. I don't know. He told me if my car had shim type I would have to change to rubber donut type for the TKO to clear the tunnel. Have you, or anyone else, heard this or had any experience with a Tremec installation in a 63?
Beamervette

Do you have Bob Lund's email address or contact information?

Bob Lund 952-884-2213

Best,
Keith

Keith why not take the curent engine and build it up . You will have a better engine putting in quality parts to your specks. Just an idea.
Less work. One other point . Drum brakes 400 plus horse don't make a good team.

Keith, I just finished putting a full roller 383 in my 63 SWC and it was pretty much a piece of cake. I am only running 9.6 to one compression and still engine dyno at 410 HP. Mine has roller rockers and the tall valve covers so the drivers side valve cover had to be notched in the rear to clear the booster. The Edelbrock air gap manifold requires a drop down air cleaner to clear the hood. MSD distributor with a tach drive let me keep the original tach. The car runs strong and I can still drive it on pump gas without pinging. The 383 is a good choice for this car if you just want to replace a stock 327 with a new more powerful motor without any modifications. I drive mine from Las Vegas to Los Angeles several times a year and want a good reliable driver more than a race car and this set up seems to be great. Dave

Thanks for the reply and info. Sounds like a really nice ride you have. I bought a 430 hp LS3 crate engine for my car, and I'm thinking of installing a new Keisler Tremec 5 speed behind it. I have a quote from them, but I'm going to see if there is any advantage to buying their new RS transmission for this car. The LS3 is all aluminum and weighs about 100 lbs less than the 327 it is replacing. I really like the power and torque this engine puts out and it's reliability. I did install all new disc brakes in the frame to stop the thing. I plan to keep all the parts to restore it to original (although, again, the 327 is not the correct serial numbers), if some wealthy individual wants to buy the car and do so years from now, but for me, I want a bone stock looking 1963 SWC with new guts. I plan on installing power brakes, air, fulie plaques, maybe side pipes, and have the windows slightly tinted. I don't even plan on buying the knock-off wheels for it, I like the hubcaps. Thanks for the info!

Keith

Kieth, sounds to me like you will have a great car. I would choose the LS3 engine over my 383 if I could have done the switch myself but I thought it would have been above my mechanical ability. The 383 was really easy and I knew I could do it in my own garage. I have some friends with LS series engines in their hot rods and they are fast and reliable as a new car. My car has power discs all the way around, aftermarket air, power rack and pinion steering, tinted windows, stock body and exhaust. Its running an ART CARR R200 4 speed overdrive transmission. It won first place in the SUPER CHEVY SHOW IN LAS VEGAS 2010 for best street corvette 1953-1967. The car is silver with a basicly stock restored black interior and even though the car isn't all original its a great driving corvette that draws a crowd wherever it goes. My car was an original fuelie car but that was gone along with the original 327 when I got the car. In a way I am lucky the car wasn't all original because I probably wouldn't have driven it like I do now and it wouldn't have air or the 4 wheel disc brakes or the overdrive trans all of which make it a great driving car. I rarely if ever see another 63 split window on my trips to Los Angeles unless its at a show. Since it wasn't original when I got it I didn't feel restrained by changing anything. When yours is finished it will be outstanding and still plenty valuable. Anybody that owns one of these cars no matter if its original or modified is a lucky man. Dave

i cant help on the tunnel part. i just put a tko 600 in my 67 coupe. let me help you with one thing. if you order a tranny kit make damn sure they send you the slip yoke for it. dont wait until they build your shaft you wont get it. the yokes are next to impossible to get. this happened to me twice once with kiesler last year i changed over a 73 from auto.and right now as i'm writing this i'm waiting on my shaft from american power train for my 67. its on jack stands waiting, for how long i dont know. these yokes were being built in india thats right india and i hear that dried up. i also heard hurst has yokes but you must buy your tranny from them so thats where i would go but please make them send you a yoke and send it back when its time to build your shaft. if they cant send one then dont buy