TnTrk53

Have '80 vette available to me ,and would like to run 5.3 / 4l60 ,also available
both very reasonably priced. It looks like a pretty easy fit,but I'm no master fabricator,Is this a complicated swap? It will be my first build. Thanks Jim

Budman78

iTrader: (5)

Most everything is over the counter, it's just pricey. I'm in the middle of mine right now.

TnTrk53

Where's the counter?
I'm on a pretty tight budget though.
How far off firewall is engine and where did you find motor and trans. mounts.?

Budman78

iTrader: (5)

S & P for the motor mounts, about $89.00 and Bowtie overdrives for the Transmount, about $189. I made both and I'm out about $30 large. The engine sit about 3 inches from the firewall. Also the stat housing will not work, the A/C has to be mounted on top with custom brackets, heater outlets don't work, and the driveshaft will have to be cut. Just so you know, even on a poorboy budget, expect to cash out $2000 for just stuff. i.e. Harness, ecm programming, exhaust, etc. etc. Good luck. Buddy

TnTrk53

Thanks Budman, I 've been looking for a project for awhile now.
Maybe this will be a good one, at least I've got a good chance of
some $$ return with a vet. even a hybrid. Easy 13's and milage in the
20's for under 10k (hopefully) ,beats a v/8 vega.
I'll be on this forum asking for help and advice often. Jim

Budman78

iTrader: (5)

Scooter70 is also working on a C-3 conversion.

Scooter70

iTrader: (1)

Hi.
Here's some sites for good reading to let you know what's ahead.
GameshowBob's LS1 powered '80 Vette: http://corvetteforum.net/c3/gameshowbob/
Jeff's LS1 powered '70 Vette: http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/70lt1/ls1.shtml
John B's LS1 Monte: http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/

John's site is very detailed and has lots of pics. I recommend taking some time and reading through John's site as well as stepping back thru this forum. Many questions have come up and have been answered well. If you have any other questions, ask away. There's a good bunch of guys around here.

-Matt

tomj1404

What do you mean? If I do the swap I wont have a heater? or will I need a new heater core?

Budman78

iTrader: (5)

Here is a picture of my heater outlets.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/bud...rmo_change.jpg
Some guys are retaping the water pump and addind new outlets.
Here is my conversion site. Not great, but a starting point.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/budman78/

77vetteLS1

Budman, have you decided on a pulley configuration? I also had an F-body LS1, I purchased the vette bracket for the alternator and power steering pump and bought the power steering pulley from S&P. I tryed using the F-body pulley but it is way too big. I also bought the A/C bracket from S&P, if you don't want A/C they also make a delete pulley that goes on the upper passenger side.

Budman78

iTrader: (5)

I'm staying with the standard F-Body setup excluding the A/C set up. There I'm thinking about going with a late model smaller Sanders or Nippon compressor and a custom made bracket up top. Reconfig the belt routing and that's it. I like S & P brackets, but way out of my budget. I will probably just buy their fuel lines and PS hoses. When funds permit, I would like to trailer the car to them and have them fab up my headers.