So its been almost 2 years since I went down the N/A rabbit hole with my ls3 ford focus. After several attempts to make big power on the focus I threw a rod and destroyed the motor. Since then I put a turbo 5.3 in the focus and have had alot of fun with cheap easy hp. But i have had an itch i just cant scratch.

So I decided to go down the N/A path again.

I recently bought a 1985 C4 Corvette Auto with a blown engine. I have since then removed the engine and transmission and started the ls swap.

For now I am going to use a stock block and heads ls3 with a cam and intake.

I am using a super t10 transmission

The car weighed 3166 when I got it. I am hoping to get it down to about 2700lbs

So i have installed kirkey seats and have a 5.3 I had laying around the shop installed for mock up.. I have to build an adapter to go from the t10 to the stock c frame.

 

Well......I'd have kept the OEM intake and had the radius-rod mod done to it. But I guess the fun factor won't suffer too much with a 2700 LB 'Vette.

best of luck....have fun!

KW

 

I ended up buying an l92 6.2 from a cadillac. I got it stripped down today.

I also finished building my c frame adapter

I bought a set of headers for a c6 corvette and only have to modify one pipe.

 

Very cool.

Word to the wise, check the rear. If it's a Dana 44 you should be good. If it's a 36 just know they are more fragile. If there is not a sticker with the rear codes you can always look at the batwing and figure it out pretty easy

Post some pics!

 

Very cool! I'm finishing up the rebuild on an L92 myself. Should be a really cool swap with the 4 speed.

 

After driving the car for over a year I decided to fix a few things and i took it apart last december. Since then it has gotten out of control on the quest for more power and less weight. I almost have it back together now and hopefully this fall I can drive it again. The car ended up weighing about 2500lbs with the old set up. But I have dropped alot more since then. It made 492whp on a dyno jet with the old set up .

Here are the pics of the old set up

 

The new set up I am working on

Upgrades I am working on now.

2 inch headers into dual 3 inch center exhaust.
holley ultra low ram intake and motion throttle body. Awesome pieces but they do weigh more than my current setup
holley intake fuel cell pump to replace my out of tank set up.
larger aluminum radiator which is going to weigh more bc of the higher capacity.

I have been replacing bolts with titianium ones where i can and also aluminum bolts on non critical components.
Gutted hood
I just picked up a set of baer two piece front rotors which saved 2.5 lbs per side.
GPI Heads
Tilton 5.5 Clutch
Carbon Driveshaft
Rebuilding the transmission with gun drilled mainshaft lightened gears and roller bearings

 

 

 

 

 

 

do you get hollow stem intake valves in the heads for weight reduction?

 

They should be replaced for longevity of the valve train alone.

 

Hey man, did you get this back on the road? Really liked the whole build a lot. Curious how you liked the GPI heads.