a little LS1 History. 1994 date code LS1
07-14-2010, 05:46 PM
#30
The C5 "alpha" build, which produced the first prototype cars that were reasonably close to how the 1997 Corvette would look, began in June of 1994. By late-summer, the alpha phase was in high-gear and most all used iron block/aluminum head Gen IIIs at first, with a few all-aluminum units showing up late that year.
The next C5 iteration, the "beta," began to appear at the end of June 1995. Betas were very representative of what production C5s would be and were the last cars built in Michigan at GM prototype assembly line. Betas used mostly, aluminum LS1s. By fall-'95, the beta build was complete, but the number of cars in testing, believed to have been about two dozen, sometimes exceeded the supply of reliable, all-aluminum engines. Betas not used in development where vehicle mass approximating production intent was necessary, sometimes got iron block/aluminum head engines.
By late 1995 or early 1996, the aluminum block shortage was less of a problem and the LS1 progressed to the point that final development in prototype C5s was underway. That continued into the April of 1996 when the engine was released for production.
An interesting aspect of the engine program was the "Cormaro". In the first six months of 1995, twenty C5 structure/chassis/powertrain combinations were fitted with modified ’95 Camaro bodyshells. These cars were used well into 1996 for powertrain development and were a perfect way to put street miles on the LS1 without drawing attention...at least until ace spyshooter, Jim Dunne, published a picture of a Cormaro in AutoWeek magazine and identified the car as a Gen III V8 "test mule."
There was also an unknown number of C4s that were fitted with Gen III engines. These cars were used to develop cold-start ability and the traction control system software.
07-14-2010, 05:50 PM
#31
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in bowling green they have one of the camaro's with vette drivetrain, I remember looking at it at the museum but hell that was years ago but I remember something about the fuel tanks and stuff from the vette but like I said that was years ago, 02 I think the last time i was there
07-15-2010, 02:18 PM
#32
Very good catch. You have to think how low the odds are that, that core got in to the hands of someone that new what it was and not a junkyard or someone who just rebuilt it and sent it out as a stock replacement.
Also I wonder how it got out in public?
They better let you keep it.
If not I'll come down and swap it with one of the production ones I have, when no ones around
Also I wonder how it got out in public?
They better let you keep it.
If not I'll come down and swap it with one of the production ones I have, when no ones around
