There is a gentleman by me that builds and upgrades ZR1 Corvette's, and is looking to part one out. Does anyone here on the board have any info on these motors because I haven't heard very much about these previous to talking to this guy? And does anyone know what kind of horsepower these put down and is it really worth doing the swap?
Also can you give me a little info on what is gonna be involved in this swap?

 

Very, VERY deep pockets.

 

GM Powertrain Division swapped one into a thrid gen IROC, but I don't think it will fit into a fourth gen. The top of the motor is huge due to the DOHC, and the oil pan is huge as it holds 13 quarts of oil. Lots of money is just the start,it's way too much work in general. Yeah, the LT5 rocks, but so doesn't an LT1...especially with LT5 money thrown at it!

 

The LT5 peaked at 405HP, the same as the current Z06. It was a decent engine and seemed to respond well to mod's by the popular Corvette aftermarket tuners like Lingenfelter. I believe there are some known weak areas, and parts are obviously in a very limited supply, and very expensive as a result. I would try the Corvette boards to get an idea of what the problem areas are and how much it will cost to rehabilitate or upgrade an engine.

 

Thanks alot for your quick input I greatly appreciate it!

 

Before I embarked on my LT1 build up, I did a LOT of research on this project.

Bottom line is that unless you have more money then God you will spend twice the money to get the same - or possibly worse - results.

I concluded that it would cost $25k - $30k $USD to get a moderatly worked LT5 with about 550 HP.

VERY cool to do but the challenges are HUGE. Nothing that money cannot fix BUT why bother.

You would have to get a custom k member, POSSIBLY problems with the windshield cowl, tranny, DS, computer. Just isn't worth it when you can get built motor and a blower for half the price.

 

With all the k members out there i don't see it as a problem.
I would rather just throw the money at a c5r block personally and have fun.

Steven

 

Check out the parts that Doug Rippie has for them. I believe he has a heads/cam kit that puts them in the 550hp range (not sure what all is involved). Also, I believe rippie may have plopped one of these into and f-bod at one point. The site used to be dougrippiemotorsports.com.....havent been there in a long time. I agree that the motor is too expensive for what its worth unless you're going for the Wow factor. Last I checked,13 quarts of mobil one would set you back over $65 an oil change just in oil.

 

It was a great engine for 15 years ago wasn't it.

I'd go LS1 though, the LT5s are still pulling in about 13k for the engine alone, much less modding it (4 cam$, etc)...

 

I found an LT5 in Nebraska from a 1992 ZR1 for 9K. It had a little over 13k miles on it. I wanted to buy it for the wow factor, but when I called LPE to find out if the transplant to an F-body was possible, their response was'nt too enthusiastic.

 

If i had the money.. I think 6grand to be exact.. i would get a 502 crate motor from GM... 502HP and 502TQ... STOCK
can't go wrong with a 502

 

The engine is hell for heavy and costs about $39,999 (or did) for an LPE stroker.

You can buy a 427 LS1 from Katech (the makers of the C5R) for $26,000. Which would you rather have?

Perry