I have some serious engine trouble in my 96 z28. Basically what happened was I didn't put the oil stick back in properly and was bombing down the highway and all the oil got dumped. There was some serious white smoke when i looked in the rear view mirror. Now whenever the engine has been running more than about 10 minutes it billows out huge clouds of white smoke. I've been ttold my piston rigs are gona, and maybe a piston is cracked too. To put a refurbished engine is going to work out cheaper than overhauling the old engine. My mechanic has a C4 engine and he said it would fit in perfectly, and all i'd need to do is change the axel from GU2 to GU5, no need to change the gearbox.Not being much of a techie at all i need these questions answered.

1. Would a c4 engine fit properly or would the chasis need to be altered?
2. If it did fit would the gearbox need to be changed?
3. Would the axel need to be replaced at the same time or could that wait a while?
4. If everything did go to plan what would the perfomance be like compared to the old engine?

I'd appreciate any help possible. Mail me on demonic_embrace666@yahoo.com if you can help, or just post a thread.

Nick

 

Sounds more like a blown head gasket to me. I dont see how anybody can create the problems you are describing by putting in the oil dipstick incorrectly.. if that is even possible.

 

Actually yoou probably didn't put the dipstick in wrong, rather the piston rings or head gaskets took a dump and the excessive pressure in your crankcase had nowhere to go but thru your dipstick tube. Same thing happened to me. As for the engine, if its an lt1 then it shouldn't be too hard to swap in. You might have a little trouble mounting your accessories on because I think the bolt holes on the corvette heads may be a little different (someone please correct me if I am wrong). You won't have to change the transmission if its an lt1 either. Just use what is already in your car in terms of belhousing, flywheel/flexplate, etc. For the rearend, the only reason why he said you need to change it is to get the correct gear ratio so your speedometer isn't off. I believe the GU2 code is for 2.73's and the GU5 is for 3.42's (once again its been a long time since I have looked at RPO codes so somebody please correct me if I am wrong). You can either get a computer program to correct the speedo or you can swap out the gears/rearend. Finally for performance, with the engine being out of a corvette, your car might feel a little quicker but it won't be dramatic. Hope this helps.

Shaun

 

Thanks that's perfect, exactly what i needed. I'll go for that engine then. It was probably ****ed for a long time, got the car for just about nothing. Thanks again.

Nick

 

If all you are swapping is an engine, not a transmission or rear end, you can leave your gears alone. The deeper gears will give you faster accellearation, but will throw the speedo off. That is unless you are using the computer off the 'vette as well, in which case well, why?

The corvette engine should swap in fine, but as posted before some of the accessory holes may be different. I know the mounting brackets for things are. Be careful that the engine from the C4 is in fact an LT1, not a TPI or carbed 350.

Oh, and one more thing. Depending on how extensive the damage is to your engine, it could be cheaper to fix it than swap it, that also depends on the deal he's giving you on the engine from the C4 and what labor will cost.

 

Yep it's an LT1, the deal im getting is pretty much the same sort of price you pay anywhere. If i was in any other country i'd get the engine overhauled but the problem is the prices in bahrain are extortionate, and the GM agent is crap. Plus i dont want to leave my car rotting away. If anyones ever done this before or knows anyone whos done it, i'd like to know if theres any horror stories.. i have 2 weeks to make up my mind!!

Cheers

Nick

 

Rarely do rings go from any problem. Also think about this. If the rings were bad why would they get worse once it warms up? Your problem is in the heads and gasket area. Since you intend to replace the engine anyway, wait. Pull the heads off and inspect the mating surfaces as well as the tops of the pistons. If it turns out you need to shave a head and replace the head gasket, that's much cheaper and easier than what HE wants you to do.

Do a little investigating yourself to keep the cost down. This can all be done in a day which still gives you the rest of the 2 weeks to decide.

 

No rings never go bad. lol.

 

I had a good look at the engine, oils mixed with water, theres a crack in 2 pistons and the rings, quite frankly, are f****d. I've recently replaced it with a 97 LT-1, replaced the muffler (flowmaster series 80 crossover) and it's running like a dream. Decided against the Corvette LT-1 in the end.

Thanks to all for their help!

Nick