LT5 swap? any takers?

[BlazerSpeed]

Yeah I realize that this is crazy expensive, but has anyone ever heard of doing an LT5 swap? How hard are parts to get for these motors?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...940445038&rd=1

I was looking for ebay LT1 deals and ran across that...To be honest I know virtually nothing about these motors other than that they're expensive, rare, and came in the ZR-1.

Its weird too, the first thing I thought after seeing this was "I wonder if Tyler was still not sure about his motor?" am I wrong or would this look bada$$ in 50/50 or any of our projects for that matter hahaha...oh well guess I'll just have to keep dreaming.
Derek

[dennis68]

The LT5 has been out of production for over a decade and was a very limited run in it's prime. I have a few customers with ZR1's and buy up all the spare parts/engines they can find. 1 customer in particular has 4 or 5 spare engines at 25-35K a pop. You would have to have mad money to do a LT5 swap, breaking parts during runs would bankrupt most guys.

[will69camaro]

I thought about a LT5 for my car...before i realized the cost. The LT5 is a really cool engine (deisnged by lotus and built at mercury marine i believe). With how expensive those are it's just not practicle to have it over the cheaper LS1 or LS6...You could probably even find a LS2 for the price. I like the LT5 and they are VERY cool cars (ridden in one and it was a blast). I'd like to one day own a ZR1 but that's the only way i think i'll get my hands behind the wheel of something powered by a LT5.

William

[Lowend]

I think you are biting off a world of hurt...
The LT5 is rare, and parts are pretty much unobtainable. They do have a VERY high cool factor, but functionally they aren't that great.
The motors are big and very heavy (more than a Big Block).
I would say you should take a pass on this one.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I looked hard at it. Had a roll over ZR1 available for $8000. Had everything needed including 6 speed and front and Dana 44. But then I remebered when John Moss let me drive the 92 Z28 that he put LT5 / ZF motor and trans in. As sweet as that motor is, there was a lot of vibration in a unibody (camaro) that is deguised by the full frame body bushing Corvette. It was fast, but to shakey.

[carbuff]

Well, my dad took the plunge on this, and I'd say it's worked out pretty well. He owned this motor for almost 10 years before he actually fired it up for the first time. The car it came from was burned up, so he had to replace all the wiring, computer, and most of the engine sensors. After sitting for 10 years, I was amazed it came to life so easily...

LT5 Installed

This went into his 57 Chevy with the ZF6 transmission. I'm not too impressed with the ZF6, but the LT5 runs great! Very smooth, good power, nice setup. He has the cruise control hooked up, as well as the secondary injectors for the 'power' mode.

Not sure I would want to do this for all the reasons listed, but this car attracts a lot of attention at the shows...

If you want to poke through a few more images, check them out here:

57 Chevy LT5 Project

Enjoy!
Bryan

[TA219]

That is a amazing motor, i really think it was ahead of its time but if you put it head to head with a LS6 they have about the same performance. I would say if it was me i would spend the money on a LS6 just to save headaches

[USAZR1]

I've owned two heavily modified ZR-1's and am the founder of the LT5 Registry so you could say I know a couple of things about them. The biggest surprise is how much misinformation there is.
Cost? I can buy these engines all day long for $7-10K. Spare parts are readily available,for the most part. $25-35K for a spare engine? I don't think so. You can buy a nice,whole ZR-1 for less than that.
Vibration? It's a common trick to balance a nickel on an LT5 intake while idling. Try that on an LS1 or LS6.
An LT5 engine is larger than a BBC. They weigh around 625lbs with flywheel assy.
No question that a LS1 engine is lighter and much cheaper to build.
I'm starting to think about a 368" or 385" LT5 for my 69 Elky. Nothing sounds sweeter at 7500rpm,IMO.

[Raptor Pilot]

I have been considering doing this swap into my '88 GTA when the time comes. USAZR1 is no doubt 100% correct here. I don't own one yet, but have kept myself aware of the market and they pop up all the time around 7-9k with low double digit 1,000's of miles. Complete NOS crate motors sell between 11-13k, some with harnesses.

[jeff s]

My friend Marc Haibeck routinely gets 550 rear wheel hp from his modified normally aspirated ZR1's (415cid). As much as I love the LS1,LS6 can't argue with the numbers.

[MStennes]

I saw one in a 66? Vette this last summer at Goodguys in Spokane, WA all I can sat is wow what a combo! I would do it if I had the extra cash just to have something real differnt and know that it wont be copied. If I could I would.
Mike

[Smoke'm]

Hey Carbuff tell your Pop's he builds a nice clean ride!...hubcap cars are cool....

[rickk]

bryan , what did you do with your camaro .



rick kirkindall

[carbuff]

Hey Carbuff tell your Pop's he builds a nice clean ride!...hubcap cars are cool....

Hee hee.. Thanx, I'll be sure to pass it along! I drove the car for the first time in a while today, and took some new pictures as well. I'll try to get them on the website next week...

I gotta say. The LT5 in that car is SMOOTH! He has a chambered exhaust on the car, so it is a little loud. But the engine pulls so nicely all the way to the redline! It's not the easiest car to drive for lots of reasons (size, clutch, shifter location), but it definitely is fun and turns heads!

[carbuff]

bryan , what did you do with your camaro .

Rick,

I sold it about 2 years ago now. In the market for another one for my next project right now (so if anyone runs across a nice 2nd gen RS Camaro, let me know. ). It's not too far away from me though, as it lives in San Antonio, Tx. and I'm living in Austin. I see it once in a while for little visits.

[rickk]

bryan give me a call 214 908 2100 i live in dallas .


rick kirkindall