Topic: Crate Motor Considerations...
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Hi all...
First of all, my apologies for what may be uninformed questions. I've read a number of the posts here and the level of knowledge is WAY beyond anything I have...I have no mechanical experience whatsoever.
What I do have is a recently purchased 1980 Corvette. It is a 4-speed with an L48 engine. The car is in beautiful condition and I can't find anything that would indicate it is not original (as best I can tell - little in terms of paperwork). I've also checked the numbers on the block and they seem to match.
My question revolves around an article I read in Vette Magazine (Nov 2007 issue) called "It Only Lives Twice". The article discussed preserving the value of an original vette by taking the engine out and storing it, and installing a crate motor in its place. Performance improves while at the same time preserving the value of the car.
To the uninformed, this sounds like a really good idea. However, raises all kinds of questions. For example, if you replace the motor, how far do you need to go in terms of making sure the new powerplant is consistent with the existing transmission? Brakes? Steering? Suspension? Stuff I'm not thinking of?
Just wondering if anyone has done this or if there are opinions on the subject...thanks in advance for the input...
Mark
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First of all - congrats on your vette! There are so many things to cover in regards to an engine swap. I would really suggest doing a search for "engine swap" and read all the good stuff that comes up. Searching for "ZZ4" should also bring up a wealth of info. When I did my engine swap, everyone here helped and saved me a tremendous amount of time.
With your car you don't have to change anything else. Of course you would change the clutch as long as it's apart, but you don't have any computer stuff so that's not an issue. If you have to pass any emissions testing you will have to consider that. As long as you don't go with a
502 or something wild you are fine.
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I am going to be putting a 350HO in my ride this winter and storing the original motor even though its pretty pathetic on the HP scale.
As far as changes to support the extra HP, the C3's are built on the same chassis as the C2's except for some minor changes along the way and the addition of 4 wheel disc brakes as standard. So these babies can handle some additional horsepower. Part of what improvements you would want to make is based on how you are going to drive it. If you are going to spend time on the track then I would say you may want to make some handling improvements. For street driving your vette is very capable the way it is.
Thanks for the feedback...
Although I would likely go up on the HP, my primary (sole) purpose in having the car is street driving. As such, sounds like not much to do other than drop the engine in.
Kinda what I was hoping the answer would be!
Mark
Hey Mark;
edoff13 2007-10-20 15:30:18
I am also going to pull the original and swap it for a ZZ383. This is GM's Crate Motor Web site www.gmperformanceparts.com Seems like the wave is catching on with these ZZ's
Lifetime MemberElma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible.
L-48 Auto
#'s matching
Red 1970 LT-1
Convertible
#'s matching
So does this ZZ383 just drop right in in place of a L-48?
What power improvment does it give overall?
Lifetime MemberBUCKHANNON, WV - USA
Joined: 1/4/2002
Posts: 474
Vette(s): 81 T Top Beige in color
Take a look at the enginefactory.com
in Forum: C3 Engines
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