LT5 into 4th Gen F-Body???

I don't know why but for the past week or so I've been obsessed with the idea of dropping a big LT5 four-cammer into my Z28. I've looked around and found at least one engine out of a '92 ZR-1, sealed since Nov. '93 with 32,000 original miles - asking $10k.

Does anyone know if this brute would even fit into the already jammed engine bay of a 4th Gen? I'm positive a new hood would be needed to clear the high 16-runner intake plenum - actually know that I think of it the LT1 intake manifold already rests about a foot behind the bottom frame of the windshield... That's tight.

I guess nobody has ever tried it (or failed doing so) but does anyone think it's possible? I've seen a big block 502 squeezed under a 4th Gen Camaro's hood before...

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67796LT5-med.jpg


Wouldn't this look awesome under the hood!

i had absolutely no idea that GM conceived such a creation. that is probably the most incredible engine i have ever seen. you must tell me more about this LT5...

i have seen one done... its a pitch to do though... and if it breaks good luck!!! Mercury Marin made the motor...

Dude, tell me more if you can (you saw it in a magazine, etc...), but as long as the thing fits then there's hope. The way I figure it, you can easily drop $10k building a stroker LT1 done up to the tits and never even get half of it back if you try and sell it (I'll NEVER sell my car mind you, but I've just noticed this). Put a rare monster like this in and its going to be way more original and popular. I know it would be a bloody hard project though - it dawned on me that the exhaust manifolds would probably have to be custom made just in order to fit under the damn hood. Still, image once it was all done...

*volunteers donor car*

Wow ChevyRacing where were you in the 90's bros.??? lol
Life and memory all began AFTER the Viper came into production eh. (I'm just pulling yer leg dude) :grinno:

Here's pretty much everything you'd want to know: (with pics)

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/zr1/lt5specs.html

- first DOHC engine ever to go in a Vette,
- 5.7L 32-valve V8,
- aluminum block, forged aluminum sleeves
- like twdz28 said it was designed for GM by Mercury Marine and Lotus' division in Britain,
- 7200 RPM redline

Can you imagine what that beast sounds like at redline!!!

Wow ChevyRacing where were you in the 90's bros.??? lol
Life and memory all began AFTER the Viper came into production eh. (I'm just pulling yer leg dude) :grinno:

Here's pretty much everything you'd want to know: (with pics)

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/zr1/lt5specs.html

- first DOHC engine ever to go in a Vette,
- 5.7L 32-valve V8,
- aluminum block, forged aluminum sleeves
- like twdz28 said it was designed for GM by Mercury Marine and Lotus' division in Britain,
- 7200 RPM redline

Can you imagine what that beast sounds like at redline!!!


brother, in the 90s i was more concerned with fishing in the creek, riding my bike, and playing nintendo rather than keeping up with automotive breakthroughs. thanks for the link though...

i honestly never knew that chevy made any kind of ohc v8 engine... wow that thing is cool, my new goal is to own one once in my life...

good luck. go try to find zr-1 corvettes for sale and how much they are...

forget it a little less than 400hp? just for 10k u can get so many upgs that you can go way past 500hp... if its possible, s/c and twin turbo, exhaust cai, maf, cam, head, and so many more

my buddy's dad has a 91 ZR-1 for sale.. its listed at like 40K..

see what i mean

see what i mean
what do you mean?

they's expensive, for older cars...

brother, in the 90s i was more concerned with fishing in the creek, riding my bike, and playing nintendo rather than keeping up with automotive breakthroughs.

Damn I'm getting old :shakehead
I forget how old sometimes...

Eh twdz28, I never got that link to work - did anyone? I'm still dreaming.

You're right Diablo about the dollars per HP of this setup - not only that but the LT5 would be incredibly hard to modify compared to the endless stuff available for an LT1, LS1 or SBC crate motor. Going this route (if it was actually possible and I had the immediate financing) would be more for nostalgia than anything else. I'm terribly sentimental, and this motor is all olde school.

Unfortunately, most of the ZR-1's or LT5 motors for sale out there are pre-1993 375HP versions - those who own the 94's and especially 95's know they're sitting on one of the best Vette collectors cars. There's even a very small number of "Black Widow" ZR-1's out there with 475 HP LT5's - modified by Doug Rippie. $40K for a '91 sounds very steep unless its very well maintained with low mileage. Imagine what a mint '95 would go for? (they cost $70+K new back then remember). Might even get more for it now.

I would be concerned with future mods...don't see alot of aftermarket LT5 stuff layin around. BTW that wasn't a Chevy designed engine. I believe Lotus engineered the concept and GM bought it.

well i figure that you really wouldnt need much aftermarket stuff for an engine like that. ofcourse if you were insane and did you could always do head work and beef up the rotating assembly, prolly some valve train stuff. besides, i think its supposed to be the same concept as like a high end porsche or a lotus, maybe even ferrari. where the car is designed so that you dont need aftermarket upgrades. yes i know that it doesnt compare to a ferrari but im saying that was the idea...

well i figure that you really wouldnt need much aftermarket stuff for an engine like that. ofcourse if you were insane and did you could always do head work and beef up the rotating assembly, prolly some valve train stuff. besides, i think its supposed to be the same concept as like a high end porsche or a lotus, maybe even ferrari. where the car is designed so that you dont need aftermarket upgrades. yes i know that it doesnt compare to a ferrari but im saying that was the idea...

so tell where to buy pushrods for that motor??? lol

pushrods are a different story, but im assuming it has the same rotating assembly as the LT1. i dont really know, cause i havent researched what i wrote (i know the golden rule of forums). besides, who wouldnt be happy with 405hp at 4800rpm??

what if some parts break where would you get it?

im sure you can get replacement parts, although its very possible that they are hard to find. we're talkin aftermarket. also, if push comes to shove, you could just machine your own parts (or get a shop to)

pushrods are a different story, but im assuming it has the same rotating assembly as the LT1. i dont really know, cause i havent researched what i wrote (i know the golden rule of forums). besides, who wouldnt be happy with 405hp at 4800rpm??

dude i already spin those kinda numbers at the RWs not at the flywheel and only paid $8000 in doing so.
That motor is nothing like a LT1 or LT4, the starter is in the V under the intake.

pushrods are a different story, but im assuming it has the same rotating assembly as the LT1. i dont really know, cause i havent researched what i wrote (i know the golden rule of forums). besides, who wouldnt be happy with 405hp at 4800rpm??
i wouldnt be happy, i need a diablo

Those LT5 Vette's were something to show off at the golf coarse to your clients.. they are about what the Z06 is, fast in its ownregards, compared to highend imports, but little more than competition to a slightly moded late model sportscar. I debated putting one one into my Z but the effort and what it would cost to get it to do what I wanted it to do was lunacy. I don't have the time or the patience for that now that I have thought about it. I admit, it would be cool to pop the hood at a car show and watch everyone gawk, but I'll leave that project to someone else.

Simple truth, putting an LT5 into any kind of car, is not something you do when you are concerned with hp per dollar, you do it for the coolness factor, which is pretty damn high. if you want to go for the max bang for the buck you do like me, scrounge junkyards, and build a frankenmouse out of cobbled together parts, and try to squeeze as much power out as possible. but when all is said and done, if i had to choose between my one off frankenmouse 302, pushing 500hp, and an LT5 with its "meager" 375 or 405hp, your damned right i would choose the LT5, that engine is just SEXY!! :) i say if you can pull it off dude, rock on ;) oh and yeah the engine was designed by lotus, and bought by chevy for the corvette.

if you want hp for the dollar, go buy and 86-87 T-type.

its the 1 year anniversery of this thread so we post now??? :loser:

Thats strange, Everyone must be drunk today.

Personally I love LT5's but for the money involved. much better canidates out there.

Peace thread :ylsuper: