I might as well join this party. Swap is completed on my car and its fun :).

Disasterman: Check ls1tech.com, you can get so many deals on there its not even funny. I picked up an ls1 long block w/ a spun rod bearing for 300 bucks.

If you plan on getting a straight pullout(ebay, junkyard, ls1tech) go with a later model motor(00-02). They came w/ ls6 intakes(at least 01-02 did) and the wiring harness is much better. Whatever you do, do not get a motor w/ a 98 wiring harness/pcm. Also avoid the 04 gto harness, thats what i have and it was a pain to deal with.

For a race car, I would use a ls6. you can get a brand new long block for $4500. I would not go the used ls1 route as they are all old, high mileage engines by now. plus, the ls6 hasa lot of improvements over the ls1 which will make it live a lot longer on the race track.

Thanks for the sources and tips, it's very much appreciated and helped me to make the decision. I will continue to review the old threads as I start to make my lists and order parts and supplies. Time is short, trying to make it to the NASA nationals in September.

Now that I am committed, I looked around and am amazed at the stuff I will now have for sale. That's going to help, a lot!

If I can muster the time I will do a thread on the conversion.

If anyone has and other sources, information, tips etc. Please shoot me an e mail.

jstevens@iscservices.net

There was a special on TSP for Long blocks for $3500. I think they're sold out now because I went to prove it and they're gone... So... I guess You're right!

Whats an entire front end!? I only need an alternator.. :) And I'm not putting the stock one on. I'm putting on my little guy.

Intake.... well. LS intakes are something like $50-100 used. LS6 intakes are more like $300. (Late model LS's all had LS6 intakes) I'm making mine..

Injection... I have to go much larger injectors anyway for E-85.

Ignition system.. Well, i have no work around for that.. you are right. \

Here is a list of what I did to give you some reference.. There are many ways to go about it. I like TONY's way.. It is simple and fast. You might want to go that direction. For someone like me though. Numbers get pretty cheap if you have a little time. My Horsepower is going to be somewhat healthier than the LS6 drop in way too though.. For the same price.. it's what I do.. hehe.

So.. just do what i did. buy a used motor for less than $1000 with all the accessories and rebuild it to your own specs. This gives you fuel rails, wiring harness, ignition, accessories etc. $5000 total investment.. (Or less of course if you just freshen it up. Much cheaper actually)

5.3 liter HO from a 2005 Trailblazer SS = complete (COMES with LS6 Head Castings! 64cc head) $700
Bore out (With torque plate) to 5.7 liter hole with new cam bearings - $330
Purchase Pull out LS6 pistons AND rods (new pulled out for forged internals from many people online) shipped. $175
New crank and main bearings piston rings and all gaskets and all that. $500
re- use everything else. It's all what comes in the Z06 and anything newer)
Head gaskets and head bolts $200
Used LS6 intake and Valley cover $400
Add for your machine shop to put it all together. $600
TSP CNC ported heads and Cam package (HUGE power increase includes everything to install) best $2k would would ever spend. $2000

Total for HUGE horsepower.. 450wheel...... Lots of Brand new stuff, fully rebuilt with enormous wheel horsepower. $4905
Sell 243 castings for $200 for credit back to project.
Or not buy heads cam package and just Cam package for $700 instead of $2000! Credit of $1400.. So for around 390whp it only costs about $3300! That's just insane.

I'm adding $80 ARP bolts and adjustable Roller timing to for further performance insurance and I might want to rev to the moon later. (expecting to need to go to 6800 now. 7200 later if I want to (where I define the moon on this motor.. but its all relative. 9K rpm has been done lots)

THIS.. is my personal project detailed above. Just so damn cheap it hurts.
I would just buy the Male pistons with rings for $600 next time, but that would require you to buy rods too. So price increase there that's just not necessary.

I agree and disagree at the same time by this statement; BUY any LS motor newer than 2005. It will have Many LS6 updates in it. only a few minor details that won't truly affect you.

motors after 2005 will have a 58 tooth crankshaft reluctor wheel vs 24 tooth so you would need a computer that is compatible.

First thing is to determine what class you will run in with the porvette. That will determine what horsepower you go after since every class that you are now eligible is wt/hp.

NASA ST2. I only need around 320, after that I will be adding weight.

OH!. lol. then just buy the 5.3 liter..L33 as described by Robstah. (the exact one I have) Add intake and headers / tune and you're done. Total cost for motor and said parts, $2000! Add another $2000 for the conversion parts. That's one cheap swap. Blow them once a year.. (HIGHLY doubt it) and its another $700 for another motor! Disposable. hell buy two just for the fun of it.

Am I the only one crazy enough to push st1 with my car? My dyno tune had me at 385-395 whp(395 best run, 388 final run) and with my gutted car I'm looking to be pretty light.

My combo was ls1 block, ls6 heads milled .020" w/ patriot springs, ls6 intake, svo injectors, and medium cam from EPS(~225/235, 0.598/0.601)

you would probably be better off restricting your HP and running ST2. You might be able to do so without losing any torque which would be sweet. One of the local builder of NASA GTS series cars puts restrictor plates on his throttle bodies to achieve that

I'm going to start in ST2, as with extra power of ST1 comes greater cost of operation. For instance, I am going to try to stay with 275's all around, not sure I could do that with close to 400 rwph. Also, by running a detuned LS1, I'm hoping that the car will be rock solid for enduros (3 to 8 hrs).

ya I may restrict the car, I was going to run 285 slicks right now and see how that results in grip.

I realize I may need more experience and power to be competitive in st1 but I'm really in it for seat time at this point.

Eclou, I'll look into the throttle body restrictors. I need to get accommodated to the car first anyway.

Who is the GTS builder with the restrictors? That sounds like the plan.

according to the Vette forums an approximately 54mm opening restrictor plate is what you need and Lingenfelter might have them still

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1576136318-post14.html