WTB LT5 Engine

[nmitch2311]

I am looking to buy a used LT5 engine. Please email me if you have one available. Will purchase ASAP.

Norman
nmitch2311@aol.com

[Z Factor]

Hello and welcome to the forum Norman.

[nmitch2311]

I'm still waiting on an LT5 engine. Does anyone out there has one for for sale? I want to do the impossible by replacing my L98 to an LT5 for a 1988 Pontiac Firebird GTA convertible. I know its going to be a technical challenge. I'm welcome to any suggestions or recommendations this forum may share for success.

[tccrab]

Good luck on the swap, seems to me like a *huge* chore.
Personally, for the money you're going to spend, why not a new LS7?

As far as finding a used LT5, this guy was selling them on eBay. The rumor is that he bought up all the warranty return LT5's that GM had stored away. In the very beginning of the ZR1 run Chevy shops weren't allowed to do more than diagnose any problems with the LT5. If there were internal problems, the factory mandated action was R&R the entire engine.
Here's a link to his eBay profile, good luck!
http://feedback.ebay.com/ebaymotors/...iid=8036587655
Let us know how it goes.

TomC
'90ZR1 #792

[nmitch2311]

Tom,

Thanks for the feedback. To be honest, I'm only doing this for the cool factor. You hardly ever see any Firebird GTA's around much anymore let alone a convertible. I figure since I own something rare, and I need a replacement engine, why not install a never before done LT5 engine in my GTA. Both combinations will make this vehicle standout amongst the rest. I have given the LS7 engine some thought, however, I still will be face with many modifications that may need to be performed and cost. Would you assume that If I did go with the LS7, the end cost would probably be the same as if I installed the LT5?

[tccrab]

Originally Posted by nmitch2311

Tom,

Thanks for the feedback. To be honest, I'm only doing this for the cool factor. You hardly ever see any Firebird GTA's around much anymore let alone a convertible. I figure since I own something rare, and I need a replacement engine, why not install a never before done LT5 engine in my GTA. Both combinations will make this vehicle standout amongst the rest. I have given the LS7 engine some thought, however, I still will be face with many modifications that may need to be performed and cost. Would you assume that If I did go with the LS7, the end cost would probably be the same as if I installed the LT5?

Norman:

Both the LT5 and the LS7 have way huge cool quotients associated with each.
Both will require a LOT of engineering to fit into, and not tear your car apart when you mash the go pedal.
A quick online search tells me a crate LS7 will set you back around $12,500 for 550 potent ponies. This price does not include accessories or computer, so the actual cost of your upgrade will be considerably more. Plus you'll need a transmission that will handle all that power without dumping it's guts out on the boulevard.

You'll spend a little less getting a LT5, but you will also need the ZF6 tranny that comes with it because the bell housing bolt pattern on the back of the block is not standard Chevy. The LT5 comes in two versions, the 90-92 rated at 385 hp, and the 93-95 were rated at 405 hp. They can be modified to increase performance by porting and polishing the intake plenum and heads, installing bigger valves and different cams. Major HP improvement usually involves stoking the motor, which will add serious BIG dollars to your upgrade. There's always NOS, but most people tend to shy away from the spray. NOS is a great way to make extra HP, but it's also an easy way to detonate a motor if not set up and used correctly.

With all this talk of HP, don't forget that your GTA wasn't engineered to withstand 400+hp. Traction will be a big issue. You'll have to think about suspension mods to maximize traction and reduce the desire of the engine to twist itself right out from under your hood.
You'll have to think about what happens when you DO get good traction.
Will your standard differential handle the extra load?
Will the U joints hold up to the sheer brute power? Will you need wheelie bars to keep the front of the car on the ground?
And speaking of power, is your braking system up to the job of slowing this beast down from warp 10 repeatidly without overheating?

LS1's & LS2's are reasonably cheap these days, and can be easily modded to produce as much HP as your Visa card can stand. Parts will be cheaper too.
The "Cool Factor" is only a little smaller, the LS's are good engines, and are very high tech. If there's any drawbacks, the only major one I can see is that there's lots of them out there. Not very unique.

I've probably bored you by now, so I'll quit with the

Regrds,

TomC
'90ZR1 #792

[WB9MCW]

I made a post on CF and suggested he might comment over here too!

[blackjack]

there is a 368 for sale in the ad section....someone know about that engine...if i can work out a deal with the owner,my engine might be for sale
blackjack
91/1735

[nmitch2311]

Originally Posted by blackjack

there is a 368 for sale in the ad section....someone know about that engine...if i can work out a deal with the owner,my engine might be for sale
blackjack
91/1735

How much do want for your engine if you decide to go that route?

Norman

[2lpzr1s]

Hi; new to the registry. Re the 368 I concidered trying to purchase the motor I asked for paperwork and what i got said 385 race assembly and the 1994 price. when i asked about the discrepancy i got oh yeah i posted it wrongand am going to redo the add today .that was 2 wks ago It was also shared that the engine was in a storage unit. he wasn't very forth coming on how it was put to bed or how long he's owned it. i also asked for the ph of the person it was bought from .his reply i lost contact with him. it may be on the up and up but to me something not right. Hope this helps.