ZL1 engine swap LSA to LS9 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

swdsman · 07-03-2012, 10:03 AM

Could you potentially swap the engine to an LS9 engine used in the Corvette ZR1? To do so what else would be required? I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff.

This might be in the wrong forum too...

KKreme15 · 07-03-2012, 10:24 AM

cash money

TheReaper · 07-03-2012, 10:31 AM

PCM and deep pockets.

01pewterz28 · 07-03-2012, 10:39 AM

it could be done but a waste of $$$ figure the engine alone you will be out $20-$22k, in the end figure a total of $30k-$35k when it's all said and done.

BriteCrawler · 07-03-2012, 10:44 AM

Yes, the LS9 fits. Hennessey has already done it.

Drew P · 07-03-2012, 10:53 AM

Article by GM High Tech Performance on this:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...aro/index.html

Note: This swap was a LS3 to LS9, not LSA to LS9, but gives you the idea.

swdsman · 07-03-2012, 10:59 AM

Thanks guys

nanokpsi · 07-03-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReaper

PCM and deep pockets.

I am sure the standard pcm would be fine. The LSA pcm is already set up to work with the supercharging accessories.

The swap should be almost a direct bolt in, but the crate motor is aorund 20k last time I looked. sure, you could recoup some of the cost by selling the LSA, but you are still looking at quite a few pennies.

RoketRdr · 07-03-2012, 11:40 AM

Like nanokpsi said the PCM wont be an issue because its identical between the LSA and LS9 cars and the tables from the ZR1 can be copied and pasted into the ZL1 tune and then modified as necessary. The LS9 would be a direct bolt in swap as far as engine fitment goes because the engines are almost identical but the LS9 has the monster NASCAR style power steering pump where the LSA uses the electric belt-drive system so that would have to be modified. The alternator on the LS9 is in a different location but as you can see on the Hennessey Camaro its not an issue. So really the only thing of any major concern in doing the swap is dealing with the power steering.

556hp · 07-03-2012, 03:18 PM

Uh...don't forget the dry sump on the LS9 vs. the wet sump on the LSA. This is a major modification and not for the faint at heart.

Snakedriver · 07-07-2012, 05:14 PM

So $35K for 60 HP.

sammyv · 07-07-2012, 05:21 PM

Ya thats what I was thinking!

Truck Norris · 07-07-2012, 05:25 PM

Sure the LS9 is cool an all but in stock form it will only net you a 30-40whp gain over a LSA ZL1 if the cooling system is up to the task. You be much better off doing bolt on's to a LSA then get an LSX iron short block and twin screw supercharger if you want to push it further.

Cant you push the LSX iron block much further then an aluminum LS9 block? Why go to all the money and trouble of a LS9 swap if its aluminum block is limited to 800whp.

Maybe buy a LS9 crate engine as well as a 454 or 427 cid LSX short block, combine the two to make a King of all LSX's and sell the other frankenstein motor.

750whp on 93 octane is now the new 500whp

MR.CamaroSS · 07-07-2012, 05:38 PM

you could probly get the HP difference with a pulley swap and some head and manifold work ect. thats a whole lot of money for just 60 HP.

07-03-2012, 10:03 AM	#1
swdsman Drives: Chevy Silverado Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Morgantown WV Posts: 64	ZL1 engine swap LSA to LS9 Could you potentially swap the engine to an LS9 engine used in the Corvette ZR1? To do so what else would be required? I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff. This might be in the wrong forum too...

07-03-2012, 10:39 AM	#4
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,496 View My Garage	it could be done but a waste of $$$ figure the engine alone you will be out $20-$22k, in the end figure a total of $30k-$35k when it's all said and done. __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

07-07-2012, 05:25 PM	#13
Truck Norris Thread Mover Drives: a Monte Carlo Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sierra Nevada Posts: 490	Sure the LS9 is cool an all but in stock form it will only net you a 30-40whp gain over a LSA ZL1 if the cooling system is up to the task. You be much better off doing bolt on's to a LSA then get an LSX iron short block and twin screw supercharger if you want to push it further. Cant you push the LSX iron block much further then an aluminum LS9 block? Why go to all the money and trouble of a LS9 swap if its aluminum block is limited to 800whp. Maybe buy a LS9 crate engine as well as a 454 or 427 cid LSX short block, combine the two to make a King of all LSX's and sell the other frankenstein motor. 750whp on 93 octane is now the new 500whp __________________ In the market for something fast Last edited by Truck Norris; 07-07-2012 at 05:42 PM.

07-03-2012, 10:24 AM	#2
KKreme15 Drives: C6 Z06 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dayton, MD Posts: 1,645	cash money

07-03-2012, 10:31 AM	#3
TheReaper Drives: 2018 Mustang GT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mobile Al Posts: 750	PCM and deep pockets.

07-03-2012, 10:44 AM	#5
BriteCrawler Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 183 View My Garage	Yes, the LS9 fits. Hennessey has already done it.

07-03-2012, 10:53 AM	#6
Drew P Drives: Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 233	Article by GM High Tech Performance on this: http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...aro/index.html Note: This swap was a LS3 to LS9, not LSA to LS9, but gives you the idea.

07-03-2012, 10:59 AM	#7
swdsman Drives: Chevy Silverado Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Morgantown WV Posts: 64	Thanks guys

07-03-2012, 11:40 AM	#9
RoketRdr Drives: 2010 Duramax; 2012 CTS-V Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 387	Like nanokpsi said the PCM wont be an issue because its identical between the LSA and LS9 cars and the tables from the ZR1 can be copied and pasted into the ZL1 tune and then modified as necessary. The LS9 would be a direct bolt in swap as far as engine fitment goes because the engines are almost identical but the LS9 has the monster NASCAR style power steering pump where the LSA uses the electric belt-drive system so that would have to be modified. The alternator on the LS9 is in a different location but as you can see on the Hennessey Camaro its not an issue. So really the only thing of any major concern in doing the swap is dealing with the power steering.

07-03-2012, 03:18 PM	#10
556hp Drives: 10 CTS-V Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 37	Uh...don't forget the dry sump on the LS9 vs. the wet sump on the LSA. This is a major modification and not for the faint at heart.

07-07-2012, 05:14 PM	#11
Snakedriver Drives: ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 288	So $35K for 60 HP.

07-07-2012, 05:21 PM	#12
sammyv Drives: 2013 red Lingenfelter ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: zionsville IN Posts: 567	Ya thats what I was thinking!

07-07-2012, 05:38 PM	#14
MR.CamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dunkirk,Maryland Posts: 99	you could probly get the HP difference with a pulley swap and some head and manifold work ect. thats a whole lot of money for just 60 HP.