Automatic Transmission 968 Conversion

Thanks for your help

I'm looking at a 97 C5 Corvette engine. What accessories and brackets do I have to swap to make it fit?

If I went with the LQ4 or LQ9 don't I have to swap the intake system as well as the accessories?

If you do go LS1 go with a later 01 and up engine, GM changed the rod bolts (some failures with the early ones) and that way you get the LS6 intake for a little more power. Plus I believe around that time is when the LS1 got the updated oil passages in the engine. All around a better engine. And yes if you went with the LQ4/9 you would have to swap intakes. You can be like XS and modify the injectors (spacers) and the accessories. MY reccomendation no matter what engine you end up with is to get the 2010 Camaro waterpump, it moves that coolant outlet from passenger side to the drivers side, would be a much easier routing.

If you go with an LS1 stay with at least a 1999 and newer engine and you will need a F-body or GTO engine the Vette won't have the correct accessories. Marky522 is correct a LS3 water pump will move the upper radiator outlet and makes the intake routing on a 968 easier on a 944 it really doesn't help because the air filter will typically route to the drivers side. LS3 pump will require 3/4" spacers to move it out to line up with the f-body pulleys.

I just bought my LS1 engine on EBAY. I paid a little more than I wanted ($2841) but its a low mileage 2000 Camaro SS engine. Here is the description from Ebay.

"LS1 engine and 4L60E transmission out of a 2000 Camaro SS it was pulled in great running condition with 70,xxx miles i am including all wiring ecu everything that came out of the vehicle. It will also include my set of after market Pacesetter Long tube headers engine is in great condition and will make anyones project great"

Its located in Orlando so I can drive down and Pick it up. It is actually still in the car, so I may be able to hear it run before I pay for it. I guess I can recoup some of the money by selling the trans and long tube headers (I assume I can't get the headers to fit in the 968).

Next step is to call Texas Performance and get the engine mounts and other conversion parts.

I got the 968 running today and the Engine is quiet, and has good compression. Its up for sale on Rennlist for $2750. It has around 25K miles on it. I will test drive the car and scope the Automatic Transmission control signals before I pull the engine.

johntorg wrote:I will test drive the car and scope the Automatic Transmission control signals before I pull the engine.

Information that would be greatly appreciated.

just wondering if you have made any progress on your conversion

Not a lot of progress. I did pull the 968 Engine and sold it. My scope wasn't working so I didn't analyze the tranny signals, but I can do that on someone else's 968 if I have to. I have put the 968 project on the back burner and will do a 944 Turbo LS1 conversion first.

Hello John.

Iam Henk from the netherlands and i would like to know if you completed your 968 tiptronic project??
Did you manage to operate the tiptronic correctly with an LS 1 engine in the front?
I would like to know because iam installing an tiptronic transmission with a 944SII engine in a 924 body.
Mechanical it is possible but i have problems with the electrical signals from the engine and tip ecu??
I realy hope you can help me with the right information?

Best regards Henk.

Sorry, I never completed the project although it it still pending. If I remember correctly the only difficult part was providing road speed signal to the transmission ECU.

Hello John.
I was hoping your project was a succes allready

hn.
I was hoping your project was a succes allready

You should look into adapting the 928 front Auto coupler to the Chevy flexplate. It is 1x23 spline as well.

I was planning on using a clutch without a throwout bearing.

I understand, but why have the added rotating weight?