I have turned the 100k mile mark on my '04. The car has been supercharged since about the 10k mark, and is finally starting to consume oil (I am burning about 2-3 quarts every 5k miles).

I knew the day was coming soon where I would need to decide between replacing the current motor with a built VQ or going with an LSx swap. From my research, it appears that both options will cost about the same amount for parts and labor (the swap is about $1k more, but it's within 10%, so we'll call it even).

My dilemma is that, with the same amount of money, I would have the possibility of making more power (albeit less reliably) with the VQ, than I could get with, what would amount to, a stock LSx. I know there are people out there that have had both a high HP VQ and LSx swaps. Of those out there that have done both, which were you more happy with? I have been bouncing back and forth on this decision for the past year, and every time I think I have made up my mind and get ready to buy parts, I have second thoughts.

Or should I just say f**k it and buy a C6 Z06 when the C7 Z06 starts hitting the market?

 

buy the vette.

 

Well if have 80k for a C7 Z06 then get that!

 

buy the vette

 

This is a no brainer...vette all the way.

 

I miss the days of just having a car I could drive without worry to the track and have a good time, then drive home. Maybe swap tires but that about it. VETT!

 

You could also just save some money and replace the motor for another OEM one and keep it boosted. I'm guessing your Z is paid off? If so, I'd just keep it. Keep an eye on the oil for now and keep topping it off until you can build it, or just throw a few hundred at a used OEM engine

 

The C7 Z06 is definitely out of the question. I have seen some really low mileage C6 Z06s finally starting to creep below the $40k mark. Hopefully when the C7 Z06 becomes available the price will drop even further.

 

A car with its engine on the way out < a car that in stock form can still beat car #1. I'd just buy the vette if I was actually considering it. Personally, I love my z and hopefully won't sell it for a good long time. I think that the fact that you are considering it answers your question.

Putting more money into the z is going to be a lost cause for you. Retail for a z is ~$10k. It would be purely for your own enjoyment.

 

Trade or sell the 350 and get a 370.

 

Vette nothing, wait and trade and/or buy the new NISMO IDx when it hits. You probably have to wait a while though. Never mind.

 

the new vett is gonna be z07 not z06 i say vett all day

 

O.P. I've had this same exact thought... I feel keeping the vq powerplant would be the better choice because it is easier to pull the motor in and put a new one (low compression) in compared to putting the ls1 in and get nickeled and dimes on part to complete it entirely. Plus if you keep the vq you can always pull of the blower and aftermarket parts to resale if need be. If your actually going to keep it forever the ls1 would be worth while because you would be totally committed plus putting a different engine in from another vehicle will be skeptical to resale (not saying you would do this) some people make it a hacked up job to make it run or loss of funds and skip essential things.

As for the vette, I wanted a c5/gto/ws6 before I bought my z...But the z suited me better for the fact that their are not many around or modified compared to another corvette done over and over again (gets old) If I seen a modified vette vs a modified z I would see the person in the z has more taste then the (majority) egotistical d bags that drive vettes...to each there own

 

I won't consider this for the simple fact that my current Z is quicker than the 370, unless I buy the car and turbo or supercharge it. At that point I will have almost $45-50k invested. For that cost, I could get a nice C6 Z06, M3 or get back into a nicely built STi--all of which will be quicker, and handle better, than a 370Z, with the exception of the M3 *maybe*.

The only reason I even consider a Vette is because I love the sound of a V8 and refuse to buy a Mustang or Camaro. I think the sound is the reason an LSx swap is so appealing to me. I get to keep the look of a car I REALLY like, and I get the engine and sound that I love. The problem is I don't want the project to drag out and everything to turn into twice the original estimated cost (my wife won't like that either). She is pushing me to the swap, simply because she likes the styling of the Z much more than the Corvette.

 

When I purchased the Z, it was planned to keep the car for a decent amount of time. I would most likely put the LS2 in the Z, if not an LS6. If I go with the LS, I don't foresee myself selling this car unless I had to.

 

Replacing short block with a built block will cost you $4k if you are resourceful and have a reliable garage mechanic do it, or less if you can do the timing job, and have time on your hands to kill. This is the smart thing to do, avoid cams, but add a revup oil pump for $200, and maybe a baffled oil pan for $200 too. Since you're already boosted, and tuned for it, this will be your best bet IMO.

LSx swap I have heard actual cost is ~$10k all said and done, who knows... as with everything resourcefulness brings costs down. More headaches probably.

 

this is BS.

 

What is BS?

 

Ok.... Just to keep this thread going....

I was checking some fluids in the car tonight, and it appears I may have a blown head gasket. I have a friend that owns a local shop and I think I have decided to have him really explore the option of the LS swap. I guess I'll have him price out the full swap, add about 10% on top for the "headaches" that will be found, and go from there.

 

Be more lenient with those "head ache taxes". Its funny how easily one can spend hundreds of dollars going back and forth to parts store.