So the thought has crossed my mind a couple times. I'm not really bored with the car but it seems like there will never be a really good grasp on the tuning for this car, and that hinders making big, reliable power with it. 400whp is no problem for the hardware/bottom end/trans, but the pcm/OS is a little b1tch, and outside of a select tuner who basically hacks the OS and makes changes that you want, there will probably never be a way to get the tuning the way I'd want it. There is not complete user-editable tuning suite that will get you past the stock turbo reliably and without quarks. I wanted to make a crazy-fast car, and i'm stuck with a mildly fast car lol
All that said, i've considered C5 ZO6s, or base/LS3 C6s as a great trade-up.
Pros: There is seemingly infinite aftermaket hardware, and these are HPT's "bread and butter", so there is a very complete tuning suite available. The question becomes not how far "can" you go, but how far do you "want" to go. 600hp is no problem for either generation. The solstice is paid off so that's a plus.
Cons: It's just tough to think about a car payment again. And i'm fast loosing resale value on the solstice - i think its down to like 18500 or so trade in value. Granted i got it as a leftover with employee pricing, but it's still sad to think of giving it up for that much. Plus, with the solstice as it sits now, it gets EASILY 30-32mpg without trying. And that's with >300hp on tap. Also, with my luck, i would trade this in and HPT would actually give the platform some attention (uh on second thought maybe not lol)
So i couldn't go through with any of this until like 4Q this year at the earliest because of money of course, but what do people here think of the idea? other pros/cons? more details to give informed advice?
Thanks for the help
!
I would do it. the vette can make so much more reliable power, and you can still pull good mpg's highway and around town (not the same but considering it is not too bad)
Getting rid of the solstice is not fun idea, but the enjoyment factor alone could make it worth it (you talk constantly about tuning mods etc, better platform to play with)
Both are great cars, but one is a dead platform like the J
I would consider a c6 just because the different engine platform (ls3 makes same power as z06 if i am not mistaken. also there are a ton of current mods available and i am sure you can upgrade your car in time to have the same features as the z06 from the current generation as far as suspension and tuning go.
If your looking for aftermarket tuning support the 'Vette definitely beats the solstice. The MPG isn't too terrible as long as your not putting your foot through the floor boards every time you drive it. If you could afford the Z06, I'd do that. Another option would be to get a C5 and throw a bunch of mods at it. Wouldn't take much to get it up to 400hp. Then maybe get a beater for DD if you want the gas mileage.
I like the Soltice but if your looking to mess around with something the 'vette will be a much better platform.
You could have the beat of both worlds.... Have considered buying a kit for or having a company do an LSX swap of the solstice? I don't know what kind of price were talking but I'd think it would be less then a C6?
excatly what i was gonna say. F%$k the vette. u have one so to speak. get the ls conversion now ur talking friggin big power and shoved in a small package. the sol with a ls has already been PROVEN to spank the s*&t outta the vette when matched with same engine and power. Im accually in the market for either a wreck or a flood damaged one just so i can complete my ideas. All the vette is, is a larger carpayment, @!#$tier mpg, larger car. then ud be just like every outer tom,dick, and harry.(no pun to vette owners here nice car but dime a dozen). i mean seriously take the tip from (hate to say) mazda owners with the miatas. ls plants in those are insane beast. All i say is if u trade let me know id rater take over ur payments/of ur hands on her then see her gone to some used car lot. I always did want that color
Darkstars wrote:You could have the beat of both worlds.... Have considered buying a kit for or having a company do an LSX swap of the solstice? I don't know what kind of price were talking but I'd think it would be less then a C6?
If you go the route of mainting an OBDII compliant, street legal car, an LS3 swapped solstice with a T56 and a/c is going to run more considering the trade-in or lost value of the solstice if i would just get a vette. The base packages start around 20k, and that's not including the T56 and a/c, much less the drive out to the most reputable shop that does it - performance autowerks in IL. On top of that I don't even know if the "finance" V8 swaps lol.
I like the way you think though. It just doesn't make financial sense - its more for those who are hardcore into the style/looks of the solstice or sky and want a v8.
Darkstars wrote:You could have the beat of both worlds.... Have considered buying a kit for or having a company do an LSX swap of the solstice? I don't know what kind of price were talking but I'd think it would be less then a C6?
Damn they make a kit to swap in an LSX? I didn't know that. Should have though. Some guy probably has a kit that can swap an LSX into his John Deere!
This car was accually forsale not long ago. old clip hes pushing over 990 to the rear last i saw on the dyno. Vettes just dont look as sexy doing that lol
Single turboed Original factory option MALLET v8 sols. Fyi THey back baby they back.
Saturn sky(same car)
They worked in preveiw so hope they doo. lil food for thought oldskool. def more of a crowd pleaser when its in something its not suppost to be in lol.
sound sucks but here hes up to 938.
Oldskool seriously if u go to a vette let me get a crack at saving the sol from the used car lot i will pick it up off u. Im that hardcore solstice/sky owner. and im just crazy enough to do the swap.
Wow whp in the 900s!! IDK, myabe it's worth crunching the numbers more. I just can't spring all at once for the conversion, and i don't know what the rates/financing options are like with something like this.
Werks kits start at 18k for the base LS2 package to 50k for the twin turbo LS7 1000hp package. They have almost anything in between. I would want at least an LS3, T56 and a/c which drops the price around 20-22k. That is slightly more than the difference to trade to an LS3 vette.
Wayne, if you ever go through with an LSx swap, Werks makes adapter plates for Aisin-to-LSx bellhousing, as well as a complete harness to utilize the factory gauges and OBD2 system, and of course mounts. They make it easy if you're a skilled and wililng DIY'er. They also make re-valved front struts for the weight.
Your putting a LE5/L61 hybrid into you cav(one off swap) and are talking about having a shop do a proven swap? I say buy the parts to swap and DIY. It'll probably save you a couple thousand and provide you with a great experience.
"Project 69'"
1969 Chevrolet C/10, 1/2 ton, 2wd
-Boosted LS1?
-Richmond ROD 6-speed(will get sometime)
-Posi 12-bolt(built w/eaton posi unit and richmond 3.73 gears)
-Disc brake and 5 lug swap
+little extras
That's a good point, but if I eff up my cav or the engine, it's not a crippling amount of money that i'm out. The solstice and/or and LSx on the other hand... lol.
IDK i'll drinitely be looking into it.
is a standalone management setup (hydra, etc) out of the question for the factory motor? should allow you to edit all that you would want and be MUCH cheaper than either a car or engine swap...
Strat81, nope unfortuneately unless i ditch the VVT and switch to port fuel injection. By then i may as well swap lol.
What is that an RB series motor? lmao that would be trick, and beyond a royal pain
When I hit the lottery I'm doing a small turbo'd LS7 Solstice with a Sky front end swap, lip kit, whole car painted the blue of my Fit slammed on some wide tires mounted to big flat black (or Bronze) mesh wheels
Drooooooooool
Darkstars wrote:When I hit the lottery I'm doing a small turbo'd LS7 Solstice with a Sky front end swap, lip kit, whole car painted the blue of my Fit slammed on some wide tires mounted to big flat black (or Bronze) mesh wheels
Drooooooooool
humping said car....
I have to believe with all the 98- current ls drive lines you could pick the stuff up cheap somewhere. maybe a wrecked drive line out of a camaro and resell the engine you can get almost all the money back ls1 engines are sought after. then finding a engine is easier.
You have the ability to do it. just keep the stock parts for if you want to convert back to sell...
What about a nice camaro or a 03 cobra.
What about a nice camaro or a 03 cobra.
Or an ls2 GTO.
Keep the Solstice. Short lived car, I rarely seem them on the road (here any way) and see Corvettes daily. Seems more unique to me.
Darkstars wrote:When I hit the lottery I'm doing a small turbo'd LS7 Solstice with a Sky front end swap, lip kit, whole car painted the blue of my Fit slammed on some wide tires mounted to big flat black (or Bronze) mesh wheels
Drooooooooool
this would be extreme win
RIP JESSE GERARD.....Youll always be in my thoughts and prayers...
Darkstars wrote:When I hit the lottery I'm doing a small turbo'd LS7 Solstice with a Sky front end swap, lip kit, whole car painted the blue of my Fit slammed on some wide tires mounted to big flat black (or Bronze) mesh wheels
Drooooooooool
I've been thinking that since the day they came out. The Sky has the better face, the Solstice a better ass. Not a fan of mesh wheels, but I'm all for everything else.
Keep the Solstice, swap the LS(1/2/3/6/7) into it. Sell your stock engine/trans, and you'll be loads happier then if you bought a Vette.
If my GTO had been totaled, I was going to buy it back and pick up a Solstice to swap the powertrain into.
SPD RCR Z -
'02 Z24 420whp
SLO GOAT -
'04 GTO 305whp
W41 BOI -
'78 Buick Opel Isuzu W41 Swap
