An interesting offer: put a 428 in an '88 Corvette.

[cammerfe]

There is a thread about Ford power in a chibrolay on Yellowbullet that shows up again every once in a while. As most know, the site was started by a chebby aficionado who, although he has sold it still continues to be a somewhat-moderator. There is probably an 80% preponderance of 'mullet-heads' on the main part of the site---known as TOBT---Trash Or Be Trashed---and many of them are obviously nitwits. It gets pretty lively.

KS

[FERoadster]

I've got  a 60 Vette that I bought as a basket case in 1977 for $2400 and looking at the engine bay there is lots of room for a FE. They have cross steering way forward so no interference with a steering box. I'm in the process of getting a 427 with 428 crank built with a toploader and 69 Mustang 9" rear axle that just happens to have the same width as the early Vette. The Vette is this winters project

[GerryP]

The C4 (that's 4th gen Corvette, not a transmission) engine bay is plenty big enough for an FE, Bob.  They put the LT5 Mercury Marine DOHC engine (Z06) in there without having to make modifications.  There are going to be issues with the electronics, but you would have that regardless of the engine going in.  You will probably have some issues with the front crossmember with a front sump FE pan.   

[wayne]

Thinking about it get a big truck oil pan and mustang motor mounts and go from their.

[RustyCrankshaft]

Plenty of room for the engine and Bendstends (spelling?) has adpaters to go from an FE to GM automatic. Before anyone had a good standalone controller for a 4r70w or 4r100 I put a 4l80e behind a 390 with one of their adapters.

But if you're already putting and FE in a Vette why not just run a C6 or toploader anyway? After fab work on engine mounts, mounting the trans should be easy enough.

A friend of mine has a 55 Chevy pickup that is a basket case. He would probably give it to me if I asked and I have thought long and hard about throwing the 521 in it that came out of my old tow truck. Just because I'm tired of seeing a SBC or LS in everything.

[falcongeorge]

the big question is, do YOU WANT an '88 Corvette? The idea that you are "going to piss off the chevy guys" is probably going to leave you pretty disappointed, the whole "ford motor in a corvette" thing is as old as the hills, and the tiny minority that are stupid enough to be pissed off by an FE in a corvette are also stupid enough that most of them probably wont recognize an FE anyway.
I think theres MUCH more satisfaction in building a car to make YOU happy, rather then to "piss off", or impress for that matter, a virtually non-existent "them". If an FE in an eighties Corvette is something you really want for its intrinsic value (FE powered car that has a low drag coefficient and handles well?), then by all means, have at it. Otherwise, it sounds like a colossal waste of time and resources.

[64PI]

Ed Roth had a 406 powered 55 Chevy.... I vote go for it! Dual quads sticking out of the hood, side pipes and keystone classics.

[machoneman]

the big question is, do YOU WANT an '88 Corvette? The idea that you are "going to piss off the chevy guys" is probably going to leave you pretty disappointed, the whole "ford motor in a corvette" thing is as old as the hills, and the tiny minority that are stupid enough to be pissed off by an FE in a corvette are also stupid enough that most of them probably wont recognize an FE anyway.
I think theres MUCH more satisfaction in building a car to make YOU happy, rather then to "piss off", or impress for that matter, a virtually non-existent "them". If an FE in an eighties Corvette is something you really want for its intrinsic value (FE powered car that has a low drag coefficient and handles well?), then by all means, have at it. Otherwise, it sounds like a colossal waste of time and resources.

Good points, indeed! I'm still for it yet resale value would be low to non-existent (no buyers at all).  A Vette still has value to many yet with a Ford engine buyers may be hard to come by, Yet, as the song says....it it makes you happy....go for it!

[My427stang]

I wouldn’t. If contingent on the sale, I would pass. Making something nobody really wants and likely lose the street performance and versatility unless you go high tech

[e philpott]

hardly any difference in resale value because who wants a 88 Vette in the first place ? rolling chassis might get a LS guy as for resale but they are dirt cheap out here and even mid-late 70's are bringing more money than mid late 80's . It sure would be a fun car to drive and a lot cheaper than a kit car but you would have to do it for yourself and not for any other reason as I agree on the people are to stupid to know what engine is in it to piss a chevy guy off and real chevy guys are not mid 80's Vette fans

[mbrunson427]

My neighbor has a red 88 parked in his barn. He never drives it, I've seen it out of the barn twice in 8 years. The other day we got to talking about it and he said "well I've tried to sell it a few times but nobody is really looking for an '88 Corvette so I figure I'll keep it in the barn as art".

Funny this conversation came up because the neighbor and I had just talked about this. He told me I could drive it anytime I wanted.....but it honestly kind of smells inside   

[GerryP]

My neighbor has a red 88 parked in his barn. He never drives it, I've seen it out of the barn twice in 8 years. The other day we got to talking about it and he said "well I've tried to sell it a few times but nobody is really looking for an '88 Corvette so I figure I'll keep it in the barn as art".

Funny this conversation came up because the neighbor and I had just talked about this. He told me I could drive it anytime I wanted.....but it honestly kind of smells inside 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that "...nobody is really looking for an '88 Corvette ..."  and "...it honestly kind of smells inside..." are probably related.  I'd be interested in a nice 1988 Corvette.  I wouldn't be interested in a clapped out '88 Corvette that has been used as a home for incontinent goats.

[TomP]

Quite a low hoodline on those cars so i'd doubt it will fit under without the distributor and carb(s) sticking out. Ground clearance may be an issue no matter what oil pan.
 Tranny adapter to fit the FE to the Chev tranny is easy to get and wiring would be simple.

A 69 Z/28 with a Boss 302 engine would be better but the Corvette will work and is cheaper.

[falcongeorge]

Quite a low hoodline on those cars so i'd doubt it will fit under without the distributor and carb(s) sticking out. Ground clearance may be an issue no matter what oil pan.
 Tranny adapter to fit the FE to the Chev tranny is easy to get and wiring would be simple.

A 69 Z/28 with a Boss 302 engine would be better but the Corvette will work and is cheaper.

Boss 302 in a Z-28. like!

[fastf67]

I remember hot rod magazine featured a 57 belair with a 460. Ya, next months comments was not pretty. Thought about putting my bogus boss in a 68 rs camaro but liked it in my 66 fairlane xl500 more. There is a facebook page on ford powered Chevy's. I say go for it, I'm sure you will get plenty of help here.