Hey guys, how's it going? First post to the forum - just found it earlier today while doing some searching on the Mallett conversions. I'm pretty interested in getting one, but still in the research phase at this point, and would love to get some input.
My experience with the ls2 has been limited - my dad has an '05 c5 vette convertible, and I've always felt the engine to be pretty unrefined - it stumbles/shakes at idle, and the car in general just doesn't wow me. It's fast don't get me wrong, but it rides like crap and aside from the off the line grunt, seems to fall off in the mid-upper end of the powerband. How does the new ls7 compare in running quality, reliability, longevity, etc?
I know the ls7 option is a lot more money than the standard mallett v8 conversion, but it seems like most folks that take the standard route end up adding enough options that the price isn't that different at the end of the day. Anyone know how much faster the ls7 version actually is?
Lastly - anyone that has one of these - are these pretty much trailer queen type cars that you garage and drive every so often, or are they built stoutly enough that you can beat on them on a daily basis with simliar reliabilty to a stock vette etc? I.E. can you put 100k miles on one?
Thanks in advance for any insight guys - the bug to get one of these things is really starting to grow on my end!
Considering that modified LS7s or C5R engines shred the drivetrain on C5s and C6s (including that in the C6ZO6 - they all go at around 600 -650 ft lbs of torque), I would expect that the less robust rear end in a Solstice will have a relatively short life without substantial upgrade (no problem there, it just means $$$) when faced with an LS7. Apparently the standard Sol/Sky drivetrain can tolerate the 400 ft lbs of the LS2, but an LS7, particularly a built LS7 (might as well do it well) can put out considerably more.
I would reconsider however: not sure you will like the car given what you say about the C5. You say you find the engine in a C5 unrefined - it stumbles and shakes - the LS2 is basically the same engine with about 20 more cubic inches and LS6 rather than LS1 heads, etc., The LS7 is basically that engine with a stroker crank, even better heads, etc. -- but the long stroke dynamics of that engine make it shake a lot (I know, the C5r is just a handmade version of what became the LS7 in production.)
Properly tuned, none of the LS engines should ever stumble, but they all shake. Installed in a tighter Sol/Sky engine bay with motor mounts that were not engineered at the factory for minimized engine shake in that particular chassis (no one but the factory has the computers to do that well), it's going to shake more or differently or both -- increased engine shake and vibration is a typical consequence of transplants, etc., and almost impossible to avoid (most people who like these cars want to feel and hear the engine). There is every liklihood - nearly a certainty in fact, that the "stumble and shake" you are talking about in the C5 will be worse in a V8 Sol/Sky.
Similarly the ride in a V8 Sol or Sky would not be better than a stock C5 or C6 -- they are smaller cars, actually more intensely engineered for handling that the 'vette to begin with and now modified to handle double additional power - ride quality is not going to be a high priority with the tuners who build them, and if you have your custom builder focus on that, something really important (like the ability of the car to put the power to the ground) will likely suffer.
If you really want refined engine manners and ride quality in a "convertible sports car" I would suggest looking at the Ford T-bird. They are just about giving them away now and their DOHC V8 is smooth, and nearly vibration free, and the have a very good ride. If power is the issue there are supercharger kits that will take them well over 400 HP and aftermarket wheel sets that put big rubber on them, all of which makes them perform fairly well.
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
LightMan,, I met Chuck Mallet at the Cliveland Auto Show. Discussed The "Mallet" conversion with him. With the V8 conversion they almost do a complete makeover. They put in better shocks, rear end, clutch,tires, etc,,,, D. Allen
Thanks for the input guys. I spent the last 5 days in lauderdale driving the c5 vette, and had the sol conversion in mind when driving it. I guess upon more driving time the ride is liveable, although over some bumps i literally would go flying up in my seat and the seatbelt would lock to keep me in place...not pleasant...felt like I needed some suspension seats like the offroaders run.
As far as the rear end holding up - I can't imagine mallet would fit the car with an ls7 and not consider that when building the car...then again, assumptions can get you into trouble...thats why I'm here doing a little research thx again
Thanks for the input guys. I spent the last 5 days in lauderdale driving the c5 vette, and had the sol conversion in mind when driving it. I guess upon more driving time the ride is liveable, although over some bumps i literally would go flying up in my seat and the seatbelt would lock to keep me in place...not pleasant...felt like I needed some suspension seats like the offroaders run.
As far as the rear end holding up - I can't imagine mallet would fit the car with an ls7 and not consider that when building the car...then again, assumptions can get you into trouble...thats why I'm here doing a little research thx again
Im just wondering please no flaming why would you put a vette v8 in the solstice first of all it will be slower than the vette and it will run mid 12's because of traction issues and your adding weight to the solstice that car will now be front heavy and no longer a balanced car. Im pretty sure if you wait for the gxp's ecu to be cracked that will be a easier solution for a 12 second car that will be balanced. To me it doesn't make much since it will cost you 20,000 dollars for this upgrade plus you wont have your car for a long while if you ask me dont do it. Just upgrade the ecotec engine im pretty sure with a larger turbo and some other mods you will be in the 12's with a car that wont have as much traction issues.
Okay first of all the way they build them the handing becomes even better. As far as I know the 12 second car is the base $20k kit. This guy is looking at more.
And respect what some love. Some love 4 cylinder tuner cars that you have to turbo to get to 12 seconds and some love the feeling of American muscle. To each his own right?? IMO I would love to do this conversion but I think I will stick to the smaller mods
i understand what you are saying but i did research on this it doesn't matter what engine he decides to go with it will still be slower than the vette to much torque for the solstice to handle when they ran the 1/4 mile in the solstice they have to start in second gear no traction at all in first that is worthless to me but i guess if you have 20,000 dollars sitting around go for it but why didnt he just buy a vette with that type of money isnt that going against the reason for buying the solstice.
i understand what you are saying but i did research on this it doesn't matter what engine he decides to go with it will still be slower than the vette to much torque for the solstice to handle when they ran the 1/4 mile in the solstice they have to start in second gear no traction at all in first that is worthless to me but i guess if you have 20,000 dollars sitting around go for it but why didnt he just buy a vette with that type of money isnt that going against the reason for buying the solstice.
Well some people I guess just like the look of the solstice versus the vette. Me particularly...I like the viper!!
Did you ever read the hot rod mag of the solstice, I think they were a shade below 11. I know they widened the wheel wells to get more traction. I've got the LS7 and only 265's, and yes traction can be an isseu, but after 8 months of practice, I can make it go faster than my 2000 viper which is a twelve second car.
As to why you would put a V8 in a Kappa, if one does not get too extreme with the power it results in a pretty nice, if very different car from the stock type: torquey, smooth, if no doubt a bit heavy feeling at times compared to stock.
I personally agree that you can't really make a Sol or Sky beat a 'vette or even into a vette -- 'vette owners can play the same mods game and they have a wider track, bigger tires and wheels, stability control, more robust drivetrain, and room for a bigger exhaust and headers (not the cramped space in a Kappa). Hard to beat all that when the weight difference will be small if any. But I don't think most V8 conversion owners are trying to do that. Some just love the looks of the car but want a V8. Some just want to do something different.
I think the best possible project would probably be to simply go for extreme boost (28-30 lbs) on a GXP. It would weight insignificantly more when it was done, have gobs of power, and still retain all that balance and finesse it was without the big block engine up front.
But guys (and gals) who go the conversion route? It's their car and I wish them well and hope they like the result
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
Did you ever read the hot rod mag of the solstice, I think they were a shade below 11. I know they widened the wheel wells to get more traction. I've got the LS7 and only 265's, and yes traction can be an isseu, but after 8 months of practice, I can make it go faster than my 2000 viper which is a twelve second car.
That was an interesting magazine article: I really enjoyed it, but realize that car had the benefit of GM support, basically an unlimited budget, etc., really compareable overall to the 9-second Corvette and Mustang project cars they also cover in Hot Rod.
Not to flame you ride (and I admit, a LS7 Solstice is a very cool car!) but 12-second cars, at least 12-second cars among modified stuff out on the street, aren't what they once were: there is a lot of cheap stuff running around in the high and mid 11s anymore: maybe not too many ricers, but a lot of Camaros and Mustangs with four or five grand worth of mods and some good tuning, etc. I would think what would be fun about the LS7 Sol would be the immense and smooth torque for a car of its size
__________________
'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
Who wouldn't want a roaring Sol?? I sometimes wish the gxp came with a V8, instead of a blowdried 4 banger, with the same hp/torque specs (yes i know it'd be heavier and slower overall) in it so all i'd have to do is change exhaust and get, imo, the perfect roadster!
thx again
