Back to shop ↗
THE HOLDEN COMMODORE FORUM

HOLDCOM Community

Built around the cars. Kept alive by the people.

+ Start a discussion
Holden Commodores gathered at Holdcom
Forum Home›Technical help
Technical help

LS3 into VL

Started by bluey803 · 3 Feb 2013 · 33 replies

Preserved from CalaisTurbo. Original authors and dates are shown; archived members are not current Holdcom accounts. View original archive ↗

bluey803Archived member
Hey guys Just fishing to see if anyone on here has put an LS3 into a VL? If so, was it carby or EFI? power figures? stroker kit or not? Thanks
0 likes
GTS-213Archived member
Speak to ITG05Z, he has done two gen conversions into VL'svand he would be the man to see. Both have been EFI and have run like a charm and loads of power.
0 likes
GTS-213Archived member
Speak to ITG05Z, he has done two gen conversions into VL's and he would be the man to see. Both have been EFI and have run like a charm and loads of power.
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Thanks mate. Considering doing LS3 carby stroked to 418 or 427 into a vl. Just wanting to see different peoples experiences
0 likes
ITG-05ZArchived member
shoot away if i can help i will be more than happy to help...... my current one is an LS2 L98 hsv engine with a 6 speed in my vl all stock (at the momment ) but works a treat for a street car all the car has is a twin plate ceramic clutch i pop third gear on a stand still and it will destroy the tyres...... i am building a burnout car so i am thinking to go injected blower out of bonnet or i might even turbo it i am looking around for my best options Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by ITG-05Z [View Post] shoot away if i can help i will be more than happy to help...... my current one is an LS2 L98 hsv engine with a 6 speed in my vl all stock (at the momment ) but works a treat for a street car all the car has is a twin plate ceramic clutch i pop third gear on a stand still and it will destroy the tyres...... i am building a burnout car so i am thinking to go injected blower out of bonnet or i might even turbo it i am looking around for my best options Sounds like a mean machine Well im still trying to convince my self that an LS motor is the way to go... Ive had a 355 stroker previously and your looking at 15k for a complete motor. I just purchased a NA VL calais and will get it regod etc ... Then looking at ripping the old RB30 out. Im looking at sourcing either LS3 or LS2 block and a stroker kit from the states and having it assembled here (I dont trust the workmanship that would go into a motor built in the states). I prefer going carby, as dont have to mess around with electrics... And a carby sticking out looks sweet. Is it really as much as a hassle as everyonye says in regards to put an LS into a VL? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
ITG-05ZArchived member
well my mate lined me up with a 355 stroker with a 6 speed in a vl and he was spewing that he didnt do the ls2 conversion like i did and i offered to help him lol i was wheel spinning past him and pulling away just to show a difference but other than that the ls motors are a newer motor you cant go wrong..... to put one in how handy are you with the welder? i buy the engine mounts i recommend the 6 cylinder mounts over the v8 if your going for a 6 speed manual but i believe even with the auto it would be better too as the 6 cylinder mounts bring the motor forward where the v8 k frame mounts have the motor back in saying that the 6 speed shifter falls nearly exact on the vl whole and also less tunnel panel beating needs to be done.... i used the vl gearbox mount and welded a plate to mount it and made the exhaust myself this time to get it on the road quicker as i dont know what path i am taking yet...... i move the steering rack rather than buying the starter motor conversion kit as you can make up 5mm on space from the tie rod ends once you cut the steering wheel brackets out and make new ones its just as good if you can weld..... my conversion this time costs are as follows ls2 6L and 6 speed complete out of a vz maloo ute with wiring and computer $6000 wiring to be made to suit vl done by sideshow $800 (from top of my head) exhaust $1000 in mild steel dual going into one three inch pipe fuel reg and fuel system $600 engine mounts $400 the ebay ones (roughly) tailshaft $700 Guages $1000 i ran all autometer carbon fibre stuff you can get cheaper ones... i would allow $1000 for odds and ends to get it all sorted hoses rubbers etc etc i used the standard vl radiator but i got the thermos from the original vz and used them and modified to suit the radiator etc now thats what this roughly cost me i dont think i forgot anything i dont know what cops are like in melb but in sydney i prefer to keep the car a sleeper so they dont bother with me and if i want the car loud i have put butterflies underneath and by push of a button can make the car loud when i please i forgot to add...... i used the electronic throttle body too so i had to make a plate and welded it to the floor and bolt the accelerator pedal in too I can recommend a mate of mine in sydney who does these conversions as he has helped me and i used his shop to do these conversions but for him to do it obviously will charge labour materials etc
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Thanks for all the info , especially the stuff on the conversion itself... In regards to of the shelf conversion bits , I was probably just gonna get the mounts. Wasn't wanting to spend $1000 on a starter relocation kit, as long as there are ways around it And dont trust those CRS extractors , just get a custom set made up. In regards to a carb setup, Im thinking it will be less expensive than FI. Im looking at building the engine from a bare block, so have the option of choosing my fuel delivery method .... Having a quick look at some approx pricing in USA LS3 Aluminium bare block - $1500 + approx $1000 machining in Aus Scat stroker kit - $2500 manifold - $500 Carb - $700 That was just some pricing of some of the main bits. If im going to the trouble of the Ls3 , im thinking of going all out and not regretting my decision Im pretty confident I have a trustworthy mechanic lined up Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
ITG-05ZArchived member
well to set it up in a vl isnt that bad as long as you play around with it but how you want to set up the engine is totally up to you i got everything in and running injection but i can always go carby as you can still you the same computer to run ignition only on the motor and turn off the rest of the stuff so you can run the carby which could be an idea for you too
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Yeh mate, guess sky is the limit in regards to the motor .... Its just getting it in there firstly lol. Well I pick up the car on Saturday and getting it straight in for a rwc and rego... Then the fun part if saving the cash and out will go the old rb30 Thanks for the advice Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
ITG-05ZArchived member
no problems anytime
0 likes
capssyArchived member
before goin ls3 speak to an engineer mate if you want it on the road vic engineers are strict and ls3 would be over power for the power to weight laws in vic 6 litre or 373 cube is the max you can get away with in a vl (this is with a very lenient engineer) you can get away with ls2 but its borderline other thing if you want it on the road the engine will not pass emisions testing for engineers unless its stock i.e std came manifold cats maf sensor char-col canister the works if you go carby it wont pass engineers and if you get pull over youll get reemed by the epa also i found the starter motor l/h conversion needed because the engineer wouldn't pass it having less than 20mm between starter exhaust and steering shaft
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by capssy [View Post] before goin ls3 speak to an engineer mate if you want it on the road vic engineers are strict and ls3 would be over power for the power to weight laws in vic 6 litre or 373 cube is the max you can get away with in a vl (this is with a very lenient engineer) you can get away with ls2 but its borderline other thing if you want it on the road the engine will not pass emisions testing for engineers unless its stock i.e std came manifold cats maf sensor char-col canister the works if you go carby it wont pass engineers and if you get pull over youll get reemed by the epa also i found the starter motor l/h conversion needed because the engineer wouldn't pass it having less than 20mm between starter exhaust and steering shaft Yeh trust me I know how bad they are... In all honesty thats why I wanted it fully regod... not looking at getting it certified... Worst case scenario would be to put old running gear back in. Sounds stupid, but these days its near impossible to do things like this done...
0 likes
capssyArchived member
it can be done tho mate just gotta jump through those loop holes
0 likes
ITG-05ZArchived member
hence why i dont have engineers reports its easy to convert back to original and pass it rather paying an engineer money to do things at his specs...... i have other ideas as well but nothing i will publish on here lol
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Yeah definiteley , im all for safety and making sure that the engine doesn't jump out of the bay lol.... but the age we live in now does not allow us to play by the rules unless you wish to pay the big bucks....
0 likes
LANKS_87Archived member
Would you be interested in buying one already completed? Though it is only an ls1 (6 speed manual og Calais) engineered
0 likes
bluey803Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by LANKS_87 [View Post] Would you be interested in buying one already completed? Though it is only an ls1 (6 speed manual og Calais) engineered Thanks mate , but picking up a N/A Calais on the weekend, already put down deposit
0 likes
chief355Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by LANKS_87 [View Post] Would you be interested in buying one already completed? Though it is only an ls1 (6 speed manual og Calais) engineered Any pics of car? how much?
0 likes
RB-GEMArchived member
It's costing me $1500 to have my vh engineered with an ls1 and I won't need an emissions test .
0 likes
Sign in or create an account to reply. New members are welcome—no purchase or old CT account needed.

Who’s online

0 members and 6 guests active in the last 15 minutes

No signed-in members active right now. Guests are welcome to browse.

Visitors Today82

6,402 threads, 42,765 posts and 628 images saved from CT

18.7% of indexed threads saved