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›Meets & events
Meets & events

79 HSV LS1 TURBO Build

Started by richie$$ · 2 Apr 2009 · 129 replies

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

richie$$Archived member
Hi all, As most people know, Im building a Ls1 Turbo for my VL. I will be posting picture's off the build. As It Starts........ I have now Got a Ls1 V8 out of a VX SS. Also today I got my hands on a PCM for it. Also a VL V8 K-Frame. I'll post pictures once it stops raining. Also I have ordered my Engine mount kit and starter motor re-locater kit from CRS. Word of warning to all , There is a 3-4 week wait on the starter motor kit. Ls1 (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ls1f.jpg) GT 42r (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00172200903021804.jpg) I'll post more photo's later on. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
freEze_dKArchived member
i guess LS1's are the new black should be good when it's finished
0 likes
richie$$Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by freEze_dK i guess LS1's are the new black should be good when it's finished It is my friend!!! Price and power. cant go wrong!!
0 likes
freEze_dKArchived member
yea they are pretty cheap these days this all going into you old turbo car?
0 likes
vanstrienArchived member
Hell yeah bbboooiiiiiiii will be awesome when its all done. Will be keeping an eye on this for sure Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
CLNGMHArchived member
The race is on. GT45 Vs T51r.
0 likes
NZ EVLHSVArchived member
Awesome, can't wait to see more of this build!
0 likes
richie$$Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by CLNGMH The race is on. GT45 Vs T51r. GT42r + Glide Vs T51r Yesterday, Ordered my mounts and Comp Cams Valve spring. Waitng on my starter re-locator kit. Got My PCM and K Frame. Had bad news this morning , my Turbo manifold has been held up. wont be ready till mid MAY!!! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
OVL087Archived member
so did u ever complete the 26 in the vl and or race it. or just keep blowing it up and discontinue the build?
0 likes
richie$$Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by OVL087 so did u ever complete the 26 in the vl and or race it. or just keep blowing it up and discontinue the build? Its spun 3 bearings , had a gut full . Its was too touch and go. Had very little enjoyment with it. Now with the STD Ls1 and STD PCM it will have turn key drivablity. Also I was sick of trying to push every last bit of HP out of a small motor. Just at its limits. Wasted too much money. Should have just gone V8 turbo from the start. Oh well , I have learnt the HARD way. People take notes.
0 likes
OVL087Archived member
fair enough the new project sounds mad as keep us updated
0 likes
PRO840Archived member
turbo V8's mmm, if you can't beat them join them Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
0 likes
A-TT5.7Archived member
RB=Runs Bearings
0 likes
richie$$Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by A-TT5.7 RB=Runs Bearings Correct!!!! Should have my engine mounts and valve spring today. Finger crossed. Will post pic's once I have more parts.
0 likes
86SLVLTArchived member
Quote: Originally Posted by A-TT5.7 RB=Runs Bearings Is that meant to say RB=Ruins Bearings?
0 likes
CLNGMHArchived member
And with a stock Ls1 you will no doubt make the same HP but with f-loads more torque.
0 likes
richie$$Archived member
Valve springs have just come in , waiting on engine mounts..... Photo's post soon!
0 likes
justinvlcArchived member
Quote: Originally Posted by richie$$ Its spun 3 bearings , had a gut full . Its was too touch and go. Had very little enjoyment with it. Now with the STD Ls1 and STD PCM it will have turn key drivablity. Also I was sick of trying to push every last bit of HP out of a small motor. Just at its limits. Wasted too much money. Should have just gone V8 turbo from the start. Oh well , I have learnt the HARD way. People take notes. from what i hear from people i know, if your mechanic wasn't so bodgy your motor would still be going, such as reusing head gaskets.
0 likes
FATMANArchived member
LS1 vs RB26DETT LS1 is a cheaper engine to buy, and also weighs about 50kgs less than a RB26DETT. It should make more power (600+HP) with the turbo kit over the RB26 for less money and make it a lot easier and safer initially. Lots of off the shelf items for the LS1 readily available too which are fairly affordable compared to RB26 go fast bits. My dad has always preferred american motors over "jap crap" and can't understand why i have a VL RB30ET. LS1 with a big single turbo kit sounds so fun and easy, its got me thinking a lot about it, but LS1 motors come with thier known faults too. Many issues such as once they start to wear a little/get a few k's on the clock, they start burning/using ALOT of oil, plus a few others i dont have exact details about so i can't really explain them properly without sounding like a douche. I have a m8 who is a fully qualified mechanic with his own business/workshop until recently. Owned a VU SS 6spd ute, new from holden, and blew the motor more than once and it only had an exhaust system. Kept having problems with a certain number piston (2 or 6 or both can't remember), ended up rebuilding it for the last time and selling it and got into 4WD's instead. So a stock LS1 with a turbo kit aint gonna last for a real long time and the engine will have to be rebuilt to stronger specs with forged and upgraded internals. I've seen a few late model commodores (VX,VY etc) with turbo kits on standard motors and they start to get limited with the stock engine when they go chasing more horsepower and more boost. (to richie$$) I trust u've researched, had a lot more experience in this and know what u're doing m8. Noticed u're getting a few little things like valve springs etc to give the stock engine the best chance it can get, best of luck with this, should be an absolute goer and winner. I always admired the stats/hp of ur rb26 setup. Hell, if LS1 turbo's are still in fashion in a few years time, i too may take the journey down the yellow brick road. I will be watching this build. P.S what is a PCM? i'm guessing it has something to do with the ECU, but i really have no idea. Cheers.
0 likes
PSI06Archived member
goodluck with the build mate. but i dis agree with the rb30/26 removeal they have heaps and heaps of potential , from my exsperience your old setup would have failed due to either poor engine building ,engine tune or too much power glide pressure. my old psi06 "sherif now" is a stock rb30 making 600rwhp pump/toll and i built it 2.5 years ago and its still goin. i reckon you will blow up more ls1's then rb's . goodluck anyway hope i am wrong .
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 0 guests active in the last 15 minutes

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

Visitors Today4

33,594 threads, 484,053 posts and 4,935 images saved from CT

98.1% of indexed threads saved