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VL ----> Ls1

Started by exec5ltrvl vbmenu_register("postmenu_1895572", true); · 20 July 2008 · 57 replies

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

Having sold most of the driveline , a few pics of the LS1 conversion are in order . Car will be carby fed as its a track only vehicle these days and suits my requirements , im using the factory ignition system for spark and the T56 for the gearchanges . Enter ex VX LS1 and six speed . Power steer / aircon removed . It was purchased without manifold / injection / loom . Fitting one of these Dale from CHE has supplied me with an ignition only loom which should arrive anyday now . T56 is a big gearbox especially compared to the out going W57 supra box . Supra weighed 48 kg's and T56 72 kg's but the flywheel used in the supra was the std holden 308 one and wieghed 15kg! . LS1 is far lighter so maybe only a 15kg difference at the end . Next is sump / new clutch / starter conversion and extractors . adam Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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great project keep us updated show us a pic of ur car
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Couple of pics Has another set of rims on it at the moment in my bid to reduce unsprung weight adam Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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CHEETRArchived member
farkin sick champ
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richie$$Archived member
how did you go with the clearance with the extractor on the drive side??
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exec5ltrvlArchived member
Ive got a set of 4-2-1's coming from CAE which are off the shelf items , they'll be here next week ready for the final fitment of engine/ trans . High Energy have come to the party also with a circuit spec pan to fit gen3 into VB-VS commo's , just finalising some details as my car is being used for some R&D . adam
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BlackVLArchived member
Finally, someone showing some real engineering! Well done and keep us all updated.
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huddy14Archived member
does cutting the bungs off the gearbox end the chances of getting an engineer's cert?
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exec5ltrvlArchived member
No , their bungs which are used for commo / corvette and what ever else . Remember if going to register it properly in a legal road car the cost of the speedo conversion alone as a silly price plus plenty of little traps to get caught out on . Getting everything in is quite a simple job , ive only put about 10 hours into it off and on and its sitting in the bay complete with exhaust / tailshaft / shifter finished . Need to finish fuel and sort out the ignition plus water hoses and all the little things that take time ( which i dont have) . adam
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exec5ltrvlArchived member
Updates !! . No its not running yet , but i have some shiney new parts . Ive been dealing a bit with high enrgy regarding a circuit spec sump and as they are keen to fit their new LS1 sump into the older shape commo's a deal was struck up for some R & D . New sump and old sump baffle and trap doors side pic The shear size of the sump extension had me worried as the std sump is a nice tight fit but didnt leave a whole lot of room for a larger unit and sure enough it foweled on the x members where the supports are so i gave it a little clearencing . Next on the list was the extractors , as i mentioned before they are an off the shelf item and i decided to go the 4-2-1's as space is so tight as much room is required as possible. With these pipes you have to relocate the starter motor as its in the way , ive now seen one done in a VS with leaving the factory starter and custom making extractors but at close to 3K its cheaper to just go with the conversion way . Next is final fitting and adjusting and then start on fuel / ignition etc. adam Few more parts fitted over the weekend and just waiting to get the extractors back from being HPC coated . The pipes required some creative bending with an oxy to help clear the floor and the drivers side rail , the arent a bolt in but are close enough for a back yarder to fiddle with them to clear most problems. The do sit pretty much on top of the crank angle sensor so some heat wrapping of the loom is a must along with a the starter motor wires . As you can see from the pics that with the manifold on it sits quite high requiring a hole in the bonnet and scoop which isnt a problem for me as its a track car anyway , the factory EFI system wouldnt have any dramas clearing bonnet heights . I do have a 1 inch spacer fitted in those pics but even without it it would be a close call . adam Should be a runner in a few weeks as im waiting on parts a few little things to finish it. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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gavindorifutoArchived member
wow mate the engine conversion seems to be going well if you can try and get a video of her? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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VL_BOOSTNArchived member
Comin together well mate good job!
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cwreckArchived member
nice stuff
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TunzbigArchived member
Looking good man, good inspiration, since il be getting my ls1 when i get the $$
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exec5ltrvlArchived member
Couple of finished bay shots Dale sent down a modified loom for me to get it ready to go and withing a few pumps of the holley it fired into life and settled to a nice idle , its missing a TPS ( fitting this week) so its a little fluffy to drive and im only putting around anyways . Its had a decent miss/back fire under light to medium throttle openings but seems to clear up the more i drive it and im really not worried untill the last sensor is wired up. Its pretty exciting getting it to fire for the first time , always the concern of what ive forgot to do ! . Within a week or two it will hit the dyno and ill get it sorted , btw stock LS1's dont really sound that nice straight out of the extractors . Everything works on new dash Rev tach needs to be set to 4 cyl mode to work with the LS1 puter, hence the aftermarket job. Havent got the car above 85 degrees to turn on the thermo yet as i think they go on at 90?? . Gearshift is spot on and hydraulic clutch is way to light , im used to cable plus heavy clutch. Little things to do are fit bonnet vent / scoop ( proberly walky one ) lower engine another 7mm ( easy done , can adjust engine mount) track down small slave cylinder leak ( dammmmmm ) profit?? adam Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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TunzbigArchived member
Thats nice man really like what you did with the dash, and its looking really good overall
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lsxvlArchived member
Any updates mate! good stuff
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WoggsterArchived member
wow that thing is a beast great work Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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LANKS_87Archived member
post more photos mate this is really interesting.....
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exec5ltrvlArchived member
Sorry guys , forgot about this thread . Cars been finished , dynoed at 215 rwkw with a 650dp which was found to be too small . Hp holley 750 fitted 230rwkw and excellent drivability . Heres that last few reports. Finished setting up the TPS switch and the difference is impressive , engines like timing!! . Another big thanks to dale (castlehillexhaust) for some questions answered on saturday regarding the TPS . The switch is from a 2.6 magna and is faily compact 3 wire switch which isnt hard to adapt to the Holley carby , quickly set it to read .50 amp on idle and away we go . Quick spin around the block and while it doesnt turn the tyres of idle like the old 5.0 it really gets going up top and loves a rev . Its strong(ish) low in the rev range for a LS1 but thats due to the VL waying stuff all , should be around 1190kg when finished. Its also very responsive with the carb , revs up quicker than the EFI version does . Finished , but fuel lines will be re made this week for more clearence . finished car , looks road legal kinda Things to complete before dyno . Ive had to re wire the thermos as its a negative trigger from the computer so still need to check if it works. Car doesnt want to idle for over 30 secs , it just dies slowly . Its timing related and ive adjusted the TPS correctly so ill have a look on the dyno using VCM suite to see whats the biz. Ive also managed to fry the alternator by accident , dam. I unplugged the wire that tells the dash light their isnt any voltage and it must have earthed on the body so alternater isnt charging and no dash light at all . Most likely the regulator . adam Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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