VH LS1 Conversions

[xmick]

G'day all, I'm looking at doing a LS1 conversion to my VH, I've done a lot of searching but can't find many
specifics on the kit I'm thinking of using.

Has anybody used the V6conversions kit with the custom K-Frame?

3 More questions

What Radiator are people using?

What Diff have other people used?

Any pics of completed conversions? (any conversion kit)

[SL/ENUT]

www.caenterprises.com.au - The CAE PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS pages lists our Catalogue and Products.

They have a rough price list of what you need. All i know, need plenty of money. Use a VL-VS V8 K frame and perhaps 9 inch diff or spooled Borg warner diff.

[xmick]

So does anybody know about the V6conversions LS1 kits or any of their other gear?

please info on quality not how expensive a conversion is, I can just search to see how expensive it was 5 years ago.

[SL/ENUT]

I looked on V6 Conversions website, doesn't look like they do the Ls1 kits.

Everyone i've seen and know have used Castlemaine rod shop or the link above.

Gotta realise that has to be engineered hence only a few places sell a proper kit, not a dodgy back yard conversion.

[xmick]

They do do kits, the just dont update their website. I think they might be a bit old school in that regard. But reading the current Street Machine today theres a EJ van with one of their conversion kits as a featured car so I don't think they're back yard.

I guess that answers my own question.

They sell a kit designed correctly so you dont have to swap the starter, sounds better than the other options.

[SL/ENUT]

I rather swap starter and have the lower motor in engine bay than the other way. Weight would be an issue there.

[xmick]

pretty sure it sits lower as its a custom k-frame with a VN steering rack with linkages to suit, not just a chopped 308 frame. But I will check with them before I order.

[vktorana]

Hey just another option for ya. Search 4blok in Google. They do a full kit and if its quality you want then give em a look! Not sure how they compare price wise but quality is above standard! Good luck to ya dude

[RazzaCaine]

4blok are far from cheap

GEN 3 MANUAL ENGINE CONVERSION TO SUIT VB VC VH VK VL (eBay item 200481059424 end time 03-Feb-11 12:51:08 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

$10k...


HOWEVER

that price includes the engine, gearbox, custom loom, etc. pretty much everything to 'drop' an LS1 in.

initially it sounds expensive but actually its fairly cheap really. if i had $10k id do it hehe

[vktorana]

Yea seems like a hell of alot but so much more convinent to have a complete kit n they give ya a 2 year warranty on it too. N they got great customer relations too. If ya get stuck just ring em up n they happy to help. Lol I sound like a salesman! Anyways good luck

[kwakaman]

I've been thinking of an LS1 for my VK, seen a few on SC site. People tell me there's a conversion kit available with headers too? Maybe they're blowing wind up my butt?

[juiceie vh sle]

user OFF T4P has put a LS1 + a big ol' turbo in a vl might wanna give him a call.

10k for a full kit is a really good price . but take note that you wont be able to run a air con and you need to change your starter motor to the other side.

[xmick]

I've been thinking of an LS1 for my VK, seen a few on SC site. People tell me there's a conversion kit available with headers too? Maybe they're blowing wind up my butt?

i used the v6 conversions kit, that included headers, BCM wiring . No need to move the starter. Still like any conversion things need to be "massaged" to fit.

[ajvx01]

Kwaka- lonsdale auto do drive in drive out ls1 swaps now

[OFF T4P]

I have a vk with a ls1 turbo set up. Here's what I used. Vk 308 k frame manual steering rack ( if
You want powersteering use a vl-vs v8 k frame with powersteering to suit) . Tuff mounts are the go. I m not using a starter conversion because I am Running a turbo setup and mini starter so no pipes running down that side. A bloke off eBay done me a stand along harness for $500 and it's
One of the best harness jobs I have seen, top work. With you radiator use a vl rb30 one as both the inlets are on the drivers side where you need them. I was talking to a dude from pacemaker and he said they where doing a set of paceys for ls1- vb-vk that was a while ago so they should be done by now. I think your best bet is to make your own kit of all the good bits and pieces from different places.

[OFF T4P]

IMO I would get custom headers made up probably be upto 500 more then off the shelf ones but they will be way less painful there is bugger all room there.

[witzl]

i used the v6 conversions kit, that included headers, BCM wiring . No need to move the starter. Still like any conversion things need to be "massaged" to fit.

Out of interest, how much was the kit from V6 Conversions?
Any rough figures on how much the conversion set you back? I've done lots of searches, but just keep getting people arbitrarily repeating "it'll cost $10,000" since 2008 - i find it hard to believe that the cost would be the same now as it was nearly 4 years ago!

Reason I ask is, my mate (non internet user), is thinking of building up a VK street car.... and I got to talking about using an LS1, so he's keen on that idea now.
He needs to work out costs to see if it would be better to go straight to an LS1, or try to squeeze blood from the stone that is the original VK V8 engine (not sure which engine that is sorry... im not big into comodores)

Cheers.
Karl.

NINJA EDIT - also, where's the best place to buy 2nd hand LS1 engine packages? What do they go for these days? Ive only seen the odd listing on ebay, and prices seem to vary wildly.

[OFF T4P]

I reckon you could get away with a full conversion for under $8000 if you do the work you self. Should be able to shit it in for 8 g. Ls1's are cheap as shit I just sold one with 130 thousand on it for $1300. Look on eBay mate.

[OFF T4P]

What gear box do you want to run

[witzl]

no idea on the gearbox.... dont they come with a T56 6sp or something originally?
Myself, i'd go manual... but no idea what my mate would chose!

I've read that the LS1 auto needs either some gearbox tunnel bashing, or some removal of ribbing material on the box...... i think its the 4L60E box??

Which is the cheaper option?
I'd think the manual, cos then there's less farking around with the computer for the auto box.
Also, manuals do more skids :P


... actaully, what am i saying. It's an LS1, it'll do skids with any gearbox.


EDIT: foudn the auto box model.

MORE EDIT: yes we would do all the work ourselves, short of fabricating headers. Im gun with wiring also, so i can do all that too.


... just how close does the starter get in the factory position? Is it REALLY necessary to switch the starter to the other side of the motor as in the CRS etc conversion kits?

[xmick]

I went manual so prob cost me an extra 2-3k including buying the box

Engine and box I got from comm wreck 4k they were pretty good, anything from the doner car I wanted and the gave me a heap of bits for free like a vs 80L tank and steering rack.

The v6 conversions kit was 3k, mounts, custom k-frame, gearbox xmember, wiring harness (relays, bcm etc), headers.

Its all the little things that add up there's another few thousand there even if you get the parts right first time., fuel lines, fittings, pump, reg, tailshaft, diff, radiator (vl doesn't fit bottom pipe is to low) fans, filters.

then there's engineering.

still, once you drive one = awesome

[witzl]

is manual really that much more expensive than auto?

[xmick]

The T56 cost more to buy plus fitting pedal box and master cylinder.

Old commodore are set up to pull the cable not push to the master. The easy option is the $800 Mal Woods pedal box which is all under dash and included hoses and pipes etc. I tried to do it cheaper modifying VH pedal box with the VX master and a Dellow adapter to mount it in the engine bay. Still cost about $600 anyway and many hours screwing around, next time I would just pay the extra.

For the auto its just join the shifter linkages and use the standard VH shifter. There's a thread on Street comm forum with a guy thats done it in a VH, lots of photos.

[witzl]

yeah i just found that thread on street commodores forum... thanks for the heads up.

I see what you mean about going the path of manual.... if there isnt a simple/cheap bolt in option for hydraulic clutch, then that could be a right PITA.

Thanks for all the advice guys

[OFF T4P]

Vl radiators do fit got a pwr rb30 radiator fits perfect all pipes line up good. If you do decide to go auto. Use a turbo 400. Alls you need is a spacer for the flex plate and you can use a th 400 convertor with out getting a custom one made up. It would also be a cheaper then the other auto or a manual. Should be able to get a good th400 an convertor for under a grand and the spacer fr the flex plate is around 200. No messing around with all the wiring and shit to get every thing working like you would have todo with the new autos.