Thread: Holden LS3 and 6 Speed Auto Install Kens’ 2012 110

As per the title, a few stats on how the LS3 is re temperatures.

Wow, water temp is stable within a minute of start up!

With an outside ambient temp of 17 Deg C, and running the vehicle through suburbia at 80km with Start stop Traffic lights, water temp is around 100 Deg C, without the radiator fans kicking in. When they kick in, temp is around 90 Deg C.

The factory temp display is rock steady in the middle.

Oil temp is around 102Deg C. Ignore the red temp gauge face as I’ve yet to connect up the ancillary Redarc oil pressure sender.

Same for the Transmission temp gauge which isn’t yet connected and not powered up yet.

Stats for the Oil pressure and Transmission oil temp to follow soon as I get them plumbed.

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I am interested in the LS3 coolant temps. Where is the temp sender located?

Just going by own personnel experience with my 300Tdi with a VDO mechanical water temp gauge...if mine goes about 92 degrees I start to worry! (as I know 300tdi's do not like high coolant temps).

Hi Andrew.
Its just down stream of the radiator prior to the water pump.

Originally Posted by 86mud

I am interested in the LS3 coolant temps. Where is the temp sender located?

Just going by own personnel experience with my 300Tdi with a VDO mechanical water temp gauge...if mine goes about 92 degrees I start to worry! (as I know 300tdi's do not like high coolant temps).

Originally Posted by Baytown

So much space in the engine bay.
So neat in the engine bay.
Gone to depress the clutch on start up more than once!
Relatively quiet with just a lovely, unobtrusive rumble in the cabin.
Engine bay noise is remarkably quiet.
Effortless driving, and I sat myself back in the seat a few times.
Quite novel leading the pack at the traffic lights!
Effortless driving.
The vehicle just feels tight, no rattles, shakes or hesitancy.
Did I mention effortless driving?

The whole experience dealing with Andrew and Paul at Les Richmond Automotive at Thomastown Victoria was Gold standard. Lovely blokes, nothing is an issue and first and foremost, they are Professionals who work to a no compromise level of work.

Im more than happy with my decision, the cost, the service, the work, and the end product.

Now to head into the desert once Lock down allows, if at all before the end of the access season, and most of all, thanks for all the lovely comments re this process, the build and messages of support fellas.

Im not a wealthy person, being an injured, pensioned out Veteran who is by them self, so this was a project to support and treat myself and my morale after a full on 6 years post injury, loss of career, health, old me, as much as modding the vehicle.

I very much appreciate the members here.👍

Well there doesnt seem to be any criticism anywhere in this thread about what you have done.
Personally I do have one big complaint with your conversion...

NO VIDEO of you driving it, sooooo many teasing videos, true petrol heads demand driving videos!!

Hi Daz.

Thanks mate, and just for you, I’ll ask my sister to get GoPro video of the vehicle tomorrow when I go for the shopping run!

Ill try to get dash video of acceleration etc.

All to come!👍

Originally Posted by DazzaTD5

Well there doesnt seem to be any criticism anywhere in this thread about what you have done.
Personally I do have one big complaint with your conversion...

NO VIDEO of you driving it, sooooo many teasing videos, true petrol heads demand driving videos!!

Originally Posted by Baytown

Hi Daz.

Thanks mate, and just for you, I’ll ask my sister to get GoPro video of the vehicle tomorrow when I go for the shopping run!

Ill try to get dash video of acceleration etc.

All to come!👍

Can you please give us all an update how it's going? I'm seriously considering doing the same to my Puma. Considering an Alive tune, but not sure that'll be enough to overcome the struggles when towing a van behind.

Hi Dave;

Apologies for the lack of updates on how the vehicles been driving since the engine/transmission swap.

‘First thing I need to say is that it’s amazing how fast you forget what a standard Puma 2.2 Defender drives and sounds like, so that biases my impressions some what. Also, my 2.2 had a BAS 170 tune with larger Intercooler etc so was somewhat more responsive than stock before the swap process either way.

I use to tow my 16 ft van with it and it was fine. No rocket ship, but fine. My 21 ft van would be another issue though. I bought the Disco 4 for that.

‘So, after 7000 kms in the modified vehicle:

Pure and simple, I love it. It’s smooth, relatively quiet, no diesel rattle, responsive, pulls, you forget there’s no clutch pretty fast, gear changes are unnoticeable, it’s just a different animal.

Ok, re fuel consumption, I am using around 40% more, I.e, my 127 mai rear tank gets around 640kms general driving before I need to refil, (when the light comes on) as opposed to around 1100km with diesel in the 2.2 but that’s the nature of the beast. I don’t know the fuel consumption figures, I’ve not worked them out, but you don’t buy an LS3 for fuel savings.

I still find myself driving on country roads here in Tassie at 80kph when there’s no traffic, it’s the Defender handling/vibe thing, it’s just it’s sweet spot, and I tent to sit on 100kph on the highway even in 110kph stretches, even though I’ve cruise control. The vehicle can easily handle it, but it’s just where it’s comfortable.

Revs at 100kph highway are around 1800rpm, engine head temp on 25 Deg days around 90 Deg C, water temp around 100 Deg C.

Engine braking is great off road, although I’ve only done very limited soft core tracks in the two months I’ve been back from Victoria after lockdown so can’t say much. I’ve not even in sand or extensive mud etc.

Andrew at Les Richmond has been nothing but supportive and an absolute professional to deal with. I’ve only had one issue with the actual installation, and that was a loose connection on the US supplied loom at the Fuel pump relay end which Andrew easily diagnosed and rectified, as well as as devising his supplier.

‘Justin Cooper here in Tassie has driven the vehicle and was very impressed with the fit, workmanship and drive ability/smoothness as were other Defender Puma owners. Again, I’ve forgotten what stock drive is like.

I tend to forget the sound that my vehicle makes at the exhaust, but so many people notice at car parks and come up to me to discuss, and are blown away when I lift the bonnet!

All I can say to anyone seriously considering the investment involved and keeping their Defender as a long term prospect, do it. Andrew Richmond and his team are gold and you won’t get a better installation or after installation support.

I hope this is of interest Dave.

Best wishes mate.

Ken

You’re due in Whyalla when?