Engine change

[Bert]

I have a '95 S1 3.9 manual. It goes like a slug. I had a 3.5 stage one before this and it went much better. I have thought of installing a LS1, is this something that has been done before, does anyone know of a similar upgrade?
Can the gearbox cope? I am hoping that it would deliver more power and better fuel economy. I have seen a supercharger kit for the S1 but think the LS1 should be cheaper and more reliable. Any thoughts???

[Psimpson7]

I have toyed with this more than once....

the r380 will not be strong enough but the lt230 should cope for a while.

You will need a different box, if a manual probably a Tremec tko500 or 600 for which an lt230 adaptor is available.

Not sure about auto options.

[cal415]

I have a '95 S1 3.9 manual. It goes like a slug. I had a 3.5 stage one before this and it went much better. I have thought of installing a LS1, is this something that has been done before, does anyone know of a similar upgrade?
Can the gearbox cope? I am hoping that it would deliver more power and better fuel economy. I have seen a supercharger kit for the S1 but think the LS1 should be cheaper and more reliable. Any thoughts???
looks like i am about to do this in my county, you can come and have a look if you like, but i am still lining up a good motor at this stage.

[big guy]

Hmm
I went down that path here in SA.
There seems to be a legal limit of 4.9L capacity on these cars from memory.
I did have a 3.6l V6 with holden auto in it. Not very good, lack of torque etc.
Best motor that I had was a high compression 4.6 with haltech. It went like the preverbial. I was pulling uphills like nothing before it. The engine came from TRS and was built by a guy in Mackay QLD.

Had a stock Auto box in which I had serviced and properly adjusted. Coped very well and most of torque was down low.

Cost was not too bad and looked original.

So, in other words the LS1 could be great, just make sure the running gear can handle it.

It may even have too much power and render the car undriveable if there is such a thing. Revs develope higher in those engines.
Would be good project though. Those engines are relatively cheap now.

[harry]

I have a '95 S1 3.9 manual. It goes like a slug. I had a 3.5 stage one before this and it went much better. I have thought of installing a LS1, is this something that has been done before, does anyone know of a similar upgrade?
Can the gearbox cope? I am hoping that it would deliver more power and better fuel economy. I have seen a supercharger kit for the S1 but think the LS1 should be cheaper and more reliable. Any thoughts???

what do you call a slug?
mine's pushing near three ton every day, and i leave the lights as fast or faster than most, dunnydores included.
how about checking the tuning, or has it lost the vac advance?
what dies it rev to when caned off the lights through to top gear?

[4wd4fun]

My first D1 was a 95 3.9I auto and my Dad bought a 95 RRC 3.9 auto at the same time his left mine for dead and got better fuel econmy I complained to dealer every service.
Then on the 30000 km service the service manager said he had a possible fix and advised that they would changed the timing advanced it from memory and you could feel the difference.
The next few weeks comfirmed something had been wrong as i was getting another 100km from a tank around town and I was happy with the power and acceleration. Faster then my dads RRC.:)
But there is no substitute for Cubes and a 4.6 will be better again if that is what you are after.:D

[rovercare]

I have a '95 S1 3.9 manual. It goes like a slug. I had a 3.5 stage one before this and it went much better. I have thought of installing a LS1, is this something that has been done before, does anyone know of a similar upgrade?
Can the gearbox cope? I am hoping that it would deliver more power and better fuel economy. I have seen a supercharger kit for the S1 but think the LS1 should be cheaper and more reliable. Any thoughts???

IF I ever went petrol again it SHALL be an LS1, nothing else;)

DO IT, relief your car of that stinky little rover motor:cool:

[Bigbjorn]

I agree with Rovercare. The 3.5 litre engine is simply too small for a two tonne car. Why Rover built it at this size is a mystery as GM had already built this engine family at 5.0 litres. In the cast iron V6 variant used by Buick, GM-H, and others was actually built at 3.8, 4.1 & 4.5 litres which latter equates to a 6.0 litre V8. The turbocharged 4.5 Buick Grand National, early '90's from memory, was a rocket ship.