Thread: LS-1/Gen III in Rangie

I am also interested in the LS1 and did some research. I reckon unless you have one you are up for about $20,000 ( engine with ancilliaries $5000-6000, trans $8000, sump, mounts etc etc, $3000-4000, incidentals $3000??)so its no go for me unless I win lotto..
In US magazine Petersons 4WD., they did an LS1 swap into a Blazer with a 350.
The transmission bolted up except for the one missing bolt hole.
My pretty firm assumption therefore is that a 350 SBC adaptor to ZF will fit. Marks do not do one but I heard that the Castlemaine Rod shop does one.
The engine mounts are in a different position. Advance Adaptors do a conversion plate which is just a flat plate which bolts onto the block so that 350 mounts can be used. Marks are Advance adaptor's agents so should be able to get them. Then a 350 to Range rover engine mount adaptor should fit and Marks do or did make them. ( If Marks look blank then I can dig out the AA number with a bit of work)
The Commodore LS1s have a front sump. you have to change to a rear sump. there are US models with middle or rear sumps. Camaro??
.
There are about 4 different types of exhaust manifiolds. I think the Corvette ones look the closest . They are centre drop.

Your ZF will last 10 mintes behind an LS1. Bruce Davis knows an auto trans place in Melbourne who can build a killer one . But its $8000 apparently. I know this because he supplied a lesser spec one to a friend who had him build a 5 litre and gave him the choice of the killer one.

Sams performance in Sydney can build a GM computer wiyth the body ECM features disabled.

Regards Philip A

Thanks Phil. I have the engine (including aircon compressor, power steering pump, alt etc, fan to flexplate) + ECU.

I was trying to get out of it low cost... so far thought adpater plate + flywheel $1000, engine mounts $300, ECU modification $800 (castle auto electrics).

I thought if I don't cane it, the ZF may survive- Overfinch in the UK used the standard (or LT-1) SBC's with the standard box- some people went through a few transmissions a year apparantly, some seemed to have kept one, guess it depends on driving style.... (I hope)

As far as I can make out, a few of you are right- Castlemaine Rod shop said the same thing about the adaptor plate working, apart from one bolt. Not sure about the flywheel needed to bolt to the flexplate for the starter motor though...

best bet is to have the crank adaptor made by some one the ones you buy are wierd. (Make crank adaptor and new flex plate.)

I had engineering shop in Ballarat make one, used adaptor plate from either marks or rod shop.

ZF will be fine if you treat it OK. you can upgrade the trans to HP24 (I think)

My trans is surviving so far.

ECU costs $150.00 to delete BCM requiremnet and up the KW.

use genuine holden engine loom. intergrate with RR loom.

Make own accesory mounts.

High energy oil pans will mod sump
http://www.highenergy.com.au/

If you do all the work yourself will cost about 8-10K

Michael.

Thanks HSVRangie-
So far the plan is:
1. get a CRS adaptor plate
2. Make flywheel/crank adaptor (using an engineer)
3. Modify ECU (Castle Auto electrics mod the standard holden loom/ECU to have only 8 output wires to integrate with the Rangie loom for the $800, including removing the body module functions).
4. make mounts
5 Use either a high energy -or camaro (rear drop) sump pan (with modified pickup)

As for engine ancilliaries, not sure why new brackets would be required- I was going to make up new hoses for the power steering and aircon to connect to the holden ones in their standard location?

Sounds like a top idea to me.

The ZF box would be stronger that the commodore box anyway wouldnt it. I have driven a few of the SS Autos and i have found the autos to be a bit harsh, but that might be me, much prefered the 6 speed manual.

Make sure you keep us updated, and if you are interested i wouldnt mind documenting the conversion, with pics of course on my website. Matt

http://www.cmr.uq.edu.au/~rotor/the_shed/m..._harris_rangie/

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Foru...iewtopic&t=1677

http://www.cmr.uq.edu.au/~rotor/the_shed/Rangemobile/


Michael.

Originally posted by ChamonixVogue90
Thanks HSVRangie-
So far the plan is:
1. get a CRS adaptor plate
2. Make flywheel/crank adaptor (using an engineer)
3. Modify ECU (Castle Auto electrics mod the standard holden loom/ECU to have only 8 output wires to integrate with the Rangie loom for the $800, including removing the body module functions).
4. make mounts
5 Use either a high energy -or camaro (rear drop) sump pan (with modified pickup)

As for engine ancilliaries, not sure why new brackets would be required- I was going to make up new hoses for the power steering and aircon to connect to the holden ones in their standard location?

i thought the ac pump was on right hand side low on engine and will clash with steering box.

Power steer use the holden saginaw unit and replum to box.

Michael.

Thanks- I forgot that the AC might foul the steering box (engine in Melbourne still, car in Sydney- long story, bringing engine up soon).

I'll look to take pix as i progress...

Michael- great info on your conversion!