To LS or not to LS

[OleVix]

So I have a LHD early griff 400 with a rover lt77 and GKN diff. It has only 30k miles but needs a body off, new brakes, suspension etc.
I want to give it more oomph, say from a v8d 5.0 or more. If I go that route the LT77 would probably pack up so I need a new box anyway. That makes it at least 10k because I need a new diff as well. If I want up to 400 bhp from the rover its gonna cost me big...

Thats why I was thinking LS

The LS3 is a 6.2 that comes standard with 430bhp. A cam change gives 480bhp and 470 lbft. I can get a new 480 one for 9000 inc vat and wiring and anciliaries.
The Tremec T56 6 speed mates up nicely to the LS, there's a low miles used one for sale here in norway for 1750 inc bellhosing and slave.

I need to modify the shifter input on the t56
I need a BTR diff and new brackets to fit the old chassis... or I'll weld new one while I'm refurbing the chassis
I need a new driveshaft
Sportmotive have engine and gb mounts

Who has done this themselves and what are the dos and don'ts?

[OleVix]

Boosted LS1 said:

Cost it up properly. There is no doubt this is a good conversion but it'll cost bucket loads for the extras. What about the ecu, mapping and harness. The front end ancillaries etc? Fitting it to the car? It's a mega expensive project. You could add boost, turbo or s/c to your own engine for less or go bigger capacity n/a.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 31st August 23:41

Im doing the whole job, bodylift, engine swap, welding etc
I would use the stock ecu and loom for the ls, no need to map


I might go the cheap option also, 500 engine, rebuild the rover box etc

[OleVix]

N7GTX said:

Just to balance the opinion a little bit. I have had the Powers turbo done on my 400 and the cost was, including a full and proper rebuild, just over £12k. I added ACT manifolds for another £1.25k.
I have the original T5 gearbox and standard GKN diff. So far no problems.

The power figures are flywheel ones for your LS engines and as stock output, LS3 quoting 430 bhp and 425 lbs/ft.
I have, at the flywheel, 418 bhp and 481 ft/lbs torque. Bigger injectors would take this up to the next level. I asked Powers about swapping the GKN to a later BTR but Dom said the GKN was fine.

Adding up your figures and not including all the other bits like manifolds, BTR etc etc, the price is about the same and a lot easier?
Food for thought?

Yes thank you I have the Eann Whalley turbo kit in my Chim 4.6, so I know how it works, its great

[OleVix]

QBee said:

Couple of comments (no, I haven't done an LS, but it is on my radar, due to the silly amounts of money needed to get another 40bhp out of my 500 engine NA.

First, have you seen this website in the UK?

http://www.partsworldperformance.com/ls3-v8-crate-...

They have a wide range of new crate engines. And new ancillaries. And new gearboxes. As you are in Norway they will supply them VAT free I believe.


Also, if you plan any serious fast or track driving, fit a baffled sump. My good friend Jony Ellis has just wrecked the LS engine in his Tamora doing a Sporting Bears day for seriously ill children. He suffered oil starvation on long left-handers and it threw a rod through the block. His sump was un-baffled.

According to his face-book post, his biggest problem was getting the car recovered......with him dressed in full Batman outfit!!

Thanks for that Anthony! Good info there

[OleVix]

SILICONEKID345HP said:

You have the money , expertese, time and the facilities .

Go fot it and go for the ls.

Why do all that work and do half a job .
Buy a new diff and brackets from TVR Central, collect the gear over time and enjoy the yellow one .

exacly, good one Daz