My build thread Monaro VXR
Discussion
So more progress and more wrong parts....
Finally got sent the right seals so I got the heads finished up. Annoying I didnt take a picture of them fully cleaned up
So made sure I had everything I needed to start tearing the car apart, luckily my friends has allocated me a spot in his garage to work on the car
So got the heads off and the lifters out, pistons are super black because the car has been moved in and out of a garage for about two weeks
Old lifters out, the main reason for going this far with the engine is I was driving home one evening and it started knocking badly! It sounded like a lifter had shat itself so I parked the car for a few days as I couldnt bear to look at it.
Popped the rocker covers off and it turned out to be a loose rocker, still wanted to make sure nothing else had happened and for peace of mind replace the lot!
So new lifter trays in with new GM lifters
Popped the new heads on..
Whilst I had the headers off I had them coated in a high temp powder coat, will see how long it lasts...
Both heads on, I hadnt swapped the valley gasket out just yet
Valley plate fitted, when running the Fast intake you have to swap out the bolts for dome heads to allow for clearance, customs had ripped apart all the bolt packs that when I recieved my parcel they were all floating around, so ended up losing a few and having to improvise, also managed to arrive with 7 intake seals instead of 8!
Mocked fitted the intake with the fuel rails, annoyingly I have been sent LS1 rail fitting kit instead of a LS2 set up, so my injectors are dangling freely as they are no where near the injector ports! So just waiting for that to be sorted out
The fast is a nice bit of kit, theres a couple of things that have to be done before fitting but its all simple!
One thing that has happened is the fittings for the tb have started to pull out of the manifold so that is something that needs addressing....
I have also got to get hold of a pushrod length checker, interestingly the new lifters that GM supply (LS7) are indenitcal sizes however the pushrod seat is .0.50 higher then a stock LS2 lifter, when tightening down my rockers they felt wrong, so I think i need to order up some shorter rods but dont want to be ordering 3 sets!
Finally got sent the right seals so I got the heads finished up. Annoying I didnt take a picture of them fully cleaned up
So made sure I had everything I needed to start tearing the car apart, luckily my friends has allocated me a spot in his garage to work on the car
So got the heads off and the lifters out, pistons are super black because the car has been moved in and out of a garage for about two weeks
Old lifters out, the main reason for going this far with the engine is I was driving home one evening and it started knocking badly! It sounded like a lifter had shat itself so I parked the car for a few days as I couldnt bear to look at it.
Popped the rocker covers off and it turned out to be a loose rocker, still wanted to make sure nothing else had happened and for peace of mind replace the lot!
So new lifter trays in with new GM lifters
Popped the new heads on..
Whilst I had the headers off I had them coated in a high temp powder coat, will see how long it lasts...
Both heads on, I hadnt swapped the valley gasket out just yet
Valley plate fitted, when running the Fast intake you have to swap out the bolts for dome heads to allow for clearance, customs had ripped apart all the bolt packs that when I recieved my parcel they were all floating around, so ended up losing a few and having to improvise, also managed to arrive with 7 intake seals instead of 8!
Mocked fitted the intake with the fuel rails, annoyingly I have been sent LS1 rail fitting kit instead of a LS2 set up, so my injectors are dangling freely as they are no where near the injector ports! So just waiting for that to be sorted out
The fast is a nice bit of kit, theres a couple of things that have to be done before fitting but its all simple!
One thing that has happened is the fittings for the tb have started to pull out of the manifold so that is something that needs addressing....
I have also got to get hold of a pushrod length checker, interestingly the new lifters that GM supply (LS7) are indenitcal sizes however the pushrod seat is .0.50 higher then a stock LS2 lifter, when tightening down my rockers they felt wrong, so I think i need to order up some shorter rods but dont want to be ordering 3 sets!
Edited by Phillphill on Friday 27th January 11:01
It's all progress...hard work sometimes isn't it?
I've got a pushrod length checker in one of my many boxes, send me an email if you don't get a more convenient (local) offer. I've also got a beehive spring micrometer, but it looks like you want a dual spring one (I think Gurmeet had one for sale).
I've got a pushrod length checker in one of my many boxes, send me an email if you don't get a more convenient (local) offer. I've also got a beehive spring micrometer, but it looks like you want a dual spring one (I think Gurmeet had one for sale).
Mud_ said:
It's all progress...hard work sometimes isn't it?
I've got a pushrod length checker in one of my many boxes, send me an email if you don't get a more convenient (local) offer. I've also got a beehive spring micrometer, but it looks like you want a dual spring one (I think Gurmeet had one for sale).
I've got a pushrod length checker in one of my many boxes, send me an email if you don't get a more convenient (local) offer. I've also got a beehive spring micrometer, but it looks like you want a dual spring one (I think Gurmeet had one for sale).
The fast is a nice bit of kit
Again I havent updated this in ages
I had to wait a while for parts and also actually getting time to work on the car.
Turned out my pushrods were actually the right length, it was more a case turning the car over by hand and letting the lifters settle.
One thing that happened was I actually snapped both my rocker stands, so had to order a set of those. With the dart heads you have to grind a small amount of the locators on the rocker stands..
Mud - your pushrod checker will be on its way back!
The issue with the throttle body mounting points was sorted out by Fast very swiftly. They really are a great company and sent out via special delivery a whole new top to the intake manifold.
Moving on from there, I made my new fuel lines and bolted everything back together.
The car needs a damn good clean, especially the engine bay.
Time came to start it, I let the fuel system prime and checked all the fittings about 50 times, tried to get as much oil pressure as possible before firing the car up and it first turn.
Its running mega rich as it needs mapping and also I will be running no mass air flow sensor.
Next jobs are to install the wideband sensor and fit the new clutch, Luis Sola from Aus will be mapping the car remotely so cannot wait to get started on that.
Here is a short video of it running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9UqaUYvaN8
Specs are now
6.0 LS2
AAS Mid length Headers
Sports Cats
Wortec Exhaust
Ported Dart Pro1 heads
BTR Dual springs
Fast 102 intake
Stock TB
Speedinc SI5 Cam
Not sure on power, to be honest Ill be happy aslong as the car is running right. I just want to make it more lairy as I find it a little tame
I had to wait a while for parts and also actually getting time to work on the car.
Turned out my pushrods were actually the right length, it was more a case turning the car over by hand and letting the lifters settle.
One thing that happened was I actually snapped both my rocker stands, so had to order a set of those. With the dart heads you have to grind a small amount of the locators on the rocker stands..
Mud - your pushrod checker will be on its way back!
The issue with the throttle body mounting points was sorted out by Fast very swiftly. They really are a great company and sent out via special delivery a whole new top to the intake manifold.
Moving on from there, I made my new fuel lines and bolted everything back together.
The car needs a damn good clean, especially the engine bay.
Time came to start it, I let the fuel system prime and checked all the fittings about 50 times, tried to get as much oil pressure as possible before firing the car up and it first turn.
Its running mega rich as it needs mapping and also I will be running no mass air flow sensor.
Next jobs are to install the wideband sensor and fit the new clutch, Luis Sola from Aus will be mapping the car remotely so cannot wait to get started on that.
Here is a short video of it running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9UqaUYvaN8
Specs are now
6.0 LS2
AAS Mid length Headers
Sports Cats
Wortec Exhaust
Ported Dart Pro1 heads
BTR Dual springs
Fast 102 intake
Stock TB
Speedinc SI5 Cam
Not sure on power, to be honest Ill be happy aslong as the car is running right. I just want to make it more lairy as I find it a little tame
I noticed photobucket has decided to be pricks about third party sharing so all the photos I will sort out!
Update on the car....
So the car was up and running well.
Spent the morning at SRR with Luis Sola sorting the final tuning. The car did well and put down 409rwhp.
A few more logs and we decided that because it would not take any more advance on the timing that the valves were hanging open.
After a couple of checks I had put slightly too long pushrods in.
Changed the pushrods from 7.400 to 7.350 and simply enough the engine was back to how it should be
So we started mapping again this time just on the road doing some datalogs.
On a long pull the engine shut off with a rather loud bang. Zero oil pressure, either the pump gave up or the relief valve stuck open either or the engine is toast!
So out the engine came
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyz4m6px72r1j9e7e...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_3rmxburAvyox-Yu...
And I started to tear it down....
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tbibp1-ahe69HPzUT...
This is what came out of the sump
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IclQTdr49Wr01sENi...
What looks three bearings that decided to mate
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSt-kQa3FMMHV17qI...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1blqsV8i4Y8dWCm_0Z...
Basically the crank was written off.
I fell (again) out of love with the car, I didnt want to spend time and effort again on it to bring it back to the same power level but nor did I want to pour thousands back into the car
I spent a long time trying to figure out what to do, either supercharge, buy a stroker engine, nail a old stock engine back in and sell.
I was so close to going a supercharger route but to make it worthwhile I would need to fly to the states and bring all the parts back in a suitcase but then I started to think about fuel systems, clutch etc and the costs can quite easily spiral out of (my) budget.
In the end I have decided to go with a built LS3 with a few add ons.
The spec in the end is a brand new LS3 but built with a 24x reluctor wheel, forged pistons, BTR Cam which is good for .640+ lift and a set of CNC LS3 heads. Hoping it should net quite a gain over the old LS2
Picked up a mega light flywheel to which should help liven it up too!
Luis Sola has been a perfect gentlemen and has agreed to help out with the mapping again and also be on hand for the first start in the car.
Next job is to prep and clean the engine bay, once the engine is in I dont want to have to open the bonnet ever again!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1blqsV8i4Y8dWCm_0Z...
Update on the car....
So the car was up and running well.
Spent the morning at SRR with Luis Sola sorting the final tuning. The car did well and put down 409rwhp.
A few more logs and we decided that because it would not take any more advance on the timing that the valves were hanging open.
After a couple of checks I had put slightly too long pushrods in.
Changed the pushrods from 7.400 to 7.350 and simply enough the engine was back to how it should be
So we started mapping again this time just on the road doing some datalogs.
On a long pull the engine shut off with a rather loud bang. Zero oil pressure, either the pump gave up or the relief valve stuck open either or the engine is toast!
So out the engine came
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyz4m6px72r1j9e7e...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_3rmxburAvyox-Yu...
And I started to tear it down....
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tbibp1-ahe69HPzUT...
This is what came out of the sump
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IclQTdr49Wr01sENi...
What looks three bearings that decided to mate
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSt-kQa3FMMHV17qI...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1blqsV8i4Y8dWCm_0Z...
Basically the crank was written off.
I fell (again) out of love with the car, I didnt want to spend time and effort again on it to bring it back to the same power level but nor did I want to pour thousands back into the car
I spent a long time trying to figure out what to do, either supercharge, buy a stroker engine, nail a old stock engine back in and sell.
I was so close to going a supercharger route but to make it worthwhile I would need to fly to the states and bring all the parts back in a suitcase but then I started to think about fuel systems, clutch etc and the costs can quite easily spiral out of (my) budget.
In the end I have decided to go with a built LS3 with a few add ons.
The spec in the end is a brand new LS3 but built with a 24x reluctor wheel, forged pistons, BTR Cam which is good for .640+ lift and a set of CNC LS3 heads. Hoping it should net quite a gain over the old LS2
Picked up a mega light flywheel to which should help liven it up too!
Luis Sola has been a perfect gentlemen and has agreed to help out with the mapping again and also be on hand for the first start in the car.
Next job is to prep and clean the engine bay, once the engine is in I dont want to have to open the bonnet ever again!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1blqsV8i4Y8dWCm_0Z...
Realised again...
Haven't put anything on here...
Are forums dying now because of facebook etc?
So updates are....
Received my new engine, it took a few goes mainly because of s
t parts.
Turned out the NEW camshaft I bought was bent, long story but anyhow.
The new engine is a LS3 built with CNC heads, cam, comp lifters, forged pistons (cr in the 11s somwhere) and ARP rod bolts.
I ditched the Fast as I have now swapped away from cathedral heads.
Although its an LS3 I have had it built with 24x reluctor and all LS2 Sensors
The engine made 570hp at around 6500rpm on the engine dyno, yet to tune it so we shall see what it makes in the car.
Whilst the engine was out I decided to clean up most of the accessories
The engine dropped in surprisingly easy, gearbox and clutch bolted on and then just spent a day plumbing it back in.
Had to order a few new parts that I had misplaced when i took the old engine out (because the old engine was so fked I was just tearing it to pieces!)
Everything plugged in it fired first time on the base map from Luis.
Ran up to temp and noticed I hadnt installed the block sump bung. Pain to do when an engine is in the car but not matter it was all done.
Couple of earthing issues but I went through the car fully and solved those issues..
I have just sold the AAS headers and am now awaiting a set of longtubes, I think i will look at making a switchable exhaust for long journeys with the kids in the car.
Once they are bolted up itll be a case of final checks and getting the car ready for mapping.
O I also swapped out the suspension for a set of Pedders. I am just working through the car completely!
This is the only photo i can upload! Are there any better sites for photo hosting>?
Haven't put anything on here...
Are forums dying now because of facebook etc?
So updates are....
Received my new engine, it took a few goes mainly because of s
t parts.Turned out the NEW camshaft I bought was bent, long story but anyhow.
The new engine is a LS3 built with CNC heads, cam, comp lifters, forged pistons (cr in the 11s somwhere) and ARP rod bolts.
I ditched the Fast as I have now swapped away from cathedral heads.
Although its an LS3 I have had it built with 24x reluctor and all LS2 Sensors
The engine made 570hp at around 6500rpm on the engine dyno, yet to tune it so we shall see what it makes in the car.
Whilst the engine was out I decided to clean up most of the accessories
The engine dropped in surprisingly easy, gearbox and clutch bolted on and then just spent a day plumbing it back in.
Had to order a few new parts that I had misplaced when i took the old engine out (because the old engine was so f
ked I was just tearing it to pieces!)Everything plugged in it fired first time on the base map from Luis.
Ran up to temp and noticed I hadnt installed the block sump bung. Pain to do when an engine is in the car but not matter it was all done.
Couple of earthing issues but I went through the car fully and solved those issues..
I have just sold the AAS headers and am now awaiting a set of longtubes, I think i will look at making a switchable exhaust for long journeys with the kids in the car.
Once they are bolted up itll be a case of final checks and getting the car ready for mapping.
O I also swapped out the suspension for a set of Pedders. I am just working through the car completely!
This is the only photo i can upload! Are there any better sites for photo hosting>?
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