LS Engine swap
Discussion
m4tti said:
Iron block.. Are you building a dragster or powerboat.
A dragster of course! TVR = Tube chassis, fiberglass body. Perfect dragster setup. All the pros do it. 
Kidding aside, it was just a picture I pulled off google that had a LS setup with ITB.
It is not the actual engine I have on the stand at the moment.
If you have seen transformers 1, the engine in the old Camaro had ITB on it.|
Posted below.
And on a positive note, it is sunny outside
Just a thought.....and it's an upgrade that's transferable between vehicles
yep.
That too! I am crap.
ETA - However - I remember on these forums a decade ago, there was a fellow PH-er from S. Africa who had a T350. He loved it. He died, unfortunately. He was apparently racing a Mercedes (I think, memory is a little hazy), and lost control and went off the elevated road, with the car landing upside down about 40 feet below. AFAIK, the other driver didn't go off the road.
Most of us get the red mist now and again, we're not always in as much control as perhaps we should be or think we are, it only takes the most fleeting of moments.
But I am speaking from my own quite timid POV and taking into account my own limitations.
chris watton said:
TVRMs said:
chris watton said:
Proper traction control would be the minimum required to go with the conversion, surely?
Driver upgrade maybe Just a thought.....and it's an upgrade that's transferable between vehicles
yep.
That too! I am crap.
ETA - However - I remember on these forums a decade ago, there was a fellow PH-er from S. Africa who had a T350. He loved it. He died, unfortunately. He was apparently racing a Mercedes (I think, memory is a little hazy), and lost control and went off the elevated road, with the car landing upside down about 40 feet below. AFAIK, the other driver didn't go off the road.
Most of us get the red mist now and again, we're not always in as much control as perhaps we should be or think we are, it only takes the most fleeting of moments.
But I am speaking from my own quite timid POV and taking into account my own limitations.
Edited by chris watton on Thursday 25th August 20:05
"The problem with the above is the uncomfortable truth that these cars and their engines weren't "all that" when new, plagued with quality & reliability issues"
I love statements like this - its not just TVR
My mate with his 2003 911 Carrera S waits for the intermediate shaft thingy to fall out the bottom every time he starts it up thanks to internet forums
My mate with his 2005 M3 CS is just waiting for problems to occur as it missed its "do not miss" 1000 mile service 11 years ago by a few hundred miles (its now on 89000!) I swear if the electric mirror was to fail it would, according to the internet, be because the 1000 mile service was late!
Waited 3 years for my 2002 Cerbera Speed6 to have engine failure, never happened
Still worried my 2005 Sagaris Speed6 might expire at any minute but its just had a 12k with tappets and is rude health
And so far.....
None of us have had any issues
I love statements like this - its not just TVR
My mate with his 2003 911 Carrera S waits for the intermediate shaft thingy to fall out the bottom every time he starts it up thanks to internet forums
My mate with his 2005 M3 CS is just waiting for problems to occur as it missed its "do not miss" 1000 mile service 11 years ago by a few hundred miles (its now on 89000!) I swear if the electric mirror was to fail it would, according to the internet, be because the 1000 mile service was late!
Waited 3 years for my 2002 Cerbera Speed6 to have engine failure, never happened
Still worried my 2005 Sagaris Speed6 might expire at any minute but its just had a 12k with tappets and is rude health
And so far.....
None of us have had any issues
Edited by PuffsBack on Friday 26th August 18:06
Do we know each other? have you been for a run in my car? I am guessing you must have been in mine as well as others to be able to comment like you have and to be able to commnent on the owners like you have.
TVRnutcase said:
f
k me senseless - please tell me this is not for a Sagaris - if it is - you deserve to be excommunicated.
I have a supercharged LS3 (not in a TVR) - and a 4.3 straight 6. Ok - one has more power - but really - the straight 6 is so much more characterful...revs to 7k - and the pops on the overrun (no cats) scare small children and make babies cry - that is a TVR.
The real question:- What are you trying to achieve with a LS? - More wheel spin? - There is a limit to the amount of power one can reasonably use in any car. And any car is a "package"
k me senseless - please tell me this is not for a Sagaris - if it is - you deserve to be excommunicated.I have a supercharged LS3 (not in a TVR) - and a 4.3 straight 6. Ok - one has more power - but really - the straight 6 is so much more characterful...revs to 7k - and the pops on the overrun (no cats) scare small children and make babies cry - that is a TVR.
The real question:- What are you trying to achieve with a LS? - More wheel spin? - There is a limit to the amount of power one can reasonably use in any car. And any car is a "package"
Edited by TVRnutcase on Monday 22 August 01:36
I had a great LS7 in my Sagaris and then I put the beefed up LS9 in it. The last thing I have ever thought about is resale value. Even though some of my cars are now worth more money than they were when I bought them I do not buy cars for resale value I buy them and modify (some of them) to enjoy them.
Well converted LS engined TVR's are mega, if you can afford it then go for it. I also have an unregistered TVR Sagaris rolling shell with 99% of the bits to put it on the road and register it, I will keep it S6 based not because it is a better as I do not think it is, but becuase it is more than likely going to be the last Sagaris registered.
Well converted LS engined TVR's are mega, if you can afford it then go for it. I also have an unregistered TVR Sagaris rolling shell with 99% of the bits to put it on the road and register it, I will keep it S6 based not because it is a better as I do not think it is, but becuase it is more than likely going to be the last Sagaris registered.
blackiepaul said:
I had a great LS7 in my Sagaris and then I put the beefed up LS9 in it. The last thing I have ever thought about is resale value. Even though some of my cars are now worth more money than they were when I bought them I do not buy cars for resale value I buy them and modify (some of them) to enjoy them.
Well converted LS engined TVR's are mega, if you can afford it then go for it. I also have an unregistered TVR Sagaris rolling shell with 99% of the bits to put it on the road and register it, I will keep it S6 based not because it is a better as I do not think it is, but becuase it is more than likely going to be the last Sagaris registered.
Just greedy having 2 Well converted LS engined TVR's are mega, if you can afford it then go for it. I also have an unregistered TVR Sagaris rolling shell with 99% of the bits to put it on the road and register it, I will keep it S6 based not because it is a better as I do not think it is, but becuase it is more than likely going to be the last Sagaris registered.
Ls tamora owner here, had s6 before that. Both completly different t and some major things to make sure you get right with the LS conversion, they can still go bang as I found out a couple of weeks ago. If you wanna talk send me a message, can't be arsed getting into arguments on here on what's best.
PuffsBack said:
"The problem with the above is the uncomfortable truth that these cars and their engines weren't "all that" when new, plagued with quality & reliability issues"
I love statements like this - its not just TVR
My mate with his 2003 911 Carrera S waits for the intermediate shaft thingy to fall out the bottom every time he starts it up thanks to internet forums
My mate with his 2005 M3 CS is just waiting for problems to occur as it missed its "do not miss" 1000 mile service 11 years ago by a few hundred miles (its now on 89000!) I swear if the electric mirror was to fail it would, according to the internet, be because the 1000 mile service was late!
Waited 3 years for my 2002 Cerbera Speed6 to have engine failure, never happened
Still worried my 2005 Sagaris Speed6 might expire at any minute but its just had a 12k with tappets and is rude health
And so far.....
None of us have had any issues
Hi mate, how are you? Been trying to find our email trail over the child seats/impact cushions with no luck... mine is still fantastic mate. I was just wondering if you still had my Beige one the we swapped? Reason is I met a new Cerbera owner yesterday who is in the market for one and I thought of you as you may still have one?I love statements like this - its not just TVR
My mate with his 2003 911 Carrera S waits for the intermediate shaft thingy to fall out the bottom every time he starts it up thanks to internet forums
My mate with his 2005 M3 CS is just waiting for problems to occur as it missed its "do not miss" 1000 mile service 11 years ago by a few hundred miles (its now on 89000!) I swear if the electric mirror was to fail it would, according to the internet, be because the 1000 mile service was late!
Waited 3 years for my 2002 Cerbera Speed6 to have engine failure, never happened
Still worried my 2005 Sagaris Speed6 might expire at any minute but its just had a 12k with tappets and is rude health
And so far.....
None of us have had any issues
Edited by PuffsBack on Friday 26th August 18:06
Please do drop me a DM and we can take it from there.
Regards
gacksen said:
you shouldnt even take a 4.3 into that region for a longer time
so same same as for the 4.7. not a bad engine though but having
best of both worlds either modify the 4.3 to do the job or built
a good going 4.0L it sometimes makes me wonder reading that people
dont like the V8 character and then go for stroker engines
to increase torque each to their own.....
Out of interest what do you think makes the most rewarding SP6?so same same as for the 4.7. not a bad engine though but having
best of both worlds either modify the 4.3 to do the job or built
a good going 4.0L it sometimes makes me wonder reading that people
dont like the V8 character and then go for stroker engines
to increase torque
each to their own.....I'm about to buy a Tamora, with the intention of doing a plasticman convertible Sagaris and want the most interesting engine.
Not really concerned about flat out horse power, just as nice an engine as the SP6 can be.
I think I remember reading here a while back that someone suggested a 3.7 with some headwork might be a very nice high revving engine. Who does a 3.7 conversion and could you just bolt a FFF head onto it?
No point doint headwork if you're going to fit a FFF.
I think M4TTI did a great job rebuilding his 4.0. TVR's bottom end won't last long if you want 6.5k plus revs.
M4TTI went through picking the right part in the right place. Not just going to one shop and taking what they had in the stores. Capped it all off with a better management system.
The S6 can be built with significantly different characters. The 3.6 is always wanting to be reved and wanting to hoon about. The 4.0 is a lot lazier - not V8 lazy.
I would consider and decide what type / character of engine you want and build accordingly.
I think M4TTI did a great job rebuilding his 4.0. TVR's bottom end won't last long if you want 6.5k plus revs.
M4TTI went through picking the right part in the right place. Not just going to one shop and taking what they had in the stores. Capped it all off with a better management system.
The S6 can be built with significantly different characters. The 3.6 is always wanting to be reved and wanting to hoon about. The 4.0 is a lot lazier - not V8 lazy.
I would consider and decide what type / character of engine you want and build accordingly.
Incognegro said:
Hi mate, how are you? Been trying to find our email trail over the child seats/impact cushions with no luck... mine is still fantastic mate. I was just wondering if you still had my Beige one the we swapped? Reason is I met a new Cerbera owner yesterday who is in the market for one and I thought of you as you may still have one?
Please do drop me a DM and we can take it from there.
Regards
Perfect timing and have made contact. I have been using your cream one in the Sag as it matches the interior but my youngest is just out growing it now so if Mark wants it I am happy to sell it to him. Did you ever get the impact cushion recovered in Nimbus Grey?Please do drop me a DM and we can take it from there.
Regards
PuffsBack said:
Perfect timing and have made contact. I have been using your cream one in the Sag as it matches the interior but my youngest is just out growing it now so if Mark wants it I am happy to sell it to him. Did you ever get the impact cushion recovered in Nimbus Grey?
Cool just seen other thread. ;(I did indeed get the cushion done
Feel free to let me know if that base is available... for some reason I never thought you had one?
mk1fan said:
No point doint headwork if you're going to fit a FFF.
I think M4TTI did a great job rebuilding his 4.0. TVR's bottom end won't last long if you want 6.5k plus revs.
M4TTI went through picking the right part in the right place. Not just going to one shop and taking what they had in the stores. Capped it all off with a better management system.
The S6 can be built with significantly different characters. The 3.6 is always wanting to be reved and wanting to hoon about. The 4.0 is a lot lazier - not V8 lazy.
I would consider and decide what type / character of engine you want and build accordingly.
I've changed my mind a lot in the last 15 months of seriously considering this and come to this conclusion:I think M4TTI did a great job rebuilding his 4.0. TVR's bottom end won't last long if you want 6.5k plus revs.
M4TTI went through picking the right part in the right place. Not just going to one shop and taking what they had in the stores. Capped it all off with a better management system.
The S6 can be built with significantly different characters. The 3.6 is always wanting to be reved and wanting to hoon about. The 4.0 is a lot lazier - not V8 lazy.
I would consider and decide what type / character of engine you want and build accordingly.
1. If you're going to go for a 4.3/4.5/4.7 then you may as well just do an LS conversion and get a genuinely torquey engine
2. The fun in one of these for me is thrashing them and I also don't want to kill myself (600bhp in a Tamora is very intense after being in one) so I think if sticking with the SP6 I'd like something that needs revving.
If one wanted to build the most rev happy SP6 then who would you use and what would it look like and who would supply the parts?
At powers and STR8six I just see the regular 4.0/4.3 rebuild options, RND engineering seem to have some interesting head options and offer a 3.7, but i've read some very worrying things on here about them.
To also add another dimension to this, anyone have an idea of:
1. Weight of SP6 dressed + g'box + rear diff
2. Weight of LS7 dressed + g'box + rear diff
It would be much easier to argue the merits of the S6 if it was significantly lighter than an LS conversion, the main feature of a TVR is the weight and if the difference were say 100KG I don't think I'd ever consider the LS.
1. Weight of SP6 dressed + g'box + rear diff
2. Weight of LS7 dressed + g'box + rear diff
It would be much easier to argue the merits of the S6 if it was significantly lighter than an LS conversion, the main feature of a TVR is the weight and if the difference were say 100KG I don't think I'd ever consider the LS.
I doubt weight would be much different to be honest, the LS is a very light engine. plus its not all about the weight but where it is, speed 6 is long and high, where as the V8 is shorter and lower (plus many ancillaries are low down such as the alternator) so weight positioning MAY be better. have to say after owning both S6 and Ls Tamora the handling seems just as good as before.
as for having 5-600bhp under the hood and things being undrivable, well thats just rubbish. tends to just bring out people who dont have a 'sense' of what the cars doing. Ive seen people in LS engine cars say a car is undrivable at trackdays as the back end just steps out coming out of corners, has nothing to do with the fact they are just planting their foot down! I have managed to outpace nobles, keep up with a Huracan and others on track, all whilst running Nangkang road tyres. Sure its a beast but its the biggest thrill I have ever had in a car!
On the other side, I loved the 3.6 S6 engine, so revvy and really encouraged you to DRIVE it, unfortunately for me the car just wasnt good enough to warrant an engine rebuild if it went pop so didnt want to use it in anger too much.
Irony is, I now have an LS3 lump with a hole in the block that I managed to blow up at Rockingham
as for having 5-600bhp under the hood and things being undrivable, well thats just rubbish. tends to just bring out people who dont have a 'sense' of what the cars doing. Ive seen people in LS engine cars say a car is undrivable at trackdays as the back end just steps out coming out of corners, has nothing to do with the fact they are just planting their foot down! I have managed to outpace nobles, keep up with a Huracan and others on track, all whilst running Nangkang road tyres. Sure its a beast but its the biggest thrill I have ever had in a car!
On the other side, I loved the 3.6 S6 engine, so revvy and really encouraged you to DRIVE it, unfortunately for me the car just wasnt good enough to warrant an engine rebuild if it went pop so didnt want to use it in anger too much.
Irony is, I now have an LS3 lump with a hole in the block that I managed to blow up at Rockingham
they are almost identical weight wise though the LS engine's weight is more central as it is a V rather than on its side leant over.
borat52 said:
To also add another dimension to this, anyone have an idea of:
1. Weight of SP6 dressed + g'box + rear diff
2. Weight of LS7 dressed + g'box + rear diff
It would be much easier to argue the merits of the S6 if it was significantly lighter than an LS conversion, the main feature of a TVR is the weight and if the difference were say 100KG I don't think I'd ever consider the LS.
1. Weight of SP6 dressed + g'box + rear diff
2. Weight of LS7 dressed + g'box + rear diff
It would be much easier to argue the merits of the S6 if it was significantly lighter than an LS conversion, the main feature of a TVR is the weight and if the difference were say 100KG I don't think I'd ever consider the LS.
Thread resurrection, and a bit of a tangent at that.
I understand the gearbox used in the straight-6 TVRs is a Tremec T-5 5-speed.
This begs the question, how easily could you swap it to a T-56 or TR-6060 (or even the TR-6070 if you wanted a 7th gear)?
Am I correct in thinking the Tremecs all use the same bolt pattern?
Will the bigger gearboxes fit in e.g. a Sagaris chassis?
I understand the appeal of the LS swap, but equally, that straight-six, for all its problems, makes the best sound in the world, even a BMW ///M S54 sounds weedy in comparison. If you want an LS, may I suggest putting a TVR style body on a Chevrolet SSR!
What I don't understand is why TVR didn't just buy 2JZs from Toyota, or LL8s from General Motors... would have been so much cheaper and easier...
I understand the gearbox used in the straight-6 TVRs is a Tremec T-5 5-speed.
This begs the question, how easily could you swap it to a T-56 or TR-6060 (or even the TR-6070 if you wanted a 7th gear)?
Am I correct in thinking the Tremecs all use the same bolt pattern?
Will the bigger gearboxes fit in e.g. a Sagaris chassis?
I understand the appeal of the LS swap, but equally, that straight-six, for all its problems, makes the best sound in the world, even a BMW ///M S54 sounds weedy in comparison. If you want an LS, may I suggest putting a TVR style body on a Chevrolet SSR!
What I don't understand is why TVR didn't just buy 2JZs from Toyota, or LL8s from General Motors... would have been so much cheaper and easier...
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