LS Engine install guide
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I have just received my LS3 block and i'm ready to start the install, but i was wondering if anyone can recall if someone has done a step by step guide or blog for an LS3/7 install.
I know some people have shown the steps they have gone through on here but most of the ones i remember were fairly unique installs and unusual configurations, what i'm talking about is a guide for the standard LS engine and Porsche box (G50 in my case)install.
I was thinking it might save me and others a lot of time researching the various bits of information required, for example i've already spent ages (probably a couple of hours) working out the correct ancillary components and layout required for my CanAm which i couldn't have done without the kind help of some others on here.
I intend to put a post on here with photos of the ancillaries part of the install to share that information as i know it will help others, but i would love to find a guide for the next stage as i want to get the engine in as quickly as possible without fuss.
Cheers
Pete
I have just received my LS3 block and i'm ready to start the install, but i was wondering if anyone can recall if someone has done a step by step guide or blog for an LS3/7 install.
I know some people have shown the steps they have gone through on here but most of the ones i remember were fairly unique installs and unusual configurations, what i'm talking about is a guide for the standard LS engine and Porsche box (G50 in my case)install.
I was thinking it might save me and others a lot of time researching the various bits of information required, for example i've already spent ages (probably a couple of hours) working out the correct ancillary components and layout required for my CanAm which i couldn't have done without the kind help of some others on here.
I intend to put a post on here with photos of the ancillaries part of the install to share that information as i know it will help others, but i would love to find a guide for the next stage as i want to get the engine in as quickly as possible without fuss.
Cheers
Pete
Thanks Mark, I have seen your build and followed it with great interest on Facebook back when you were doing it...i was actually ahead of you for a while but then I had a couple of years off to build a house and so I am now back to finish mine off.
I will definitely refer to your posts and i know that will be useful. I also know that you sought the help of AB and I have in fact spoken to them a couple of times myself, but after doing so I have decided that i should be able to do this install without using their services (that's not a dig at them, it's more that I feel i am capable of installing the engine without their help)
There will always be builders who are going to use AB's expertise which is great as that then allows them to further develop the Ultima which will benefit us all, however, I am pretty sure there are still a lot of other builders out there who are capable of modifying or making parts and would rather undertake the entire build for themselves and this is a perfect example why a guide for a stock install would be very helpful.
I will definitely refer to your posts and i know that will be useful. I also know that you sought the help of AB and I have in fact spoken to them a couple of times myself, but after doing so I have decided that i should be able to do this install without using their services (that's not a dig at them, it's more that I feel i am capable of installing the engine without their help)
There will always be builders who are going to use AB's expertise which is great as that then allows them to further develop the Ultima which will benefit us all, however, I am pretty sure there are still a lot of other builders out there who are capable of modifying or making parts and would rather undertake the entire build for themselves and this is a perfect example why a guide for a stock install would be very helpful.
It's looking rather much like it, so that means doing all the research i was hoping to avoid 
PLUS posting a guide on here which will take up even more of my time 
Well if nobody knows of such a guide, then i guess i would be as well to record all the steps for others to pick any tips and information from.
PLUS posting a guide on here which will take up even more of my time Well if nobody knows of such a guide, then i guess i would be as well to record all the steps for others to pick any tips and information from.
Strangely enough there were no instructions with the engine at all, i got some for the CTS-V kit but that was it. Having never worked on such a big engine, it can initally look a bit daunting especially when there appears to be loads of pipes and openings with rubber or plastic covers over them and that's where i'll need to double check exactly what's what. I'm sure as the engine goes in, it will all become clear but a nice haynes manual type guide would go down a treat.
Thanks Racing Roj and Paul.B, both very helpful, I have decided i'm going to put something into writing and take plenty photos along the way. Paul: I have used the most up-to-date layout that the factory supplies along with all their components (I know others have fitted their own fuel systems but I plan for a max of 550hp once it's through it's IVA so i believe the factory setup is ideal) so i'm hoping that i don't need to move anything.
Roj: it might be helpful for some photos, so i'll possibly get back to you on that and thanks for offering.
Roj: it might be helpful for some photos, so i'll possibly get back to you on that and thanks for offering.
Ok, so I've started the engine install but I've come across a couple of issues/questions.
Firstly, I've lowered the engine into position to check clearances and I see a potential issue with the oil filter, the filter either rests on or just above the centre lower cross member ...is this right as I'd have to lift the engine out to change the filter???
Secondly, the sump appears to be the lowest part by at least 2 inches under the car...which at first glance seems a lot.
One final thing, does anyone have a part number or source for the A/C hose adaptor to actually connect the ultima hoses to the pump.
Cheers
Pete
Firstly, I've lowered the engine into position to check clearances and I see a potential issue with the oil filter, the filter either rests on or just above the centre lower cross member ...is this right as I'd have to lift the engine out to change the filter???
Secondly, the sump appears to be the lowest part by at least 2 inches under the car...which at first glance seems a lot.
One final thing, does anyone have a part number or source for the A/C hose adaptor to actually connect the ultima hoses to the pump.
Cheers
Pete
Yep, I thought that the gearbox might raise it slightly and possibly up to an inch, but it's very difficult to tell and I've got the engine sitting in the mounts and sitting sort of balanced so the bolts can slide back and forth, so if the gearbox lifts it up the mounts will be twisting or compressing slightly but maybe that's how it is...it just looks like it's really crammed in and at first I didn't think it was going to go in.
It would be interesting to see animage of another LS3 sump fromunder the car to see if it's the same.
If it is, I may look down the dry sump route as it does look very low on an already low car.
It would be interesting to see animage of another LS3 sump fromunder the car to see if it's the same.
If it is, I may look down the dry sump route as it does look very low on an already low car.
You're totally right FC, a remote filter is the ONLY option here as I really would dread changing a regular filter at a later date.
As for the dry sump, I'm going to look into that further as I don't have an oil cooler and there's all the other parts to fit in
too, I was hoping to keep as much space as possible for the exhaust and fitting all this stuff will seriously reduce space.
As for the dry sump, I'm going to look into that further as I don't have an oil cooler and there's all the other parts to fit in
too, I was hoping to keep as much space as possible for the exhaust and fitting all this stuff will seriously reduce space.
A couple of photos showing the sump and filter would be really great Mark, I can then compare to what I have here.
As for being a tight fit, it is the pully and belt end I'm talking about, I fitted everything exactly as per the factory layout but I'm going to have to shift the fuel regulator and the expansion bottle ( passenger side ) by quite a lot as it is so tight.
I'm also going to start that page on my facebook page today charting my work and progress with this as I am sure it will help others. I knew it wasn't going to be a straight and easy fit, but I didn't realize that I was going to have to counter sink bolt holes and take an angle grinder to the engine to make it all work!
As for being a tight fit, it is the pully and belt end I'm talking about, I fitted everything exactly as per the factory layout but I'm going to have to shift the fuel regulator and the expansion bottle ( passenger side ) by quite a lot as it is so tight.
I'm also going to start that page on my facebook page today charting my work and progress with this as I am sure it will help others. I knew it wasn't going to be a straight and easy fit, but I didn't realize that I was going to have to counter sink bolt holes and take an angle grinder to the engine to make it all work!
Where is your sump 
I've just gone out and taken a couple of images,firstly from the side which is how i viewed it yesterday and from that angle it looks a lot worse and that's why i couldn't believe how low it looked, i then took one from the rear which i didn't do yesterday and it looks a lot better when you can see the bottom of the seat pans (however the sump is still slightly lower than those) I'm curious as to whether there are different sumps being fitted as standard to LS3's or if the factory has changed the engine mounts at some point baring in mind that my chassis is a few years old.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ewtC5eHt.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/rZovrLvZ" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rZovrLvZ.jpg)
I've just gone out and taken a couple of images,firstly from the side which is how i viewed it yesterday and from that angle it looks a lot worse and that's why i couldn't believe how low it looked, i then took one from the rear which i didn't do yesterday and it looks a lot better when you can see the bottom of the seat pans (however the sump is still slightly lower than those) I'm curious as to whether there are different sumps being fitted as standard to LS3's or if the factory has changed the engine mounts at some point baring in mind that my chassis is a few years old.
A couple of photos showing the sump and filter would be really great Mark, I can then compare to what I have here.
As for being a tight fit, it is the pully and belt end I'm talking about, I fitted everything exactly as per the factory layout but I'm going to have to shift the fuel regulator and the expansion bottle ( passenger side ) by quite a lot as it is so tight.
I'm also going to start that page on my facebook page today charting my work and progress with this as I am sure it will help others. I knew it wasn't going to be a straight and easy fit, but I didn't realize that I was going to have to counter sink bolt holes and take an angle grinder to the engine to make it all work!
As for being a tight fit, it is the pully and belt end I'm talking about, I fitted everything exactly as per the factory layout but I'm going to have to shift the fuel regulator and the expansion bottle ( passenger side ) by quite a lot as it is so tight.
I'm also going to start that page on my facebook page today charting my work and progress with this as I am sure it will help others. I knew it wasn't going to be a straight and easy fit, but I didn't realize that I was going to have to counter sink bolt holes and take an angle grinder to the engine to make it all work!
Yes Steve, that looks like a common sense solution to making room at the bulkhead and i could maybe do that with the fuel regulator.
Steve D: i have the latest factory mounts which moves the engine back as much as possible and that's why the oil filter ends up over that lower spar. But even still, it's very tight between the engine and bulkhead...made to measure is one way of putting it!
Steve D: i have the latest factory mounts which moves the engine back as much as possible and that's why the oil filter ends up over that lower spar. But even still, it's very tight between the engine and bulkhead...made to measure is one way of putting it!
Thanks Mark, as you say, Steve beat you to it but it's great to see other car layouts too (even though both are virtually the same). I'm waiting to hear back from PWP but i'm guessing i'll just have to source a replacement shallower one.
I've also started my install guide (idiots guide to engine installs...idiot being the operative word!)
and it can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ultima-LS37-install...
If anyone sees anything factually incorrect on there, please shout out as i want to make it as acurate for others as possible.
I've also started my install guide (idiots guide to engine installs...idiot being the operative word!)
and it can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ultima-LS37-install...
If anyone sees anything factually incorrect on there, please shout out as i want to make it as acurate for others as possible.
Interesting stuff guys,and Graham, that sump is definitely shallower than mine so i may look at a dry sump which solves the remote oil filter issue.
If we can talk about the A/C pump for a minute, a new pump comes without the adaptor plate with the two threaded outlets to fit the Ultima hoses on to. Does anyone know a UK supplier that stocks this part?
If we can talk about the A/C pump for a minute, a new pump comes without the adaptor plate with the two threaded outlets to fit the Ultima hoses on to. Does anyone know a UK supplier that stocks this part?
Wow! there's not much love for a dry sump out there 
So...the decision is made, stick with a regular oil filter and after the first filter change, if i find it a pain i change to a remote one. It will be easy to do and not cost a fortune.
Secondly, thanks for the definitive answer about the A/C adaptor Graham P and 356speedster, Auto Bionics it is and that's probably saved me an hour or two trawling the web trying to find one...Cheers guys.
This is all going in my build blog to hopefully help future builders, so thanks all you guys, i appreciate the help.
So...the decision is made, stick with a regular oil filter and after the first filter change, if i find it a pain i change to a remote one. It will be easy to do and not cost a fortune.
Secondly, thanks for the definitive answer about the A/C adaptor Graham P and 356speedster, Auto Bionics it is and that's probably saved me an hour or two trawling the web trying to find one...Cheers guys.
This is all going in my build blog to hopefully help future builders, so thanks all you guys, i appreciate the help.
I have just discovered from PWP that the engine they have supplied me is for a Chevrolet SS and this has the deeper sump. Be aware if you're going to order an engine in the near future from them as this must be the engine they are now selling. I know this because Ultima have had a few people contact them recently with the very same problem and in the factory's opinion this sump is no good for our application.
PWP have offered me a replacement sump which they keep in stock and they say it is the shallower Camaro spec one which includes a whole load of components that also need changing. It comes in at £350 +vat for all the bits which although that's not bad, it does bump up the crate engine price by a fair bit and you're paying this extra money to effectively make it the same standard engine they used to supply with the shallower sump already fitted.
I have to admit that it is now starting to appear like the American Speed price could be a better deal at the end of the day...it may seem a big difference when you first look at the prices, but with A.S. you're just paying all the money in one shot rather than in dribs and drabs which is what seems to be happening with a PWP one.
This is by no means a dig at PWP as they are extremely helpful and are supplying GM engines at what seems to be remarkably keen prices, but i guess they must be having to order whatever spec of LS3 they can get their hands on to keep the prices low.
PWP have offered me a replacement sump which they keep in stock and they say it is the shallower Camaro spec one which includes a whole load of components that also need changing. It comes in at £350 +vat for all the bits which although that's not bad, it does bump up the crate engine price by a fair bit and you're paying this extra money to effectively make it the same standard engine they used to supply with the shallower sump already fitted.
I have to admit that it is now starting to appear like the American Speed price could be a better deal at the end of the day...it may seem a big difference when you first look at the prices, but with A.S. you're just paying all the money in one shot rather than in dribs and drabs which is what seems to be happening with a PWP one.
This is by no means a dig at PWP as they are extremely helpful and are supplying GM engines at what seems to be remarkably keen prices, but i guess they must be having to order whatever spec of LS3 they can get their hands on to keep the prices low.
yes at first it seems abig difference, but you have to work it out fully.
The AS LS3 package is the 480hp engine that includes the ancillaries, wiring loom,induction components, all the little extras like the a/c port adapter plate, oil pressure switch mount and the whole thing is test run and broken in using the wiring loom you get and it's mapped to get it through the IVA....Oh! and the sump will be the correct one!
Now if you start adding all those bits up and the time you're going to spend sourcing the parts i bet there will only be a small difference between them.
I work it out that the AS engine is around £11,000 and the PWP for just the engine, ancillaries and ecu is pushing close to £7000.00 plus vat. If you forget that the PWP wiring loom has to be modified which i'm going to do myself (I bought and installed it before anyone told me it was all back to front) i reckon all the other bits and mapping will add a minimum of £1500.00, so you are only talking about saving around £2000 to £2500 if you're lucky and i bet it's even less by the time i've finished the install.
So is it worth the saving? .... I'll let you know when i've bought all the extra bits and pieces i need and successfully got the engine running.
The AS LS3 package is the 480hp engine that includes the ancillaries, wiring loom,induction components, all the little extras like the a/c port adapter plate, oil pressure switch mount and the whole thing is test run and broken in using the wiring loom you get and it's mapped to get it through the IVA....Oh! and the sump will be the correct one!
Now if you start adding all those bits up and the time you're going to spend sourcing the parts i bet there will only be a small difference between them.
I work it out that the AS engine is around £11,000 and the PWP for just the engine, ancillaries and ecu is pushing close to £7000.00 plus vat. If you forget that the PWP wiring loom has to be modified which i'm going to do myself (I bought and installed it before anyone told me it was all back to front) i reckon all the other bits and mapping will add a minimum of £1500.00, so you are only talking about saving around £2000 to £2500 if you're lucky and i bet it's even less by the time i've finished the install.
So is it worth the saving? .... I'll let you know when i've bought all the extra bits and pieces i need and successfully got the engine running.
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