Engine Conversion

[190E Matt]

This is a bit of a strange post, but I am intrigued to know what would be the problems and neccessary steps involved in converting a car to host something like an LS1 V8?

I know it would vary in all cars, but on the whole, is it just a case of metal removal and welding (for the transmission tunnel and engine mounts for example), also, how do you make the transmission parts compatible, e.g. the rear axles from the diff would most likely be the wrong length, and the main driveshaft (in a RWD car) would most likely be the wrong length.

If I were to convert my car to have a different engine, what would be the biggest challenges?

Edited by 190E Matt on Thursday 11th June 13:54

[jellison]

http://www.freewebs.com/faster-tvr/

Have a read How much time, money and patience do you have? It can be done cheaply or it can be done well and cost

[davepoth]

Depends really. The obvious thing to do is to find the heaviest duty rear axle fitted to your car as standard, which hopefully would take the torque of the SBC. Fit the SBC with a compatible gearbox, and then measure up the propshaft. Go to someone like Dave Mac who can do custom props, and ask for one at around the right length, with a sliding centre joint, and the relevant flanges at either end. Simples.

[TheEnd]

I used a company called Proptech to make me up something custom for mine, they make props and driveshafts for things like dump trucks and heavy machinery so will make pretty much whatever you want

[beachbuggyman]

It might be a stupid question.... but what are you starting with?

[eliot]

There's PH'er who put an LS1 into an Astra..
http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/showthread.php?t...

Edited by eliot on Thursday 3rd September 07:17

[Mr2Mike]

190E Matt said:

I know it would vary in all cars, but on the whole, is it just a case of metal removal and welding (for the transmission tunnel and engine mounts for example), also, how do you make the transmission parts compatible, e.g. the rear axles from the diff would most likely be the wrong length, and the main driveshaft (in a RWD car) would most likely be the wrong length.

There are several companies that will make custom propshafts to order (e.g Bailey Morris, Dunning and Fairbank etc.) and they aren't very expensive.

Custom driveshafts can also be manufactured, they tend to be a little more expensive due to the machining operations required to make the splines etc. Geoff Berrisford (http://www.berrisford.co.uk/index.php) is often recommended for kit cars etc.

[eliot]

Spoke to this guy at a kit show, said he can make any driveshaft:
http://www.trackandrally.co.uk/

[190E Matt]

Thanks for the replies

I may do a project with a V8 conversion after I finish university (and paid off the debt ), I had a feeling there might be someone out there who makes custom driveshafts since I can't see any way of safely shortening them. I would hope to start out with a Mercedes 190 as a base.

In the meantime it's probably just easier to buy a car with a V8 already in it