BOUGHT MYSELF AN LS3 525 CRATE ENGINE
BOUGHT MYSELF AN LS3 525 CRATE ENGINE
Author
Discussion

BOBVXRO

Original Poster:

119 posts

182 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Hi all, been a while since I have been on here, very busy in new job lol

Anyway, just acquired my LS3 for an engine swap and need to know a few things, if anyone can help. I have a 56 plate VXR Monaro with the LS2 engine. I think I am right in saying that the 56 plate had the LS2 with x58 crank sensor.

I also need to know if anyone has done anything like this before who can offer any advice. I am also aware that the ECU on my car should be able to be used on the LS3 but again also need to confirm this. Otherwise it is all systems go to beef Lucifer up a bit in time for Le Mans 2012.

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
BOBVXRO said:
Hi all, been a while since I have been on here, very busy in new job lol

Anyway, just acquired my LS3 for an engine swap and need to know a few things, if anyone can help. I have a 56 plate VXR Monaro with the LS2 engine. I think I am right in saying that the 56 plate had the LS2 with x58 crank sensor.

I also need to know if anyone has done anything like this before who can offer any advice. I am also aware that the ECU on my car should be able to be used on the LS3 but again also need to confirm this. Otherwise it is all systems go to beef Lucifer up a bit in time for Le Mans 2012.


Monaro runs a 24x reluctor so that will need sorting first. Cam sensor difference too. Numerous other minor differences, but can all be done though.

ArnieVXR

2,449 posts

206 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Well done Bob. Keep us updated with how it goes.

stick100

7,017 posts

191 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
Monaro runs a 24x reluctor so that will need sorting first. Cam sensor difference too. Numerous other minor differences, but can all be done though.
can you buy a adaptor to sort the reluctor problem?

irish_stu

368 posts

217 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Out of interest, would Wortec headers off an LS2 fit this engine?

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
irish_stu said:
Out of interest, would Wortec headers off an LS2 fit this engine?


The cylinder head interface is the same. But Monaro heades wont fit a VXR8.

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
stick100 said:
monkfish1 said:


Monaro runs a 24x reluctor so that will need sorting first. Cam sensor difference too. Numerous other minor differences, but can all be done though.



can you buy a adaptor to sort the reluctor problem?


You were (maybe still can) able to buy a electronic convertor box. Dont think id use one though. The crank sensor is the one thing that will stop the engine if it fails. A bunch of aftermarket electronics between the engine and ecu doesn't sound smart to me. Change the reluctor, the right way to do it.

stick100

7,017 posts

191 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
You were (maybe still can) able to buy a electronic convertor box. Dont think id use one though. The crank sensor is the one thing that will stop the engine if it fails. A bunch of aftermarket electronics between the engine and ecu doesn't sound smart to me. Change the reluctor, the right way to do it.
i surpose when you've got the motor on a stand its just as easy to change the wheel before you put the engine in

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
stick100 said:
monkfish1 said:


You were (maybe still can) able to buy a electronic convertor box. Dont think id use one though. The crank sensor is the one thing that will stop the engine if it fails. A bunch of aftermarket electronics between the engine and ecu doesn't sound smart to me. Change the reluctor, the right way to do it.




i surpose when you've got the motor on a stand its just as easy to change the wheel before you put the engine in


Well, its still a crank out job, but yeah, easy-ish.

BOBVXRO

Original Poster:

119 posts

182 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice, will look into getting the X58 reluctor and cam sensor. Can get kit from supplier so should not be a problem

stevieturbo

17,968 posts

270 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Most sensible option would be to buy the engine with correct crank and cam trigger setups already installed.

There are two crank trigger types and there are also two camshaft trigger types.

Lingenfelter to an adaptor, not sure which way it goes. But I wouldnt be using one. Buy/Use the correct trigger wheels.

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
Most sensible option would be to buy the engine with correct crank and cam trigger setups already installed.

There are two crank trigger types and there are also two camshaft trigger types.

Lingenfelter to an adaptor, not sure which way it goes. But I wouldnt be using one. Buy/Use the correct trigger wheels.


I got the impression its bought already!

AR

861 posts

247 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Either way it will be one fast Goat when done!

ringram

14,701 posts

271 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
Yeah other than crank problem as mentioned and perhaps a few wiring extentions and tweaks it should bolt in.

stevieturbo

17,968 posts

270 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
monkfish1 said:
I got the impression its bought already!
The post does sound like it.

Major faux pas if bought with the wrong setup though !

Even the adverts dont mention if it's a 4x cam wheel or 1x. Or is it only the later LS9 stuff that uses the 4x ?


http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Scree...

Boosted LS1

21,200 posts

283 months

Thursday 12th April 2012
quotequote all
You could probably fit a reluctor onto the crank pulley and pin it. If not then the crank has to come out, remove front and rear covers etc but that is possible with the heads in place if you're careful. Time consuming though. I'd be very tempted to buy an interface.

SimonV8ster

12,923 posts

251 months

Friday 13th April 2012
quotequote all
interested to know why you are doing this ? Original engine problem or just trying something different ?

M11 MFP

688 posts

216 months

Friday 13th April 2012
quotequote all
Cam in that is a 226/236 110 lsa, with only 0.525 lift on inlet and exhaust. Designed to be easy on it's standard valvesprings whilst providing a rough idle/lope for kudos at the lights. May be ok on 376ci, but could think of better for power, emissions and manners over here.
I would either change the reluctor or make sure the AA membership is up to date as failure of the convertor box will leave you stranded.

Edited by M11 MFP on Friday 13th April 08:23

ringram

14,701 posts

271 months

Friday 13th April 2012
quotequote all
Depends on how reliable the converters are. Plenty of other things can also fail.

But yeah that cam on an LS3 isnt small. It will also need some TLC to the tune to get it running nice.
A good project, but not a simple plug and play job for sure.

He can offset the cost by selling the LS2 off once done. Probably makes sense to have reluctor changed prior to install though.
Id consider that a bigish cam in an LS3. Low speed action around the shops etc or in heavy traffic will be interesting.
On open road though it will be good.
Definitely needs a decent exhaust and intake to match.

monkfish1

12,245 posts

247 months

Friday 13th April 2012
quotequote all
M11 MFP said:
Cam in that is a 226/236 110 lsa, with only 0.525 lift on inlet and exhaust. Designed to be easy on it's standard valvesprings whilst providing a rough idle/lope for kudos at the lights. May be ok on 376ci, but could think of better for power, emissions and manners over here.
I would either change the reluctor or make sure the AA membership is up to date as failure of the convertor box will leave you stranded.

Edited by M11 MFP on Friday 13th April 08:23


Where did you get the cam spec from?