Fitting an LS1...
Discussion
I know people have discussed this, but there have been quite a few cheap LS1 units for sale, complete with ECU etc. These are pretty strong motors from what I understand and respond well to tuning, plus the parts are quite cheap. I was wondering (if you had the body off) what you will need in terms of parts and modifications to get one of these babies in a Chimaera?
Looking at the old Kenne Bell thread, there was a lot of mods required to the chassis for the Mustang engine; however, that engine looked substantially wider. As for the LS1, would it need to be that extensively modified? Would a change of gearbox be required and perhaps prop shaft or would the T5 be okay up to 400BHP. Giving the cost of a new ECU fitted, I was wondering how much more it costs to fit a used LS, which comes complete with programmable ECU (if you catch my drift).
Looking at the old Kenne Bell thread, there was a lot of mods required to the chassis for the Mustang engine; however, that engine looked substantially wider. As for the LS1, would it need to be that extensively modified? Would a change of gearbox be required and perhaps prop shaft or would the T5 be okay up to 400BHP. Giving the cost of a new ECU fitted, I was wondering how much more it costs to fit a used LS, which comes complete with programmable ECU (if you catch my drift).
I'm building an LS at the moment and also Alex is Gasmunkey.
The costs do add up..im about ten grand in now but what started as an simple LS conversion is now a fully forged 6.3 Twin Turbo and six speed box, which then needs twin pumps, new diff, shafts, better rad, fans....see you can get carried away! But this engine will put out over 1000bhp now should I wish
Could give you some cost breakdowns and me and alex have learned about most of the parts that need to be changed now.
Its a lot of money but then again its miles ahead of the Rover v8 and the power is just ridiculous!
Gotta dash out but Im sure others will chime in :-)
The costs do add up..im about ten grand in now but what started as an simple LS conversion is now a fully forged 6.3 Twin Turbo and six speed box, which then needs twin pumps, new diff, shafts, better rad, fans....see you can get carried away! But this engine will put out over 1000bhp now should I wish
Could give you some cost breakdowns and me and alex have learned about most of the parts that need to be changed now.
Its a lot of money but then again its miles ahead of the Rover v8 and the power is just ridiculous!
Gotta dash out but Im sure others will chime in :-)
oh well me burgers n sausages will cook quicker 
Cheers Neal. I was thinking of keeping it NA and perhaps looking for more modest gains to about 400bhp, fast cam, porting, induction etc. Turbo charging is likely to be something I would look at later. That machine of your sure does sound a beast, but £10k is well out of my league at the moment.
What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
Chuffmeister said:
Cheers Neal. I was thinking of keeping it NA and perhaps looking for more modest gains to about 400bhp, fast cam, porting, induction etc. Turbo charging is likely to be something I would look at later. That machine of your sure does sound a beast, but £10k is well out of my league at the moment.
What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
Hmm... found another thread... lots of bits, plus gearbox and cost of exhaust... What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
neal1980 said:
coming to get you Will let it do a 1000bhp on the dyno just for willy waving but for the road a modest 650-700 should do.
No burgers the cooker Is being glassed back in
Im interested to see how a Chimera drives with 700 BHP. I am presuming, not well, given it's age, chassis etc. Having seen Nigels 500+ beast, which has more than enough power, it benefited from a full suspension setup from Centre of Gravity. I presume you will also be mindful of the limitations of the breaks, shocks, suspension etc as the way it drives and holds the road, will be as important. Otherwise :/. What's your plan in that respect? Will let it do a 1000bhp on the dyno just for willy waving but for the road a modest 650-700 should do.No burgers the cooker Is being glassed back in
Chuffmeister said:
Cheers Neal. I was thinking of keeping it NA and perhaps looking for more modest gains to about 400bhp, fast cam, porting, induction etc. Turbo charging is likely to be something I would look at later. That machine of your sure does sound a beast, but £10k is well out of my league at the moment.
What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
LS1 makes 350hp so it only has a few more hp than mine . I would go for the LS3.What would be required to push this engine up to 400bhp and what sort of mods would I be required to do to get it to fit?
SILICONEKID343HP said:
LS1 makes 350hp so it only has a few more hp than mine . I would go for the LS3.
I know, but you're missing my point Daz. The LS1 is cheap (used) and comes with ECU. Reading about it, it has a rock solid bottom end and lots more potential, which seems to be easier to tap in to than the RV8. Parts are also cheaper. I'm only investigating at the moment as I was considering a body-off this winter, which will give me clear access to the engine/ or a partial raise and engine out. I'd like to add more horses to my 500, but am likely to be looking at ECU first and then a cam. These two combined are roughly the same price of a used LS. It depends whether the LS will be a lot more to put in or a bit more of a stretch. This is the key factor as to whether it would be viable. I'd be happy with 350-400bhp and relying on the torque, so not looking at the mega horses.
it just gets bigger 
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