Whoa... tight fit. Looks like everything is coming together nicely. I'm guessing the electric fans will be on the outside of the engine bay?
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Whoa... tight fit. Looks like everything is coming together nicely. I'm guessing the electric fans will be on the outside of the engine bay?
Correct, planning two-speed fans pushing air instead of pulling.
Actually, considering they're going from a 75 to a 90 degree V, and four holes per side - it's not as tight a fit as I was expecting. Nice work! Seems like the devil will be in the electrical details though. Getting the guages to work, etc. Or maybe all that stuff was "harmonized" in 1999... I guess the A/C is easier to integrate on a '99.
Does Maryland DMV have an I&M program? If so how much red tape is involved in an engine swap? Is this the first fuel injected V8 swap? Need a personalized plate that says FIV8VX#1.
Very interesting thread.
Plain awesome....
Been about two weeks now since the last update, you guys getting pretty close or what? How bout those engine mounts someone asked about?
Will post more photos as I can. With everyone taking their vacation times, project vehicles get worked on a little slower. The Dana 300 transfer case and billet adapters are in, and working on larger transmission mount at this moment and we want to modify the controls for the transfer case a little more to look factory. As far as motor mounts, we used the TransDapt biscuit mounts and welded in place of the old mounts. Photos to come as soon as I can.
Finished mocking up trasnfer case, transmission mount and placement of the 4WD controls.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7...8a6bcd42_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7...341920e9_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7...87bdeb02_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7...c1121704_c.jpg
Hmm my VX is currently down and I need to so a engine swap, is this the thread I can shout....
TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!
Very nice, I shall keep my eyes here on the out come. If possible I would like to know the estimated $$$ and time dropped on this project so I can further prep my self mentally and wallet wise.
More photos coming soon. Fuel pump module done, fuel lines done, cooling fans done, cold air intake in progress, cooling hoses and ac lines in progress. Almost ready to pull the motor and drivetrain and do the finish welding and clean up process.
Awesome. Can't wait to see finish and final $ numbers to know what to expect.
WooHoo. Just talked to the kind folks at AutoPros. They are letting us stop by & check out this VX on the 29th. Since we were planning a mini meet in B'more, it made a lot of sense to try & stop by.
We promise not to drool ... too much.
On the 29th, the tech that has been working on the VX is not scheduled to work that day but is willing to come in from 9am-10am to answer any questions you guys might have about the build. If you're interested in getting here around that time, please let me know. Thanks!
I really hate to be a PITA to the tech & make him come in on his day off ... but if he's offering then we are accepting:).
I've got a 2 1/2 hour drive to get there so it's difficult to accurately forcast my arrival time but I'll shoot for 0900.
Thanks much for letting us do this.
AutoPros, THANK YOU.
If there's a good coffee and donut place nearby, shoot me the details and I'll come heavy next week for your team and our members.
-V
PLEASE try to take some clear pics before the inevitable :drool: begins.Quote:
Originally Posted by tom4bren
Good on ya AutoPros...:thumbup:.:thanx:
Autopros....MOVE TO NH!
With such beefier love going into this VX, I'm surprised nobody has brought up suspension yet... I would think that you probably need some tougher shocks/springs to keep all this v8 goodness from causing too much under-steer/wobble and whatnot that another few hundred pounds all the way up front there would cause.... Any plans to upgrade suspension as well??
Don't forget that big-ole-chunk-o-cast-iron hanging in the middle there Hecka...:_steering
I can imagine those guys are even heavier than the stock tranny, too. My question still stands.Quote:
Don't forget that big-ole-chunk-o-cast-iron hanging in the middle
Nope, not the transmission, that's aluminum; the transfer case hanging behind it. That actually helps to bring the center of gravity back towards center mass. You're correct though in that the suspension may need some addressing...time and miles will tell!
So... say I want to get this setup but I don't feel like paying $7500 for a new engine. What totaled vehicles should I be looking for that hold the same engine/tranny?Quote:
Have a '99 that one of our customers wanted to remove the poor running 3.5L for a more popular motor to source parts for. Bring on the GM Performance 5.3L E-ROD! GM 4L60-E Transmission! GM Performance Supermatic Controller! Advance Adapters to Jeep Dana 300 Transfer Case! Retain A/C, Power Steering, 4WD, pretty much everything other than TOD. Still in fab process, but will update with photos as the progress continues.
Ok, so I found that Taho's and Silverado's have the 5.3L v8. But E-ROD? What's so special about those?
i cant wait to see this thing done - should have an extra 100hp and extra torque to lug that weight around (in a straight line at least) - supposed to be good on emissions too - in my opinion the vx should have been around 300hp to begin with
Specifically, the E-Rod they are using is the L33, available from these vehicles:Quote:
Originally Posted by HeckaTrebeka
2005 to 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD
2005 to 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD
E-Rod is sold by GM Performance
Here is their site:
http://www.chevroletperformance.com/...ction=overview
The E-Rod package includes pretty much everything to get the engine running.
They also have a very appealing (but way expensive) LS3 6.2L option. It's the same physical size as the 5.3... but I believe cost is the reason nobody goes bigger than 5.3.
I've done a LOT of research into LS engine choices and have come to the conclusion that when it comes to cost vs. hp, the Generation 3 5.3L is the most practical and economically friendly choice. Also, all Gen. 3 and 4 LS engines should pass emissions requirements regarding year of engine manufacture, since the LS1 (Gen. 3) came out in '97.
Let me know if you have more questions on this... I've learned a lot in the last 9 months that I've been searching and would love to share. :)
(PM me...)
Ah, yes! I keep forgetting to ask about economy... what do you think would be the gas mileage when applied to the VX?Quote:
I've done a LOT of research into LS engine choices and have come to the conclusion that when it comes to cost vs. hp, the Generation IV 5.3L is the most practical and economically friendly choice.
Sorry, when I said "economically" I meant wallet-wise.
But to answer your question:
If a 2001 Z28 Camaro has a curb weight of approx 3600 lbs, and our VX is approx 4000 lbs... and the Z28 has an LS1 (5.7) with commonly boasted 26ish mpg (other forums)..... then I estimate about 21-25 mpg with a 5.3L in the VX.
That's just pure speculation using sorta-similar variables. The real way to find out is to ask the other forum members that have DONE it, like Wisdom.
WISDOM, PLEASE INSERT YOUR EXPERIENCE! :)
Also, just to qualify... I'm just a guy with ambition to learn and hopefully soon begin the LS swap process myself.
Not a guru or expert by any means. Just want to help.
Just curious.. Piggy backing off hecka's question,
What are you guys doing for suspension and braking?
Are ya tossing a solid axle under it too?
:drool::drool2::drool::drool2:Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
I dream of a pair of fully built and locked Spider9's!
Bumping cuz, well, we need some updates!
@AutoPros: How has the project been coming along? We don't need pics if you don't have them available yet, but a good summary of what all you've done to it so far as well as what you have coming down the pipes.
Everything you have to post is greatly appreciated! :)
As of last Saturday, they had everything taken back out (engine, tranny, transfer case) so that they could tweek some of the mounts & fully weld what had only been tack welded in place.
His immediate plan of attack was to make some clearance for the exhaust & figure out where to position the airbox.
It's gonna be really sweet ... & a real sleeper. She's gonna look 100% stock ... till you pop the hood!
Do you have an idea of whether or not they decided to upgrade the suspension/braking at all?
They are planning on retaining OEM suspension & braking.
Yah but...:smack:Quote:
Originally Posted by tom4bren
You could FIX the sleeper aspect of the project, AND solve the air box loca problem...by doing this:
http://image.hotrod.com/f/incoming/1...LS_engine+.jpg
:drool:..:_wrench:..:drool:..:_wrench:..:drool:.. :_wrench:..:drool:
Problem(s) solved...problem(s) staying solved...:)
The problem wasn't being a sleeper. Being a sleeper is the solution.
What I meant was that from the outside it looks like any other VX, even if you look in the window. Everything looks stock.
Then you tromp on the gas & she's WIDE awake. You are left there with a dumb look on your face wondering where that black thang went.
I know...I was being facetious...:flower:Quote:
Originally Posted by tom4bren
And I usually have a dumb look on my face...:fyi:
That being said, there is NO WAY an LS plant would call my under hood environs home for very long, without something expen$ive & $hiny eventually poking through the hood...:yesgray:
Yah, I figured that. I just didn't want the guys at Auto Pros to think I was ditsing their dream machine.
I have no response to the dumb look on your face. There's only one problem with it. It's TLMP's problem.
& I ABSOLUTELY don't want to be discussing your pokey thing!!!
Well...since you...er...brought it up...:rolleyesgQuote:
Originally Posted by tom4bren
I'll start a new thread...:naughty:.:rotate:.:laughing:
Well ....
... I ....
... Umm ....
... Dang ...
... I have no response to that.
wouldnt have to worry about the rear view mirror being a blind spot anymore!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ldub