Vette VX

[coachreed]

OK, after my last post last night, I talked to a couple friends online... I might be doing what I said up above... I will be talking to a few more people today about this... this could be fun... ok, not really fun... at least not until the swap is done! lol Sounds good though... Later!

[VX_PA]

Randy & VX922,

You guys should get together and take this swap idea and run with it. 2 VX's and 2 gearheads would defenitely make this project easier. Having 2 test beds would make the final result cleaner and more reliable. Just a thought guys.

[VX922]

THIS IS WHAT I CALL CONSTRUCTIVE, thank you Coachreed!
"my people" can offer expertise on numerous high end SBC implants such Pontiac Fiero or Austin Mini. I can post few inspirational photos later.

I still would like to hear groups opinion on drivability, reliability issues, manual vs. auto, overall market value of VXLT(S)1 etc. Remember I consider this to be innitial project stage only! I have to evaluate it from many angles since I am donating mint shape VX plus the cost of the components and some yarded out work.

Thx, VX922

PS: I am starting to like this forum already.

FYI:
LT1 785.3 lbs (356.2 kg) fully dressed
LT4 1003.5 lbs (455.2 kg) fully dressed
LS1 457.6 lbs. (208 kg) Auto. fully dressed
LS1 497.2 lbs (226 kg) Manual fully dressed
LS6 497.2 lbs (226 kg) fully dressed
6EV1 350 lbs estimate, Short block

[VX_PA]

It appears weight wise the LS1 would be the logical approach. It's a lot closer to the weight of the 3.5 engine we currently have. The problem with that engine is the cost. I wonder if anyone here has any connections in the salvage industry? Anyone??

It would benefit all here to support this swap attemp. If these guys can pull this off all the ground work will be in place for anyone else to follow. We're talking real deal power here, isn't that what we all dream of?

Good Luck fellows. If you run into any technical problems, post them and I'd be glad to help find solutions to them. I'm sure others here would be willing to help too.

[MZ-N10]

just a random suggestion...but if u want something closer to our 6 banger, in terms of weight, ur best bet would be the 20b rotary....i think it was around 300 lbs....not really a motor with alot of torque but it has potental....
________
MeToU

[VX_PA]

Rotary, good powerplant, but no torque. If you were looking for high speed or top end it would be good. For off-road it wouldn't be a viable option, power comes in only at high rpm. Still not a bad idea, can you say "TWIN TURBO".

[AlaskaVX]

Originally posted by VX_PA
It appears weight wise the LS1 would be the logical approach. It's a lot closer to the weight of the 3.5 engine we currently have. The problem with that engine is the cost. I wonder if anyone here has any connections in the salvage industry? Anyone??

My dad works at a salvage yard up here, not sure if he could find an LS1 though (not too many sport cars up here in AK). A lot of my friends are driving cars that were "totalled" and they got a great deal on them through my dad. One of my buddies picked up a 97 Blazer w/30,000 miles for $3,000 and all that was wrong with it was a broken window and a dent in every panel.

Let me know if you guys need anything and I can ask him, but shipping would be expensive. I can see what I can do though, would love to see this conversion happen!

[coachreed]

OK, my first obstacle has been cleared... the need for plasma cutter and good welder... along with personel to run them! My bosses best friend will be willing to make some custom motor and tranny mounts... so I can get the motor and tranny in place... thats the easiest part of the job IMO.

The first technical problem that I had hoped to find a cure for today was the transmission... the easy route for this project (with LS1) will be with the 4L60E transmission... the question lies with whether or not I can mate the TOD transfer case to this tranny... or should I say, how HARD it will be to do. I personally think this will be the toughest problem... many others might suggest a standard transfer case, but I would like to retain my TOD... just far superior IMO. This would probably end up pushing the transfer case slightly rearward (which might offset the f/r weight distrution with the added weight of the motor in the front)... so this will require custom length drive shaft and front prop shaft. Again, I know of local tranny shops here that can and will do this service reasonably.

OK, so I pose my first question... can we mate a 4L60E transmission from an F-Body, Vette or truck to the TOD? Of so, what kind of custom fabrication will be needed? Any suggestions of good sources of info? I will be calling a buddy of mine tomorrow... his bro-in-law is a transmission specialist... at least in the old-school muscle department... but he might have some answers.

Again, I think the electronics department will be fairly easy... of course, if we find out that the ABS system runs through or in the main engine PCM... that could cause a problem... then again... WHO likes ABS?! lol Don't need that! lol Unless of course its easily retained.

I'll be reading some pages... doing some research for awhile... If you want to chat about this and you use AIM or AOL's Instant Messenger, you can usually find me logged onto it as GiveWedgie... however, sometimes I am not here... even though I am logged on... so if I don't answer, leave your email address and I will write back later.

TTFN!

Coach!

[coachreed]

I meant to mention... most likely, the source for LS1 parts that I know of is Billy Grahm's Camaro/Firebird Salvage... I have dealt with them before for OTHER Firebird parts during my Trans Am craze (three WS6 drop top's and one non-WS6 drop top)... anyway, I know they will have the motor and trans... as well as the computer... the retro harness like I said can be bought through Jeg's for $499. Just wanted to make sure I mentioned this info. I'll check back later!

Randy!

[Triathlete]

Coach,
For your adapter you might try Advance Adapters. They may be able to come up with something for your application. Don't know about the price though. Good luck!

[coachreed]

Billy-

Thanks for the info... I checked their website for info... I have sent them an email and will call them on Monday... I did however notice a blurb on their site that stated, "NOTE: WE DO NOT DO ANY CAR CONVERSIONS, AND WE NO LONGER DO ANY CHEVY LUV OR ISUZU TROOPER CONVERSIONS." so I have no idea what to expect. Was there some kind of Trooper conversion that was pretty common? I'm hoping that a 4L60E tranny is common enough in larger rigs and that maybe by a stroke of luck the TOD has a bolt pattern that is used on other transer cases that maybe they will pull it together. I think this is the hardest hurdle to clear. If they are able to provide the part I need... we are in business. Thanks again!

Coach!

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Somewhere down the line you'll have to find u-joints that will mate your rear driveshaft to the isuzu diffy. Front too, if you end up changing t-case. Universal frt. engine mounts used to be easy to find, the trans may need fabbing. I think I recall seeing plastic mock-up blocks that you can buy, to use as a quick tester to see if it will even fit. Either that or you'll have to come up with some kind of block just for test-fitting. I'm wondering how the accessories etc., will fit with our (low-profile?) hood. Also, depending on what body style the engine came out of, the accessories have different mounting locations, at least they used to between vette, f-body and caprice.

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Originally posted by coachreed
I did however notice a blurb on their site that stated, "NOTE: WE DO NOT DO ANY CAR CONVERSIONS, AND WE NO LONGER DO ANY CHEVY LUV OR ISUZU TROOPER CONVERSIONS." so I have no idea what to expect. Was there some kind of Trooper conversion that was pretty common?

I'd tap them for every bit of conversion knowledge you can get out of them, whatever the conversion. Be very nice to them.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by coachreed
I did however notice a blurb on their site that stated, "NOTE: WE DO NOT DO ANY CAR CONVERSIONS, AND WE NO LONGER DO ANY CHEVY LUV OR ISUZU TROOPER CONVERSIONS." so I have no idea what to expect.

I'd be willing to bet they are covering their a$$e$ of any liability. The way this nation/world has become so sue-happy over everything means people/businesses no longer go the extra mile to help in anything other than what "appears" to be legally black & white with virtually no chance for legal reprisal.

They probably got burned/nearly got burned/seen someone else get burned on a prior conversion and are not interested as the profit doesn't justify the risk.

But as SGT. says.............BE NICE!!!!!!!

[coachreed]

SGT.BATGUANO-
I hope to be able to retain my TOD partially for that reason. If I keep the stocker, worse case scenario is that I might have to shorten the rear drive shaft and lengthen the fron prop shaft. This is assuming that the 4L60E trans is physically larger/longer than the 4L30E trans. I have a master welder/fabricator at bay for any special mount (engine/tranny) making. He has built a couple of HUGE jeeps... jeeps that would be nearly capable of driving right over the top of my VX! Anyway, I still think that mouting is gonna be the least of my problems.

Yeah, I will be VERY nice to Advanced Adaptors... If they can help me adapt the tranny-transfer case, I think this project is a go! Once I get their POSITIVE input tomorrow... I will be locating an engine/tranny/computer. I think I might be crazy... whatayathink?!

Coach!