Ls1 - opinions

[digger12]

Hi guys,

We'll after having my 3ltr gu for almost five years, it went bang on the weekend.
I ve been pricing the ls1 conversions and I'm leaning towards this idea over the 4.2 diesel.
At the moment I run 35's, 85% reduction gears and 4.6 diff ratios. I know the ls1 won't have the same type of engine breaking as the what my 3 ltr had although how much more brake pedal will I use on down hill descents. If I convert to ls1 will I have to drop my ratios from the 4.6 to 4.3 or 4.1, will this make the run away effect down hills worse again. I love my diesels although I've taken a few mates 4.2's for a test drive and wasn't that impressed. I've also priced the 6.5 chev diesel but that around 30k and I've had people tell me to steer clear of them.

Any opinions would be great. At the end of the day I only want to do this once, and right.
Are there any real good places in melbourne to purchase an ls1?

Cheers

[SCANAS]

Duarmax Diesel or Chev. I'd go the Chev.

Try and drive one and see what you think. There is RAPTORTHUMPER with a well documented falcon conversion. Falcon Turbo engine could be something to look at too.

[killalux]

Keep the 4.6 diffs, The LS1's tend to get better economy if they can rev a little in a big heavy car

[bru21]

6.5 Chevs are total shit.

Ls1 lacks midrange in standard form - I would go a 6.o if you can.
Duramax is the answer though - if you have the green.

[VooDoo]

6.5 Chevs are total shit.

Ls1 lacks midrange in standard form - I would go a 6.o if you can.
Duramax is the answer though - if you have the green.

A tune fixes the midrange up with no problem or throw in a $350 cam for HEAPS of power.

[ZAPPAGU]

Have just fitted a ls1 and 4l80 in my dual cab after the zd30 blew up. I love it. They are pretty lazy down low, mine hasn't had a tune yet. They are around 40-60kg lighter than the zd30! I had to check it was off the hoist when I lowered it down!
A duramax would have been awesome but out of my budget.
A 6.0 would have been better, but same again, they make the conv a bit more pricey.
With the 4l80 and 4.3 diffs on 285/75/16 it sits on 2600@110. Just right for the ls1 I think. The overdrive of the 4l80 is .75, down from .85 of the 5 speed I pulled out
And best of all it if ever blows, a brand new donk is 4-4500 bux, a lot better than the diesel!!
Ask away if there is something I've missed
Cheers

[digger12]

Hey Zappa, thanks for that mate. Just wondering how much the low range has been effected since your conversion? I've purchased an ls1 last week and will start the mods early next year, but keen to no from someone who has done this how the low range differs going from diesel to petrol now. I can't wait to drive my new beast and also see how it pull the caravan up hills etc, I will miss the diesel but looking forward to heaps more power.......and noise

Cheers
Digger

[ZAPPAGU]

My low range hasn't been affected at all, how do you mean?
The only thing I have found is that I don't use low now, I use h4 and the convertor does all the work. Pretty mental in low but, far out!
It will all do the same revs as you are doing now except instead of changing at 3500 rpm you can safely see that lil needle fly around to 6 that took a bit of getting use to! They are a big car so don't want to labour the engine, 2700 seems to be a sweet spot for highway stuff, others may differ. It may move a bit once I get it tuned. What's the motor out of

[digger12]

Hey Zappa. Yeah I purchased an ls1 from a 2003 vy clubbie r8 with 158 Km's on it. I was just hesitant to convert from diesel to petrol cause I've always had diesels only and loved the low down grunt and off road/ touring advantages. I know that it will be fun to drive now with the ls1 although I've been keen to know what the engine breaking difference will be in a petrol and any other negatives that are associated with going from diesel to petrol.

Any advice would be great.
Cheers

[ZAPPAGU]

Sorry mate, haven't been on here for a bit. The low down grunt is pretty good and mines untuned and running in open loop.. The 4l80 has a real high first gear so doesn't exactly smoke up on start! The manual obviously has a lot lower first gear. I've driven a manual here in town and was pretty awesome. I guess the engine braking would be a lil less in a petrol from the obvious lower compression from the diesel but sure it would be fine.
No real other negatives, obviously relying on elec fuel pump now but bought a decent one straight up. Just spent time organising and making sure everything was done to a high standard for reliability and safety reasons. All my fuel lines are sleeved in fibreglass fireproof stuff. I'd had a fuel fire in my 1 tonner and I sure as shit didn't want one with 60 psi of pressure! You won't be disappointed that's for sure. Also mine is our family car so not like I want to race it

[digger12]

Thanks mate. Yeah mine gu goes to the mechanic for ls conversion mid this month, can't wait to get it back. I'm sure there will only be slight disadvantage in petrol compared to diesel but I'm sure it'll be 10 times more fun to drive. What sump did you end up using and will the standard radiator still be used or will it need to be upgraded?

Also wondering what I might be likely to get for my old motor and bits and pieces in the state it's in. It's got a dp chip, bigger cooler and few other little bits and pieces. Just wondering what sort of price I'd be likely to back for them.......more cash = more mods...

Cheers

[ZAPPAGU]

I used the Holley sump. Was the lowest one I could find. Takes a ls2 filter which is easy to get to.
The standard rad will be fine if it's in good nick. I have thermo fans and changed the parameters to run a lil cooler. Mine are on@95 off @92. Standard settings are on 105 off 102 or somewhere round there. They have a 86' thermostat and on the open road will just sit on 87-88 deg.
I sold my engine for $4k to another victim of the grenade, he had had 2 blow up on him! He still went back for more!