Olds ticket to 9s... LS swap adventure.

[motorheadmike]

Well I'll be running 4.56s and a 30" tire with mine sooooooo... yeah. We'll see about too much gear - quickest SBE 4.8L did that pass on a 4.10 gear set.

Here's a healthy, contemporary, discussion on the matter: https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-i...o-loading-vs-rear-gear-did-finally-click.html

 

[Northernregal]

You'll be hating the 4.30's with a turbo SBE LS build. Especially if you're looking for 9's - you'll need to be in OD at the stripe lol.



EDIT - forgot to mention - LOVE the car and good luck.

Just did the math, you are absolutely right. Itll work for this year, I have to cage to go for the gold, probably just do a gear swap this winter with the cage. Or find some 30" tires.

Well I'll be running 4.56s and a 30" tire with mine sooooooo... yeah. We'll see about too much gear - quickest SBE 4.8L did that pass on a 4.10 gear set.

Here's a healthy, contemporary, discussion on the matter: https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-i...o-loading-vs-rear-gear-did-finally-click.html

You'll have about 1000 more rpm than me. Easily.

Eventually I'll need 3.50s. 😃

 

[64nailhead]

Junior had to increase his rev limiter to 7200 at 140 with a 28" tire and 3.73's. It would've been much easier with a 3.55 or 3.42. And would've been quicker as well.

Comparing a 4.8 to any other LS is a problem IMO. The 4.8 needs RPM's and can spin them with a proper tune. Trying to spin a 5.3 or 6.0 to the same number will require something other than SBE. Of course my opinion - humbly.

I'm sticking with 4.8's for at least a year and see what I can get done. 9's are the goal, but the bottom side of 9's will make me smile.

What are you using for engine management? Race gas or E?

 

[Northernregal]

Junior had to increase his rev limiter to 7200 at 140 with a 28" tire and 3.73's. It would've been much easier with a 3.55 or 3.42. And would've been quicker as well.

Comparing a 4.8 to any other LS is a problem IMO. The 4.8 needs RPM's and can spin them with a proper tune. Trying to spin a 5.3 or 6.0 to the same number will require something other than SBE. Of course my opinion - humbly.

I'm sticking with 4.8's for at least a year and see what I can get done. 9's are the goal, but the bottom side of 9's will make me smile.

What are you using for engine management? Race gas or E?

Itll be pump 94 for this year, add a flex sensor along the line and run E. We have no pump E so itll have to be race mix, or maybe 110 race gas. Kinda leaning toward E as I can do some cool custom stuff in the holley with it

 

[motorheadmike]

Junior had to increase his rev limiter to 7200 at 140 with a 28" tire and 3.73's. It would've been much easier with a 3.55 or 3.42. And would've been quicker as well.

Comparing a 4.8 to any other LS is a problem IMO. The 4.8 needs RPM's and can spin them with a proper tune. Trying to spin a 5.3 or 6.0 to the same number will require something other than SBE. Of course my opinion - humbly.

I'm sticking with 4.8's for at least a year and see what I can get done. 9's are the goal, but the bottom side of 9's will make me smile.

Absolutely. Everything is application specific. Another example is the Procharged LS2 in my TBSS which turns 4.10s and 28" tall tires. Poor thing couldn't trap the RPM needed (near/past peak power) because it weighs so much and the rate of acceleration was hindered by this factor. Conversely, my old Turbo Buick got 3.08s and 28" tall tires (from 3.73s when purchased) and it worked great in a heavy car that didn't need to rev out. I was called a charlatan when I proposed the gear change because of the echo chamber mentality that existed in the TR community and the accepted "recipes".

Apples and oranges.

EDIT: Just for giggles I pulled up a (N/A) log for the wagon from last year at the track (the one where it hooked), you can see the Acceleration Rate at the bottom which falls off at a progressive rate. With 3.73s and 28" tall tires she was almost 1500rpm short of peak power at the traps. 1500rpm of un/under-utilized power. This is a heavy car (fully loaded) and under-powered for its weight (it needs an LSA blower). The obvious fix for this (other than copious amounts of power or a serious diet) to increase the rate of acceleration is gearing. Like 4.56-4.88s. Even on a small power-adder (nitrous) it isn't going to overcome the weight and lack of gear. People need to test and adjust - because there is a low probability you will get it right the first time.

 

[Turbolq4]

Got a lot done today. 4 bolts hold in the motor right now. Still have to disconnect the power steering lines but shes about ready to pull.

View attachment 143441

Took some time to install the Sonnax lube/line pressure valve. Hopefully this fixes up my dragging lockup clutch.
View attachment 143442
Also discovered my trans cooler ORB o-rings were both torn so it's been seeping and got the fan and fins all soaked. Minor issue but annoying.

I'll pull the electrical, fuel lines and tank after work tomorrow night.

Going well so far.

I had to use a sunnax valve in my 80e after I put a higher stall converter in it. Worked as advertised.

 

[Turbolq4]

If you are running any oxygen sensors you won't want to run leaded race gas. Unleaded is available, just doesn't seem to be as easy to get in my area. If you're ordering it in you could also order e98 by the 50 gallon drum as it's quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Northernregal]

If you are running any oxygen sensors you won't want to run leaded race gas. Unleaded is available, just doesn't seem to be as easy to get in my area. If you're ordering it in you could also order e98 by the 50 gallon drum as it's quite a bit cheaper.

That's the plan, I can get E98 not far from me by the drum. Fuse Race fuels brand. Just mix with pump 91 or 94 on race day. I have heard of one pump in the entire province. Gonna see if I can find it and fill a couple cans to test.

I can get meth easily, so might do a meth injection setup as a backup. Haven't made a plan on that just yet.

 

[Northernregal]

Got pretty much everything out of the regal tonight. Just need to unbolt my ecm/fuse block, unbolt the fuel regulator and hood before the powertrain can come out. Only 4 bolts hold the motor and trans in now. Tomorrow is hopefully hanging the second fuel pump in the tank and getting the hood off so the swap can happen this weekend.

Sad little pile of wiring on my garage floor.

I can say again I hate the dust side of bodywork. It is so thick in the regal I was covered in dust by the time the wiring was out. Poor car is just full of dust.


So opinion poll time.

Going to put a new rad and fans in. Thinking of the Griffin LS swap rad and fan combo. Same one mike has in his wagon. Comes with SPAL fans and is a cross flow. Plus i can get it from Summit which is about the best for shipping to Canuckistan.

This bad boy here.

Griffin Thermal Products CU-70010-LS Griffin Performance Fit Radiator Combos | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Griffin Performance Fit Radiator Combos with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Radiators at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

I know it's not cheap but it's the last really big item I need to complete the build. My rad is pretty crusty inside and the hoopty junkyard mustang fan looks like crap. I kinda want an engine bay that doesn't look like crap, its gonna be the nice part of this car.

Any thoughts or insight from the more knowledgeable here? Perhaps Mike can give a brother a review of his setup?

 

[Rktpwrd]

I can say again I hate the dust side of bodywork. It is so thick in the regal I was covered in dust by the time the wiring was out. Poor car is just full of dust.

You haven’t even begun to see dust yet son.
😁😁😁
Spend a month or two in The Skunkworks with me, I’ll show ya dust.