Jon's LS1 240Z...The build begins

[RAdelaideRatsun]

I bought my 240Z in late September and have been deliberating since as to which way to go with the build, either to keep it period and run the L series engine or to build my dream 240 and go LS-1

So I have finally made the decision based on what will bring the biggest smile to my dial every time I drive it and nothing makes you smile more than a very worked LS-1 and lots of wheel spin 

The project so far, after negotiating and getting the car home, the car has sat awaiting the completion of my shed being built, now that that has been completed the project has begun.

I have checked the car over pulling the guards off trim out and carpets and apart from some patches of rust and a couple of love taps the car is very straight and has no structural defects.

The parts accumulation has begun with all rubbers for the car having been bought in nolethane, a pair of period Recaro seats, suede Sparco wheel, a set of Rota RB's in 17x9 and 17x8.5 with 255/40 rears and 235/45 fronts, top-stage carbon flares, R33 GTS-T calipers etc

I have also bought a a VX II SS Commodore with low kms and T56 6 speed, that will be the donor car, I will use all the parts I need including accessories off this car and sell off what I dont need to recoup some money to finish the conversion.

I still need the following parts to get it under way, engine mount kit, transmission mount, speedo converter, diff set up, front rotors, rear disc set up, front one piece cowl and spoiler, suspension and then to get the body work and paint done then exhaust, fuel system etc.

Time to get cracking 

Jon

[Roberto]

Welcome Jon.  Good luck with your build. 

[620Z]

Sounds nice John.
I just hope it doesn't end up another half finished projects.
The LS1 will put a smile on your dial. Sounds like you are well under way. Big project though. So committment is the key.
Good luck with it.
Cheers Craig

[Z]

Good luck mate, should be a ripper!

[PeterAllen]

Jon – You look to have the wherewithal to get this done but I will offer a few initial comments:

Prepare some kind of written plan or sketches on how each component will be installed, engine, gearbox diff, fuel tank, emission fittings, etc and make sure these comply with regulations.

Engage an approving engineer and discuss with him what you are planning to do – it is better to work with your engineer than to go ahead and build something and then have hassles trying to get it registered, or worst, not being able to get it registered.

For starters, you need to work out which sump you will be using and the engine mount configuration – the latter will be very important in making the extractors.

Myself, zed240au and RB30X all have LS1s and I’m sure are willing to provide advice based on our expensive learning experiences! Send a PM if you want.

[Gareth. J.]

Welcome, you'll find lots of help here. RB30X has an awesome 240 with LS1 conversion, he'll have a heap of tips for you

[zed240au]

Good luck jon not a project for the faint hearted but the result is well worth the headaches

Mick

[RAdelaideRatsun]

Thanks guys, and thank you for welcoming me to the forum

Also thank you for the offers to call upon your experience, I will take you up on those offers as I get closer to the involved aspect of the build.

I have done a large number of involved engine conversions and as such on the surface this appears to be a fairly straight forward conversion, as Peter noted getting the sump and engine mounts right to begin with is pivotal to the success of the build, as such I welcome any input to peoples experience in what works and where to purchase the required parts.

I am very excited about getting this underway and am actively looking for a rotisserie to set the car up on, so if anyone in SA has one or can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Jon   

[RB30X]

Welcome Jon.

As the others have said, make a plan.
If yours is a rotiserie job, then get most of that done first before starting the conversion part incase you lose interest.
You can buy a lot of LS1 conversion parts prefabrciated from the US, although talk to PeterAllen about how/if  they fit?
Other things like diffs and gauges are up to your personal taste and what you want to do with the car.
I've got a full Autometer dash with pin outs from the LS1 computer for speed and revs which made it a hell of a lot easier, where as PeterAllen's gauges are custom to suit the era of car he is re-creating. Peter is also using the GM diff here got from his VZ donor car where as I still have an R200 in mine.
Not sure if you have an LS1 back ground already, but you will need to have your Computer or PCM (Powertrain Control Module) modified to run 'as is' and not have to talk to the VCM (Vehicle Control Module). When getting a tuning shop to do this, also get them to give you a mafless tune. Not only will this unlock a heap of free power but it gets rid of the restrcitive maf sensor and makes your intake set up a lot easier and prettier.

Rip both engines and gearboxs out of your two cars and sit the LS1/T56 in the Zed and have a look at what you're up for. Then plan, plan, plan.

Read through my build thread in my sig, there'll be lots of info for you to consider.

The other guys with LS1 S30's havent really posted a lot of 'build' info, because they either forgot what they did, or they're old and computers scare them

[PeterAllen]

...actively looking for a rotisserie to set the car up on, so if anyone in SA has one or can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated...

Jon - Two $40 engines stands off eBay. Weld in a 300mm section to the height. Another $50 of steel and a welder and you are there. See my PM.

Regarding Tim's suggestion that I'm too old, too slow, too stupid, I would like to state that... errrr... err... gee, forgot what I was going to state.

[RAdelaideRatsun]

Thanks for the tip on the rotisserie I will make one up in the next week or 2.

The car is not at the point that it "requires" being put on the rotisserie, rather I am keen to strip all the under seal off the under body, and either re-do it all, or, clean it all back to clean steel and paint the underside to match how the exterior will be, I am also keen to brace and link the front and rear chassis rails to reduce body flex and the best way to do that is with the car stripped and easy to access.

I have a very good friend who specialises in LS1 tuning, so he will take care of the computer aspect of the engine conversion.

I will be keen to use the Holden diff as it simply means I dont have to buy another part to use for the build....and it is LSD already

[Joiji]

Always nice to have more in Adelaide.

Seeing as you mentioned underbody, I'm not sure how much use it will be to you, but I read through and E30 M3 resto thread a while ago where he had the shell dipped and redid the underbody coating, helped me get my head around it, plus, he does a nice job of most of the rest of the work too.

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4446&page=5

Let me know if you want a hand with anything. I can't say I'm fantastic, but I enjoy a rant like everyone else.

Tim.

[chris240]

Welcome Jon..
Now that the lads have given you some advice , you now need to advise us what on earth you did to get that ballroom finish on your garage floor ! Im jealous 

[RAdelaideRatsun]

Welcome Jon..
Now that the lads have given you some advice , you now need to advise us what on earth you did to get that ballroom finish on your garage floor ! Im jealous 

Very simple, a product called Salcomix 729 2 pac, applied with a roller, full chemical resistance, anti slip, and so gwossy :-)

[RAdelaideRatsun]

The donor car is in the shed, only issue is I am away at Taga Wrestpoint next weekend so nothing will be done for a few weeks