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LTX and LSXPutting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.
Well I finally unloaded on a nice TIG welder as I have noticed a small demand on bolt on LS kits. So I'm hoping by next winter to start as there will be a lot of start up costs and I would like to drive my car this summer lol
What would everybody be interested in? I think I will keep manifolds strictly to a log/factory manifold look made of sch 10 stainless (like the huron speed manifolds they offer). I have a couple ideas in mind. I think the kits will be needed to be based on a midframe t4 turbo like the ON3 78mm etc. At least in order to make it 100% bolt in. My current setup can fit a Borg Warner S400 series T4 but I did modify my water pump heater outlets and notched the k member similar to how you notch for AC.
How many people would only want a kit if it fit AC? I think its doable as I kept all my AC stuff just in case. Would definitely limit to a 3" DP which really isn't a concern.
How many would be interested in a twin setup (turbo's in the battery tray area) If there is a demand on twins I would probably make the manifolds come out around the accessories next to the wheel wells and base both the single and twin kit around them.
I think for the masses a log style single t4 would be the best way to start.Very similar to my setup that has no a/c but keeping stock rad/tpi dual fans,2.5" front crossover pipe,3" downpipe,driver side battery in place.Im sure improvements for packing could be made to retain a/c with a stock notched k member.This is also going to be the cheapest kit to offer to get things rolling and a single t4 midframe can support 600+hp which for most guys is plenty of power.
Shame your in windsor as id love to checkout your car and show mine and you could spitball ideas from there.
Im surprised there isnt more input on this. I am full steam ahead on this project. Welder shows up Wednesday but there is going to be a bunch of added startup costs. I think I will make a single kit first as I have someone wanting one (not sure if you know Ray from CCFBG, he bought my old 370 and we discussed options last week). Im gonna spend most of the winter getting my workshop together and get some jigs made for making collectors and whatnot.
You are up TO area? im hoping this summer I can make a further meet. Wouldnt mind doing one of the Niagara ones.
I remember chatting when i was looking into having my kit made.I think its just the time of year everyone is recovering from the past 2 weeks of craziness. For ease of a kit..the single t4 is where I think most guys should start.It can be bolted up in a weekend especially using a log manifold and v bands. Are you thinking of just hotside kits or hot/cold and downpipe?
I think just hotsides and maybe a partial downpipe. I may work on cold sides as well but I think to start just hotsides. Anyone can cobble together a cold side with ebay piping. If all goes well and there is a demand maybe I will look into it more.
Depending on what kit i decide to make I will most likely use a flex or a bellow. I like having at least one in my kits that way there is some room for fitment issues (manifolds tightened down a tad on an angle, heads being milled etc. all small variables but play a roll in fitment)
I was debating installing solid mounts this winter. If I do so I will probably start mocking a kit up. Really wish i had a smaller turbo on my car. The gt45 is a giant to work with.
Also how many people would be more interested in a mild steel versions for less $$$$.
From what I have read when making Sch10 or Sch40 manifolds Mild holds up to the temperatures MUCH better as its takes to thermal expansion much better, pretty well why my current and every turbo setup I have done is mild steel. Mind you the material isnt that much cheaper but the welding process is much cheaper and faster. I could also talk to a local place about ceramic coating in/out costs.
I'm interested in the TT bolt-on kit as I was planning on placing them in the battery tray anyway. I have a local buddy who has started doing ceramic coating, so buddy-buddy pricing on that for me.
I was planning on building it myself, but I don't have the skills or time at the moment, and if the kit is affordable (not looking for cheap.) then I'm definitely in.
I fully intend on going turbo, and was going to base it off of 86White_T/A305's setup. Being limited on tools/space though I chose to go the supercharger route, but if you could do a bolt on hot side id be all over it.
I'd be more interested in one that retained AC, but wouldnt be a deal breaker.
Well good to see there is some interest. Im thinking location will be similar to 86_white ta or my setup but a tad further forward with a slight angle. Easiest spot to fit it cleanly.
The issue with my setup is I cant confirm if it would retain a/c since i dont have a/c on my car.But my setup clears fbody accy drive with a truck alternator in the stock low mount location etc. I think it would clear the a/c unit but custom lines would be needed to keep away from as much heat as possible.There is ample room in my setup to modify around things..i just wanted mine to hug the block more and keep away from the stock rad/fans.
Also location of the wastegate i wanted easy enough I could change springs in mins and have it tied into the exhaust and thats where mine ended up.
I have no A/C, and no plans whatsoever to incorporate it into this current build so I don't need to worry about it. Location of the waste gate(s) is definitely critical as 86White states.
Also running F-body accessories in their stock locations (which will be interesting on the driver side but manageable). Not a big deal if I have to relocate them, though.. I'd prefer to work around it, but if it requires some extra elbow grease so be it.
Subscribed to this thread. It'll still be well past June before I'm ready to do anything, but I'm definitely in once you've got it sorted out!
My drivers side manifold was extended and comes around the power steering lines with a v band to the merge pipe which is half inch or so away from the pulleys.
I needed this to be as easy to swap out and not modify what I already had on the car.I can take more pics if you guys want a better idea of how things sit and ease it is to service.those were my number 1 concerns going into the build.
I will be keeping wastegate placement in mind. Nobody wants to have to crawl under a car to change a spring including myself. I have been designing some T4 merge cad files at work with different ideas for placement. Who knows if Machine time becomes available at work I may even toy with the idea of Billet Stainless 1 piece Merge pipes at an added cost.
I will be working around 4th gen and C5 accessories. I have C5 accessories on mine which would make routing way easier but I understand alot of people run 4th gen accessories. I will try to make the drivers side come around the side so it will allow all accessories. If you look at the pic I posted I am thinking come around the side just below the alternator. then it would 90 degree towards the passenger side and 45 degree down and hug the front accessories as much as possible.
Tig welder showed up last night so I will get on making some jigs to start making test merge's etc. Im hoping to be doing this full force by next winter.
Here is my current crossover using vette accessories. The red would show how it would need to be routed to clear all accessories. keeping it arund 3" above the power steering fittings then 45 degree downwards. If that makes sense.
Good to see more interest. Still waiting on my tungsten for my tug but I have been busy working on my small workshop building a welding table, exhaust fan setup and just picked up a bandsaw and large drill press to help out some
I snapped a few pics while i could.Hard to see much since I got stuff everywhere at the moment but that will be cleaned up when I do my head/clutch swap in spring.
Fired the car up after 2 months of sleep without needing a boost surprisingly:
definitely interested in the non-AC equipped single hot side setup. I've a nearly identical belt routing config and stock radiator position like yours Jay. Mild Steel wouldn't be a problem for me, but wonder what the cost delta is for stainless?
Well bringing an old one back. Currently working on a kit. Building this around a Holley Mid Mount Accessory setup (retains AC up top) AND corvette/fbody accessories,. This kit could also retain AC if you use Corvette accessories and a LOJ AC mount using a 300ZX compressor (more than likely a tubular K is needed.
Almost done my first prototype. I have to make 2 kits for others, debating making more if there is interest. Also debating on making some mild steel versions as I have a bunch of mild steel custom t4 flanges made for this kit
I should also add to this. I currently have a smaller rad stood up against the stock frame. I feel this WILL work with a stock rad, just may have to run a turbo guard for larger frame turbos. I would need someone to get me a dimension of where the stock rad/fans sit in relation to maybe the Idler arm or something.
Well bringing an old one back. Currently working on a kit. Building this around a Holley Mid Mount Accessory setup (retains AC up top) AND corvette/fbody accessories,. This kit could also retain AC if you use Corvette accessories and a LOJ AC mount using a 300ZX compressor (more than likely a tubular K is needed.
Almost done my first prototype. I have to make 2 kits for others, debating making more if there is interest. Also debating on making some mild steel versions as I have a bunch of mild steel custom t4 flanges made for this kit
01-02-2016, 10:38 AM
