FC3S Murray's never ending LS1 build

[FC3S Murray]

aghhhhh got ya. Thanks sciff.

So is grannysspeedshop radiator package a prettty clean-straight forward installation. What I mean is: is it as engineered as they say it is with actual "good" shrouding and brackets? I am very anal about proper shrouding and adeqaute air flow to the motor...I usually fabricate my own but if a company has good shit then I will go there route. Thanks again for the help guys!!

[digitalsolo]

The side shrouding and mounts are pretty nice.   Not much for ducting to the front of the car though.

I fully ducted mine off the bumper, and with an intercooler (24x12x3) and my little radiator (16x19x2) my car stays cool in 85* weather (under 200* water AND oil temps).     I'm with you on ducting being key.

[FC3S Murray]

WOW!...I have been selling parts like crazy. Hopefully should have enough by next week to cover Engine, Tansmission, mounts and headers.

The car has been getting ripped apart. Besides from the engine and tranny...most rotary related shit is out...


I had to wash it becasue of all the oil spray on the back end when the front iron let go at 110 mph...talk about bittersweet..


needless to say, she is CLEAN lol..


I have been wondering if it makes anydifference what year/model PCM I should try to get? DOes the Corvette have a better "tune" then the Camaro SS/Z28...basically want to know if there is a "recommended" PCM/harness combo.

My Transmission deal fell through.......the seller found someone local and he offered more then me. DAMN..the T56 was rebuilt and included stronger internals. He had the papers for it(his uncle owns a tranny rebuild shop) and he was going to sell it to me for 1500 +
 shipping...it blows.


I contacted my seller on the 2004 GTO LS1 and he is still very interested in selling it to me and I also have first dibs. Should get the motor around the 4th of july time frame.
Good to know!!

I have been looking at cams AGAIN and I think I am going with the  TR224/224 112LSA ...it seems very common AND streetable.

I have a couple questions:

1) My concern is I have not been able to find a LS1 tuner around Montana period dot! Is there ANY reputable comapny that offers a "mail order" tune for this set-up(I imagine it is quite common) that wont fuck up my motor...or am I doomed to tune my car myself with HPtuners?? I have came across a couple compaines that accept and re-tune your pcm for your "set-up" but I know all to well there are many bullshiters out there.

2) I am undecided if I should keep my Aeromotive A1000 Feul Pressure regulator. Am I going to need this for my LS1 with my mod list? I imagine having the adjustability would be good BUT I am trying to collect as much $ as possible for this swap.


THANKS again guys( you too Blake since you answer EVERY time...you too Sciff )

[sciff5]

If I remember correctly you said your familiar with tuning.

Take some time and learn the ls1 a little bit and get HPTuners and do the tuning yourself. I dont know tuning but many folks on here do it.

[digitalsolo]

"Frost" on LS1Tech is a good source for a mail order tune.   For a basic run of the mill setup, you're not leaving a LOT on the table with that method.   If nothing else, he could get it close, and you could get HP Tuners and at least have a solid starting point to work from.

1999+ F-Body PCM + Harness is the easiest to adapt to the car, and has more tuning capability and granularity of control than the 1998 units.    Don't run from the '98 stuff if you find it for cheap though, below 550-600 RWHP, there isn't much difference really, and they sell cheaper, are easier to fit in the factory spot.    Just not QUITE as much potential.

A1000 regulator is what I run on my car.   I'm a big fan of braided lines/AN fittings on fuel systems.   I just don't love the contortions people go through to fit the Vette regulator.

[FC3S Murray]

I pulled the motor out tonight...I am not gonna lie, it felt GOOD to know this is the last time I do that with that motor again!
Damn oil everywhere aghhhhhhh.....cleaned it up a bit





This will be leaving to a good friend in a week or so. It covered my LS1 motor so I CANT hate it that much




.................maybe I should take one of these from work install it in the FC



Anyway I came across a couple more T-56's but damn they are hard to find with low miles. Corvette T56's are evrywhere but I know we cant use them because of the vettes rear end set up.  My Apexi PFC and Datalogit sold today so that should cover the tranny once I find one.

I got my "How to build high performance Chevy LS1/LS6 V-8's" sooo I have some reading to do.

[V8-rx7]

I can't wait to see your car, when it is done.

Also thanks for selling me your PFC, can't wait till I get it.

Anthony

[FC3S Murray]

Thanks man and your VERY welcome. Thank you for buying it

[FC3S Murray]

So I have been researching BUT I still can not find a definate answer to this simple question: Since my motor is out of a 2004 GTO I will obviously want that PCM since it is "tuned" for that later model LS1 that takes advantage of all its upgrades from the factory  compared to the earlier LS1's.

I am assuming if I get a 99 camaro z28 PCM it is only gonna be tuned for the 305 hp instead of the 345 that the gto puts out correct?

[digitalsolo]

Not really much difference in one tune to the other, honestly.   The cam profile, intake and exhaust make up any HP difference (and the F-Body is under-rated), so using the 99+ F-Body PCM isn't going to cost you any appreciable horsepower.

[FC3S Murray]

Great! I am just concerned since I might just run this 2004 LS1 FACTORY un-touched besides the headers/exhaust and intake. I will send it in to get a "cleaned up" tune from Frost too.

This SBC Performance book says the 2004 GTO LS1 makes 385 hp, 385ft/lb at the engine...so that would be around 340 to the wheels right?

I am just curious of what RWHP this set-up with the subtle mods  will make since I might not do a cam(I really want to do a cam though). Any thoughts?

[digitalsolo]

Stock, probably 330-340, yes.

If you are doing headers on the car, and a good flowing intake (especially if you can pull off a over the radiator style), you'll make ~350-375 RWHP with a decent tune.

Add 25-40 to that depending on the cam.   

[Pez]

OP, super clean car.  I built an electron blue FC a while back.  Great color. 



Yours is a little lighter, but I like it too.  Looks good with all of the polished aluminum you had.

I just strolled into this thread because I've noticed it has been getting alot of traffic.  To answer some of your questions, I've gotten 400hp from a stock LS1 with a medium cam, LS6 intake, long tubes, 3" exhaust, and a pulley.  400hp, on the nose.

For the radiator, I'm prototyping a wide and short, downflow radiator (kinda like an aluminum FD radiator), with the intake going over the top kinda like I did this one, but with upper shrouding.


If you're in a hurry for a radiator, don't wait on me.  My design may or may not be done anytime soon.

[FC3S Murray]

Stock, probably 330-340, yes.

If you are doing headers on the car, and a good flowing intake (especially if you can pull off a over the radiator style), you'll make ~350-375 RWHP with a decent tune.

Add 25-40 to that depending on the cam.   

Wowzers lol! I am really loving this LSx platform the more I read! I found a shit load of bad info on the GM Hot Cam so I think I may look eleswhere if I do go cam.

OP, super clean car.  I built an electron blue FC a while back.  Great color.

Thanks Pez, I love my Electron blue...glasurit really makes it stand out even more. 
In regards to your radiator set-up: I am in no rush..this project will be running a year or two(hope not ) depending on my free time. BTW you may be hearing from me soon on your mounts

[digitalsolo]

I -LOVED- my 224/230 .581/.591 114 LSA (comp X-ER lobes)cam I had in my old setup.    Very mild, stock drivability, but picks up a ton of midrange and pretty good top end.   Don't have to spin the motor to the moon to make power with it either.