The Discovery

The Decision

Ordering a GTR

Customs

Picking Up

The Shop
  -  Construction
  -  Interior

Specifications
  -  Engine Selection
  -  Transaxle Selection
  -  Body Options
  -  Interior Options

Getting Started
  -  Inventory

Construction
  -  Chassis AL Panels
  -  Suspension
  -  Brakes


 

 

 

 

The Engine - Jan/Feb 2006

Spun the manifold 180 degrees, so there were a number of adaptations required:

  • There's a crank vent tube exiting the valley cover to the front.  You can see that it was routed back to the proper location on the intake.
  • The oil pressure sender was removed from the rear-left and the mounting bung on the valley cover was cut down, bored out, and tapped for a plug.  The sender was relocated to the front left-side engine plug (already with the same threads).
  • A 90mm UMI mechanical TB was used because the ECU (BigStuff3) for a stand-alone setup does not work with FBW.  Also, the TB had to be flipped up-side-down due to the blade opening being opposite that of the stock FBW.  The opposite opening would have dumped too much air into the #7 cylinder causing a lean condition, if the inward opening remained on the top edge.  According to the dyno at Wheel-2-Wheel Powertrain, the UMI made 4-6 more HP than the F.A.S.T. TB and delivered smoother operation across the rpm range.
  • To clear the block, a spacer was added between the manifold an TB.

The car should pass emissions testing for Washoe County, Nevada.  However, since I have an address in a county where testing is not required, it will be possible to register the car there should it be required.

Engine Mounts - Feb 11

The engine mounts are from Street & Performance.  The "show polish" version was chosen.  These will mate to standard small block engine mounts that are part of the Ultima chassis.

The car should pass emissions testing for Washoe County, Nevada.  However, since I have an address in a county where testing is not required, it will be possible to register the car there should it be required.

Test Fit - Feb 12

The engine was test-fit today.  It appears there may only be some minor mods required...

Since I have never had an LSx engine, I don't really know how the rear of the engine attaches to the frame.  It appears there's a couple of bolt holes designed for mounting, but it's a guess.

The oil filter might clear the chassis!!!  That would save having to install a remote filter which would be nice.

The oil pan drain plugs (two on the LS7 pan) clear nicely.

Front clearance will be close.  Just 2" from the water pump fitting.  This may require some mods.

The bell housing flange is just 1/4" rearward of the chassis cross-member.  Again, I don't know if this is normal (optimal), but we'll find out!

Too bad, the stock exhaust manifolds won't work.  Didn't think they would, but thought it worth a shot.

Here is the -12AN aluminum oil fitting plate for the dry-sump lines bolted to the pan.
This piece came from Wheel-2-Wheel Powertrain.

There are some questions about the fitment of engine mounts.  The engine doesn't sit down in the mounts properly.  The LSx mounts are about 0.495" and I am having them cut down 0.0625" (1/16") at the mounting bosses.  If that's not enough, I will slot the tab's bolt holes on SBC-to-Chassis mounts.

You can see that, with one side bolted in, the other side needs some room.

NICE NUMBERS!

ar should pass emissions testing for Washoe County, Nevada.  However, since I have an address in a county where testing is not required, it will be possible to register the car there should it be required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design Considerations

  • Naturally aspirated