LSx engine swap for track use, thread

[Reaper]

Ae86- $500, lexus v8, transmission, wiring harness, ecu-800$ gutted-free, coilovers-500$, the look on peoples faces-priceless. I would have gone ls1 but the lexus v8 was damn cheap and local.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Food

Yes..I'm sure the Cayman or 996 will be expensive to maintain...but remember, you still have that extra $20k in your pocket from going for the Porsche instead of doing an LSx FRS project

You take a Porsche to the track enough and lean on it hard while you're there, and that $20K will be gone soon enough. And if you're not going to do that, why get the Porsche, right?

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

It's about having something that's different that you have done to your car.

The beauty of that approach is that it's so easily achieved. And inexpensive if you wish.

[Reaper]

True. See my above comment.

[Food]

I guess another big Pro to having an LSx FRS instead would be...you won't look like every other rich arrogant asshle dckhd dousche that has a Porsche lol.

The FRS is 1000x more humble.

You can still go to a drive thru to get a burger, without people around really secretly wanting to spit on your car.

You can park at the mall, grocery, movies, restaurant, without people wanting to key your car and/or smear poop on the windshield/door handles.

Ya...I don't think I could live with a fancy and flashy Porsche. Nice cars....but owning a Porsche will instantly transform you into a raging asshle dousche I bet.

[Sleepless]

The Porsche driver bashing is not appreciated and quite unwarranted. I'll wager many FRS owners will eventually end up with a Pcar and if they were not aholes before, owning a Pcar won't change them.

Also, the expense of tracking a Pcar isn't going be greater than an 86 with an LS.

[Model Citizen]

With or without a pcar ill still be an asshole

[SnapOv3st3r]

No one cares about California.


I have been thinking about doing an LS swap. I have a track car already, so I'm more interested in drift car setup with my FR-S. It's LS/2jz or PTuning turbo setup.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

No one cares about California.


I have been thinking about doing an LS swap. I have a track car already, so I'm more interested in drift car setup with my FR-S. It's LS/2jz or PTuning turbo setup.

Funny, because California is where the single largest concentration of FRS/BRZ in North America reside...

Don't forget, 90% of the aftermarket companies are here too

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

Funny, because California is where the single largest concentration of FRS/BRZ in North America reside...

Can CA residents drop in an LSx if they would like to do so - without incurring the wrath of state or local bureaucrats?

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Can CA residents drop in an LSx if they would like to do so - without incurring the wrath of state or local bureaucrats?

Toss in an E-Rod LS and there should be no problems.

[Griever423]

Just go into the swap with an open mind. It's going to nickle and dime you pretty bad if you do things right. Here's a couple things off my head from my buddy's car (s14 240 with LS1 swap.)

1. Save yourself the headache and buy a TurnOne power steering pump. The stock one is notorious for going out and blasting your engine bay with fluid. Also plan on a power steering cooler to help as well.

2. LS1's also are known for oiling issues. Might not matter too much when you're starting out depending on how experienced a driver you are but upgrading to slicks almost gurantees an oil sump.

3. Should you ever want to compete in a racing event the swap puts you in a group/level where it's more difficult to be competitive. (At least as far as NASA goes, not as familiar with SCCA or other organizations.

4. Be mindful that the slave cylinder takes a beating as well on track and to change it requires a transmission pull.

5. Consumables will depend on your skill level and other mods. A big brake kit will be a must and you will at the very least want suspension upgrades to handle the power.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

Funny, because California is where the single largest concentration of FRS/BRZ in North America reside...

Don't forget, 90% of the aftermarket companies are here too

Yea a dumb phenomenon. CA has the dirties tracks, the strictest car laws and still it's all anyone ever talks about in import magazines.

[ls1ac]

I have been running an ls swap in a AC since 2000. started with ls1 (400) and ran it on the track for 6 years. many mods to the engine. distributed part all over the track in SC. next was a 6/3 put together that had problems from the start about 500 but solids never could last. now running dry sump ls7 620 but the heat is giving problems new radiators should help. something about more hp means more heat. shallow vet pan or dry sump is the only way to drop the engine low enough to fit I did it for cg and also offset to the right to compensate for belt size. GM now has a racing computer that can easily be programed with out worrying about nanny's.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Griever423

Just go into the swap with an open mind. It's going to nickle and dime you pretty bad if you do things right.

With an unfinished estimate that included (only) 75 hours of shop labor, as well as a Vorshlag kit, I pulled the plug when I got to $30K for swapping a crate LS3 376/480 into my race E36 M3. The shop said a budget of $40K was more realistic for an all-new-parts swap that used my existing MoTeC M880.