GM LFX 3.6L V6 Motor Swap

[gtpvette]

Progress has been slow. Mounting of the radiator, condenser, shroud and fan is done. Cold air intake is on hold as I'm waiting for parts. I cant build the box until the filter is in place.

I've also come to the conclusion that I need a surge/expansion tank as the radiator is lower than the motor. I mounted the three pipes that run from the back of the motor for the heater in/out as well as the intake to the water pump. The two pipes you see together in the third picture are for the heater core. These are the ones I'll route through the surge tank. I'm thinking the tank will be next to the strut tower or where the battery goes.

The input for the water pump (lower passenger side) has a couple of issues. First the radiator fitting is 1 3/4" and the pipe is 1 1/4". I found a silicone 90 degree that will reduce,, but I'm concerned about the angles. we'll see once it gets here.

Radiator input (upper left drivers side) are both 1 1/2 so pretty easy. I may do an inline filler here as well.

[ILLSMOQ]

Looks like some good progress!

[sam69]

Will the bonnet/hood close on/over this engine or will you need to modd it ?

Looks to sit pretty high in the engine bay so can you take a pic across the car .

Also do you have a weight for this engine is it about the same weight as the FA20 or less/more

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by sam69

Will the bonnet/hood close on/over this engine or will you need to modd it ?

Looks to sit pretty high in the engine bay so can you take a pic across the car .

Also do you have a weight for this engine is it about the same weight as the FA20 or less/more

I'll need to mod the hood. This is an earlier picture (before the mounts were installed but will give you an idea. It's mostly the front of the motor and TB sitting high.





I'm going to shoot for a smaller version of this,,,





As for the weight,,, supposed to be 340 lb dressed. I saw Vorshalg weighed a FA20 and trans and is was 480 lbs so it should be close to an FA20. Anyone know the weight of an FA20??

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

As for the weight,,, supposed to be 340 lb dressed. I saw Vorshalg weighed a FA20 and trans and is was 480 lbs so it should be close to an FA20. Anyone know the weight of an FA20??

The transmission weights 86 lbs, so 480-86= 394 lbs

[sam69]

So an alloytech seems to be lighter than the FA20 which is good news.

What sort of HP can one get from these engines with say a bit of head work cams, headers and tune as I know the ones
in Oz in the Holden SV6 are 210Kw which is approx 280 HP ?

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by sam69

So an alloytech seems to be lighter than the FA20 which is good news.

What sort of HP can one get from these engines with say a bit of head work cams, headers and tune as I know the ones
in Oz in the Holden SV6 are 210Kw which is approx 280 HP ?

Mine is out of a 2015 Camaro,,, 323 HP 276 Tq. Current Camaro V6 LGX is 335 HP 284 TQ. Cant really do headers on the LFX but I will have a catless free flow exhaust, CAI and a mail order 93 octane tune so maybe a couple more HP.


I hang out on the Camaro forums and there doesn't seem to be a lot of options for cams. One outfit MACE is mentioned often and is an Australian company.


https://www.maceengineering.com.au/M...OLET-CAMARO-V6


For now the 325hp gives me a better power to weight ratio than an SS Camaro,,, but,, if the cams could do 40-50HP might be worth it.

[sam69]

Apparently the guy in this link builds these motors to rev to 8,000 rpm and 420 hp

http://www.ngerecos.com.au/product_d...&product_id=47

[gtpvette]

Didn't work on the car yesterday,,, went to a Ferrari car show. See the other thread for all of them.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...76#post3035076

[sam69]

Bump for update ..........

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by sam69

Bump for update ..........

Cold air intake box is done. Need to weld the mount for MAF sensor and 1/2" fitting for intake to PVC system to the aluminum intake pipe.


Coolant plumbing is about 90%. Radiator to motor is done, steam tubes, expansion tank mounted (shock tower), heater hoses are all done. Need to weld a 3/4" fitting to the hard pipe that goes from the back of the motor to the lower radiator hose. The hose from this will attach to the bottom of expansion tank. As a sidebar, I ended up with three separate radiator caps. First, one on the radiator which I wont be able to get to easily, second an inline fill right next to upper left radiator fitting, third and highest the expansion tank. Shade tree engineering at it's finest. LOL!


Mounted catch can and had to order new fitting and hoses for it. Ordered 1/2 hose for PVC intake to motor. Ordered 3/8" hose for dirty side of PVC. Ordered stainless mesh for inside of catch can as well.


Ordered adapter (3/8 to 1/2) for brake booster line as well as hoses 1/2"


Why the hell are there so many different ID hoses????


Need to finish up a little aluminum work to manage the air coming into the engine compartment from the front.


Parts should all be here this weekend, so I'll have plenty to do.


AC lines need to be laid out next.


I've marked the hood for some surgery. I know you had asked about how much it sticks out. Seems that from intake pipe/MAF up to about 1/2 of the intake manifold. Highest looks to be 2-3 inches,,give or take. I did find a fiberglass scoop that would probably work,,, it's cheap enough at $80, just don't know about the shape and it's way bigger than I need. Kind of a mini version of BRX's scoop.


I'll get some pictures this weekend after I'm done.

[sam69]

Even if the scoop is not quite the shape you want it is very easy to mod and remodel glass so don't be to concerned about that unless you can find something more to your liking .

[venturaII]

Lol.

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by sam69

Even if the scoop is not quite the shape you want it is very easy to mod and remodel glass so don't be to concerned about that unless you can find something more to your liking .

I've done a fair bit of fiberglass work over the years so I certainly agree,, might still be better to start from scratch,,, don't know yet. Still like that bowed hood,,, follows the lines of the car better.


You laugh,,, but cut off the top of that snorkel scoop and I'm in business