Heron's VK SL Build – LS3, TH400, Sleeper Style

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Heron SSV wrote:

Sweet. My engineer also suggested swapping to a VR-VS tank, he said they bolt straight in and have a larger capacity.

Nice. Then a 450 walbro will slot straight in.

Would you be interested in a modded ASR windage tray by any chance?

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

cava454 wrote:

Heron SSV wrote:

Sweet. My engineer also suggested swapping to a VR-VS tank, he said they bolt straight in and have a larger capacity.

Nice. Then a 450 walbro will slot straight in. Would you be interested in a modded ASR windage tray by any chance?

Maybe. Pros/cons? Price? I also need to get a different sump as well to fit the VK from what I’ve read. Do LS1 sumps with the front hump fit.?

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

I made 508rwhp with the Paccies, that’s gotta be north of 600 at the fly.  They work.  But the curve did start to nose off around 6k rpm which I reckon is the restriction of the smaller primaries.  Depends of what power you are chasing, they are way easier to fit.  Sumps there are a couple of options I know of, I have heard depending on the engine mount combination a stock front hump sump may just clear (but not by much and the engineer may not like it), or you can modify the K member to give more clearance (that’s what i did) or you trim the back corners of a stock sump and get pieces tig welded in to give more clearance.  I started a thread on it here  https://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/ls1-engine-swap-sump-k-frame-mods/

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Heron SSV wrote:

The old budget is starting to look shaky

Said every single car during a build like yours 

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

VRSenator065 wrote:

I made 508rwhp with the Paccies, that’s gotta be north of 600 at the fly. They work. But the curve did start to nose off around 6k rpm which I reckon is the restriction of the smaller primaries.  

Thats pretty good on the 454 so it should be plenty for me for the time being.

So I spoke to CAE and have received their price list:

• Engine mounts – $250
• Gearbox x-member – $170
• Castle Headers Tri-Y 1 3/4 – $800
• Gearbox mount – $70
• Gearbox speed sensor (elec output to ECU & cable outlet to speedo) – $318
• Speedo cable – $70
• Starter motor – $409
• LHS starter relocation – $200
• Flex plate – $280
• ECU programming (ready to start, security removed, not locked) – $272
• Engine harness modified to suit (supplied new, I keep my existing one) – $1409
• Oil pressure 3 way T piece – $45
• Temp gauge adapter – $20
• Fuel pump – $300
• Fuel regulator/filter and fuel rail adapter – $259

Grand total of $5359 inc GST. They quoted $1000 for a radiator with twin thermos but I think I could use a standard radiator with thermos for a lot cheaper than that.

Pricey, but will all of that get me to a point where its all in and ready to run? Comments? Suggestions? The guy I spoke to said he’d give me a quote with everything he thinks I’ll need and I could pick and choose anything from the quote.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Looks about right to me, was just trying to run through in my head everyhting I did, seems so long ago!  Tailshaft?  I went overboard (surprise surprise) with mine but might be just a case of modifying what you have.  What have they said about the sump, with their combo are mods needed?  I just used a standard gearbox cross member and drilled two new holes to suit the T400 mount, that’s VR though I suppose.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

This is the cross member set up in mine

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Gary didn’t you have to modify the xmember at all? Just drill?

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Got a VR V8 K frame and VL manual rack with intermediate shaft for $575

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

cava454 wrote:

Gary didn’t you have to modify the xmember at all? Just drill?

That’s right, no mods at all.  Straight bolt up.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

I need a cross member anyway so i may as well get one in the kit.

Spoke to Paul Rogers Performance Transmissions, he quoted $3750 for a TH400 rated up to 1000hp and $750-800 for a Dominator converter built to the specs of the cam I’ll eventually run. I dont know what cam I’ll end up with so not sure what to order just yet. Probably go with a 3000-3500 stall at this stage.

Also, not sure if the Brembo brakes will work, can’t get brackets for them plus I’ll have issues fitting wheels. Might end up selling them and going for a basic VT or VE set up.

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Make sure the t400 has engine brake feature.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

cava454 wrote:

Make sure the t400 has engine brake feature.

Yep it does. Here’s what it comes with:

TH400 Stage III Full Manual – Full Manual Valvebody (forward

shift pattern with engine braking), 34 Element Sprag and Drum,

Heavy Duty Clutches, Extra Clutch Plates, Heavy Duty Circlip,

Torrington Bearing Upgrades (low drag), Pump Modifications, HD

Rear Band, HD Intermediate Band, Polished Aluminium Pan,

Pressure Tested, Painted

Transbrake with engine braking included is an extra grand.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

cava454 wrote:

Make sure the t400 has a fun button feature.

Fixed it for ya

• This reply was modified 7 years, 8 months ago by  VRSenator065.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

^^^^^^^ahahahahaa this guy!

So far I’m out $9k for the motor and brakes. If I go with the box and converter, k frame and rack and all the gear from CAE, I’m up to $19400, give or take a carton or two.

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Told you it adds up. Allow 2-3k for misc bits and pieces.

Must have engine brake. Trans brake would be nice also.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 8 months ago by  cava454.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

cava454 wrote:

Told you it adds up. Allow 2-3k for misc bits and pieces. Must have engine brake. Trans brake would be nice also.

It would be nice but doesn’t fit into the budget at the moment.

On a side note, I’m not getting the Brembos any more as I can’t get the mounting brackets unless they’re custom made, plus I’ll have a prick of a time finding wheels to fit, and at the moment I’ll be running stockies, so I’ve $800 to spend on brakes, probably go for a VT setup

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

It certainly does add up, I stopped counting after a while.

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

Yeah same.

After that quick list I gave earlier I start to remember what it kinda costs lol.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

I’ve gone from nothing to trying to get everything done in the space of a few days. I haven’t had time to comprehend what I’m spending hahaha.

whats your opinion on the gear from CAE? I like the fact that it’ll have pretty much everything I need to get the motor and box in and wired up, and it’s all designed to work together, but it’s a big chunk of cash…

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