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

[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]

You get a lot of those kind of niggles to sort. Especially once you get used to it and start to be able to notice the little things. It’s all part of a big swap imo.

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

Spot on Gary, every build has things to sort out once it’s on the road. Considering how much of it I did myself and my only knowledge being gained from youtube, google and asking people, I’m amazed it starts first time and drives haha. Even the tuner was impressed when I gave him a rundown of the build.

Just ordered a few bits and pices for the radiator swap. Got a new VR V6 upper hose and an Aeroflow temp sender adapter, I’ll use that as a join in the top hose to get the length right, and also use the port to run the steam port hose to.

Anyone know if I should fill my overflow tank? I know I’ll have to bleed the whole system when I swap the radiators over, but do I need to fill the overflow tank as well? Also, does the position of the overflow tank matter, mine is lower than the top of the radiator, not sure if that will cause any issues, factory Commodore ones are usually sitting high in the bay from memory

[vinParticipant saSL/LEE View build HERE Member since: June 5, 2019 Posts: 66]

What you said earlier about the speed senser/speedo throttle issue, the early 304 ecu did need a signal from trans, without it it would cause issues with coming to a stop, idling and take off as you mentioned, not sure about the later LS/ECU if it does the same thing. Your tuner would know for sure about the ecu.

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

The tuner said it’s not too much of an issue with the FBW setup. Coming to a stop is fine, and taking off at a normal pace is fine, and even giving it a boot whilst already moving is fine, it only happens occasionally, but on the weekend it happend a few times when I was up it for the rent haha. My scanner is showing a couple of throttle body error codes, I’ll have to get the exact codes and do some digging to see what they mean

[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:

Also, does the position of the overflow tank matter, mine is lower than the top of the radiator, not sure if that will cause any issues, factory Commodore ones are usually sitting high in the bay from memory

Mine is lower, no issues.

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

Radiator has arrived, had a quick look and the quality looks pretty good for a China special. Bottom pins look like they might actually line up properly, but I’ll reserve my final judgement for the time being. Bottom crossover pipe has also arrived, have to work out how to mount it when I pull mine apart. Will also change the way the intake pipe runs as the top radiator hose wont be in the way this time.

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

Swapped everything over on the weekend. Pulled the intake and radiator out on Friday evening after work. The new raidator fits perfectly, the side and bottom pins are in the exact factory spots. Bolted the crossover pipe to the bottom of the radiator support, bought new lower hoses as the ones that came with the crossover pipe looked a little iffy. Used a VR V6 top hose, only needed to trim a little off one end for it to fit. Cut the top hose in half to fit an Aeroflow joiner with a temp sender port, using that to run the steam port to. Filled and bled the system, had it idling in the garge for over 20 minutes, it hovered between 92 and 94, the thermo kicks in at 94 and back off at 92, and it stayed there the whole time. Went for a drive yesterday for about 45 minutes, did a bit of freeway driving, previously it would creep up to 110, this time it barely cracked 100, on the backstreets with some stop start it was hovering between 94 and 98. Seems to have worked so far, I’ll see how it goes during the next couple of drives.

Also fitted a new boot lock.

Still getting some fault codes and a bit of hesitation when the revs are up. Getting Pedal/Throttle Circuit A Low, Circut B High, Circuit D Low, Circuit E Low.

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

Good to hear mate. You should put the temp sender in the rear of the drivers side head. It’s more accurate and and closer value to what the ecu reads.

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

I’ve been going of the ECU temp, I have my scan tool connected to the OBD port showing the live coolant temp. Dash guage sits in the red when it’s at 100.

Fault codes are P0122, P0223, P2122, P2127. They all relate to the throttle body and pedal, some research so far suggests it might be a wiring issue as some of the faults relate to the volt levels.

[JamesParticipant Fremantle WAVR LS3 View build HERE Member since: June 14, 2015 Posts: 8]

Heron, did you happen to have a photo of how you routed your transmission cooler lines as they come out of the TH400?

I have been re doing alot of work lately and i ended up routing my -6an lines in between two of the primary pipes, and then p clamped on the outside of the chassis rail / behind the drivers wheel area. Its awfully close to the pipes and have used firesleeve on the hose, extractors are ceramic coated though will still probably need an aluminum heat shield of some sort. Cheers

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Which hose did you use James?

 

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

James wrote:

Heron, did you happen to have a photo of how you routed your transmission cooler lines as they come out of the TH400? I have been re doing alot of work lately and i ended up routing my -6an lines in between two of the primary pipes, and then p clamped on the outside of the chassis rail / behind the drivers wheel area. Its awfully close to the pipes and have used firesleeve on the hose, extractors are ceramic coated though will still probably need an aluminum heat shield of some sort. Cheers

Mine are running up out of the trans tunnel and along the top of the drivers side rail. Tried running them under the rail and through the wheel well but it was too close to the headers. I have some sleeve on mine as well. I wanted to hide it to keep the bay clean but at the end of the day mine is a streeter and sometimes you need function over form. There’s heaps going on in the bay with LS engines so two more lines wont make a big difference.

[JamesParticipant Fremantle WAVR LS3 View build HERE Member since: June 14, 2015 Posts: 8]

aeroflow 100 series stainless braid hose, its what i had laying around so hopefully it holds up. i did think about doing stainless hardline as it exits the TH400 casing to behind the wheel arch and then the 100 series hose.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Sadly it won’t..

[JamesParticipant Fremantle WAVR LS3 View build HERE Member since: June 14, 2015 Posts: 8]

copy that, cheers guys. ill be re doing that section in hard line 

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

200 Fire Sleeved should be fine, not a huge difference in price these days.

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

Anonymous wrote:

200 Fire Sleeved should be fine, not a huge difference in price these days.

You don’t think 100 series is up to the task?

Thats what I used. My old setup used 400series push lock.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Not when it runs between pipes Cav, fire sleeved or not the rubber cooks and breaks down…

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

Anonymous wrote:

Not when it runs between pipes Cav, fire sleeved or not the rubber cooks and breaks down…

You just killed my vibe.

[OLD GMHParticipant PerthVB Commodore View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 29]

I’ve just read through all 43 pages of this thread – this is one impressive build up and the result speaks for itself. Good to see someone tackling a lot of the work themselves too – the satisfaction of the end result makes it all worth it. I’m keen to see some more pictures of this radiator setup, maybe a link to purchase it too and some part numbers for the hoses… asking for a friend…

 

P.S. I plan to run braided hose for my T400 trans cooler lines too – as long as I can keep them away from heat.

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