VR Senator with LSx454

[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]

Not the most interesting of updates but I have decided whilst I finish printing all the CAI parts I would return it to a driver so I can have some fun instead of it being a shed ornament  Just went for a little drive, man its so much fun after a break. Just effortless torque. Spoke to Bells and am going to give it to him during the week so he can stick it on the full gas analyzer and dyno and do the little tweaks to perfect the tune while we are at it as well which has been on the list for a while now.

This is how the plenums are sitting now, so just have to sort the top plate design and also the main feed in the bonnet which I can do more easily with the hack bonnet off the car.

And it back to its naked self.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by  VRSenator065.

[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]

Just walking past the hack bonnet just then, much easier I think to see the design now its off the car.  Now at leas5t i can print up and test fit the parts off the car so I am not stressing about dropping something and scratching the car.

 

[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]

Not a lot happening at the moment with the Senator as we are chasing an annoying little gremlin (more on that when I work out whats happening) but just been up to see young Joe to see how he is getting on with the rebuild he is doing on my old 304 that I sold him.  He is doing a top job, learning heaps, really great to see a young lad getting stuck in and having a crack.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Nice TP manifold on top.

What are they intending on putting it in?

[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]

Well he originally was talking about buying a HQ ute (his dream car) and putting it in that.  But now I think he plans on selling it to make a little $$ then use that money toward the HQ.  He spoke to the guys here at Outlaws and they recommended that manifold/carby set up. Its just a refresh really so he is not chasing big HP or anything.  He wants to be able to run it on a stand, and of course look cool

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by  VRSenator065.

[gtrboyyParticipant gtrboyy1.6 Getz View build HERE Member since: January 20, 2016 Posts: 201]

Should make one of those engine start-up stands for it with radiator,gauges etc

 

Then he can build good ol’ 202 or $50 253 next.

[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]

He has actually just bought an Aeroflow stand, supposedly you can start it on it.  I had a chat to him about the importance of removing the plugs, fitting an oil pressure gauge and turning it over until it has pressure before starting.  Its something I have always done.  He is only 11, and I reckon given that is doing an awesome job.

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

Hopefully the engine fits on the aeroflow stand…..

[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]

Yea right, I know their nickname is Aerofail…

 

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

Yep lol

My mates didn’t come close to fitting.

[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]

Well, interesting, looks like a gremlin hopefully sorted.  Been chasing a bit of a strange one, car runs perfect, big power, all good.  Then after a while it seemed to just drop off and lose power on the dyno.  Turn it off, scratch head, restart, car back to perfect.  Then after a while would do it again.  Always been a bit suss of my lift pump set up, at the time I was committed to E85 and went with a pair of Pierburgs as they were good for the corn juice.  What I didn’t do, I think now rather dumbly, is fit a filter on them.  Looks like they have dropped off on flow but not totally died, I am guessing because of the lack of filter.  So essentially it was running out of fuel.  Turn it off, then start it, it would run for a few seconds before firing which was enough to get some more fuel in the surge tank.  Asked Jake at Bains what pumps they use, he uses a Holley Mighty Might, which a great little pump, just perfect, and bloody good value at around $70.  So Stephen has swapped that and it looks like the issue is gone, so back to the tune.  When I get it home i will get it up on the lift and make sure its all mounted properly and post some pics.  But this is the pump in case anyone else is interested, and its E85 compatible too.

 

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by  VRSenator065.

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

Be weiry they don’t flow much.

[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]

Its a lift pump, its only flowing the difference to top up the surge, my system is full return, its plenty.  Bains build 1,500hp cars, pretty sure they know what they are doing.

[gtrboyyParticipant gtrboyy1.6 Getz View build HERE Member since: January 20, 2016 Posts: 201]

Damn good price if it solves the issue.

 

Been told by few blokes on e85 if fuel pressure drops it’s time to clean filters & to go little lower in micron rating to reduce clogging.

 

Some have fuel pressure guages after fuel pumps & at fuel rail

[exec24Participant 2004 VY S2 Berlina 1996 VS 5L Sedan View build HERE Member since: April 8, 2015 Posts: 435]

VRSenator065 wrote:

He has actually just bought an Aeroflow stand, supposedly you can start it on it. I had a chat to him about the importance of removing the plugs, fitting an oil pressure gauge and turning it over until it has pressure before starting. Its something I have always done. He is only 11, and I reckon given that is doing an awesome job.

did your engine fit?

VRSenator065 wrote:

Yep lol My mates didn’t come close to fitting.

i bought one which ended up in the scrap heap a few days later, had the same issue nothing would line up and ended up welding up my own-I did used the wheels off the Aeroflow one though

 

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by  exec24.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by  exec24.

[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]

^Yea right, no he hasn’t tried it yet, will post when he has.  So seems my lift pumps may have been causing issues for a while.  Was chatting to my Chemistry analysis mate about whats actually occurring last night, and apparently what happens is the main pump hasn’t been supplied enough fuel so it cause a low pressure on the suction side, that low pressure causes some of the fuel to vaporize.  Basically thats not good tune wise, or really anything wise tbh.  Now the new lift pumps in its cured, I also am pretty certain that’s been the cause of my fuel pump noise issue after about an hour of cruising, basically the main pump hasn’t had nice fuel flowing through lubricating it and keeping it cool, but will test that once i have it back.  On a sour note there apparently was some drops of trans fluid dripping out the bell housing on the last dyno run….Don’t like the sounds of that, one step back one step forward.

[NickVRParticipant AdelaideVR V8 Exec, VR SS, VF Redline Reserve View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 264]

There is always something to do isn’t there. Just when you think it’s finished, the car throws you a curve ball. Hopefully it’s nothing major with the trans.

[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]

NickVR wrote:

There is always something to do isn’t there. Just when you think it’s finished, the car throws you a curve ball. Hopefully it’s nothing major with the trans.

Yea that’s so true, I think its maybe the nature of cars like this, as much as you try to build a “reliable streeter” the reality is making around the same power as a V8supercar on the street, so things break , come loose or need attention.  I wont lie its a pita at times though!!  Good news is Stephen was really getting stuck into the tune, looks like the lift pumps may have been causing an issue for a while.

So its around with Grant and Scott at Norwoods, good news is the trans & converter are perfect (sort of thought they would be) bad news is its actually engine oil.  So its either maybe a leak from say the oil filter adapter or sump, or I am preparing for worse case which is its pushed the main seal.  Going around at lunch to have a look, we are going to start it up on the lift and stall it up a little and poke around and see if we can work out whats happened.  Stay tuned (again….)

 

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

What Crankcase breather set up do you run Gary?

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

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VRSenator065 wrote:

^Yea right, no he hasn’t tried it yet, will post when he has. So seems my lift pumps may have been causing issues for a while. Was chatting to my Chemistry analysis mate about whats actually occurring last night, and apparently what happens is the main pump hasn’t been supplied enough fuel so it cause a low pressure on the suction side, that low pressure causes some of the fuel to vaporize. Basically thats not good tune wise, or really anything wise tbh. Now the new lift pumps in its cured, I also am pretty certain that’s been the cause of my fuel pump noise issue after about an hour of cruising, basically the main pump hasn’t had nice fuel flowing through lubricating it and keeping it cool, but will test that once i have it back. On a sour note there apparently was some drops of trans fluid dripping out the bell housing on the last dyno run….Don’t like the sounds of that, one step back one step forward.

</p>
This is why I mentioned be weiry that new lift pump doesn’t flow much as if that’s not up to the task the same thing can happen.

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