VR Senator with LSx454

[sands vsParticipant vs commodore View build HERE Member since: March 1, 2015 Posts: 619]

What brand and type of head gaskets are you thinking of using now?

[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 sure, Adam is looking into that for me,  but the best I can get within reason.  But I think I have settled on CP pistons.  Will wait until the blocks checked/bored/honed to see what size.

http://www.cp-carrillo.com/pt-3544-bullet-series.html

[sands vsParticipant vs commodore View build HERE Member since: March 1, 2015 Posts: 619]

Ever considered o ring the block or heads?

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

Shouldn’t really need it with 6 bolt heads… it’s a PITA to do and if it’s wrong the parts are junked…

(in the late 80’s I saw a pair of Cosworth Sierra blocks destroyed when they got it wrong…)

Any of the MLS gaskets should be fine at that power level, I think the failure was more tune related than a materials/cylinder pressure issue.

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

100% that was tune related.

Is there s GM replacement for the lsx?

[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]

Yes agree on ring is overkill.  Good quality gasket fitted properly and engine tuned right should be perfect. Wonder if it was related to the IM240, he told me he had to run it super lean to pass.

[sands vsParticipant vs commodore View build HERE Member since: March 1, 2015 Posts: 619]

I was just throwing out ideas /options. Its usually only for high boost I agree.

 

Keen to see this come together

 

 

 

 

[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]

sands vs wrote:

I was just throwing out ideas /options. Its usually only for high boost I agree. Keen to see this come together

Hey mate nothing wrong with kicking around ideas, that’s what the forums for

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

Soooo gtx47?

[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 car will never be FI, totally understand its the easy and maybe cheapest way to make power but that’s not what its about for me, I want something different.  One day maybe a nice stealthy nos set up to make it a legitimate 1,000hp streeter, but tbh I reckon that’s a long way off.

[OZ38Participant Jurien Bay W.A.VS & VY Sedan & Ute. Ecotec powered Hilux 4WD. View build HERE Member since: April 24, 2016 Posts: 59]

Were your pistons forged that you have just taken out ?

If so forged pistons (usually 2618 grade) have very low silicon in them so they will expand a bit when getting up to operating temps, as they start out with at least 4.5 – 6 thou clearance.  Also the reason they are noisy when cold is they tend to rock around until the piston crown has expanded. Partly the reason they wear rings out quickly in street cars, is not getting up to operating temps every outing. So the rings get a real work out.

Some Forged pistons are actually tapered smaller at the top to allow for the expansion. So rocking the tops of the piston around in the bores may seem to show excessive clearance, but they do have that need due to the expansion they will produce as they warm up.

More Silicon in the piston alloy mix makes them expand less, but also makes the piston material harder & maybe more brittle. Also less wear from pistons with more silicon content. High silicon content pistons (Hypereutectic) expand less so clearances could be tightened up which help improve emissions. Which is why OEM car manufacturers use cast hypereutectic pistons.

[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]

OK, well quite a bit has happened since my last post, prety much have finished the full tear down.  So basically the main bearings are toast.  I chucked a pic up on FB and it seems to have got a bit of discussion.  Anyhow, the plan has been formulated.  I am going to work with Brenton Marusic who does his own stuff with Marusic Inductions, but also works for THR Developments with their engine dyno.  I dropped the block, crank and heads off to him today, and had a good long chat with him, he seems to really understand what I am after.  I also like the idea of working with someone who will know everything that’s in the engine, hows it been put together etc.  Maybe that’s something that’s been missing to date.

First order of business was a visual check of the block, crank and pistons, and looking at everything he believes its been caused 100% by tune issues.  I am not going to say any more than that, shit happens move on.

So he is going to organize the machining for me, looks like I will get away with just a 5 thou bore and hone, and a crank grind.  He is going to port the heads and design a custom cam for it.

Then I will get Adam Wickson to source me the pistons, bearings, bolts, gaskets etc.  I am then going to attempt the engine build myself.  Speaking with Brenton he told me what my Dad used to say, which that its all about cleanliness, and taking your time, checking, and being methodical. Pretty much as I expected, and tbh I sort of work like that (at least try too!!).  Having pretty much done everything else on the car would be a pity to hand the engine to someone else.  Whats the worst that can happen

But what we are going to then do is he is going to run it up on the engine dyno and test it etc.  That way before it goes in the car i will know its running perfectly, tuned, and also exactly what power its making.  And of course that’s the time to make sure i have built it right.  It also given him the chance to perfect the tune etc with his head and cam combo.

Then once that all done, and its back in the car, and its party time, and yes Cav, a full on, massive farking SKID!!!!        

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

Surprised to hear about that bearings, scored or hammered?  When you’re guy says 100% tuning it sounds like they have been hammered from det which really sucks.  Probably a good thing you pulled it when you did.

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

Lucky you caught it early. I seen the photos on FB. Generally tuning issues do hammer the main bearings. Esp like that.

Your in good hands.

[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]

Cheers, do think I have dodged a bullet.

[OZ38Participant Jurien Bay W.A.VS & VY Sedan & Ute. Ecotec powered Hilux 4WD. View build HERE Member since: April 24, 2016 Posts: 59]

So forged pistons again ?

[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 CP Carillos most likely.  Links a few posts up above.

[Judge1 FrazerParticipant new zealand1983 VB LSA MG9 6060 6 speed View build HERE Member since: February 5, 2016 Posts: 775]

Hey Gary can you post up the bearing pic I’m not on face book , I know you want to attempt the build yourself but a bit of money if you get it wrong , I got my last engine built by a brilliant engine builder and even then I was nervous as hell on the first start up and dyno so would be freaking out if I had built it, but hey good on you for giving it a go sounds like you have some good people around if you get stuck

• This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by  Judge1 Frazer.

[WraithParticipant View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 50]

Gary has pretty much built the car from the ground up on his own and is currently in the process of restoring his Kombi. Pretty sure if any one could do it it would be Gary.

[Judge1 FrazerParticipant new zealand1983 VB LSA MG9 6060 6 speed View build HERE Member since: February 5, 2016 Posts: 775]

never said he couldn’t

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