LSX Swap

[Jrover408]

So fellas, I have been talking to someone I consider to be an authority on LS swaps. He has done plenty of them and knows more about their wiring/software than GM engineers.

I asked him whether or not he thought it was possible to get the electronics to work and this was his responce after doing some research.

"You would likely loose ABS, Cruise and active leveling suspension as they all tie into the engine computer data lines. I am not aware of the language and associated commands provided by the old PCM to these systems used by the Rover, so unless I have a car to install a LS1 into to test I have no more data/experiencweto pull from."

So I'm planning on letting him use my truck to figure out the wiring issues, now all I have to figure out are the physical issues. Are there any adapters for things like the engine mounts and transmission mounts or will they have to be custom fabricated?

[RRToadHall]

Much of this process and these issues have been covered before. You might want to save you and your mechanic some guinea pig time and research by reading up what has already been covered here.

[John W]

As Toadhall says ,this has been discussed/proposed numerous times on the forum.No one has yet to do a successful conversion or if they have they are keeping quiet about it!!!.I think if a successful method is devised then a number of people would like to do the conversion.
I wish you the best of luck and may you be the one who actually achieves this and tells about it.

[LarryS]

perhaps you could try a member on here sometimes, elliot (you'll find him elsewhere too) he's running the GEM's on megasquirt and don't think he's lost the items mentioned and of course Overfinch did it many years ago without losing them either. But love to see it done, please give it go

[leftlanetruckin]

I have also done a fare share of swaps myself.
The main PIA to me would be the transfer case and it offset rear output. This is due to the fuel tank. Go under and have a looksie. With a fuel cell, it would work though.
I always try to keep the drive train complete, as far as motor/tranny/transfer case. There are no adapters available for the ZF tranny to a LS, at least there werent the last time I looked. The guys in Aus dont make what we would need neither (Marks IIRC?).
The wiring didnt bother me, but the rear driveshaft issue did. I would just make all the mounts etc, and an electronic shift transfer case would solve the shifter placement issue, but there is no real easy way of getting around that rear driveshaft (All Chevy transfer cases are center rear output).
I put the idea out there ages ago, and had a donor rig lined up for experimenting on, and then it got "adopted" by someone else, so I never bothered chasing it.
Think I still have a lot of notes somewhere, including some measurements for a possible body lift to cure the tank issue. Not a clue where I saved them at though
As far as someone making a "kit" to make it happen, that would be a brave man indeed. The chances of selling just one "kit" are so slim, I would never do it for the reason of making a single penny myself.
The VSS signal was not, however, one of my concern's.
Keeping all the RR wiring and ecm's would be the way I would go, just for relaying signals to where they wanted to go. Easy enough to either duplicate a signal the ecm is looking for, or piggybacking the sensors from the LS motor.
I may end up looking at it again, but it's not high on my list of jobs right now.

Martin

[Jrover408]

thanks for the insight fellas, so I talked with my guy and he is confident that he can get the truck running, however we won't know whether or not the electronics, things like the air con and gauge cluster will work until he has a Rover in his shop. Also another problem for me atleast is Im in California so the truck would have to pass a C.A.R.B. certification.

It looks like everything will have to be custom fabricated to get it to fit. The offset differential could be a major problem, hmm I wonder how overfinch did theirs.

So right now its looking like its going to cost around 5-6k to get this thing going. Time to start saving!

[LarryS]

Overfinch keep everything as is from the gearbox back, the gearbox as i understand it was uprated but this still caused problems dealing with torque, almost all issues regarding this type of conversion is interfacing the electronics and its not to be underestimated.

[WayneB]

Overfinch based their conversion around the old late 80's early 90's Chevrolet L89 Tuned Port Injection Iron block engines that were used in Firebirds , Camaros and Corvettes at the time.

They had some versions that were the standard GM 5.7 litre displacement (570R)and others that were bored out to 6.3 litres (630R), they also used differing TPI manifolds some Stock GM and others by Edelbrock with enlarged runners, they also used iron GM or aluminium GM Corvette heads .

The engine management used a custom ecm computer that used elements of the Rover GEMs system ( 4 coil ignition etc) and the GM speed density TPI setup for fueling.

They always were very guarded about how the new ECM computer did all of this , I guess they had alot of time and money invested which is understandable.

The transmissions were ZF 4 speed autos that were uprated with increased line pressure and altered internal valving to make them last longer with the increased torque.

I was told they were all custom built to order and no two were produced the same.


Getting the Chev motor in the RR would be a piece of cake, but interfacing it to the Range Rovers systems sucessfully enough to get everything working and to pass emmisions inspections would be a pain IMO.

[leftlanetruckin]

Prior threads, both by myself and others, have addressed most of the electronic issues.
To use the ZF box would require a bell housing adapter though, of which no one mass produces. Thus my original idea of using a complete package from a 4wd donor.
I dont think I would like to put a healthy ls/lq series motor in front of a P38 rear axle myself, so the rear axle is no biggie as it would likely be coming out
$5-6K is a little, well ok a lot, optimistic in my experiences. Especially in a one off type of swap. Just an FYI from someone that has done it, and now charges an hourly rate after learning from past mistakes.

Martin

[sydneyman]

i feel like you could have someone go through your 4.0 or 4.6 for an overhaul and extra power and still end up paying less than swapping in an LS motor... of course thats not in the spirit of this thread but still something to consider... Godspeed!

[leftlanetruckin]

i feel like you could have someone go through your 4.0 or 4.6 for an overhaul and extra power and still end up paying less than swapping in an LS motor... of course thats not in the spirit of this thread but still something to consider... Godspeed!

Words of truth right there...

[Jrover408]

leftlanetrucking I will be sending you some pm's in the future I would definitely like to pick your brain about this swap. I'm not foolish enough to think I could get this project completed for under 6k, as I stated before its merely a starting point.

This is still just a planning phase. A new rear-end is not a bad idea, has something like that been done to rovers before? Any companies highly recommended in this area?

I don't doubt I could get a 4.6 built to have more power for way less $$, maybe my rational side will convince me this is the way to go, but as of right now im not listening to him .

[LarryS]

unless there's a thread i've missed (entirely possible) the only one i've seen was "ls1 here we come". that is a dead end for whatever reason. The electronics weren't addressed to even a basic level on that thread, please point me where these are, i'm stuggling with a simple PWM fan controller.

[Hoges]

A couple of guys in the UK did this ...their website (LS1-power.com) no longer exists... but I took notes!

They retained the sensors from the 4.6 V8 and used them in the LS1
The list is as follows:

• 5.7 LS spec engine.
• Custom bellhousing and torque convertor mountings
• Bespoke engine mounts
• custom cam for lower end torque
• Exhaust interface to standard RR exhaust.
• Upgrade fuel delivery system
• Relocation of standard ancillaries (Aircon, PAS)
• Supply of new alternator and wiring
• Modification of looms
• Custom programming of GEMS engine management.
• Airbox modifications and silicon intake hose
• Electric fan and adjustable controller

There were a few other changes... but you get the idea..
cheers

[sydneyman]

Jrover, i don't want you to think im knocking your project, i wish you all the best, the LS1 is a great motor. I even contemplated this myself when my Porsche 951 engine(turbo...$$$) blew; its a fairly common swap. I ended up not doing it and im glad i stayed with Porsche power in that case.

The attraction for that car was to take a relatively small turbo motor with 80's lag (and Porsche maintenance procedures/cost...) and replace it with a more linear power band and very basic maintenance. With the Range Rover, the simple, linear, large displacement V8 is already there! So for me the attraction is diminished.

I love to see people do fun projects for the heck of it and you by no means need to justify anything to me (or anyone else for that matter) but what is the perceived advantage here? Lord knows these motors are not without fault but they can be rectified preventatively... so its not a question of economics. Ditto for power. I just don't want you to spend the money and then be less than pleased when its all over... I reasoned after the fact that i stayed with Porsche power that if i want a certain engine, its wise to just buy the car... not that i'd buy a Corvette.

Just wanted to put a few years of back and forth and heartache into a short post for your consideration. And as i said, Godspeed!