No surprises then when I found out it didn't fit, as Andy (ls2lxhatch) had tried the same thing last week.
I'm not bagging the conversion, it's a great idea, it just isn't built for an LS1.
I first bolted the crossmember to the engine and then tried holding the rack in place to see how far it was out, but that was too hard on my own, so I bolted the rack to the crossmember and used the engine crane to help hold the crossmember in place.
I bolted the crossmember to the left hand engine mount, as I knew that side would fit as it was. I then swung the crossmember up on the drivers side to see how far the engine mount was from lining up.
You can see how far out the engine mount holes are here.
Here's the front of the engine mount and you can also see where the rack mount is touching the sump.
The line running front to back on the sump is how far from the edge it needs to be cut down so the rack mount can fit there. Goodie : )
Unfortunately, under the part of the sump that needs to be removed is where the oil pick up is.
The only way I could see it working was to swap the oil pick up to the other side. It's not finished yet, and I need to get another 90 degree bend, but there's enought there for me to make sure it will all fit. Once I have all the pieces tacked together I'll oxy weld it all up and pressure test it.
Looks like there might be a chance of this working. The rack and crossmember are now all bolted up. Still need to modify the sump again though.
I'll have to cut the tab from the side of the block to give the banjo fitting a bit more room.
Another shot of the banjo fitting and the tab on the block.
I never thought I'd have an LS1 and torana crossmember upside down on my engine crane : )
Thanks again have to go to forum member L32M20 for the loan of the crossmember. Wouldn't be too fun doing all this in the car.
There will be some paint shots soon, I promise.
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