Hi all just after some advice. Doing an ls1 conversion into my lx and so far I have sorted out engine mounts but I am having major pains doing the exhaust on the drivers side. I am using castle Maine headers just modifying to suit. Problem is in order to get ten millimeters around the steering the front pipes are so close to the k frame. What I was wondering is if it is legal to modify the k frame as in cut the rear and bring it ten millimeters in. Will I have problems with engineering ? Been getting crazy quotes for custom extractors, and six week turn around. I have a boiler maker who can do the welding . What's every ones opinion ?
K frame mods
Started by
HDT166
, Nov 17 2013 10:24 PM
11 replies to this topic
#1
HDT166
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Posted 17 November 2013 - 10:24 PM
#2
_greenmachine215_
_greenmachine215_
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Posted 17 November 2013 - 10:49 PM
Better off just playing around with the headers, there a few guys on here have done the LS Conversions I don't think they have modified the K frame at all.
correct me if I'm wrong but nothing from castlemain ever is what it's said to be, 9/10 times you need to make their products fit.
correct me if I'm wrong but nothing from castlemain ever is what it's said to be, 9/10 times you need to make their products fit.
#3
HDT166
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Posted 17 November 2013 - 11:10 PM
That's what I have found! I reckon I have spent maybe ten hours moding these things. Seriously thinking of attacking the k frame
#4
Toranamat69
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Posted 17 November 2013 - 11:54 PM
Depending on where you are having trouble, it might help for starters to trim the steering column back close to the firewall and fit a proper bearing - there is a thread on doing that somewhere.
#5
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 18 November 2013 - 01:37 AM
http://www.gmh-toran...orana/?p=249711
Both legs were replaced in this build.
http://www.markswork...t lead page.htm
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Steering column trim.
http://www.gmh-toran...-chev/?p=721408
Edited by ls2lxhatch, 18 November 2013 - 01:40 AM.
#6
_LS1 Hatch_
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Posted 18 November 2013 - 02:26 AM
I trimmed my steering column back a bit too, and just spent a while building the headers to try and squeeze around and fit as best as possible at least. (not being a header builder before, took me a little while, haha)
#7
HDT166
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Posted 18 November 2013 - 10:41 PM
Mine clears the colum but clearance at the drivers front pipes to the k frame is a biatch. The steering uni joints have ten millimeters now. Little bit of progress today and going to fiddle some more tomorrow. If not I do like that top pic. Is it legal?
#8
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 19 November 2013 - 12:45 AM
It will be up to the individual engineer to decide if the k-frame is still strong enough once modified. It does look to be significantly weakened however I don't know what has been done inside.
The engine is mounted to the chassis rails via instead of to the k-frame.
Are you using a rag coupler at the steering rack or another uni fo rmore clearance.
#9
HDT166
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Posted 19 November 2013 - 10:35 PM
Yeah I'm going to run the double unis I think the extractors would kill the coupler. Spent some hours today making bends and trying to make some really ugly extractors! Will be fitting engine tomorrow to check clearances. Fingers crossed!
#10
_pete ls1_
_pete ls1_
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Posted 21 November 2013 - 03:49 PM
you can try my hookers if ya want
#11
_LS1 Taxi_
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Posted 21 November 2013 - 05:15 PM
I needed to mod my castle extractors on both sides.
They are a shit fit and were the cause of many headaches.
They are a shit fit and were the cause of many headaches.
#12
HDT166
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Posted 21 November 2013 - 11:13 PM
you can try my hookers if ya want
That would be awesome, I can through some beer your way!
Yeah I bought those headers and chopped em up but they really don't fit. Ve manifolds are so close!I needed to mod my castle extractors on both sides.
They are a shit fit and were the cause of many headaches.
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