LS3 Build Thread - S13 Hatch - Hate the V8!

[G Fo12ce]

I'm not going to make this reply about me, but I'll give you some back round so you can appreciate the impact your build had on me.

I'm no one really but an enthusiast like all of us. At one time (about 6 years ago) I used to work in the industry doing sales for HKS and Sparco. I'll bet we have some friends in common. I've always been a purist when it comes to Japanese cars. Back in '99 or so I had one of the first hand full of 240's with an SR in Socal, Brent Romans covered the swap in Super Street. I had some pretty great Japanese cars since then too. I've been one of the guys who hates the direction of the pro drifting scene here because of the LS movement and the lack of cars people can identify with and cheer for at those events.

Anyway, I was prepared not to like this until I saw that you can get it CARB legal now! It's a bad ass engine and for a street set up I love it now after reading your build. I was planning to see if I could get another 240 soon and damn you, I find myself trying to see if I can afford this now lol! You definitely converted me.

If/When you come back to Socal I'd really like to see the car if you have it out somewhere. I'm going to renew my subscription to some mags now too. Thanks for sharing all the details, it's a really great car and you did some awesome work. I don't even want to know the hook ups you got on some of that stuff, it's just going to make me so jelly...

[Gatecrasher3]

Originally Posted by Pstl_pete

So many people hate on the LS swap but they have most likely never ridden in one.

Ya forget those nerds man, don't get me wrong I love a SR/KA-T setup but how can you beat the low end torque of a NA v8?

Now that you're back in ON are we going to see this beauty at Bing's meet next spring?

[stirfry89]

I have a 240sx...it's not this good
I'm doing a v8 swap...it's not this good
I have a place to do it, also...it's not this good
I watch porn...it's not this good

[irax]

Is there a BEST OF ZILVIA, where we can archive this?

[240boostt]

hows does it take corners with so much weight in the front??
very nice build

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by stirfry89

I have a 240sx...it's not this good
I'm doing a v8 swap...it's not this good
I have a place to do it, also...it's not this good
I watch porn...it's not this good

That's pretty funny!

Originally Posted by 240boostt

hows does it take corners with so much weight in the front??

Christ, here we go......

[Persona]

Originally Posted by 240boostt

hows does it take corners with so much weight in the front??
very nice build

Go do some HW on the actual weight of this engine.

[Martino]

Originally Posted by Persona

Go do some HW on the actual weight of this engine.

But it's a V8 it HAS to weight more then a lightweight SR20DET!! Right?

Lulz

[sky high]

Sigh, why am I poor and in college. I wish I could do a build like this absolutely beautiful. How low is the car, that looks pretty good at that height and it looks perfect for a DD height.

[Chaluska]

Originally Posted by 240boostt

hows does it take corners with so much weight in the front??
very nice build

perfect car dude.

its like a corvette, that is probably faster than a vette, brakes faster than a vette, gets better MPG, and is cheaper on insurance.

[turbociv910]

excellent read.

[homeslicej2]

Originally Posted by 240boostt

hows does it take corners with so much weight in the front??
very nice build

Originally Posted by Broadfield

Christ, here we go......

Exactly Toby. GM performance parts engine overview list have the LS3 at 415 lbs without accessories (weight includes water pump & headers though)http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/_r...ineQRC2010.pdf
The T56 trans weighs 115-129 lbs depending on the torque capacity it's built with (450 lb/ft is 115 lbs, 610 lb/ft is 129 lbs) Borg-Warner T-56
Figure ~30-50 lbs for P/S pump, AC comp, and brackets. An S13 transmission weighs 95.6 lbs (according to The Octane Report when they reviewed the NISMO 6-speed) An S13 SR20 weighs 490 lbs with all accessories, turbo, AND the stock 5-speed transmission according to Sport Compact Car/Modified (the SOHC KA with transmission weighed in at 493 lbs) S13 Nissan Silvia - Techh - Sport Compact Car Magazine (scroll over the caption with the picture of the SR) So, with an S13 SR vs an LS3/T56 combo you're looking at an approx. max difference in weight of 104 lbs. (LS3=415 lbs, accessories=50 max, trans=129lbs max for 594lbs max total vs 490 lbs for the SR and trans) The difference is that the LSx's have a lower center of gravity vs an SR (OHV vs DOHC, plus the LSx having more weight in the trans) More of the weight is further back and lower to the ground. Also, the low end torque would make up for the extra ~100 lbs. For the record, I have a Redtop SR in my S13.

[G Fo12ce]

Pete, just for reference did you happen to save the part number or year/model for the GM fuel pressure regulator filter assembly?

[atutt]

Originally Posted by Martino

But it's a V8 it HAS to weight more then a lightweight SR20DET!! Right?

Lulz

Because it actually does weigh more...



This is dry weight without exhaust manifolds. Unfortunately we can't see whether it has ALL it's accessories... Although when I found this pic, the OP claimed it didn't have the alt.

But wait.. It's all aluminum. It can't weigh so much...

[alexanderig]

This build is great and let's please not turn this into a weight discussion

[kingkilburn]

Now go find the corner balance read out of a well setup S chassis with an LS so you can prove the point once again that the balance is BETTER and the net weight gain is negligible.

[kalypso123]

that LS1 measurement looks a little suspect to me,

The wood adds like 90 lbs...

[homeslicej2]

Again, I wouldn't concern myself with 100-150 additional pounds for the LSx over an SR. Approximately 20-30 lbs is in the transmission and the rest is in a motor that sits lower, & has a lower center of gravity, than an SR. Thus, you're moving more of the weight gain further back & lower to ground, both good things if you're adding weight. Sure, it's more total weight, but the additional low-end torque & throttle response vs a turbo will negate that. Also, one gallon of gasoline weighs a bit more than 6 lbs (depending on it's specific gravity due to certain additives, temp, etc.) The S13 holds ~15.9 gallons of gas. This means the difference b/t a full tank & empty tank is ~95-98 lbs. Plus, there is a massive benefit to having the ability to run to the nearest Chevy/GM dealer or parts store & buying all of the stuff you need for cheap. No special orders from Japan that take 2-6 months, no discontinued parts, etc. Part supplies for the LSx motors will be here to stay for a long time. I love my SR, but I can completely see why so many are switching to the LSx. It costs more up front, but it just makes sense in the long run if you want an easy, reliable 350-400whp, unless you're a purist. Sorry so long, I've had a bit to drink lol.

[Touge_drifter]

you think your going to like this more then your old S14? and you didnt even get flamed for using a spec clutch.........nice!

[Om1kron]

Originally Posted by Pstl_pete

The post on SH is done by me, I know those guys closely and this car fit their theme this month. I got a laugh at the comments. So many people hate on the LS swap but they have most likely never ridden in one. It's so good and Im a turbo 4cylinder guy deep down but this V8 has opened my eyes to easy big displacement power.

Aside from cleaning up the interior with proper door panels and shift boot/knob, there's probably a front lip coming, an custom undertray to help cooling and next year I hope to plumb a proper AC setup.

Aside from that, I dont see anything else been done to the car.

The fact that you've come closer than anyone putting a smog legal swap in a 240sx is the only reason I am attracted do swapping over to LS territory. it's great power for a great price. And I love me some turbo 4 cylinder action. It's the coolest shit no matter what to get on the gas and then let go to hear that woo whoo.

The ricer deep down inside of me has to have it, but maintenance wise the ls just makes sense. No more shady smogs, no more 1000 dollar ref tickets. Now we just need to figure out how to get a db limit exhaust setup made for these cars.

[kingkilburn]

Om1kron's on that Bubb Rubb joint.

[blueshark123]

Originally Posted by Om1kron

The fact that you've come closer than anyone putting a smog legal swap in a 240sx is the only reason I am attracted do swapping over to LS territory. it's great power for a great price. And I love me some turbo 4 cylinder action. It's the coolest shit no matter what to get on the gas and then let go to hear that woo whoo.

The ricer deep down inside of me has to have it, but maintenance wise the ls just makes sense. No more shady smogs, no more 1000 dollar ref tickets. Now we just need to figure out how to get a db limit exhaust setup made for these cars.

I have seen people run a y pipe into a stock 240 exhaust.Obviously they also had a cut out before the stock exhaust. Im sure with both cats it will be real quiet. If you want the woo whoo sound lol just turbo the ls1, but then you will be back to square 1 and not pass ref/smog.

[lightsource]

One of the best threads i've seen. Looks great man!

[irax]

Originally Posted by blueshark123

I have seen people run a y pipe into a stock 240 exhaust.Obviously they also had a cut out before the stock exhaust. Im sure with both cats it will be real quiet. If you want the woo whoo sound lol just turbo the ls1, but then you will be back to square 1 and not pass ref/smog.

there are C.A.R.B. legal turbo kits for the EL ES JUAN!

[GSXRJJordan]

Originally Posted by irax

there are C.A.R.B. legal turbo kits for the EL ES JUAN!

Yes, but they're CARB-legal for the chassis they were intended for, so you'd need to transplant them in with zero changes. It's tricky.

The bottom line is, v8's don't get messed with nearly as much. Cop pops your hood on the LS3 and sees that you passed the ref, that's the end of the conversation, even if you added headers, cam, etc. Maybe even a turbo or two lol.

[Pstl_pete]

I wish I could get you guys a video of how quiet my car is but its sitting in a warehouse thats covered with 10 feet of snow right now.

Once summer hits, I plan to shoot a video with the car to show how civil it really is. It's just slightly louder than a Corvette.

[georgegto]

Originally Posted by Pstl_pete

I wish I could get you guys a video of how quiet my car is but its sitting in a warehouse thats covered with 10 feet of snow right now.

Once summer hits, I plan to shoot a video with the car to show how civil it really is. It's just slightly louder than a Corvette.

Can u give a review of how is to drive it compare to a turbo 240sx?

[bmxer92508]

Sick, Legit build. gonna be helping a buddy put an ls2 in his s13, not the same finance situation tho but still should turn out sick. Good luck with the rest of your build!

[powahh]

Originally Posted by Pstl_pete

To answer some questions:

I drove the car over with a one-day permit. I wasnt expecting to take the car out of state hence why I went through all this and it's for a magazine story so I needed to see what the ref would say.

I can always change the lines up and have it retested, even if it were to fail. That's what I understand.

The ref was really cool, I dont blame him one bit for failing the car. He was doing his job, it's California's smog regulations that are beyond comprehension but Im not going to go into a whine fest about it.

This car is 99.8% Carb legal and it goes to show that you can buy this setup and drop it in as long as you do exactly as I did, using the same GM parts EXCEPT the adjustable FPR, then the car should pass.

For the record, this is the regulator you want to use: GM Filter / Regulator Fitting Kit
It's a late model Corvette and Camaro regulator.

If you do this swap you need go to a ref, theres no other way to register the car really. Why wait until you get caught. If you have everything done legally then it makes sense to go pass it and then drive around without hassle.

As for the KW coils. They will drop the wheels beyond the fender line so they will go low but Im not sure what your definition of low is since everyones is different. All I know is that they feel really comfortable and Im really glad I went with them. My old Tein Super Streets I had on the S14 rode WAY harsher than these.

What do you think will happen if I do the same thing, but since I dont have such a big budget, with LS1 or 2?
I just got a super clean shell(71K) and planning a swap, but since I live in NorCal, I'd like it to be legal.
This might be more of ref question thou, but I'd like some input.

[helladrifters]

amazing build man. You have some serious talent building vehicles I'm jealous

Your car is sick man, I wish I could build something up to those standards