Qld Transport

[Merv and Sharon]

My engineer Ray Cross tells me today that QT have agreed to a national set of dates and that all motors since 1999 are still compliant until 2009. Any more details on this? Seems a massive backflip?

Merv

[stephen low]

Sounds the same as the windsor time extension down here.

Or more correctly, the correct interpretation of the ADR words to indicate compliance until the end of 2008!

[400TT]

Yes, QT have had a massive backflip on emmissions.

We are now staying with 37/01, so the same emmissions we have been building under for last few years.

I haven't heard of an end date like 2009, QT themselves told me "for the foreseeable future".

Yes, it was quite unexpected.

[hsv300]

Great news for me gives me more time to finish the Cobra without rushing to meet Qld Transport guidlines.

[Merv and Sharon]

Soooo, the question also becomes should one use an LS1 engine or the LS2/L76? Is there a major price difference and is the LS2/76 worth the extra cash?

Merv

[alffie]

Holden have a great deal going on LS2 at the moment. You cant beat all new parts, the new engines cost more, it also depends on what you can get a LS1 for.

[sambo]

Merv, I'd say if you're buying the engine new then the L76 (or L98 from the VE) is around $3800 (sometimes cheaper) and it makes more power than the LS1, has the larger throttle body, better low down torque, etc. Under 4 grand for a new "long" motor with 12 months factory warranty is hard to beat. Can you even buy the LS1 new?

Then again if you're going for mechanical throttle you may need to change a few things such as TB, etc on the L76/L98... so it depends.

If dollars is the main concern I'd say you'll find heaps of LS1 engines on the 2nd hand market and you'll have plenty of change in your pocket over the new engines. Perhaps buy a clapped out LS1 and rebuild it?

Personally I think the LS2 is overkill, as for the small increase in power you are paying quite a premium. DoD is not really a selling point in a 1200kg car, also the heads don't flow as well as the L76/L98 heads.

After lots of reading, that's the conclusion I've come to. Let us know what you decide.

By the way, have you sorted out your engine mounts for the Harrison? I'm trying to work out where to get the RH mount which I believe is best sourced from the Corvette.

Regards,
Paul

[Rebel1]

Gawd, what a Bluddy PITA. Queensland Transport need screwing.

Earlier last year I contacted them to inquire when the Windsor would be history. On their advice that Dec 07 was it I invested in that aluminium hunk of L76.

Now....don't get me wrong, I don't mind the extra cubes over the Windsor but I had a perfectly good Windsor sitting in the shed together with a new WC T5 and a TK600 tremec etc to fit.

Regarding which of the LX series to fit....I suggest the L76 for the very reasons Sambo has mentioned. Lets face it, we would even put a better cam into an LS2 if that's what we fitted, so a new cam in the L76 is no extra expense for the L76 to arguably exceed the LS2 in performance because of the better heads.

Sambo see eagle for the engine mount you want. Thats where I got mine.

Eagle Auto Parts

[sambo]

Thanks Les. Am I asking for a RHS Corvette engine mount - which year? What did you fit to the other side (GM part number by any chance?) and I assume you had the lower parts made up out of flat bar along with some HT screws? Warwick has described it to me but if you have any photos I'd be most interested. Cheers.

[Rebel1]

Sambo, The L76 came to me with a mount on the left side.

I believe that mount is common to the Vette and Holden models. The difference is the RH mount where the vette is somewhat closer to the centerline of the engine. ie. It doesn't protrude as far to the side of the engine as does the Holden mount.

I'm not familiar with how the engine mounts in a harrison chassis but in the RMC the engine mounts on top of the inner chassis rail. In the CR's case the engine mounts between the inner chassis rails. ie. If you examine some pics in the galleries of CR owners you'll see the chassis engine mounts are welded inside the inner rails and below the top of the inner side rail. ie. The CR inner rails are a bit further apart than the RMC.

At this stage I have had new engine mounts (flat steel plate) welded to the inside of my inner rails level with the very top of the rails. This of course makes for a very high engine position when using the standard holden rubber donuts, so to compensate and get the engine lower I have had the alum engine mounts( both the one supplied with the engine and the Vette one) cut down some 50mm in height.

This has allowed an acceptable engine relationship with the diff pinion flange and still mount the alternator in the standard location at the lower left of the engine.

[sambo]

Just got the email Les, thanks a lot. Yes it's somewhat different to the Harrison/CR layout but now at least I know what I'm looking at with the two parts that make up the mount. I guess with the 50mm cut down alum mounts you now have a lower centre of gravity, for what it's worth.

The Harrison is different again, with two box section "arms" that protrude inwards from the rails and sit a few inches lower. Might talk to some owners down here to see how they went about things.

Thanks again for the photos.

Paul

[Rebel1]

Originally Posted by sambo

I guess with the 50mm cut down alum mounts you now have a lower centre of gravity, for what it's worth.

Thanks again for the photos.

Paul

Dunno if that's right Paul, If your engine sits between the rails and lower than the top of the rails then there is no need to cut the alloy mounts.

The only reason for cutting was because my engine sits level with the top of the inner chassis rail.

Cheers

[macloft]

So Rebel it seems like having that "aluminium hunk" L76 is bugging you. Why not sell it to Merv and put your lovely light cast iron weapon back in. Seems then both of you would be happy.
Bruce

[Rebel1]

Nuh...can't Bruce, some bugga cut the ford mounts off my chassis and welded mounts on for the L76, and I ain't cuttin them off.

Besides, where else in Aussie land will you find an L76 with a TK600 FORD tremec 5 speed in a cobra.

All the other fellas have done it the easy way and used the T56.

[macloft]

I hear Merv is clever. He can get somone to fix your mounts and I know that motor gearbox combo will go great in his car.
I actually think you like the L76 better than the Windsor but just dont want to admit it. Come on Rebel fes up.

[Rebel1]

Nope Bruce, It's bluddy Qld.Transport who I'm cranky at....not the L76.

Given that I was a dyed in the wool ford freak, and having been told the Windsors were out, I then looked seriously at the 4.6 and 5.4 ford monstors.

Following a $hitload of measuring and re-measuring to see if the monstors would fit, I was forced.....note I said forced.....to invest in that lump of aluminium. Seems now unnecessarily so.

Now, having been forced to invest in this lump, I then had to go on a crash course of findin out all about the lump of alloy.

Now the lump didn't cost all that much.....prolly about my average annual cost of purchasing the amber fluid, but it was all that learning that I can't throw away.

What would I do with all that new found knowledge if I was to dispose of the alloy lump?.

[Cameron Parsons]

Les,

go the Labotomy, useless knowledge removed, and permanent smile affixed

Cameron

[Rebel1]

Shush Cameron.

I don't feel pressured at all......I've covered my bases. I've got a chev engine, a holden rack, ford gearbox, jag diff., and mitsubishi steering.

[Cameron Parsons]

No worries Les, I'll send you a Chinese Good Luck charm to put in the engine bay

Cameron

[Rebel1]

Dunno bout the engine bay Cameron but a Chinese charm would be appreciated.

Don't think you'd be able to find a blonde one where you're at tho.