Hello from another (almost) newbie

[gjkrv8]

Yes, it will be the new chassis with VE rear end. I wont be prepping it for painting or getting it painted til after rego. I might go with Ian's painter, but I am in VIC and he is in NSW. I'll speak to the VIC boys about VIC painters.

Engine-wise I have chosen LS1 GEN III as Ian's chassis is geared for that engine gearbox combo.

I am going for a wreck/conversion as then I get all of the "accessories". Also in Vic they seem to be pretty fussy about where the engine has come from.

I just spoke to the ebay guy mentioned by 400TT, he's got the whole lot including BCM, and its only done 57000Ks. The other ones I have looked at are >150Ks for not much less. He'll also give me a warranty (only 3 months but better than nothing on my other option which was more K's and no warranty).

[stephen low]

Well even if you have to dummy up the wreck, at least you might be able to test run the engine to see what it does!

Shame it's an alloy boat anchor though!!

[Aussie Mike]

Bernie at Enklemans engineered mine. He's excellent and made the whole process stress free.

You can register the car in a pretty basic form. I got mine through with no windscreen or wipers, heater, bumpers, carpet, paint etc.

The pics below are as it looked when I drove it home after rego. I hadn't bolted the front plate on yet.







Cheers

[gjkrv8]

Slowy - Yes I was thinking while I wait for the chassis body I can at least mock up my wiring etc and test run the engine and make sure I can sort out any ECU/BCM issues. They are the bit that worries me most. I have an electronic/comms background so I am hoping that helps.

Mike, like your "windscreen". I'll probably get a real one but not the wings yet. I am going to see Ian @classic next week for a final meeting prior to ordering, I want to see if he can run his templates over the body for the windscreen and wiper/washer so I dont make holes in the wrong spot. Mike I am going to need to mod my gear lever, i read somewhere in posts you may do this? I can get a kit from Ian but it looks pretty pricey.

[stephen low]

If you have the correct wiring diagram, then with your background you should have no issues wiring it to start properly.

My sparky though experienced, did indicate that he hadn't rewired an AU XR8 computer and in fact we were stripping out a lot of redundant wiring at the same time but he did have a trade sourced wiring book.

My car didn't start first time because the ECU flash was a dud. I had a link to a Ford engineer and he eliminated the security on my standard computer but the intital program flash didn't work. The second did and without any wiring changes the car fired into life. The most agonising and frustrating two weeks of the build!!

Where are you in Melbourne?

Cheers

Steve

[stephen low]

Mine was in a similiar state to Mike's, no carpet or door trims but the bits needed to make the compliant and niceties work. Though I had the sceen in and wipers, as I do remember Bernie being a bit iffy appearing without any screen. The wipers are probably the hardest item so if you can do a Mike wind screen it will save some time.



I also had a heater insitu but no air to the screen but that's ok without a roof.

Keep on planning but talk to Bernie to get the program on the go.

Cheers

[gjkrv8]

thanks for the tips on the wiring ECU/BCM etc Steve, makes me feel a little more comfortable. Although I wont relax until it fires up.

I am in the Croydon Hills area Melbourne eastern suburbs.

Rgds

Gregg

[sambo]

G'day Gregg. Nice to see another Melbournian taking the plunge!

Just for comparison, I've been pricing the GM drive train option (all new) for about 6 months while I save the money. My current budget for the whole shooting match stands at 10.5k and that covers almost everything required to get it started, minus tailshaft and cooling system.

I considered the second hand or LS1 option which weighs in at about half that, but another 5k gives me the latest powertrain with factory warranty and it's sure to add to the value of the car in the long run.

The figure I mentioned includes edited ECU, accessories and belts, MAF, O2 sensors, flywheel/plate/clutch, T56, master, shifter, crossmember, modified looms and pedals - all new from a Holden dealer and/or modified by someone in the know. Holden discount heavily if you buy the lot at once. I've got all the quotes in writing so send me a PM if you'd like some phone numbers.

Good luck with the decision and the build. It won't be long before GM powered Victorian cars are dominating the Cobra nationals.

[gjkrv8]

Thanks Sambo.

You're about 1 hour past the time I laid down a deposit.

I had to go with the VY Series II SS 2004 option as it was about to get snapped up.

Got the lot for 6.5K, Engine with all accessories, incl ECU and BCM plus gearbox, all exhaust (I might be able to re-use some of the back bits after the Cats for rego), clutch cyl and accell pedal and cable and free shipping to Melb. And 3 month warr. Not bad maybe with more time I could have done better.

No dramas, the engine's only done 50K. Run in for me. :-)

Rgds

Gregg

[400TT]

Congrats Gregg, glad it worked out.

[sambo]

Sounds like a good deal to me Gregg. You won't need the BCM and probably plenty of other little parts so they can be auctioned off to pay for other things. Welcome to the GM Brigade.

If you're looking for a neat alloy fuel tank, I can put you in touch with Sean Mullins who did mine - check my gallery - he's down your way off Canterbury Rd.

Paul

[gjkrv8]

Hey Craig thanks for the tip on that ebay engine today.

I have been watching eBay for while with no real good ones.

Timing is everything.

I wish I had of introduced myself to this forum sooner, would have sped things up a bit.

Just didnt want to be too green when entering the forum.

Rgds

Gregg

[Aussie Mike]

Welcome to the Dark Side Gregg.

"The force is strong with this one."




Cheers

[400TT]

Nothing wrong with being green. We've all been in that position at some stage ourselves.

So any other newcomers, don't hesitate to post questions or ask for advice, because there are no stupid questions.

[Plums]

There are no stupid questions...... only stupid answers and stupid people