LS4 + Classic Mini?
06-11-2012, 03:46 PM
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LS4 + Classic Mini? I've been doing some searching and have seen vtec mini swaps, motorcycle mini swaps and V6 mini swaps. I've got the mini and I've got a professional welder to help. The main objective will be to put a V8 LS4 motor in the rear of the mini. Cut out all the rear panels and produce a subframe/roll cage to lay the mini on. I'm thinking a 5.3lt motor can't be that much bigger than a 3.2lt V6. i know it's a large amount of displacement more, but i think it's possibly. This is where someone could help me to find the dimensions of the LS4. The radiator would go up front along with other items. Also the weight of a 5.3 LS4 would help. I'll post a couple of ideas in the future.
06-11-2012, 05:55 PM
#3
Dry weight is 478 for the engine w/ no PS or wiring.
Wet weight for the LS4 trans is 214
http://www.gmtuners.com/LS4/index.htm
Wet weight for the LS4 trans is 214
http://www.gmtuners.com/LS4/index.htm
06-11-2012, 06:11 PM
#4
Saw pictures of one done some years ago. He backhalved it for a solid rear axle too. The driveshaft was barely a foot long including the U joints.
first class build if I remember correctly.
first class build if I remember correctly.
Can't wait to see the progress.
06-11-2012, 09:31 PM
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I know this is LS1tech but why not put a SC 3800 in the back? Smaller in size and you can make 350WHP+ with a supercharged setup or more with a turbo setup. People have swapped 3.8's into feiros with good results. Just another idea.
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06-12-2012, 09:50 AM
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Thanks guys yea I might have to visit the fiero forum. I saw some ls4 swaps on YouTube. Wow didnt the ls4 weight that much but I guess it's to be expected with a 5.3 motor and all. 3.8 sounds great but I have not explored that option as of now. I'll keep it updated. Might just go the easy way out and put a busa motor in it.
06-12-2012, 11:30 AM
#9
Cool idea! Ls4 is same size as every other LS engine, but it would be easier to get an ls4 drop out since it has all the correct accessories to sit sideways...if I was you I would look to buy a wrecked (in rear) ls4 vehicle so you can use EVERYTHING bc getting it piece by piece will cost way more time and money than the large initial investment of wrecked vehicle...good luck man it would be cool! And fast bc what's a mini weigh like 500 lbs lol...
06-12-2012, 04:13 PM
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An ls4 motor is only about 1500 from what I've seen. I think that's with a transmission too. So if I could find a wreck ls4 car for 3 grand or lower I would definitely invest in it. Wiring harnes, ECU, fuel stuff etc would help make things a lot easier
06-13-2012, 03:01 PM
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Been looking at the fiero forums and it looks like it should fit, but then again I have not been able to find any measurements. Also Ive seen manual transmissions such as the f40 trans, which I am not at all familiar with. I am interested in getting a manual though! This weekend I'm going to get some measurements from the mini and see what I'm working with. Any help in figuring out the diameters of an ls4 with trans or with a f40 trans would be very helpful.
06-13-2012, 08:45 PM
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No info on the LS4 but a 3800 will bolt to a getrag fwd trans. Why not just use a hayabusa motor and turbo that? Those make huge power and with the ability to rev to the moon it would be an awesome ride.
06-14-2012, 12:48 AM
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If you swap in an LS4/4T65 combo, you'd better budget $3000 or so get the trans rebuilt the right way, or you'll be pulling it out for a rebuild anyway.
Also, you won't just be able to bolt an F40 trans to it...At least not without a bunch of additional modification. The LS4 starter is mounted to the trans, so anything other than the LS4-specific 4T65 will require machine work to the case. Even worse, the LS4 block does not have starter mounting provisions, so you can't use a conventional starter setup either.
A better option, if you're hell-bent on an LS motor, is to find a truck 5.3 or something like that and bolt it to the trans of your choice. If width is a concern, you could always use the LS4 crankshaft (13 MM shorter than a normal LSx crank) and accessory drive with some modification and bolt that in.
This second option is probably the most desirable because the LS4 is actually the weakest of the later 5.3s, mostly because of it's super-restrictive intake manifold, which is not easily swapped.
Having swapped an SBC into a Fiero about 12 years ago, I can tell you that no swap goes as planned but will go over budget, so anything you can do in the design stage to eliminate complexity and cost will make your life easier.
Also, you won't just be able to bolt an F40 trans to it...At least not without a bunch of additional modification. The LS4 starter is mounted to the trans, so anything other than the LS4-specific 4T65 will require machine work to the case. Even worse, the LS4 block does not have starter mounting provisions, so you can't use a conventional starter setup either.
A better option, if you're hell-bent on an LS motor, is to find a truck 5.3 or something like that and bolt it to the trans of your choice. If width is a concern, you could always use the LS4 crankshaft (13 MM shorter than a normal LSx crank) and accessory drive with some modification and bolt that in.
This second option is probably the most desirable because the LS4 is actually the weakest of the later 5.3s, mostly because of it's super-restrictive intake manifold, which is not easily swapped.
Having swapped an SBC into a Fiero about 12 years ago, I can tell you that no swap goes as planned but will go over budget, so anything you can do in the design stage to eliminate complexity and cost will make your life easier.
06-14-2012, 09:16 AM
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Thanks for the info. Buick hayabusa motors do make a lot of power but it takes well over 5 grand to modify/ turbo one. That's the only reason I'm looking into other options. A motorcycle engine would be the easiest to install.
08-27-2012, 03:09 AM
#18
Nothing to it.Just drop out the front subframe and everything attached to it,engine trans,suspension from the donor of your choice,remove the rack and put in fixed rods and fab the rest of your silly little car around it.That's how GM created the joke of that POS Fiero,if those guys can do it ,anybody can!
08-27-2012, 02:14 PM
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