For future builds I usually heat up a cup of water, 180-200f, toss the input seals in for 10 seconds or so and then slip them on. I had the exact same issues you had on the first Ferrari 348 input shaft I did.

For a car that came with an OHC V engine it certainly lacks room in the engine bay.

 

I'm about tempted to pull the rear seal and see if it drops down any further. I greased the hell out of it with assembly lube and a splash of transmission fluid for extra measures haha.

 

Well after my whole mishap on the trans came to find out the center support bushing wasn't pressed all the why in, but this is where I am at with the trans build just waiting on usps to bring me the rest of the parts (going on a week late now).
About 85% finished with the transmission. Main parts are input shaft/overdrive section, pump and then valve body. Enjoy the small pic dump I'll have more when I make more progress. Also got the summit sfi flexplate on.



Electrical tape is to keep the orings from expanding

 

Had some free time tonight worked on the band servos and valve body while I'm waiting on the input shaft teflon seals to shrink down. Hopefully tomorrow the input shaft and pump will go in.

 

Welp Sunday was uneventful the front pump bushing wasn't the correct size so I ordered another one (went sonnex wide) should have that by Wednesday. I'm guessing I pressed the wrong one in or it messed up while I was pressing it in (split bearing type). So I brought my manifolds to work to get them welded. This weekend I should have the engine and trans in the car (&#129310 and start messing with the manifolds and turbo placement.

 

freaking genius!

 

Well I didn't pay close enough attention to rockauto when I was ordering but I ordered a front pump bushing instead of a stator support bushing.... oh well I'll save it for the next one I build. I'll go over the car today and find something to do while I wait on the correct bushing to come in.

 

Got the valve body on tonight not much I can do while waiting on the pump bushing. Really need the engine and trans in to do any mocking up with anything.

Also I realized I took this after swapping the rear lube tube hold down so rest assure its in the right spot lol.

 

I've been slacking on updates here goes the new sonnax wide stator bushing pressed in.

 

It's been a busy month for me at work and life but here goes and update. Got the transmission finished and mounted to the engine. I was fighting some bushing clearance issues in the transmission but thanks to ls1tech I got I figured out.


Now on to the manifolds, I had 2.5" v bands welded on them.
The plan is to go 2.5" to 2.25" then a 3" down pipe. All the exhaust piping is on order from summit (super fast shipping). Here goes the manifolds test fitted.



Only issue is the driver side manifold rubbing the back of the ict billet alternator bracket. I'll probably do some slight trimming of it because I would like to run this mount for better stability. I see lots of heat wrap and tape in this build haha.

 

Here goes some better pictures of the transmission mount setup. Might have to figure out something stiffer for engine mounts. I'm using the OE ls400 mounts but looks like it is sagging alittle to the back.... or could be I wasn't looking eye level. The transmission pan clearance looks good to me, might have to raise the coilovers up a bit due to south Carolina roads are horrible.

 

Summit came through with a quick delivery and as usual I put it off till the weekend haha. Here goes the mock up so far its a 2.5" v band to a 2.25" crossover. Driver side looks like it's going to be tight but will work. Might have to make another support bracket for the rear of the alternator.



On the driver side I'll have to do a U bend or a 45 straight off the v band.

 

Apologies for the lack of updates but my daily driver got totaled so I've been scrambling to find a replacement. Decided to just use my trash hauling truck for now. Ok on to the update I found a better fitting radiator for the project a griffin 1-55241-xs.

Beefy 1 1/4" tubes



Mounting tabs I'm going to use

Plenty of room for fans, plan on using a 00 camaro oe fan setup

And the trash hauling truck after a few upgrades to make more comfortable to drive daily good ole 2.3 lima.

 

Looking good, keep up the good work. Are you still planning for a turbo?

 

thanks yeah the plan is to go turbo it will be alot easier to run the exhaust out the back then. just have to find the room up front for the crossover section and turbo placement.

 

Also just looking at your pictures again. You may want to just modify those manifolds to have a different exit that points more straight forward. I know you already welded on the V-Bands, but it might save you a lot of effort and piping complexities to just modify them now. I think a lot of guys end up just using a 2.5" schedule 40 pipe since it matches pretty closely to the thickness of the manifolds.

 

Thanks you have any references pictures? I've tried searching for some ideas but all i found was kinda the same direction i was going. the passenger side one is going to be a pain haha. Still haven't decide if i going to run it equal length or not. I can use all the help i can get this is mt first dive into the LS world.

 

Have you looked if anything made by Fahler might work for you?

Andrew

 

thanks Andrew I've checked them out before but everything on the site is sold out.

 

He is a small guy. I think he takes ordered and then makes batches.