Evening all...

Before we get too far in, let me just say right now that I'm in the UK.

Therefore, this makes things difficult, as LS engines are really not common over here.

As it happens, some dude 3 miles down the road from me had a BMW E36 with an LS1 swap in it up for grabs.

I've since put a deposit down and started researching.

I've decided that when the time is right, I'd like to stick an uprated cam in it, and upgrade the intake manifold for an LS6 version.

Before we get to that, there are some nuances with the engine I'd like to get out in the open...

Here's the car.



LS1, present and intact.





The more eagle-eyed among you should have spotted the biggest idiosyncrasy straight away...





Someone, at some point, has changed the coil packs for a distributor/HT lead setup. Any ideas?! It's running standalone management- a Link G4+ Storm- and I've not had a chance to look underneath the plastic engine covers yet. This seems like a retrograde step to me.

Secondly... cams. I have had a read of the cam guide, and the general advice seems to be: 'go and try out a few'. Well, here's the thing. While LS engines may be dirt-common over in the US, over here, they're something of a rarity. As a result, I will need recommendations! I'm a big fan of high-end power. The car is to be primarily used on track- we have lots of twisty tracks in England- and I'd like it to really build to the top end. I am aware that I'll have to upgrade the valvetrain, but I don't feel the need to go too nuts- I'm after about 380whp, a 6,600rpm redline, and I'd like a relatively lumpy idle.

Last but not least, an intake manifold to go with it would be ideal- I was thinking LS6, simply for ease of purchase. I do like the look of some others, that being said. Again, answers on a postcard.

Thanks in advance, any links to stickies, etc appreciated. I have read the cam guide, but as said, I really can't find many people who've got an LS lump over here, let alone modified ones!

 

Hi,
There is a UK facebook page - chevy LS1 owners and parts trader. This site won't let me upload the link for some reason.


There are more folk than you think in the UK with LS motors in their cars. I have one in my Morris Minor.

Pete

 

It looks like he just relocated the coils. As opposed to sitting on the valve covers they are in the front. Also, as for cam selection, there are a lot of good reps on this site like cam motion that will point you in the right direction. Asking members you will only get a thousand different answers.

 

Those coils look very similar to what ford ran on the 4.6L motors back in the 90's.

 

Thank you! I'll go have a look! I know of exactly 1 person who's within a 50 mile radius of me with an LS engine, but I am keen to get to know more!

OK, thanks. I'll check it out when I get the engine covers off. See what the deal is. I really do hope it's not been coverted to distributor, it seems an odd choice.

As far as a cam goes, I'm always keen to hear people's input. I actually design and make cams for my other love (BMW straight sixes).

Thanks, I'll start having a poke around...

Genuinely stoked about getting the car. It's not my first V8, but it's certainly my first LS1, and it appears to be mostly bone stock. I'd like to change that.

 

There is not a distributor in that motor, so no worries.

 

Congrats on the purchase sir! We offer an assortment of camshafts and intakes that would work extremely well with your application. We are located here in the states but ship internationally on a daily basis. Our Vindicator is our most popular camshaft when it comes to max effort LS1 applications. Most of its power will be in the 2800-7000 RPM range.

As far as intakes are concerned, you can certainly go the LS6 route for more of a budget friendly set up. We also offer FAST 92mm intake and throttle body that work EXTREMELY well with the LS1's and have seen 10-15 over stock. With an aggressive heads/cam set up you can see upwards of 30rwhp.

Feel free to reach out to sale@Vengeanceracing.net if you have any questions or if we could assist further!

 

Yeah those aren't just relocated coils, those are ford coils from early 4.6 mod motors.

There will be a ton of advice on which cam to go with, and like said above members will give you a thousand different responses. Vengence is a top notch outfit and will guide you in the right direction. I would recommend giving them a call.

If you are on a budget the LS6 intake is a decent intake but it is getting pretty pricey. If you are on a serious budget you should look at using a truck intake, they are nearly free and make good power over the LS1 intake, but I doubt it will fit under your hood so you would need to cut a hole or put some sort of scoop on it.

If I were purchasing that car I would look into putting a stock wiring harness and computer on it with the stock coils unless what you have there works well enough. I only say that for simplicity, it could create a diagnostic nightmare if the wiring is all cut up and adapted...like it is there with the ford coils, and I also noticed there is no electrical connector on the idle air control valve.

 

If you want to try a drivable cam with high-end power for a cheap price, I recommand the LS9 cam..