LS1 Conversion into VK Calais

[MPD346]

Hi all, first post here and may i say great forum. I am about to undertake a LS1 auto into VK Calais conversion, has anyone here done a similar conversion and if so do you have any advice for me.

My plan the engineer and i have worked out so far is:

*VT-Y ls1 with auto
*Brakes and master cylinder from donor car
*Starter motor will be left in original position and i have it arranged to use a VY rack moved to make room(in a way that will not create bump steer) and custom made extractors to suit
*Tuff mounts engine mounts
* If needed notched and braced K frame
*Modded wiring Harness to be spliced into Vk(will get drawings and look at with electrician)

My Main concerns(That i have to research, or hopefully get help with here):

*Making The speedo work
*Fuel system(pretty sure later model tank for primer pump then say a bosch with regulator as the LS1 has no return from the fuel rails)
*Cooling System(not sure how the alloy block\gearbox will react to the original radiator)

That's all i can think of know, i will go out tomorrow and buy a workshop manual to answer some of my questions.

Any help will be welcomed and appreciated

Cheers Mark

[ls1 VN]

Also required: deep pocket! goodluck.

[185iboy]

Can cost anywhere from 10k-20k depending how much you can do thats including the engine and box. It's not that hard you can use the standard K-frame just get engine mounts I believe the ProFlow ones are good also the Tuff mounts.

I don't think theres a need for VY P/S. I've heard of some people moving/tiliting the VK one to the drivers side abit more and it allows you to run the starter in the stock position and have a bit of space for pipes.

Castle Hill Exhaust can do the loom and wiring mods.

I'd be changing the radiator to a PWR or Dessert Coolers or something with EL Thermos

[1BEAST2NV]

As for the speedo, I pretty sure there's a speedo box you can buy, that goes from your original dash to the this box, then from the box to the gearbox speedo. (if that makes any sence)

[pah]

How will you paint and trim the car?

I would not mind doing a VK Blue Meanie replica.

One good thing about pre VN Commodores - they're nice and light. Extra power will probabky result in extra tyre smoke?


PAH

[JT]

As for the speedo, I pretty sure there's a speedo box you can buy, that goes from your original dash to the this box, then from the box to the gearbox speedo. (if that makes any sence)

not too sure the speedo box will work, vk calais have a digital dash

[MPD346]

Thanks for the replies guys.



Can cost anywhere from 10k-20k depending how much you can do thats including the engine and box. It's not that hard you can use the standard K-frame just get engine mounts I believe the ProFlow ones are good also the Tuff mounts.

I don't think theres a need for VY P/S. I've heard of some people moving/tiliting the VK one to the drivers side abit more and it allows you to run the starter in the stock position and have a bit of space for pipes.

Castle Hill Exhaust can do the loom and wiring mods.

I'd be changing the radiator to a PWR or Dessert Coolers or something with EL Thermos

The VY one is what the guy doing the work requested so ill stick with that, i have a electrician that is going to look at the harness for me and im expecting it to heat up but will be putting au thermos on it straight away so if it does heat up ill upgrade the radiator if needed.

ls1 VN Check.

1BEAST2NV Do you know who sells the box?

pah I want to keep the paint and trim stock and as sleeperish as i can, i had a vk with group 3 kit before and im too old for all the kits and rims also the tyre smoke :)

[MPD346]

not too sure the speedo box will work, vk calais have a digital dash

As far as i know they still run the speedo cable but will check tomorrow.

[Bingo BIlly]

Hi i know someone who has vx ls1 into vk, he used 6spd man and kept the stock vk diff, so gearing is a bit off but it still goes hard and sounds tough with custom exhaust.

Any particular questions i can probably put you in touch with him.

[MPD346]

Hi i know someone who has vx ls1 into vk, he used 6spd man and kept the stock vk diff, so gearing is a bit off but it still goes hard and sounds tough with custom exhaust.

Any particular questions i can probably put you in touch with him.

Has he got a calais? if so i have speedo questions.

From what i can see the speedo cable runs into a box in the engine bay that controls the cruise. the box then only has a vacume hose and wiring going to the dash. So if thats the case i have to find out if the signals are the same or if i can convert them.

[theVman]

The VK Calais runs a cable to a box where is converts the signal to electrical - I am pretty sure this is refered to as the transducer or something like that. You may be able to modify the transducer to adjust to the ls1 signal or perhaps the signal will work with the dash - I highly doubt it.

Most people converting efi 5L run the VL onwards power steer rack as it is not as bulky. I guess the VY one might work - as with the VL onwards you may also have to update to the later model k frame which accepts the slimmer rack. VL intermediate shafts are then used to connect to the VK column. I use a VN K frame in mine - however I have an old school VS 5L lol.

LS series is certainly the way to go - I will be doing that next time. Lots of guys are now doing them so there is a lot of information floating around. A few have also developed some very good mounting kits to suit the VS and back k frames.

Have a lot at Road_Warriors thread on the SC forum while he is converting into a VS he has done a huge amount of work. He has developed a good set of mounts and is working on producing quality headers also. CAE kits are very average if you have not already heard.

Edit - Mal Wood or Dellow I beleive offer conversion boxs to get the speedo working in standard VK's. They may also have something to suit the Calais. I am looking at updating to digitial guages in mine when the cash allows and for now am using the tacho to monitor speed etc.

[MPD346]

The VK Calais runs a cable to a box where is converts the signal to electrical - I am pretty sure this is refered to as the transducer or something like that. You may be able to modify the transducer to adjust to the ls1 signal or perhaps the signal will work with the dash - I highly doubt it.

Most people converting efi 5L run the VL onwards power steer rack as it is not as bulky. I guess the VY one might work - as with the VL onwards you may also have to update to the later model k frame which accepts the slimmer rack. VL intermediate shafts are then used to connect to the VK column. I use a VN K frame in mine - however I have an old school VS 5L lol.

LS series is certainly the way to go - I will be doing that next time. Lots of guys are now doing them so there is a lot of information floating around. A few have also developed some very good mounting kits to suit the VS and back k frames.

Have a lot at Road_Warriors thread on the SC forum while he is converting into a VS he has done a huge amount of work. He has developed a good set of mounts and is working on producing quality headers also. CAE kits are very average if you have not already heard.

Edit - Mal Wood or Dellow I beleive offer conversion boxs to get the speedo working in standard VK's. They may also have something to suit the Calais. I am looking at updating to digitial guages in mine when the cash allows and for now am using the tacho to monitor speed etc.

Sweet man will look at that thread in SC, I might see if holden can help me out with the electronic signal.

[MPD346]

I talked to holden and the guy was very helpful. The VK transducer(i think its called that) puts out a hall effect signal and the VT-Y auto box puts out a inductive signal. He also put me onto Marks 4wd & adaptors which sell a dual program ratio box. So hopefully that part is sorted.

[MPD346]

Hi i know someone who has vx ls1 into vk, he used 6spd man and kept the stock vk diff, so gearing is a bit off but it still goes hard and sounds tough with custom exhaust.

Any particular questions i can probably put you in touch with him.

I have fuel system questions, can you ask him what he is running please or see if i can contact him.

Cheers

[vsute1998]

Hey mate for my fuel system i upgraded to a walbro intank pump it comes out of the tank then into a t piece one line goes to the engine bay then the other side goes to a adjustable fuel pressure regulator then the other side of it goes to the return line of the tank im sure thats how it works this is in a vs ute jesse

[johnv]

The VKs don't have an in tank fuel pump,...


I'm doing an LS1 VK as well and will be using a VN tank (just bolts in) and either replacing the factory VN pump with a Walbro and using an external regulator


or using the VN pump to feed a surge tank and run a Bosche 044 pump and external reg.

I am using a VN v6 crossmember and steering rack, requires a VL steering link to mate up to the columb (all just bolts in)


gives quite a bit more room on the drivers side for headers.


and a locally made starter relocation kit, which is bolt on, no sandwitch plate and engine mount plates that utilize VN V6 rubber mounts.


Motor and box are in place an sit great, no clearance issues with crossmember or tunnel.


Will probably use a converter box for the speedo and keep all the gauges factory.


gonna run a VK V8 radiator and fan and will need to have a driveshaft made to suit.


Will either be making custom headers to suit or turbo manifold (undecided)

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/271/dscf01131.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/dscf01131.jpg/)

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http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5691/dscf01231.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/i/dscf01231.jpg/)

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[MPD346]

and a locally made starter relocation kit, which is bolt on, no sandwitch plate and engine mount plates that utilize VN V6 rubber mounts.





Can you give me more details on the starter relocation kit. Thanks

[johnv]

Not sure why pic hasn't come up...

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/271/dscf01131.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/dscf01131.jpg/)

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Starter is made up of a toyota starter with a different drive fitted to obtain the correct direction of rotation.
The mounting bracket bolts to two unused engine mount bolts and one sump bolt. you just need to make a small cutout in the bellhousing for the starter drive to clear.

[johnv]

Build thread with pic's here -

http://www.********************/showthread.php?t=219451

[MPD346]

Not sure why pic hasn't come up...



Starter is made up of a toyota starter with a different drive fitted to obtain the correct direction of rotation.
The mounting bracket bolts to two unused engine mount bolts and one sump bolt. you just need to make a small cutout in the bellhousing for the starter drive to clear.

Any idea if these are for sale?

[johnv]

Any idea if these are for sale?

Yes they are,

Belair Auto dismantlers over here in NZ make the kit .

[HSVSIG]

ive done it, you will be looking at around 8-10k if you do the work yourself, what im interested in knowing is how your doing your steering with a vy rack? and bump steer, hpw does that work? lol

[MPD346]

i ditched that idea and went pacemaker conversion with a vn k frame and rack