MikeSr.'s 242 V-8 project

[D123GT]

Originally Posted by BricketyWagon

L33's are animals they share so much with the ls more than the reg 5.3's.. I remember i dynoed my truck back in the day 278whp and 302rwtq and they are also very rev happy have fun.

And they love to be boosted.

[MikeSr.]

I've been talking to some local guys about these motors and they are saying 70-80 hp upgrade is super easy, and still streetable.

[MikeJr.]

We got the engine bay ready. The motor and trans were already out of it when we got it so that made things a little easier. Also pulled the seats, shifter, and front carpet.

[nathaninwa]

Moving right along, at my pace I might add!

[MikeSr.]

Hopefully pick up the transmission this week So we can fit it and Jr. can build the mounts.

[MikeJr.]

Uh oh! LH6!

[MikeSr.]

Yeah , after some research, it is definitely a LH6, which means I have to pull the heads and change the lifters and the oil pump. This is a Gen IV motor which has DOD or AFM which is to be deleted.
Ain't nothin but a thing.

[M.H. Yount]

Does that have to do with cylinder deactivation Mike? Don't know all about my Lxx engines yet....

[MikeSr.]

Originally Posted by M.H. Yount

Does that have to do with cylinder deactivation Mike? Don't know all about my Lxx engines yet....

Yep- DOD is a fuel conservation strategy that under light load cruise will use a hydraulic system to deactivate 4 intake valves while electronically shutting off fuel and ignition, turning it into a 4 cylinder.
So, my options are to get the correct harness and ECM and run it like it is, remove the lifters, valley cover and oil pump and exchange for non-DOD parts, or remove and go Megasquirt. This is problematic because I am not sure if MS can decode a 58 tooth crank trigger wheel, which is what I have. Need moar info.

[MikeSr.]

So after further discussions with my LS GM guy, all I need to do is change the valley cover to an Ls 1 and delete DOD in the ECM.

[DNAsEqUeNcE]

I think it would be a nice feature to have personally.

[D123GT]

If you could figure out how to do it that would be very cool and very practical you would have a v-8 powered car that gets almost 30mpg.

[M.H. Yount]

You don't need cylinder deactivation for a V8 powered 242 to get almost 30 mpg.....mine regularly gets 27-27.5 under sustained cruise; best 1/2 tank of 29.2! Hackster's cast iron 5.3L w/T56 got 28+ on it's first extended cruise.

[MikeSr.]

Well it depends on what I am able to run across in the way of harnesses and computers. I originally thought about MS, but I have a MS 2, and the most recent waves of problems with resets and noise have given me second thoughts. MS 3 looks promising for full sequential spark and ignition, but additional cost begins to exceed the cost of GM ECM.

[MikeJr.]

Well we found a T56 so it looks like that's the route we'll be going instead of a 700R4. We got the motor in today and man does this look like it's going to be a bitch. The T56 no where near fits the tunnel and the cross member will most definitely need to be cut. I'm going to copy hacksters build as close as I can as far as tunnel and crossmember mods. Of course it's always a lot harder after you've gotten a few beers in you.

[740atl]

Originally Posted by MikeJr.

Well we found a T56 so it looks like that's the route we'll be going instead of a 700R4. We got the motor in today and man does this look like it's going to be a bitch. The T56 no where near fits the tunnel and the cross member will most definitely need to be cut. I'm going to copy hacksters build as close as I can as far as tunnel and crossmember mods. Of course it's always a lot harder after you've gotten a few beers in you.

lol. Beer tastes best in your garage.

[M.H. Yount]

Yup - I've about decided that when the time comes I'm going with a built T5 or a TKO -- avoid the extra weight, size and inefficiency of the T56. With all that torque, I won't need 6 gears anyhow.

[Karl Buchka]

A stick should be much more fun. Definitely looking forward to seeing this come together!

[MikeSr.]

A nice day's work.

Yes, that's an iron block 5.3 we picked up as a package deal with the T56.Soon to be for sale.

First try at fitment of the aluminum block 5.3

Shiny!
Now Jr. goes to work with surgery on the crossmember and tunnel and to build the mounts.Nice to be related to a craftsman.
Got a new clutch kit, with hydraulic slave cylinder. Now pedals, clutch master,lines etc.
Getting there!

[MikeSr.]

Originally Posted by 740atl

lol. Beer tastes best in your garage.

Yeah, your big butt needs to be down here with us!

[hackster]

Time for some chop chop on the engine crossmember.

I was able to use the stock crossmember just moved back two holes on the chassis and it all lined up nicely.

Oh and I believe that I mention in my build just how enormous this transmission is....nobody really believed me but I bet you will in a few short days.

Ill be keeping an eye on this. Looks good so far.

Sean

[M.H. Yount]

Oh - he already believes you Sean....

"We got the motor in today and man does this look like it's going to be a bitch. The T56 no where near fits the tunnel and the cross member will most definitely need to be cut."

[740atl]

I'm so jealous. Can't wait to see how you guys shoehorn that in there... there may be a v8 in my future.

[MikeJr.]

Originally Posted by 740atl

Can't wait to see how you guys shoehorn that in there.

Hell, I can't wait to see how we shoe horn that in there.

[mondo]

Please post pics so we can see what kind of drama it takes to stuff those gears in there.