[alien]

Jack Apgar was the last good engineer... He would have been crazy enough to consult on something like this i reckon.

[Rockman500]

Ok thanks mate obviously he not around anymore? I will c what happened I no it prob won't I'm not doing any chassis mode eg welding or drilling only on diffs and prob gearbox tunnel no lift kit maybe a body one so I don't have to put lump in bonnet the triton stuff is amazingly similar even the gearbox mount will need minimal mod same with engine mounts

[Gwagensteve]

Weight and power willl kill the project before chassis welding. Chassis welding etc is no issue for engineering.

[Mullett86]

Great project!

I've done a UZ conversion (in an MA61 celica supra) and built a lotus 7ish from the ground up (chassis fabrication included)

Both of these were/are fully engineered and legal in WA...

However...there's a weight/power calc for permissible engine size, a quick google will find it. I'm pretty sure a Vitara is too light for a UZ.

If you've got any questions about engineering/certification, I'll help where I can...

[Rockman500]

Thanks mullet much apretiated mate I'm in the process taking sump off and rearranging for diff

[Rockman500]

[url][/[URL=http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/wheatbelttyresockman-500/media/image_zpsrkyhm8ky.jpeg.html][/url]]vitara weigh 1005kg ? What Google says this code table meens u can put a bit over 4ltr but I read on and it says it doesn't apply to 4x4 anyways I'll keep plodding along

[Mullett86]

Yeah...It's amazing what you can get away with in a 'commercial' vehicle!

You can also choose the heaviest, factory quoted weight. IE if you can find a brochure or something that lists it at 1100kg, you can have a 4.4L V8. Either way, if your factory weight is 1005kg, you could, theoretically fit this engine legally. Which would make me lose my sh*t.

[Rockman500]

Hahah oh ok I'll have to look into that find a brochure the 1uz is only 3998 cc so cool little motor

[vet 180]

Mullett86 wrote:

Great project!

I've done a UZ conversion (in an MA61 celica supra) and built a lotus 7ish from the ground up (chassis fabrication included)

Both of these were/are fully engineered and legal in WA...

However...there's a weight/power calc for permissible engine size, a quick google will find it. I'm pretty sure a Vitara is too light for a UZ.

If you've got any questions about engineering/certification, I'll help where I can...

It's the LS1's that people run into problems when trying to engineer, the 1uz should be ok.

It's a cool project and the best choice of v8 for a little vit

[Rockman500]

Would the ls1 even fit between struts it's a bloody wide motor with exhaust manifolds on

[Mullett86]

I think it probably would, if the UZ does. The UZ is not a compact motor by any means...someone said to me once that it occupies a cube 800x800x800, and I think they are pretty close to the money. Twincam heads are very space hungry...

[tanshi]

LS motors are super narrow for the size of the motor.

they fit in a sierra chassis after all

[Rockman500]

Yeah true the heads are big I have tacked up engine mounts tday motor and box fitting snugly in chassis now done lots of measuring. Think tunnel will only need a lump for hydraulic clutch slave cyl other than that think body will fit back on snug

[vet 180]

Rockman500 wrote:

Would the ls1 even fit between struts it's a bloody wide motor with exhaust manifolds on

The 1uz is much wider than an LS1. It's not really the width that is the issue with a vitara, its the length and yes LS1's have been put into vitara's but normally 2wd only which is pointless imo

[vet 180]

Rockman500 wrote:

Yeah true the heads are big I have tacked up engine mounts tday motor and box fitting snugly in chassis now done lots of measuring. Think tunnel will only need a lump for hydraulic clutch slave cyl other than that think body will fit back on snug

You can always do a 2 inch body lift to make it all fit better. I am almost sure you will have to in order to shut your bonnet and clear your diff. I have hydro clutch conversion on mine, a hack job done by the previous owner, he beated in the footwell, if he did the body lift everything would have fit better. I also needed a 2 inch body lift to get the sr20 to to clear the diff and fit under the bonnet, I suspect you will need the same. With diff drop brackets it might have fit, but you will still run into problems where the back of the diff is mounted to the crossmember. A 2 inch body lift will also open up radiator options, easier hydro clutch conversion, tire and wheel options etc

[monley]

Any progress on this?

[Rockman500]

Gday mate I have fully fabed engine mounts now just been busy at work I'm in country wa so fire bans have been on for hot weather so caint weld or grind I'm still looking for a 1uz computer setup if anyone on here is computer savvy cheers

[Rockman500]

[url][/url]

[Rockman500]

[url][/[URL=http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/wheatbelttyresockman-500/media/image_zps0qctxzl6.jpeg.html][/url]]

[Rockman500]

[url][/[URL=http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/wheatbelttyresockman-500/media/image_zpssdmrxc1s.jpeg.html][/url]]so mate came round tday to drop body on to see how we go as thawt need slave cylinder cut in floor and Rhs rocker cover will need modifying for booster but other than that looking great for fitment dose not clash with bell housing which was my big consern will need 3 inch body lift tho getting there anyways

[vet 180]

Rockman500 wrote:

Gday mate I have fully fabed engine mounts now just been busy at work I'm in country wa so fire bans have been on for hot weather so caint weld or grind I'm still looking for a 1uz computer setup if anyone on here is computer savvy cheers

I would consider going straight to an aftermarket computer. The stock computer is tied in with the auto trans and has to have some wiring wizardry to work. So by the time you buy and wire there wont be much in it when compared to an aftermarket option. Just a adaptronic or sprint 500 will do

[Rockman500]

Gday vet I ended up buying a whole other engine with all the bits it had been over heated so computer wiring injection all unmolested I fired up body today had to trim firewall for rocker covers and clutch slave cyl e

[vet 180]

Got any pics of the trimming?

[Rockman500]

[url][/url]

[jonno_racing]

Wow..
Umm where is everything going to fit exactly? Radiator and fans i mean
Love the idea and build though

[Rockman500]

[url][/[URL=http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/wheatbelttyresockman-500/media/image_zpsfnuajdod.jpeg.html][/url]]

[Rockman500]

Gday yeah all going smoothly rad will be custom as will need small and fat but ac condenser will fit to fan will be on outside pushing in custom cowling my best mate is a auto sparky so all wiring and computer covered now he is splicing up a harness at the moment body going to my uncles soon to get bead blasted and going to paint frog green as me and the wife like that colour also they do a new ute coating called raptor by u-pol it's a body deadner but tintable so going to do firewall floors inside and out green so I don't have to have carpet just floor mats

[vet 180]

Rockman500 wrote:

[url][/[URL=http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/wheatbelttyresockman-500/media/image_zpsfnuajdod.jpeg.html][/url]]

That looks alright sealed up.

I assumed you started cutting after the 3 inch body lift you mentioned earlier? Or are you not going to run a body lift anymore?

It's coming along great. Look forward to the finished product

[Rockman500]

Yeah it's actually sitting at 90mm at the moment could drop maybe 15 mm but bonnet won't close I'll have to wait to see what engeneer suggests I just got sheet metal and used old roo bar as a pipe bench to hammer curve in steel ahahahah works ok need mate to come round again to help lift body off so I can weld and grind outer firewall

[Rockman500]

[url][/url]body ready to go to my uncles fri for metal blast so lite now two blokes lift it hahahah