Anyone put an LS3 in a MK IV?

[65 Cobra Dude]

I am contemplating putting an LS3 in a MKIV (I know, sacrilege but you can't beat the power to weight ratio). Has anyone done it? What issues have you had? Fuel system, power steering, etc...?

Thx,

Henry

[MPTech]

mmarshall is putting an LS1 in his coupe. Looks cool, can't wait to see him racing it this season.

LS1 Coupe is alive!!! (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/21-ffr-type-65-coupe/290670-ls1-coupe-alive.html)

Aluminum engine is in! (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/21-ffr-type-65-coupe/290030-aluminum-engine.html)

Good luck, sounds like a cool project.

[ipsale]

Hi Henry,

No need for sacrilege - the LS3 at 426hp at 448lbs (in a new Camaro) has a p/w ratio of .9508hp/lb. The coyote coming in stock at 412hp at 430lbs has a p/w ratio of .9581hp/lb - winner Ford Coyote. It is one heck of a power plant - I love mine!:D

Rob

[Jethrow]

Hi guys,

I am putting an LS3 in mine. A great high power, lightweight, compact design. A natural choice for these cars :)

So far I have the engine and trans (TR6060) installed. Am running fuel lines now, then on to exhaust.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Tim,

Any issues fitting motor in? What did you use for motor and tranny mounts? Did you use the Mustang fuel tank? I am sure there will be more questions as I get into this build.

Thx,

Henry

[LuisL]

Should be straight forward build with plenty of mods. The only difference is that you will probably will want to have a welder handy at all times. Tha bieng said, put a Coyote in there... It's definitelly the way to go.

[Jethrow]

Hi Henry,

no real dramas putting this motor in at all. It's much narrower width compared to the late model Ford engines made it easy. I did do a few things a bit different tho.

For starters, my car is now right hand drive, so I moved the engine gearbox combo back to the middle of the car to give more room for the RHS footbox. As a consequence, I made new engine mounts rather than use the ones offered by Forte or similar.

The gearbox was easier, I used the stock TR6060 mount sitting on a 40x40 SHS and it went straight on to the stock a-frame.

Anyway, some pictures below:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9879&d=1337697660
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9877&d=1337697650
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9881&d=1337697669
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9882&d=1337697674
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9883&d=1337697679

It's going well I think. If you are keen on an LS3 I say just do it. Given that installing a Coyote into a F5R Mk4 will no more turn it into an original CSX than any other motor, no reason not to I say.

[jetsbaby]

Hi Henry,

no real dramas putting this motor in at all. It's much narrower width compared to the late model Ford engines made it easy. I did do a few things a bit different tho.

For starters, my car is now right hand drive, so I moved the engine gearbox combo back to the middle of the car to give more room for the RHS footbox. As a consequence, I made new engine mounts rather than use the ones offered by Forte or similar.

The gearbox was easier, I used the stock TR6060 mount sitting on a 40x40 SHS and it went straight on to the stock a-frame.

Anyway, some pictures below:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9879&d=1337697660
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9877&d=1337697650
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9881&d=1337697669
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9882&d=1337697674
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9883&d=1337697679

It's going well I think. If you are keen on an LS3 I say just do it. Given that installing a Coyote into a F5R Mk4 will no more turn it into an original CSX than any other motor, no reason not to I say.

Your build looks great!! What did it take to make the TR6060 a mid shift trans..Looks like you used a T-56 shifter?

[Jethrow]

Your build looks great!! What did it take to make the TR6060 a mid shift trans..Looks like you used a T-56 shifter?

Thx for the comment :)

There is a company here in Australia (Mal Wood Auto) who made this for me. I think it is a modified T-56 shifter, but I am not 100% sure. But I can see that it has been modified.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Thank you all for the responses and especially you Tim for the great pics and explanations. I found another awesome post on the other forum in the Chevy section that details the install. Coyote is still in the running but a bit behind the LS motor right now ;)

Henry

[CraigS]

Jeez, it should be a Ford.

[Jethrow]

Jeez, it should be a Ford.

Jeez, it should have an aluminium body.
Jeez, it should have a narrower chassis, built with 3" tubes.
Jeez, it should have Smiths gauges.
Jeez, it should have (insert any number of non-original items here)
Jeez, it should have been built in 1965 by Shelby

Jeez, why just pick on the engine ??!?

[pipe_dream]

Thank you all for the responses and especially you Tim for the great pics and explanations. I found another awesome post on the other forum in the Chevy section that details the install. Coyote is still in the running but a bit behind the LS motor right now ;)

Henry

Henry -
I'm a fan of both the LS series engine AND the new Coyote - both are similarly priced, weighted and powerful.
Both engines will provide extreme acceleration in a Mk4. Both engines will provide excellent durability and fuel mileage.

LS3 advantage: 1). it's overall size... much narrower than the Coyote and therefore you'll have more engine bay space... allowing for further footbox mods (if desired). 2). Pushrod V8 - To me, this is more true to an "original" engine than the Coyote... even if it's GM.

Coyote advantage: 1). Resale value (if you care). 2). No modifications required - Mk4 is built to accept the Coyote with no mods to the engine/trans mounts and no fabrication of exhaust headers/pipes

I believe that an LS3 setup is slightly cheaper, but this savings may diminish if you decide to pay to have the required engine mount and exhaust fabrication performed. - Jordan

[MarkKush]

Jeez, it should have an aluminium body.
Jeez, it should have a narrower chassis, built with 3" tubes.
Jeez, it should have Smiths gauges.
Jeez, it should have (insert any number of non-original items here)
Jeez, it should have been built in 1965 by Shelby

Jeez, why just pick on the engine ??!?


I find it interesting that Carroll Shelby first wanted a Chevy engine.

cut/paste from wiki...
In September 1961, American automotive designer Carroll Shelby wrote to AC asking if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found. Shelby went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide him with engines, but not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they said no. However, Ford wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and they happened to have a brand new engine which could be used in this endeavor: Ford's 260 in³ HiPo (4.2 L) engine – a new lightweight, thin-wall cast small-block V8 tuned for high performance.