LS GRIFF 1 year mods
Discussion
Ok so the Griffs been up and running for about a year know and after some epic track days & a couple of trips to Spa & the ring it's time for a strip down and some changes!
As hard as i've tried i cannot get on with the FBW so will be going back to cable and switching ECU (Motec most probably) this should give me the direct feel i've been missing and let me dial in the engine characteristics i want.
I have ordered a new cam and springs from the states which should push me over the 500hp [currently 480] and let the car rev a little higher but still maintain its incredible drivability low down.
As a consequence i will be trying out traction control as the car already has a tendency to try and turn round on me unless its bone dry and the 888's are fully up to temp, great fun but has given me a couple of massive moments @ speed with the car know sporting a small respect me sticker on the rear view mirror
Handling wise i'm just looking to increase front end grip & reduce body roll so will be going up to a 235 front from a 225 although this is going to require the fitting of PS[copying ssssppppggg]] as you already need to have forearms like popeye.
In every other respect i cannot fault the car or conversion and apart from a failed alternator [changed FOC] & a FBW problem @ Donnington also fixed FOC i have had hassle free motoring!
Big thanks to Topcats Racing, RT Racing, Surface & Design, D&C Trim and all my TVR mates except the ones that hid my keys @ Spa
As hard as i've tried i cannot get on with the FBW so will be going back to cable and switching ECU (Motec most probably) this should give me the direct feel i've been missing and let me dial in the engine characteristics i want.
I have ordered a new cam and springs from the states which should push me over the 500hp [currently 480] and let the car rev a little higher but still maintain its incredible drivability low down.
As a consequence i will be trying out traction control as the car already has a tendency to try and turn round on me unless its bone dry and the 888's are fully up to temp, great fun but has given me a couple of massive moments @ speed with the car know sporting a small respect me sticker on the rear view mirror
Handling wise i'm just looking to increase front end grip & reduce body roll so will be going up to a 235 front from a 225 although this is going to require the fitting of PS[copying ssssppppggg]] as you already need to have forearms like popeye.
In every other respect i cannot fault the car or conversion and apart from a failed alternator [changed FOC] & a FBW problem @ Donnington also fixed FOC i have had hassle free motoring!
Big thanks to Topcats Racing, RT Racing, Surface & Design, D&C Trim and all my TVR mates except the ones that hid my keys @ Spa
Hi Christian,
IIRC Wortec mapped your car???
Pretty sure Paul would be able to reflash the ECU to allow cable throttle, I've got his number if you want it. He'll remap the cam too.
I'd investigate this route before replacing the ECU and starting from scratch, you dont want to fix the throttle issue but then have months of cold start/hunting/unknown issues. Do some searching on LS1tech or HPtuners forums the yanks are bound to have been there done that
Rich.
IIRC Wortec mapped your car???
Pretty sure Paul would be able to reflash the ECU to allow cable throttle, I've got his number if you want it. He'll remap the cam too.
I'd investigate this route before replacing the ECU and starting from scratch, you dont want to fix the throttle issue but then have months of cold start/hunting/unknown issues. Do some searching on LS1tech or HPtuners forums the yanks are bound to have been there done that
Rich.
dbv8 said:
I am guessing thats an LS3 you have there Christian.
There are too many buddies and rivals going this route now.
One more year with the RV8 and nitrous then i will be joining the gang of LS cheats
I have to admitt i am really getting tempted by the LS. Just seems such a good package. Great 6 speed box. Awesome power that appears very usable around town. I`m presuming they are roller cam and rockers...There are too many buddies and rivals going this route now.
One more year with the RV8 and nitrous then i will be joining the gang of LS cheats
For those that have already gone this route roughly how much can it be done for doing it yourself. Looking at Sportmotive they list everything needed but its still a pretty penny.
Hi Guys, Yes Paul @ Wortec did map the car but its a very basic map that he does for the installer if i wanted to go further i would need to spend allot of time with Paul starting from scratch and allot of what i want the engine to do goes against what the GM ECU is set up for so rather than throwing more money at this set up i'm going to go with the Motec or Emerald.
The Motec is one of the best bits of kit out there from what I've seen and has a very broad base of tuners along with good TC,Digital displays etc [Over 2K not incl TC]
The Emerald also seems more than capable with some high profile big number TVR's running this system already and after speaking to Emerald last week there is also the option of 4 wheel TC![£600 not incl TC]
I know there are people with LS conversions that are very happy with the FBW and GM ECU and don't mean to put people of this route, i think it just comes down to personal choice!
After speaking to a few LS guys and Graig @ Dyno Torque i've decided to go for this cam from Thunder Racing.
99-TRLS3-219/236-117 Thunder Racing Custom "LS3" Camshaft
TR LS3- 219/236 .607/.607 117 LSA
Off Idle-6700 RPM Power Band. Broad power range with excellent mid-range & high RPM power. Requires computer tuning on most cars. Due to the fast ramp rate of this camshaft, the use of 1.8 rockers is not recommended. Comp 925/926 Valve Springs are highly recommended.
$384.99
One guy has seen 518hp and a torque figure not much behind from the same set up
Simon i'm looking at TC as @ Donnington and Brands i had some massive moments in 3rd even with heated 888's, though that was most probably more down to my over enthusiasm & crap driving than anything else.
I just like the idea of having the option for damp conditions etc especially with more power- still looking at Superchargers so many options with the LS.
Dereck you won't regret it its deffo worth every penny in terms of bang for your buck & should get you down that strip quicker than most things especailly with Nitrous though not sure how much of the chim would still be in on piece
Hi Alex i did not speak to Kevin as i first lost my phone and then decided on a different path but thanks for the heads up! Hows the car and install going?
Rich i have spoke to Paul and its a no no in terms of flashing the existing ECU to run cable as there is no idle air control!
The Motec is one of the best bits of kit out there from what I've seen and has a very broad base of tuners along with good TC,Digital displays etc [Over 2K not incl TC]
The Emerald also seems more than capable with some high profile big number TVR's running this system already and after speaking to Emerald last week there is also the option of 4 wheel TC![£600 not incl TC]
I know there are people with LS conversions that are very happy with the FBW and GM ECU and don't mean to put people of this route, i think it just comes down to personal choice!
After speaking to a few LS guys and Graig @ Dyno Torque i've decided to go for this cam from Thunder Racing.
99-TRLS3-219/236-117 Thunder Racing Custom "LS3" Camshaft
TR LS3- 219/236 .607/.607 117 LSA
Off Idle-6700 RPM Power Band. Broad power range with excellent mid-range & high RPM power. Requires computer tuning on most cars. Due to the fast ramp rate of this camshaft, the use of 1.8 rockers is not recommended. Comp 925/926 Valve Springs are highly recommended.
$384.99
One guy has seen 518hp and a torque figure not much behind from the same set up
Simon i'm looking at TC as @ Donnington and Brands i had some massive moments in 3rd even with heated 888's, though that was most probably more down to my over enthusiasm & crap driving than anything else.
I just like the idea of having the option for damp conditions etc especially with more power- still looking at Superchargers so many options with the LS.
Dereck you won't regret it its deffo worth every penny in terms of bang for your buck & should get you down that strip quicker than most things especailly with Nitrous though not sure how much of the chim would still be in on piece
Hi Alex i did not speak to Kevin as i first lost my phone and then decided on a different path but thanks for the heads up! Hows the car and install going?
Rich i have spoke to Paul and its a no no in terms of flashing the existing ECU to run cable as there is no idle air control!
Edited by 7 TVR on Friday 11th January 14:23 as my grammar & spelling is shocking
Edited by 7 TVR on Friday 11th January 14:36
Ah of course
Emerald would get my vote, probably the cheaper option too.
I've got Racelogic TC, I like the way I can adjust the amount of slip on the fly. I bought it because I was worried about spinning coming out of a wet round about when I wasn't concentrating or going for it. Yet to try it out on track, hopefully this year
Unless I'm reckless I don't find it cuts in much but I reckon the Cerbs longer wheel base may help. When I think of your car, metro 6R4 comes to mind!!
Rich
Emerald would get my vote, probably the cheaper option too.
I've got Racelogic TC, I like the way I can adjust the amount of slip on the fly. I bought it because I was worried about spinning coming out of a wet round about when I wasn't concentrating or going for it. Yet to try it out on track, hopefully this year
Unless I'm reckless I don't find it cuts in much but I reckon the Cerbs longer wheel base may help. When I think of your car, metro 6R4 comes to mind!!
Rich
I will try to stay out of the guarded area off the PH police! Slowly progress is coming. In the coming 2 months the engine has to be running as it should. A new engine loom, new brackets for A/C pump and a new GM alternator. My alternator wil be in front of the driver's side and the A/C pump on the other one. The brackets are from Kwik performance. The self made brackets/drivebeltsystem wil go off because it proved to break down with other cutomers and it was hopelessly out of alignment(position of alternator and a/c pump).An IACV wil be included, so the engine doesn't stall 4 times before I leave with the car. Work is progressing more slowly then I want, but the old loom is out now. The ECU was damaged from heat! So the setup wil be with a new KMS motormanagement with a widebandlambda. So, by ythen only my engineproblems wil be solved. I've been asking myself what to do with my gearboxsetup also. I do want to have a proper car this autumn for once since the beginning of 2009! I am trying to source a good T56 gearbox with belhousing and all the bolts/fasteners i need for the car. I want to have this behind the engine also this year. My virtually new T5 CTS Quaife box wil be up for sale then aswell as my virtaully new clutch. Belhousing and (also new) startermotor also.
When this is done I hope to do some nice miles this year. The car wil be a keeper for years and years i hope (some say the chinese are coming over to buy all of our nice cars). When the setup proves itself to be good, the car wil get a chassisrestoration in the future aswell. I have been thinking about a cam with almost the same specs. This was when I stil thought that my conversion was a good one. Right now I still have bigger issues then camshaft options.
When this is done I hope to do some nice miles this year. The car wil be a keeper for years and years i hope (some say the chinese are coming over to buy all of our nice cars). When the setup proves itself to be good, the car wil get a chassisrestoration in the future aswell. I have been thinking about a cam with almost the same specs. This was when I stil thought that my conversion was a good one. Right now I still have bigger issues then camshaft options.
Arjen, glad things are looking up for you and hope you get some Time behind the wheel soon!
I'll be taking the Griff over to Holland to see some friends and the Dutch TVR boys so maybe we could hook up and you can try the cam in the Griff?
I would be v interested in the T5 Box when its for sale as i'm after a spare for the race car?
Keep the faith
Christian
I'll be taking the Griff over to Holland to see some friends and the Dutch TVR boys so maybe we could hook up and you can try the cam in the Griff?
I would be v interested in the T5 Box when its for sale as i'm after a spare for the race car?
Keep the faith
Christian
My mods have all been done, a new set of rings, a Melling high flow oil pump and some Alcon 6 pots, its about run in now and ready for fully synthetic oil.
I will chuck it on the rollers in the next couple of weeks to double check, but it seems to be running sweet as ever, my cam is 242/256 BTW!
I will chuck it on the rollers in the next couple of weeks to double check, but it seems to be running sweet as ever, my cam is 242/256 BTW!
Hi Paul, you know you are the one to blame for all my LS tinkering, i remmember i was looking at all the different RV8 mods and was trying to get a good 300bhp car then i saw your Cerbera and the figures it was putting out, SOLD!!
Whilst i'm not after your fastest TVR title, cannot imagine what the Griff would be like after 200 as at 183 [road angel]it felt like the Enterprise @ warp 9 & i half expected to hear Scotty telling me she breaking up! There is still room for the fastest convertable TVR although i have a couple of LS7 Tams to contend with
Look forward to seeing what the Cerbera is making and keep blazing a trail
We must get together on the track this year and have some fun
Christian
P.S Why new rings? Are you happy with the Emerald ECU set up?
Whilst i'm not after your fastest TVR title, cannot imagine what the Griff would be like after 200 as at 183 [road angel]it felt like the Enterprise @ warp 9 & i half expected to hear Scotty telling me she breaking up! There is still room for the fastest convertable TVR although i have a couple of LS7 Tams to contend with
Look forward to seeing what the Cerbera is making and keep blazing a trail
We must get together on the track this year and have some fun
Christian
P.S Why new rings? Are you happy with the Emerald ECU set up?
7 TVR said:
Hi Paul, you know you are the one to blame for all my LS tinkering, i remmember i was looking at all the different RV8 mods and was trying to get a good 300bhp car then i saw your Cerbera and the figures it was putting out, SOLD!!
Whilst i'm not after your fastest TVR title, cannot imagine what the Griff would be like after 200 as at 183 [road angel]it felt like the Enterprise @ warp 9 & i half expected to hear Scotty telling me she breaking up! There is still room for the fastest convertable TVR although i have a couple of LS7 Tams to contend with
Look forward to seeing what the Cerbera is making and keep blazing a trail
We must get together on the track this year and have some fun
Christian
P.S Why new rings? Are you happy with the Emerald ECU set up?
My Chim was a white knuckle ride at 160mph, so can only think how hairy it would be further up the scale!Whilst i'm not after your fastest TVR title, cannot imagine what the Griff would be like after 200 as at 183 [road angel]it felt like the Enterprise @ warp 9 & i half expected to hear Scotty telling me she breaking up! There is still room for the fastest convertable TVR although i have a couple of LS7 Tams to contend with
Look forward to seeing what the Cerbera is making and keep blazing a trail
We must get together on the track this year and have some fun
Christian
P.S Why new rings? Are you happy with the Emerald ECU set up?
Rings wise it was burning more oil than i would have liked, so we put new rings in and filed the gaps a little less, so far so good as the oil level is completely constant after around 300 miles of running in on straight 30W running in oil.
I dont think it will make much more if any more power, but you can only hope as it was around 14bhp shy of 600 last time, so bar bragging rights would like to see 600+
Emerald is spot on, come for a blast and try it.
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