Project V8- VT951's Bitchin' Camaro
02-10-2010 | 04:37 PM
#61
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: Bowie, Maryland
stay away from renegade!!! their stuff is crap, there have been countless stories about oil pans leaking and pilot bearings failing and ruining things (like fusing to the end of the torque tube)...
i have a few renegade pieces in my car, and the second i have enough money i will be buying some stuff off of this page...http://www.944v8s.com/Products-2.html...this is much higher quality stuff!
remember that 2k from renegade doesn't include headers (from them are 800 bucks) or a wiring harness (which if they supply to you, will have issues you still have to sort out, and it will be EXPENSIVE)
PORH!!
i have a few renegade pieces in my car, and the second i have enough money i will be buying some stuff off of this page...http://www.944v8s.com/Products-2.html...this is much higher quality stuff!
remember that 2k from renegade doesn't include headers (from them are 800 bucks) or a wiring harness (which if they supply to you, will have issues you still have to sort out, and it will be EXPENSIVE)
PORH!!
02-10-2010 | 06:27 PM
#62
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 0
From: Suburban DC
And it'll weigh more. I think that's what draws people to the LS - light weight. (But I expect someone to point out in 45 seconds that the iron block weight 4.5 lbs more than aluminum.)
02-10-2010 | 06:38 PM
#63
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,684
Likes: 17
From: Rochester, NY
even if it weighed 45lbs more then the 2.5L N/A, the gains are still worth it even if the split becomes 55/45
Ethan:
I was just going to ask where is the LSx kit on that website - and now I see that I am dumb
it would be nice to have a kit that allows for a simple "bolt in and go" type of thing (while I know engine swaps are not as easy as changing oil ... it would be nice to have a kit thats straight forward with all the parts intact - which is what I assumed Renegade kit was)
also, what are the problems with the Renegade kit? and is there anywhere to see feedback on the kit you posted?
seems like with a daily driver, once could get away with a regular 5spd N/A gearbox and plain brakes for a car thats occasionally driven on the street, anything that involves track time - should definitely at least upgrade brakes (Wilwoods from Rennbay? 951 brakes? power brakes or no?)
lots of questions, I have yet to see anyone write up their swap from point A to point B - or answer basic questions with regards to how they went about doing their swap
02-10-2010 | 08:42 PM
#65
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
If you want information on how to do it, theres a book that is sold on the site ethan linked to. I just ordered it and its full of all the information you need, diagrams, and even where to find some of the parts.
02-10-2010 | 08:43 PM
#66
Lazer Beam Shooter
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,854
Likes: 3
From: Taco island
02-10-2010 | 08:44 PM
#67
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
My good friend here in Colombus did a Renegade LT1 swap years ago, before the LSx swap became popular. Everything bolted up pretty good and everything worked as they started. Of course your milage may vary but I have to believe a good installer will make or break any job.
As for brakes, stock brakes SUCK with a v8 transplant. Not sure if LSx gives you any more room under the hood but the LT1 swap required the vacuum booster to be removed for clearance to the valve cover. There was not enough brake to stop the car after booster removal. He installed the wilwoods up front and ran track pads all round and that made it driveable but no where what the boosted stockers were. The track pads dusted the **** out of his rims and the lazy azz didn't wash em regulary and pooff, there went the finish on the nice 18" Fitipaldi rims.
What does all this mean? Means it will be a fun project for Dan and Alan. Can't wait to make a trip down and check it out.
Hopefully they have a solution for the brakes, so then I can fix my buddy's car.
Tom
As for brakes, stock brakes SUCK with a v8 transplant. Not sure if LSx gives you any more room under the hood but the LT1 swap required the vacuum booster to be removed for clearance to the valve cover. There was not enough brake to stop the car after booster removal. He installed the wilwoods up front and ran track pads all round and that made it driveable but no where what the boosted stockers were. The track pads dusted the **** out of his rims and the lazy azz didn't wash em regulary and pooff, there went the finish on the nice 18" Fitipaldi rims.
What does all this mean? Means it will be a fun project for Dan and Alan. Can't wait to make a trip down and check it out.
Hopefully they have a solution for the brakes, so then I can fix my buddy's car.
Tom
02-11-2010 | 08:33 AM
#71
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati
Tom,
Has he looked into: a) hydroboost, or b) an electric power brake booster, or c) a dual m/c setup (see www.944v8s.com).
I'm not using the stock brakes. I am putting on big reds and a 33/5 proportioning valve. With the larger piston diameters of the big reds, the theory is that will help make up for lack of a booster. Also, I drilled the brake pedal lever hole 3/4" higher to give more leverage. We'll see. If I don't like it, I'll probably add one of the three options above later.
Alan
02-11-2010 | 01:10 PM
#75
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
One of the guys on here a while back made a post about fitting Lexus LS430 front calipers on the front, and after some test fitting ive found that they even fit under a 16" wheel with a spacer. Best of all they cost less than big reds