In my hz ute Im currently running a mild red 308 attached to a 700r4 and dual 2.5" pipes. The bottom end needs to be honed re-ringed at a minimum and after quotes of around $5000 for a full professional rebuild and needing to reco power steer pump as well I've more or less decided Id like to do have a play with a chev as I haven't before and have been looking at 290hp 350 crate motors. Realistically with everything including alt, p/s, air con compressor, radiator, extractors I'm probably looking at $8-8500 but everything will be new, not having to deal with 40 year old parts that have been reco'd time after time.

A couple of mates have been harassing me to do an ls1 conversion. I put an injected 5ltr and 700r4 in a factory 308 vl calais many years ago so am no stranger to this kind of thing changing carb for injection etc but most of that was fairly straight foward bolt in including fuel tank as could just use a 6 cylinder tank and lines.

I can buy lowish km vx/wh series ls1 and 4l60e for a few thousand and going through what info I can find think I could do the conversion for a similar cost to the crate motor. Looking for some expertise here on what needs to be done. Ive know of:
-Mounts
-Wiring loom and ecu + maffless tune
-extractors
-sump
-relocate air con compressor
-engine fans
-fuel tank mod + supply
-drive unit for the speedo
-p/s lines

Is there anything else? I read a brief post about an issue with clearance of the thermostat housing on hq-z steering box but can find no further info if its true or not.

I run a gts dash and want to retain that. I know I can get the electronic to cable adaptor box but what can be done about the tacho?

How would I adapt the fuel tank suit the injection? I see you can buy weld in rings and use a vx to vz pick up assembly. Would this work? Are they a full unit with pump or do they still run an external pump?

With the 700r4 currently I run a B&M shifter thats been pain stakeingly fitted to the factory center console. Can I retain this with the 4l60E?

Whats the best option for thermo fans?

engineering in QLD??.

Im trying to decide if this is a good option for me or not. I like the idea for several reasons but needs to be worth while. The car is my daily driver usually so injection may not be a silly idea. Again Ive done an injected 5ltr and would like to play and learn with something new rather than re visit that option. Any help will be great. Im a spraypainter in the automotive trade and been playing cars for many years so most things I can do myself or am fortunate enough to have mates in the industry who can help with bits and pieces ie: welding fuel tank so labours no concern here.

Edited by user Sunday, 18 October 2015 4:27:47 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Honestly I'd just find a VN-VS and use its EFI engine and 4L60E. You are already half way there having a 308and 4L60 in place, so speedo, crossmember, tailshaft, shifter are already done. You have the radiator as well. Engine will drop straight in using the sump, pickup. mount adapters and dipstick off the 308. Tweak the pipes to suit the EFI exhaust manifolds. You can buy the right throttle cable on Ebay.

So it is just down to some EFI plumbing and a bit of wiring. Wiring can be done by buying a ready to go harness or do it yourself.

Not as much power as an LS1 but heaps cheaper. You can buy good cars cheap, a mate just bought a HSV enhanced Statesman for $500, good driveable car with lowish kM.