Isn't a project like this worth whatever it costs?
If someone really wants to duplicate this project, "ball-parking" the price tag is pretty easy. If I were Chris and Scott, I wouldn't say how much it cost because then they'll just have to listen to people's opinions as to whether it's worth it or not.
My "beef" with this engine swap is, not only is it probably less expensive than my Fontana aluminum block based, SVO headed, IR EFI injected engine, it's probably more powerful and more reliable too. Not fair you guys :-(
If I was starting all over ...
Anyone want to buy an all aluminum Ford motor???
oh by the way i was referring chris bell's post on march 16th 2014 09:52
quote:so calm down
Not sure why you made this comment.
I couldn't be any calmer unless I was listening to a Pink Floyd album smoking a doobie!!!
quote:Originally posted by 73 l:
oh by the way i was referring chris bell's post on march 16th 2014 09:52
Here is what I said...
quote:It's not so much as finding the cheapest solution, but more about finding a solution that makes sense for us and the LS9 fits every single need we had. Was it expensive? Yeah a little bit. But compare that to a comparable Ford engine (Ford GT motor: over $30k) and it is relatively cheap.
I completely stand behind my previous comment. If you look at the retail price of both motors (LS9: around $20k; Ford GT: over $30k), it is obvious that the LS9 is cheaper. Even when you add electronics and everything to run the engine, etc. it comes in under $30k.
We are doing more than just an engine swap, as many can tell. Did we need to do all of these modifications? No, but they make the car perform better. I can tell you that even if we put a Ford GT motor in the car, we would be making many of these systems modifications.
quote:Originally posted by David_Nunn:
My "beef" with this engine swap is, not only is it probably less expensive than my Fontana aluminum block based, SVO headed, IR EFI injected engine, it's probably more powerful and more reliable too. Not fair you guys :-(
If I was starting all over ...
Anyone want to buy an all aluminum Ford motor???
Considering the extent of the work involved, the amount of fabrication, the project is beyond most's capabilities and well beyond "very interesting" but the only thing it makes me want is a Smithy. Then, look out world, I'm comin'! Hide all of your aluminum billet! 
I'll just have to be happy with my iron Ford block, aluminum heads, Webers, 180 degree headers and a measly 550hp and 500 ft-lbs or torque, BUT it sure is enjoyable following the project.
Still don't see that cable shifter in there yet though?
After all is said and done, I'm just a yester-retro kinda guy anyway? Groovy. Peace man V!
I'll just have to be happy with my iron Ford block, aluminum heads, Webers, 180 degree headers and a measly 550hp and 500 ft-lbs or torque, BUT it sure is enjoyable following the project.
Still don't see that cable shifter in there yet though?
After all is said and done, I'm just a yester-retro kinda guy anyway? Groovy. Peace man V!
quote:Still don't see that cable shifter in there yet though?
It's in there Doug!!! I'll ask Chris to post some pictures...
I am having a hard time keeping Chris from wearing out my ZF while it sits there waiting to hit the streets.
He likes the shifter so much he just keeps shifting it and shifting it and shifting it. I keep telling him to knock it off but he has so much fun doing it I don't know what to do. Damm kids!!!
Does he just sit there making engine sounds and shifting? 
Is it fair to say that the vast majority of the mods required in your swap from the LS3 to the LS9 were necessitated by the supercharger and its related components? It seems to me, a Pantera owner could install a dry sump LS7 for about half the cost of a Ford based equivalent. By "equivalent" I mean HP, TQ, weight, dry sump and EFI. In 2006, Hot Rod Magazine did an LS7 dyno test and found they could increase the engine's HP to 600 @ 6,800 RPM with only a cam and exhaust change.
In addition, if you wanted to mount the engine lower in the chassis, you guys now have that all figured out too. It seems pretty "bolt-in" without the complication of the supercharger.
In addition, if you wanted to mount the engine lower in the chassis, you guys now have that all figured out too. It seems pretty "bolt-in" without the complication of the supercharger.
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quote:Originally posted by David_Nunn:
Is it fair to say that the vast majority of the mods required in your swap from the LS3 to the LS9 were necessitated by the supercharger and its related components? It seems to me, a Pantera owner could install a dry sump LS7 for about half the cost of a Ford based equivalent. By "equivalent" I mean HP, TQ, weight, dry sump and EFI. In 2006, Hot Rod Magazine did an LS7 dyno test and found they could increase the engine's HP to 600 @ 6,800 RPM with only a cam and exhaust change.
In addition, if you wanted to mount the engine lower in the chassis, you guys now have that all figured out too. It seems pretty "bolt-in" without the complication of the supercharger.
For the most part. The fuel tank/fuel sump we did for better performance during track driving to ensure the engine doesn't get starved for fuel plus better weight distribution front to back. The only system that was done solely because of the supercharger was the intercooler system. Other than that, almost all changes would have been necessary for an LS7 swap as well (dry sump oil system, lowering the motor, moving the motor and trans back a couple of inches, airbox, etc.) because it is much better to leave the manifold in it's stock orientation and run the intake through the front.
The LS7 is a beast of a motor for sure. It was definitely a consideration when we were doing the original LS3 swap, but for this project, we wanted to go with the "cool" factor with the supercharger and get the biggest (in performance), & baddest motor.
quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Does he just sit there making engine sounds and shifting?
Of course!!!
That can make a lot of spit. Make sure there are towels in the cabin.
quote:For the most part. The fuel tank/fuel sump we did for better performance during track driving to ensure the engine doesn't get starved for fuel plus better weight distribution front to back. The only system that was done solely because of the supercharger was the intercooler system. Other than that, almost all changes would have been necessary for an LS7 swap as well (dry sump oil system, lowering the motor, moving the motor and trans back a couple of inches, airbox, etc.) because it is much better to leave the manifold in it's stock orientation and run the intake through the front.
The LS7 is a beast of a motor for sure. It was definitely a consideration when we were doing the original LS3 swap, but for this project, we wanted to go with the "cool" factor with the supercharger and get the biggest (in performance), & baddest motor.
The LS7 would be a bit easier but not by much. Chris is correct that most of the changes would still be needed. The intercooler was a Pain in the a$$ and so was the air intake. The LS7 air intake would be much easier since that manifold could be swapped 180 like we did on the LS3.
quote:Originally posted by ZR1 Pantera:
[QUOTE]
It's in there Doug!!! I'll ask Chris to post some pictures...
Any update on when the cable shifter will be available to the public and the approximate cost?
quote:Any update on when the cable shifter will be available to the public and the approximate cost?
Hi Richard,
I am very close to launching the product for sale. I made some geometry changes to the shifter end to improve the feel and am extremely happy with the result.
I am shooting for the price to come in under $1000.00. Early adopters may get an additional discount.
The unit is completely installed and functional in our project car for anyone that is close-by that wants to sit in the car and make rum-rum noises while shifting the car.
Take care, Scott
quote:Originally posted by ZR1 Pantera:quote:Any update on when the cable shifter will be available to the public and the approximate cost?
Hi Richard,
The unit is completely installed and functional in our project car for anyone that is close-by that wants to sit in the car and make rum-rum noises while shifting the car.
Take care, Scott
....beda beda beda varoom, boom bada bada boom bada bada.
It's got a cam.
We finally got back to work on the ZR1 Pantera project. I am happy to report we finally got the LS9 fired up last night for the first time. OMG did it sound GREAT. We had a couple of issues to work through but have now had the engine up to operating temperature a couple of times. Still not drivable since we have not yet built the hatch cover or the exhaust. We used the old LS3 exhaust to get the engine fired up. The sound of the blower whine is GREAT!!! More to come shortly!!!
Scott, you are such a tease. No pictures? I just may die of anticipation. LOL Congrats
quote:Scott, you are such a tease. No pictures? I just may die of anticipation. LOL Congrats
LOL... Chris is mostly in charge of posting pictures but he has been, shall we say, busy with other more important activities.
He says he will do a complete update this weekend but if he doesn't I will...
Here is my updated fuse panel. Not as pretty as some but it only cost me about 20 bucks. 20 circuits not counting a complete engine harness with integrated engine systems fuse panel.
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Here is a shot of the drivers side area where the fuel tank used to be. It is getting a bit full in this area with new systems. The red at the bottom of the picture is the top of the battery that was relocated from the front trunk to here.
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