When I bought my car in 2009 as a recipient for an LS1 conversion, I focused on mechanical and performance improvements. In addition to the engine and gearbox conversion, the car got improved suspension, brakes and wheels, plus some weight saving measures and interior mods. Other than the boot floor, the rest of the car went largely untouched though.
The aesthetics weren't a massive priority as it was already a fairly original and tidy 2000 car, having done 114K with a decent history, but roll the clock forward a few years though and the car is definitely showing it's age cosmetically.
It's been super reliable with it's mildly tuned LS1 and is great fun, but having owned forced induction V8s over the last few years, whenever I drive the MC I get left feeling like it needs a bit more low down. I know it sounds daft, but I guess I've just been spoiled!
Anyway, I decided to give the MC a new lease of life. I didn't want to go aftermarket forced induction with all the potential problems so it's getting a healthy dose of cubes instead......A nice spec build LS3 with a stroker kit to about 6.9L should give me the bottom end shove I'm after.
As the motor is coming out, I wanted to sort the under bonnet tidiness and paint which was something I was never 100% happy with. Then I thought that I might as well get the car painted all over and sort all the corrosion associated with a 17 year old car.
It'll be getting some love in other areas along the way too.
So here we go......
How it looked with the LS1.....Tidy but a bit "ordinary" I always felt.
Into Dyno Torque for engine and gearbox removal. MC in good company with some other LS conversion cars.
LS1 and Tremec T56 removed and sold on. It's looking a little tired under there now.
At the paint shop.
As it's non-original already, I've gone for lacquered Estoril under the bonnet rather than the OEM finish. I prefer it.
Big thanks to Gary at TJR Body Worx in Birmingham!
Back to Dyno Torque soon for some LS lovin'.........
The aesthetics weren't a massive priority as it was already a fairly original and tidy 2000 car, having done 114K with a decent history, but roll the clock forward a few years though and the car is definitely showing it's age cosmetically.
It's been super reliable with it's mildly tuned LS1 and is great fun, but having owned forced induction V8s over the last few years, whenever I drive the MC I get left feeling like it needs a bit more low down. I know it sounds daft, but I guess I've just been spoiled!
Anyway, I decided to give the MC a new lease of life. I didn't want to go aftermarket forced induction with all the potential problems so it's getting a healthy dose of cubes instead......A nice spec build LS3 with a stroker kit to about 6.9L should give me the bottom end shove I'm after.
As the motor is coming out, I wanted to sort the under bonnet tidiness and paint which was something I was never 100% happy with. Then I thought that I might as well get the car painted all over and sort all the corrosion associated with a 17 year old car.
It'll be getting some love in other areas along the way too.
So here we go......
How it looked with the LS1.....Tidy but a bit "ordinary" I always felt.
Into Dyno Torque for engine and gearbox removal. MC in good company with some other LS conversion cars.
LS1 and Tremec T56 removed and sold on. It's looking a little tired under there now.
At the paint shop.
As it's non-original already, I've gone for lacquered Estoril under the bonnet rather than the OEM finish. I prefer it.
Big thanks to Gary at TJR Body Worx in Birmingham!
Back to Dyno Torque soon for some LS lovin'.........
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