Shoulda bought a vn commodore benj, vn+ unemployed modding go hand in hand

lol harsh but so true , oh and a sticker on the back such is life , because every commodore driver is just such a public enemy cop killer in there dreams

Same story here Ben, altho I still have to do stuff on the side to support my bad habit......

Here's hoping the weather is being kind to you!

Cheers

ToranaGuy

least we do the labor 99% our selfs which saves alot

BA DOHC 30.4 - Paint and Holes

Paint

Wanting to keep things tidy and simple I cleaned up and painted a variety of parts with gloss black engine enamel. They came out pretty good.


I also painted the PCM Bracket. Looks like a new one now.


Holes

During the week I drilled the holes for the LPG Nozzles. They still need to be tapped. I did try to tap one hole myself but the damn thing just won't start, and rather than stuff it up, am seeking more experienced help from SWC next weekend.




I have started reassembling the engine with the ancillary parts and will sit the BBM back on tomorrow so I can fabricate the LPG Injector Manifold brackets. I need all the bits and pieces on the engine to ensure adequate clearances.

I have also cleaned up the alternator and the power steering pump and have made a start tidying up the turbo sump.

Cheers
BenJ

very nice this thing will be a mean looking wagon once done pop the bonnet and everyone will be swept of there feet

BA DOHC 30.5 - LPG Injector Manifold Mounts

For the purpose of a mock up I installed the BA Turbo BBM onto the engine.

I also bolted in the starter motor and front metal heater pipe. The bolts for the A/C pump bracket and the sensors on the block also provide reference points.

I removed the front LPG injector manifold from the EL engine in the wagon and lifted the BARRA into the air for easy access to the area below the BBM.

After a long period of umming and ahhing I worked out the best position and orientation for the LPG injector manifolds.

Now I knew where I wanted to mount them I had to work out how, and decided on some 3mm x 15mm flat aluminium bar as the material of choice.

A couple of hours later I had the rear mount fabricated, and then was able to fabricate the front mount in half the time.

Here is the finished product.

Rear Mount


Front Mount


Front Mount with LPG Injector Manifold


Rear Mount on Engine


Front Mount on Engine


Photos that show position and clearances




With the mounts in these locations I should still be able to get at them to remove once the engine is in the car, and they will provide a good location to cable tie the LPG looms in place. In addition the Injector Hose placement should be straightforward.

More to come during the week.

Cheers
BenJ

Wow Ben, nice work! As Always.

What about putting in a couple more holes in the brackets & using something like these cable mounts?


Maybe even these cable tie mounts?


Images stolen from the Narva.com.au website.

Cheers

ToranaGuy

those clips are really cheap from jaycar too. i used them to hold down both my power cables in the fairlane. keeps everything in place and where you want it.

BA DOHC 30.6 - Turbo Sump + General Assembly + Prep

OK, has been a busy weekend.

Turbo Sump

During the week I cleaned and painted the turbo sump with some Satin Engine Enamel.

Most BARRA sumps are the factory aluminium finish and after a few years, look pretty sad. So to begin with the sump looking clean and for a bit of that stealth effect I hit with the paint.

I quite like the final product. What do you guys think?




I also quickly fabricated a turbo oil drain block off plate from some 3mm aluminium. Put a smear of gasket goop behind it to keep all the slippery stuff in the engine.




General Assembly + Prep

MRE50L dropped by yesterday and assisted with a new rear main seal, and swapped in a new rear brass welsh plug. I inspected the welsh plug we took out and it looks brand new. I am confident the other welsh plugs will give many years service.

While MRE50L was visiting he gave me a hand to move the ED Ghia test car out of the way, clearing space for the conversion this coming Friday.

I have also been spending some time in the shed after work this week, and cleaned up the Power Steering Pump, Alternator, A/C Pump and Belt Tensioner. SWC also dropped by midweek and tapped the holes for the LPG nozzles in the BBM.

With the sump now on, I was able to bolt the accessory on. The exhaust manifold followed soon after. I also installed the heater hoses under the BBM, and swapped in an EL oil pressure sender.

The BBM will be installed on Friday after receiving the LPG vacuum fittings.

My spare E Series flywheel has been machined, and it will get installed later so it doesn't get a chance to rust. I acquired another set of manual crankshaft bolts to hold the flywheel on from MRE50L today, and did a quick fitment check with the new BA Spigot Bearing on a spare T5 input shaft.

I have left the engine mounts off on purpose. The engine will be lowered into the wagon, and then the engine mounts will be installed. Learnt that trick while fitting it to the ED a few times. As the BARRA is taller it just won't sit in position while the mounts are on the engine.

I have tidied up the front yard to make things easier over the weekend.

I still have to pull the BA Throttle pedal out of the ED Ghia, and remove the E-BA loom and tidy it up. That will be done during the week after work.

I have Friday off work, and have SWC and Snap lending their skills, knowledge and hands. Many thanks my friends. Others have also indicated they will drop in and assist when they can, and you are all welcome.


Now out of interests sake, for those of you E Series owners, here a some pics of the BARRA without a sump on it.




See the oil pick up pipe? That is the reason you can't just chop the sump like an AU version.


Well, the engine is about as ready as I can make it for now.

Cheers
BenJ

have read about 80% of all of these page

its 185 pages bet you didn't see that coming

i hope this weekend goes well maybe a few pictures of the install , and if were lucky how about a starting up video when it starts well ?

you're going to love it once done

Good to see your kicking goals Ben.
Sorry about not getting the tall stands and ramps to you. Been a busy weekend with various things happening.
They will be in your possession before conversion time.

All good my friend.

When you can fit it in.

Cheers
BenJ

That looks just like a mild steel tube. (the pickup pipe) would it be possible to shorten that to move it back and inch by cutting and shutting? Then you could cut the front face off the sump and have it Tigged an inch or so further back.. Just curious, because if you could do that, the whole motor swap would be entirely legal without engineering as long as all the emissions stuff is there.

opps.. just noticed I had the engine around the wrong way in my head.. the feed in is at the front not the pickup....

forget I spoke....

I'll be there around 9:30 but where did this "skills, knowlege and hands" bit come from. I am just coming along to tell you

IT'S f**k GAAAAAAAAAAY