Speculation and Discussion Thread about V8Roadsters LFX Swap
 

THREAD SPLIT FROM ELSEWHERE AND CONTINUED HERE

And V8Roadsters.com is about to release a new kit using the all aluminum 323hp VVT V6 and 6-speed from the latest Camaro. Much better design and lighter engine than the 55 year old 5.0 engine design.

WUT!?!! I have to see that.

They will be revealing it at the big Miata anniversary at Laguna Seca. OEM reliable 300+WHP all day without breaking, weighs much less than an LSx swap and the engine's weight is further rearward than a BP because it is only 3 cylinders long from front to back instead of four. Weight distribution is supposed to be better than a stock Miata. Aluminum block and OEM Camaro computer are a big plus.

IIRC, he said a brand new crate engine was only $2800 and the trans was $1500-ish. Probably half that from a wrecked one. It cost more than $2500 to rebuild my BP with forged rods and pistons not counting my turbo parts, etc. And 300whp is hard as fuuck to make reliable on the track with a BP.

EDIT: I just found two complete LFX engines at $1k apiece in junkyards.

Flippin awesome. The 3.6 came in lots of different vehicles, so sourcing one would be pretty easy. Dry weight is supposedly 370#, and the LFX is around 350#. That isn't a whole lot heavier than a BP. I am very curious about what they come up with.
Any idea if they are using a 1.8 diff?

That's very interesting. I felt it was a shame that what seems like a pretty good V6 was wrapped in a 3800lbs Camaro. I bet it would be a blast when you put it in something 1500lbs lighter.

VVT enables it to have a 7400rpm redline, which is great for our cars.

Just doing some light searching, I've found a bunch of these things for relatively cheap. The LFX came in the Caddy CTS and the Caprice as well as the Camaro. Earlier versions came in some Suzuki vehicles as well. The LFX is also set up to run off E85...
Yeah, this could be awesome.
Sorry for the thread drift OP, many of us suffer from intense ADHD.

You think this is bad, I just spent 20 minutes trying to find out how heavy the transmission that comes with the V6 is (it's an Aisin AY6 and is disappointingly 123lbs wet, and also not well liked in stock form).

Yeah. Fuggit Six, you might as well turn this into a LFX swap speculation thread.
You're right Nuge, the AISIN seems to suck with teeth. Shitty 1-2 shifts, terrible vibration, etc.
Here are the gear ratios:
*1st 4.48
*2nd 2.58
*3rd 1.63
*4th 1.19
*5th 1.00
*6th 0.75
Reverse 3.67
There has to be something else that will bolt on there or at least a stronger version because they put them in so many different vehicles.

Oh I was thinking about bolting it behind a built BP, but unfortunately it appears to be nearly as heavy as a T56 and not nearly as strong.

It would have been great if they could have stuck with the getrag 260 they used with the 3.2. Strong and very cheap.

Oh very intersting. Subscribed (for when I have more money)!

Thanks Sixshooter.
Speaking of the Getrag, the 265 had a removable bellhousing, and I know there are small block chevy versions floating around out there.
Probably none for the 3.6, but some industrious individual could make it happen.
It weighs about 80#.

Wow, finally a polished swap that I theoretically can get registered here (and with much cheaper engine/trans).
The Cadillac CTS 2.8 have low enough numbers (157KW) to be accepted and I assume it's only the headers that will be different from the LFX fitment wise.

The 1st in the AY6 would be ludicrous with Miata sized wheels, even using a 3.636.

Hmm, the even turbo 2.8 with the lower numbers could be accepted (in a NB at least), but fitting it is another story (I hope SAAB did not alter the bolt pattern as they always changed GM stuff).

Once there is a GM V6 in there, no inspector will notice which version.

I'm waiting for more info. Integrated headers make a huge difference for fitment. There must be different trans options, people hate the Camaro but love the ATS/CTS.

If you really want to get crazy, the integrated exhaust manifold's outlet looks quite similar to a turbo flange :party:

But the engine isn't paired with a manual trans in the ATS or CTS.

Been watching this for a while. Very interested. Being able to re-use the Torsen and Miata axles is a nice plus cost-wise. The engines will be common as dirt too. The M6 less so.

Yep. In the end its all about the transmission and wiring as much as anything else. There's a long list of engines better than the BP, but making them work in this chassis is a bitch. LSXs are great, but you have to replace the whole driveline, and that's where the $ or time get big.

The K swap is maybe sorta pricey but its still cheaper than a LSX because you can reliably use a 6 speed or maybe a 5 speed and stock diff stuff. And the ratios will work well. Hence its appeal to people despite the naysayers.

But something with an easily utilized factory ECU making 300WHP that's got an affordable driveline solution to match and keeps weight about the same might be Goldilocks for a lot of people. If the trans does not suck and is available and if the kit does not cost an arm and a leg and if its well thought out (which it probably will be).

Edit: Reading up on AY6 transmissions from LFX vehicles, they are fairly closely related to AZ6 transmission, which might sound just a tad familiar to this crowd. The AY6 is broadly similar, but focused more on strength than snappy shift feel, hence its ability to handle about 100 lb/ft more TQ.

Its maddening to try and keep all this incestuous transmission tomfoolery clear. The Toyota people basically refer to the AY6s as RA60s. They get into Tacomas and other random stuff with a traditional FR layout.

Basically all these Aisins are the village bicycle of the transmission world.

http://kaizenfactor.wordpress.com/20...e-know-so-far/