Calvin Grannis' 1974 TR6 with LS1 (project diary)

dwtr6v8 · April 15, 2010, 07:29:24 AM

That big grin will never leave you NOW! Every time you fire her up, every time you drive her, every time you share with others, EVERY Time!

It's a joy to watch and share your progress and pride. That the great thing about this "illness", sharing with others, experiences, knowledge, how to's,and roads traveled.

Congrats!

So, when do I get to pick up my new TR6 LS1?

74ls1tr6 · April 15, 2010, 12:06:31 PM

Thank You,

Alan, Rob, and Don for your responses.

Alan, can't wait someday seeing your TR250 build done and in the flesh. I like all your decisions on what you used for suspension components, and how light your ride will be with an ls2. Keep posting progress!

Rob, there is good possibility that your ride might make it to Indy. I hope you have the time to get it on the road soon. Keep posting your progress so we all can see.

Don, the illness runs strong with swapping engines and this niche that has grown bigger everyday! I'm wondering how your bone transplant is coming along? It must be a little warmer around your part of the woods. You could possibly have electricity on again, where progress moves to the garage, turning on the sound box, going back in time, and turning a few wrenches. If you have the time post some progress!

I'm very" Surprised" still, on how many people check out this thread. It gives me the drive to keep feeding the thread and show everyone something, even the little stuff, because I do know it helps me, and others to keep moving ahead with their projects. With 22,447 views, it's a journey for anyone who reads this thread.

2010 is the year for Alan's ride, Rob's ride and my ride to be on the road again I'm sure many others too.

Don, keep the surgery moving.

Oh! Don the keys to TR6 LS1 will be in your hands ASAP! :-)

Dan B · April 15, 2010, 03:10:45 PM

Calvin, your project is indeed very intriguing, and personally I have enjoyed following it. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it is fully completed!

I think we have all learned a lot at your expense.

Dan B

74ls1tr6 · April 16, 2010, 09:21:48 AM

Thanks, Dan.

That's right, how is your rear shock conversion holding out?

jellison · April 27, 2010, 08:16:22 AM

Nice conversion.

I have good bit of experience modding TR6's and dropping LS's in to Brit Sportscars.

If you ever need any help, I might be able to, you never know.

Jelly
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0&memberId=7660&mid=7660

Dan B · April 27, 2010, 10:50:54 AM

The shock conversion has worked out well. I still need to get some shocks with less travel. We used some off-the-shelf gabriels from Advance auto parts. And even though the reinforcement plate we put under the spring is only 1/4", it looks like the rear end sits higher.

Dan B

74ls1tr6 · April 27, 2010, 04:29:35 PM

Jon,

Wecome to BritishV8.org.

You are right, you never know!

This has to be the best sounding TR6 I've heard. "Great Video" Jon

Posting here for some to see!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6734978036873641557&hl=en#

jellison · April 29, 2010, 04:36:32 AM

Cheers Calvin.

I have some funny ones with the ChimaeraLS6 and TR4. I'll see if I can dig them out.

Yep that vid shows how fast TR6's can go (stupid money to build an all Steel TR lump).

LS is a much better route than using the older style SBC.

You say in another post that you expect 420 rwhp from your engine.

I don't see any reference to you doing anything to the std LS1 lump from the Camaro. Std flywheel rating for an LS1 is about 345bhp, maybe 275rwhp. An LS6 make 405 Z06 C5 vette and ended up making about 400 when all mapped with very good exhaust in my Chim, so they do what they say on the tin. i.e. and LS6 which is 60-70bhp more at the fly than a stoke LS1 will be making about 335rwhp (I have the rolling road sheet), made 390bhp on 95 octane and then about 400 remapped for 99 octane. An LS7 rated at 505 I gues would make about 430ish rwhp.

74ls1tr6 · April 30, 2010, 12:09:51 AM

Hi Jon,

I'm using PRC ls6 2.5 ported heads(243 or 799 castings) @ 62cc with a 228-228 duration 581-581 lift- 112 lsa cam from Texas Speed. With the ls6 intake, 2.5 exhaust w/X pipe, headers,T56,aluminum flywheel 12lbs, Texas Speed said around 420 rwh.

It will depend on the tune I'm sure.

jellison · April 30, 2010, 03:17:52 AM

Cool stuff gald we cleared that up Calvin

That will be mental with the size of the TR6 (and the Track!). How near are you to having it a runner?

Hwo is the rear end setup, exist trailing arms (should be fine if say using roller bearings), but diff must be a bigger unit?

74ls1tr6 · April 30, 2010, 11:10:15 AM

A runner shouldn't be far off here. Installed the heads & cam a few days ago, along with ported ls6 oil pump, ls2 timeing chain & gears, uprated push rods, uprated lifters, and arp bolts where needed. I'm in the assembly stage right now for the whole car.

Using a Q45 R200 Nissan diff lsd 3:54:1 ratio with CV axles from a Porsche I believe, and 3" aluminum drive line at 25" long. Uprated hub assembly to go with, and ajustable trailing arm brackets. Strenght welds all over the frame, and gussets.

It should be a hoot to drive!

jellison · May 01, 2010, 02:57:10 PM

My Chim had a BTR 3.45:1 (so close).

I popped a Melling Oil pump in my ls6 for security (gave another 1 bar) oil pressue. ARP bolts. Mine was std crate bar this and the tune with my all tubi headers and exhaust.

It will be NUT. Should have a better powe to weight that the Chim with that narrow track you will have fun - are those wheel the Shelby TR6 7" jobs?

j

74ls1tr6 · May 02, 2010, 01:30:08 AM

Those wheels I picked up back in 1975 I think. A company out around San Francisco had these wheels made up. They might be the wheel you are talking about(but no name on them). They were makeing 12 wheels, was able to get 4 of them at the time. "Yes" they are 15"x7" with the right kind of offset to clear the upper control arms by 1/2". A fairly light wheel. Will need to get uprated tires later.

So running 245-60-15 tires. Should be a little meat on the ground for a little while.

jellison · May 04, 2010, 10:14:22 AM

yep they look like shelby's made for TR back about then. They did not make made set. Fantastic rims. But if you only have 4 could be a pain if one is ever damaged.

I know 3 cars in the Uk that race or have raced with full sets. Think they only made about 40 or 50 set and that was it. Right offset without big flare which is.

245's on a 7" with 60 profile will be REALLY bulging of the rim.

I am using 7" in Comp ML (like yours) with 205/60's and taht is the perfect size. Going to run my Griff with the same rims (though 8J would be better - but my race series limits to 7J) and can go to 225/60 Yoko 032. That is the biggest currently avaible by Yoko - they used to do a 245 but that would really have to go on and 8. The sidewalls would be bulging over like a dragsters at 245/60 on a 7!

74ls1tr6 · May 16, 2010, 12:49:41 PM

Jon nice photo of your TR6 racer!

Decided to try painting some simple ghost stripes. So I painted the blue base yesterday, then taped off the stripes, used base clear and mixed in some white pearl. Painted the white pearl for the strips, then painted several coats of clear. Will sand the clear and buff out with buffer. They look pretty good!

74ls1tr6 · May 16, 2010, 12:54:56 PM

Here is a couple of photo's of the engine compartment coming along.

alana · May 16, 2010, 06:12:00 PM

Me like.
That's going to be a whole heap of fun when it's finished.

dwtr6v8 · May 16, 2010, 08:04:04 PM

We need to start working on a mid-point (East-West Coast) event, meeting, gathering, shoot out between Alan, Kenny, and Calvin's LS-TR6(250).

St. Louis?

3500 miles would be a good break in period.

I'll even throw in my Ford 5.0 just to keep you three honest.(maybe I'll have my frame transplant done)

That's really looking GOOD!

dwtr6v8 · May 16, 2010, 10:32:13 PM

Topeka, KS?

jellison · May 17, 2010, 03:59:00 AM

Nice Stripes (Ghost - I like that term - might have to have some like that on my Griff).

Hot Rod Lane. I had alot of dealings with Mark.

Moderator · May 17, 2010, 12:01:05 PM

This thread continues to provide exciting / intriguing photos. Great job, Calvin!

74ls1tr6 · May 26, 2010, 11:09:51 PM

It is starting to look more like a whole car again. I was getting tired of putting together, take apart, put together, take apart tasks.

It is fun assembling and to see results finally.

Today! installed the front windshield in the frame, proceeded installing the assembly on the car.

All the plumbing is done on the gas tank, gas fill tube, and gas filler cap is done. Front and back bumper are done, all outside light fixtures are done.

All that is left to do in the engine compartment is the brake booster, steering shaft/column, and master cylinder.

The next major task will be the wiring from Advamce Auto Wire. Once that is done, it will be startup time with some tuning sessions.

I having a brand new panel kit getting worked over by the the guy who did my Miata seats. He will re-do the panels to match the seat color. He will also cover the center support for the dash.

Believe it or not, the Durago next to the TR6 has the same paint code, they don't look like the same color in this photo(below), maybe because the TR6 is under the awning,

The front fenders, I need to close the gap closer to the hood, by loosening the bolts, moving inward, then tighen up for final fitment.

"I had fun changing my avatar again"

dwtr6v8 · May 28, 2010, 07:58:38 AM

WOW

Congrats, the long journey is almost finished and the joy of the experience will build with each drive!

Just leave the keys in the kitchen.

dtindell · May 29, 2010, 10:20:54 PM

I have a 70 triumph gt6 my dad and I restored with some modifications. I would like to take the body and set it on another car, resto mod it, does anyone know if a gt6 body will fit on any of the TRs, or any other car. the wheel base is so short, 83 inches, hard to find a match.

74ls1tr6 · July 19, 2010, 08:13:12 PM

Have been getting alot of little stuff done. Need to make a list to be more organized.

Installed the exhaust tips that are 2.5" dual exit.

Didn't extend to far out but in the end results looks good.

Working on the Advanced Auto wire kit, mounted on the firewall where the battery went from the factory.Re-located battery to the trunk. Will have some photo's of that soon posted.

Ran a 2 gauge wire from the battery (in the trunck), connected to a disribution block in the engine compartment. The block setup is 2 gauge in 4 8 gauge out. One 8 gauge wire to the Advanced Auto Wire fuse block, one connector 8 gage reducer up to 4 gauge wire going to the alternator running through a anl sealed fuse & holder (used 250 amp anl fuse), one 4 gauge blue wire going to the starter. There will be one extra for whatever is needed later.

Welded up to brackets to hold distribution block & anl fuse holder. Used the original bolts that holds in the brake peddal box assembly. Then drilled and tapped for screws into aluminum to hold in place.

The 4 gauge blue wire is not connected yet to the power block, waiting for some reducers.