HorsePower's Nissan 240/LS Finale

(JOE)>> OUR 240 LS PROJECT STARTED BY PULLING THE STOCK ENGINE FROM A '95 240 SX. THEN REPLACING IT WITH A MOCK UP LS FOR NOW. WE SWAPPED THE REAR END FOR A NINE INCH SOLID AXLE. THEN UPGRADES TO THE SUSPENSION, BRAKES, EXHAUST, AND FUEL SYSTEM GOT US READY FOR SOME REAL LS POWER. LAST TIME WE TOLD YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ENGINE RIGHT AFTER IT CAME BACK FROM THE SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS.

(MIKE)>> NOW IT'S TIME TO ASSEMBLE IT, BREAK IT IN ON THE DYNO, AND WATCH IT MAKE 600 PLUS HORSEPOWER.

NOW HERE'S SOMETHING PRETTY COOL. ALL OF THESE PARTS CAME FROM PACE PERFORMANCE DOT COM FOR THE ENGINE. AND THEY'RE GONNA OFFER THIS COMBINATION AS A CRATE ENGINE FOR YOU TO PURCHASE. NOW THE INDUCTION STARTS WITH LS THREE CYLINDER HEADS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. AND OVER HERE ALL THE VALVETRAIN STUFF CAME FROM LUNATI INCLUDING THE CAM SHAFT, LIFTERS, AND PUSH RODS. NOW WE'LL DO A TRUNION UPGRADE FROM COMP CAMS HERE IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

(JOE)>> THE GUYS AT SAM ALIGN HONED OUR BLOCK USING NEW ARP MAIN STUDS. THEY RADIUSED THE OIL PASSAGES AND CLEARANCE THE BOTTOMS OF THE CYLINDERS TO MAKE ROOM FOR ROD BOLTS. AFTER THAT THEY CHECKED ALL THE CLEARANCES AND ASSEMBLED IT FOR US. HERE'S WHAT THEY PUT IN IT. A ROTATING ASSEMBLY THAT'S A LUNATI KIT WITH A FORGED VOODOO CRANK WITH A FOUR INCH STROKE AND A 58

TOOTH RELUCTOR RING. FORGED HBEAM RODS MEASURE IN AT SIX-125 TO MAKE THIS 402 CUBIC INCHES. FORGED FLAT TOP PISTONS WITH TWO VALVE RELIEFS ROUND OUT THE BOTTOM END. THIS CAM IS A HYDRAULIC ROLLER WITH AN RPM RANGE FROM 2,400 TO 7,000. GROSS VALVE LIFT IS 599 ON THE INTAKE, 601 ON THE EXHAUST SIDE. LOBE SEPARATION ANGLE IS 113. USING BLUE LOCTITE WE'LL BOLT DOWN THE THRUST PLATE AND TORQUE IT TO 18 FOOT POUNDS. THE TIMING SET'S A LUNATI SINGLE ROLL WITH A HEX ADJUST. WE'LL SET IT UP ADVANCED TWO DEGREES AND INSTALL THE CHAIN GUIDE.

(MIKE)>> NOW ONTO THE OIL PUMP. NOW WE'RE GONNA SHOW YOU THE RIGHT WAY TO INSTALL ONE OF THESE ON AN LS ENGINE. NOW THE GEARS INSIDE THE PUMP HAVE TO BE CENTERED WITH THE CRANK SHAFT CENTER LINE. ALL THE SLOP IN THESE BOLTS WON'T ALLOW YOU TO DO THAT UNLESS YOU FOLLOW THESE NEXT STEPS. FIRST REMOVE THE COVER PLATE FROM THE PUMP. REMOVE THE CRANK DRIVEN GEAR AND THE OUTER RING ROTOR. AND LOOSELY BOLT THE HOUSING TO THE BLOCK AND FINGER TIGHTEN. THE CRANK DRIVEN GEAR IS THE FIRST ONE TO BE CENTERED BY PLACING THREE 15-10,000 SHIMS IN A TRIANGLE PATTERN BETWEEN IT AND THE CRANK SPROCKET. IF THEY'RE LOOSE MOVE TO A TWO THOUSANDTHS FEELER GAUGE AND REPEAT THE STEP. NOW CAREFULLY INSTALL THE OUTER RING ROTOR GEAR AND SHIM IT USING MORE 15-10,000 SHIMS BETWEEN IT AND THE HOUSING. TIGHTEN THE FOUR PUMP MOUNTING BOLTS IN AN EVEN OVERLAPPING PATTERN, REMOVE THE SHIMS, AND REPLACE THE FRONT COVER. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THOSE STEPS, PREMATURE WEAR CAN HAPPEN INSIDE THE PUMP AND YOU'LL LOSE OIL PRESSURE. NEXT THE DAMPER AND TIMING COVER CAN GO INTO PLACE. NOW WE'LL PRESS THE DAMPER ON AND USE IT AS A GUIDE TO KEEP THE COVER CENTERED.

AN ARP FASTENER WILL KEEP THE DAMPER SECURE. WE'RE GONNA DROP IN THESE LUNATI LIFTERS DESIGNED FOR HIGH RPM USE.

STANDARD LIFTERS ARE PRONE TO VALVE FLOAT PAST 6,500 RPM. NOW THESE ARE MADE FOR EXTREME STREET AND ALL OUT RACING, WELL WORTH THE EXTRA INSURANCE. NOW THEY USE A TIE BAR TO KEEP THEM ALIGNED WITH THE CAM LOBES.

(JOE)>> FEL PRO PERMATORQUE MLS GASKETS ARE NEXT. THEY'VE GOT A COMPRESSED THICKNESS OF 53 THOUSANDTHS. I THINK THE STUDENTS AT SAM OUGHT TO GET AN "A" FOR THEIR PREP WORK ON OUR LS THREE HEADS. THEY CNC'ED ALL THE RUNNERS, INTAKES, AND EXHAUST, GAVE THE VALVES A THREE ANGLE JOB. THEY MILLED THE SURFACES 18 THOUSANDTHS, AND EVEN SWAPPED OUT THE VALVE SPRINGS. WITH THIS COMBINATION WE'RE LOOKING FOR 11.1 TO ONE COMPRESSION RATIO, AND OUR 402 CUBIC INCHES, WELL JUST COMPARE THAT TO THE 146 THAT ENGINE THAT CAME OUT OF THE NISSAN.

(MIKE)>> WE'RE BACK TO FINISH THE LS FOR OUR 240. NOW CHECK THIS OUT, FACTORY ROCKERS ARE FINE FOR THE

STREET BUT WITH THE LIFT OF OUR CAM SHAFT AND THE RPM RANGE WE'RE GONNA TAKE THIS THING TO, THE STOCK LS THREE ROCKER NEEDED A TRUNION UPGRADE TO A CAPTIVE ONE LIKE THIS. HERE'S WHY WE DID THAT. THE FACTORY ROCKER IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF LIFT IT CAN HANDLE. THE NEW ROCKER WITH THE CAPTURED TRUNION HAS NO LIMITATIONS WHAT SO EVER. NOW WE CAN DROP ON THE FACTORY VALLEY COVER AND A PAIR OF THE GENERAL'S VALVE COVERS. TO POWER THE PLUGS, FACTORY COIL PACKS, AND THE CANTON PAN WITH TRAP DOORS FOR OIL CONTROL AND A SIX AND A HALF CAPACITY WILL SEAL UP THE BOTTOM END. HERE SHE COMES. USING AN LS SPECIFIC LIFT PLATE WE'LL SUSPEND THE ENGINE, ATTACH THE MOTOR MOUNTS, AND MATE THE ENGINE TO THE DOCKING CART. A LIGHT COAT OF WD 40 WILL HAVE US READY TO DROP ON THE INTAKE. THE WD WILL LET THE GASKETS MAKE A GOOD SEAL AGAINST THE HEADS. OUR LS INTAKE HAS 39 POUND AN HOUR INJECTORS AND A 90 MILLIMETER THROTTLE BODY. ARP BOLTS WILL GET TORQUED TO 104 INCH POUNDS TO LOCK IT DOWN. NEXT THE MEZERE ELECTRIC DYNO PUMP CAN GO ON. A SMALL COMPANY FROM INDIANA, CALLED SPEARTECH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS SENT US OUR HARNESS, ECU, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NOW THE ECU IS AN E-38 CONTROLLER AND THE HARNESS IS ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION. NOW THIS COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN LS SWAP HARNESSES AND

COMPLETE LS POWERTRAINS. LETS SEE HOW THIS THING INSTALLS. THE LS THREE THROTTLE BODY IS DRIVE BY WIRE. THAT WILL BE THE FIRST CONNECTION, FOLLOWED BY THE

CRANK SENSOR, WHICH IS A 58-X, THE CAM SENSOR WHICH IS A FOURX. NOW THE COIL PLUG CAN CONNECT TO THE COIL HARNESS. WE'LL MAKE THE EIGHT CONNECTIONS TO THE INJECTORS. AND SPEARTECH USES A SPECIAL PROCESS TO FORM THE HARNESS

TO THE ENGINE FOR A GLOVE LIKE FIT, AND IT SHOWS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN MOUNT TO OUR PEDAL RETAINING CONTRAPTION, AND A FEW CYCLES SHOW WE HAVE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. AN INLET TUBE WITH A MASS AIR SENSOR CAN BE ATTACHED

TO THE THROTTLE BODY AND FINISHED OFF WITH AN AIRAID CONICAL FILTER.

MY FAVORITE PAIR OF HOOKERS CAN BE BOLTED UP USING STATEA FASTENERS, AND THE FINAL STEP IS TO PRIME THE ENGINE USING OUR GOODSON PRIMING TANK DESIGNED FOR

LATE MODEL ENGINES. OUR 402 FIRED RIGHT UP. AND AFTER A BREAK IN CYCLE WE'RE READY TO START TUNING. ALRIGHT JAY, WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP? NOW JAY PAYSON'S HERE FROM HP TUNERS.

WHILE HIS COMPANY DOESN'T PERFORM THE ACTUAL TUNING, THEY DO SUPPLY THE LATEST TUNING TOOLS. THIS TIME WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROFESSIONAL TUNER DO THE WORK WITHOUT SETTING FOOT IN OUR SHOP.

(JAY)>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A DYNO SHOP DOWN THE STREET WITH A GUY THAT'S FAMILIAR WITH YOUR CORVETTE, OR S-10, OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU OWN. THE COOL THING ABOUT THIS IS YOUR GUYS, YOUR PROFESSIONAL

TUNER CAN BE 1,000 MILES AWAY AND DO IT VIA EMAIL EFFECTIVELY OR RIGHT OVER THE INTERNET.

(MIKE)>> HERE'S HOW YOU USE IT. USING THEIR INTERFACE YOU CAN COPY THE TUNE FILE THAT IS PROGRAMMED INTO THE ECU.

NOW SEND THAT TO THE REMOTE TUNER OF YOUR CHOICE TO GET THEM STARTED. IF HE WANTS MORE THAN THAT, YOU CAN USE THE DATA LOGGING FEATURE TO SEND HIM MORE INFORMATION OF YOUR ENGINE RUNNING. AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE HIVE OUR BASELINE RUN, WHICH GAVE US 530 HORSEPOWER. NOW WE'LL ALSO SEND HIM THAT INFO AS WELL. HE'S GOING TO REPLY BACK WITH AN EMAIL THAT CONTAINS ANOTHER TUNE, WHICH YOU DOWNLOAD INTO THE ECU. YOU CAN OPEN IT UP AND SEE WHAT CHANGES HE MADE OR JUST TRY IT OUT. OUR SWEEP IS FROM 3,000 TO 6,500 RPM. 549, 523, POWER PICKED UP 19 HORSEPOWER. NOT BAD FOR AN EMAIL. NOW WE'LL SEND THAT BACK TO THE TUNER AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYMORE LEFT. HOW LONG DOES THE REPLY TAKE? WELL THAT KIND OF DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH YOU PAY THEM. NOW ANOTHER TUNE IN THE END BOX GETS LOADED UP, AND ANOTHER DYNO RUN FOR NUMBERS. 557, 526! NOW YOU CAN DO THIS ALL DAY LONG LOOKING FOR

EVERY BIT OF POWER. THE REALITY IS WE HAVE PLENTY FOR THE 240.

(MIKE)>> WE'RE BACK UNDER THE HOOD FOR SOME FINAL MOCK UP BEFORE THE LS GOES IN. NOW CHASE IS HERE FROM CHASE BASE, AND HE BROUGHT US PARTS FOR COOLING, STEERING, AND BRAKING.

ALL DESIGNED FOR AN LS CONVERSION. NOW WE'LL START WITH THEIR COMPACT BRAKE BOOSTER ELIMINATOR. WE HAVE ONE STAINLESS STEEL HARD LINE WITH AN FITTINGS ON IT THAT GOES TO THE FIREWALL. INSIDE THE CAR IT SPLITS OFF AND GOES TO THE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO ADJUST THE FRONT AND REAR BIAS. AND THEN THAT GOES BACK TO THE FIREWALL TO CONNECT TO

THE REAR LINES THAT GO TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. AND THEN YOU HAVE THE LINE GOING FROM THE SPLITTER THAT GOES THROUGH THE FENDER WELLS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE. SO ALL YOU HAVE IN THE ENGINE BAY IS A SINGLE

STAINLESS HARD LINE. TO KEEP THAT CLEAN LOOK FLOWING DUAL ELECTRIC FANS THAT FLOW 1,800 CFM A PIECE. NOW WE MADE THIS SHROUD TO PULL AS MUCH AIR AS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE RADIATOR. NOW WE CAN MOUNT THE INLINE FILLER NECK ON THE CORE SUPPORT MAKING SURE IT'S THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM. ATTACH A DASH 16 HOSE FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE FILLER AND ANOTHER FROM THE FILLER TO WATER PUMP.

(JOE)>> THE FLOW FROM YOUR POWER STEERING PUMP IS CRITICAL TO THE FEEL AND PERFORMANCE OF YOUR STEERING. WE HAD A COMPANY CALLED TURN ONE BUILD US THIS DIRECT BOLT ON FOR THE GM ACCESSORY DRIVE, AND IT MATCHES THE RACK REQUIREMENTS OF OUR 240. NOW IT'S GOT THE SAME DIAMETER OF PULLEY, ALTHOUGH THIS ONE'S MADE OF BILLET. IT USES LESS HORSEPOWER AND KEEPS THE FLUID COOLER.

ALSO THEY ADDED THIS LITTLE PIECE OF SAFETY WIRE FOR GOOD MEASURE.

(MIKE)>> IN FACT THIS IS THE LAST THING TO GO IN. THIS FOAM BLOCK WAS PERFECT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING FIT AND IT DOES. PLENTY OF ROOM, IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND SIDES. ONLY THING LEFT TO DO NOW IS TAKE IT OUT AND MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE. OUR LS WEIGHS 373 POUNDS. ADD 95 POUNDS FOR THE TRANS AND WE'RE LIGHTER THAN THE FACTORY COMBO BY 26 POUNDS. WITH THE ENGINE HANGING I CAN ROLL IT OVER THE BAY AND LOWER IT ONTO THE HOLLEY ENGINE MOUNT PLATES. WITH THE BELL HOUSING BOLTED TO THE BLOCK THE TRANS WAS SURE TO FOLLOW. BACK ON TOP I HAVE TO REINSTALL EVERYTHING WE PREFIT. THE FIRST PARTS YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, AIRAID'S UBUILDIT KIT. IT USES A FOUR INCH TUBE WITH 30 THROUGH 90 DEGREE BENDS FOR CUSTOM ROUTING OPTIONS. FIRST CUT THE TUBE BETWEEN THE COUPLER LIPS, AND START ASSEMBLING USING THE SUPPLIED CLAMPS AND COUPLERS. NOW WE'LL TOP OURS OFF WITH THEIR WASHABLE AND REUSABLE PREMIUM FILTER. DYNOTECH ENGINEERING BUILT OUR DRIVE SHAFT WITH WEIGHT IN MIND. THIS 6061 TSIX ALUMINUM SHAFT IS EIGHT POUNDS LIGHTER THAN A STEEL VERSION. IT'S HAND FIT, COMPUTER WELDED AND HIGH SPEED

BALANCED TO A MINIMUM OF 5,000 RPM.

FOR POWER A DURALAST PLATINUM BATTERY WITH 750 COLD CRANKING AMPS WE PICKED UP FROM AUTOZONE. IT'S HOUSED IN AN ALUMINUM TAYLOR BATTERY BOX WE GOT FROM SUMMIT RACING. BEFORE WE FIRE THIS THING UP THERE'S SEVERAL SMALL THINGS WE HAVE TO DO, LIKE WELDING, FABRICATION, A BUNCH OF WIRING, THINGS YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN. ALSO FROM SUMMIT RACING SCAT PRO CAR EXTREME 2,000 SEATS. NOW THEY'VE GOT A FIXED BACK AND VELOUR FABRIC, AND THEY'RE BOUND TO KEEP US COMFORTABLE. RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME FOR ROYAL PURPLE FLUIDS.

AND WITH SOME DENATURED WATER IN 93 OCTANE WE'RE FINALLY DONE.

(JOE)>> OKAY, LETS DO IT. [ engine idling ]

(MIKE)>> 56 POUNDS OF FUEL PRESSURE GOOD. THAT THING SOUNDS WICKED. FALKEN AZENAS RTSIX 15K TIRES ARE A TRACK APPROVED TIRE THAT HAS BEEN DOT APPROVED FOR STREET USE. NOW THEY FEATURE A SOLID RIB CENTER, WHICH REDUCES WHEEL SPIN. 235/40 17'S RIDE ON 17 BY NINE ENKEI RPF ONES, WHICH ARE AN FONE REPLICA. OUT BACK 275/40'S ON 17 BY 10.

(JOE)>> WHILE OUR 240 LS HAS A GREAT STANCE SITTING HERE, WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT HOW IT PERFORMS OUT HERE COMING UP.

(JOE)>> WELCOME BACK TO HORSEPOWER AND MEMPHIS INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. A PLACE WELL KNOWN FOR ITS HISTORIC DRAG STRIP. A QUARTER MILE TRACK THAT HOSTS A FULL SCHEDULE OF SIDE BY SIDE RACING EVENTS, FROM IHRA TO SUPER CHEVY.

(MIKE)>> BUT WE BROUGHT THE NISSAN HERE FOR THIS, THE RACEWAY'S ONE POINT EIGHT MILE ROAD COURSE, WHICH STARTS ON THE STRIP, A HIGH SPEED 3,500 FOOT STRAIGHT AWAY. THEN THERE'S THE TECHNICAL PART, EIGHT TURNS WHERE THE 240'S NEW SUSPENSION HAS TO PROVE ITS STUFF. AND IT DOES, STICKING TO THE CORNERS WITH MINIMUM BODY ROLL, AND RESPONSIVE TO THE POINT OF LETTING ME KNOW WHERE THE BRAKING POINT WAS.

(JOE)>> LOT OF POWER.

(MIKE)>> YEAH, PLENTY OF POWER.

(JOE)>> AND WITH OUR LS ENGINE THIS THING DOESN'T

HAVE ADEQUATE POWER, IT'S GOT INSANE POWER. IN FACT ON THIS STICKY STRAIGHT AWAY IT BLASTS OFF TO 160 MILES AN HOUR QUICKLY BEFORE NEARING TURN NUMBER ONE. IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY THIS TRACK IS A FAVORITE FOR SPORT CAR CLUBS, AND I THINK WE BROUGHT A RIDE THAT DOES IT JUSTICE.

(MIKE)>> IT'S A GOOD DAY WHEN YOUR HARD WORK PAYS OFF LIKE THIS. NOTHING IN THE WAY OF MECHANICAL ISSUES, NOTHING TO STOP THE REPAIR, NOTHING BUT PURE ADRENALINE AND FUN.

(JOE)>> AND NOTHING MORE TO SAY BUT WE'RE

GONNA STAY AND PLAY.

LET ME OUT!

(MIKE)>> HUH?

(JOE)>> I SAID LET ME OUT!

(MIKE)>> THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN A FIVE LITER COYOTE MUSTANG IS ONE WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS ON IT LIKE THESE JBA CAT FORWARD HEADERS. NOW THESE THINGS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE FLOW AND HORSEPOWER IN YOUR 2011 AND NEWER MUSTANG. THEY FEATURE THREEEIGHTHS INCH LASER CUT ONE PIECE

FLANGES, INCH AND SEVENEIGHTHS TUBING THAT LEAD TO THEIR PATENTED FIRE CONE COLLECTOR. NOW THE SILVER CERAMIC FINISH NOT ONLY LOOKS GREAT BUT IT'S GOING TO HELP REDUCE UNDERHOOD TEMPS. A SET OF THESE WILL SET YOU BACK $750 BUCKS.

(JOHN)>> YEAR ONE HAS STARTED A TRADITION OFFERING CLASSIC DESIGN WHEELS WITH MODERN MATERIALS AND SIZES. NOW YOU CAN GET ONE BASED OFF THE MAGNUM, WHICH WAS SO POPULAR BACK IN THE DAY THAT ALL OF THE BIG THREE USED THEM IN THE MUSCLE CAR ERA. KINDA LIKE THIS 1968 VERSION OF THE PONTIAC RALLY TWO OR THIS MOPAR RALLY THAT CAME OUT IN '70. NOW ALL OF THESE ARE ACTUALLY CAST ALUMINUM COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL STAMPED STEEL. AND WITH A MORE MODERN 17 INCH WHEEL SIZE YOU CAN RUN

MORE CONTEMPORARY TIRE PACKAGES AND BIGGER BRAKES. NOW EACH ONE OF THESE NEW CLASSIC VERSIONS IS GOING TO SET YOU BACK ABOUT $220 BUCKS.

(JOE)>> IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT CALLS FOR A FUEL DELIVERY UPGRADE, AEROMOTIVE CAN MAKE IT, QUICK, AND EASY, AND AFFORDABLE WITH ONE OF THEIR PHANTOM FUEL SYSTEMS. IT FITS INSIDE YOUR TANK LIKE SO AND COMES WITH A 340 STEALTH FUEL PUMP THAT WILL SUPPORT UP TO 1,000 HORSEPOWER IN CERTAIN APPLICATIONS. YOU ALSO GET THIS BLACK ANODIZED HANGER TO HOLD

EVERYTHING, AND ALSO THIS INTERNAL BAFFLE TO CONTROL FUEL SLOSH AND KEEP THAT PUMP SUBMERGED. OH BY THE WAY THIS THING CAN BE CUT TO FIT ALMOST ANY FUEL TANK, AND THE KIT SHOULD FIT YOUR BUDGET AT ABOUT $550 BUCKS. WE SURE HAD A GOOD TIME TODAY AND HOPE YOU DID TOO. SEE YOU LATER!