LS2 V8 Rocket Bunny S14a

Thread in 'Project Cars and Builds Threads' started by -jamie-, Apr 6, 2013.

  1. -jamie-

    -jamie- StrongFlex UK

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    #FullAttack LS2 V8 Rocket Bunny S14a

    Well this isn't a recent build but as I don't have a build thread for it I figured I'd put one up!
    The story of the car is that it was originally built by Apex Performance as their demo car. It was used in Time Attack briefly and then it ran in EDC for a couple rounds, got cleaned back up and I bought it, ripped it apart and turned it into a competition drift car. I used the car in BDC last year for a few rounds but during the round at Lydden Hill the car suffered a no oil pressure problem. The car then sat up until now, I've blown the dust off and it's time to get her back up and working!
    For anyone interested the build thread by Apex is here: Apex Performance S14a V8 demo car

    I'll start with some pictures from when Apex had/built/used it

    This is the car in August 2008..!
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    The car is now very different, in looks and performance. More power, Lighter, completely new suspension setup including custom extended tubular front arms, the list really just goes on and on tbh!


    So first of all I rebuilt the engine with comp cams duel valve springs and titanium retainers, comp cams push rods, comp cams Thumpr cam and timing gear.

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    stripped the inside, fitted the cage, painted it, new rear subframe, full set of P4P polly windows with GT sliders, cut out the rear parcel shelf and fitted ally fire wall.

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    I took the car to Lydden Hill for its first shake down. First impressions were that the grip was just unreal, it really just bit in and shot forward, if anything it was too much and I struggled to twin with slower cars. So a brake bias was fitted and now it's happy days.. Lesson learnt ;)

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    Then I used it in BDC, Pro class with sponsorship from Warranty Direct, BodyArt Paintworks and Rota

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    The picture above was from the first lap at BDC Lydden Hill, that was the one and only lap before the oil pressure problem!
     
    #1 -jamie-, Apr 6, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2013
  2. -jamie-

    -jamie- StrongFlex UK

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    So now I've begun the rebuild, I'm trying to have it done for the BDC team event in Teesside.
    First thing is first, unfortunately I do not have access to a workshop this time round so it's mostly going to be done on my drive/in the garage!

    So today I got the engine out and on the engine stand ready for stripping!
    Easiest way to get the engine out is to drop the front subframe

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    #shesquatsbro
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    #2 -jamie-, Apr 6, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2013
  3. Iamalexreece

    Iamalexreece New Member

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    Gorgeous car!! I love the black on black look!! Do you have any vids of the car in action??
     
  4. Koncept_drifT

    Koncept_drifT Member

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    this right here gets me excited!! awesome stuff my man.. its like the s14 version of my ps13...AWSOME!
     
  5. Murf

    Murf Member

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    Lovely looking motor :)
     
  6. diamondsink

    diamondsink Kyouto Drift

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    Iv heard the early LS motors are not ideal for drifting as the sideway forces can cause oil pressure issues. Whats your plan to stop it happening again? Dry sump?
     
  7. kieran_e1

    kieran_e1 In need of practice

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    ls2 is 2004 plus. ls1's started in 1998. this isn't an "early" ls.
     
  8. -jamie-

    -jamie- StrongFlex UK

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    Yeh as already said this LS2 is from a Pontiac GTO, so 2004-2006. The car has the Sikky conversion so has a bigger baffled sump already
     
  9. diamondsink

    diamondsink Kyouto Drift

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    Tidy, what do you think caused the issue?
     
  10. Stavros

    Stavros Active Member

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    It's not early LS engines, it's any that's not dry sump.

    A big LS engine builder in the USA literally refused my money once as they wouldn't do a build intended for drifting, even with a big baffled sump and accusump, due to the oil issues and their previous experience with drift (inc Formula D) cars.
    Dry sump or nothing in their eyes, even without a warranty they didn't want their name on something that they were convinced wouldn't last.
     
  11. -jamie-

    -jamie- StrongFlex UK

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    Nice to know. I've seen almost all the FD cars that use LS's with dry sump setups so that probably explains it! But there's a lot of people who don't use them, my setup has been tried and tested by Sikky themselves and its proven to work. The car has been running the same setup since the original build, its by far proven to not suffer oil starvation
     
  12. Scouse14a

    Scouse14a Member

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    What roll cage do you have Jamie? I like the look of it :)
     
  13. tbtstt

    tbtstt Member

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    Stunning looking car, looks mean as fuck!
     
  14. gunner

    gunner Member

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    Its only the Sprint car engines in FD running dry sump in FD all team ASD
    Dai's car is not dry sumped and thats won a championship?

    Its wierd the earlier LS1's seemed to have big problems.I know of two LS3's in a BMW and S13 that have got abuse on drift tracks every week for the last 5 months and not missed a beat!

    Accusump at the very least is a good solution
     
  15. Crook

    Crook Member

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    Car looks insane dude, dropped you a PM aswell :-)
     
  16. FlikstRR

    FlikstRR 330D powered

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    Mine wasnt dry sumped and it never missed a beat either and that was an LS1... maybe I was lucky.
     
  17. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

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    Hopefully this weekend has given you the encouragement to get it fixed dude..
    Once you get your engine back, Dylan and I will come down for a weekend and we'll get it in and running:thumbs:
    Can't wait to get us all out on track drift bumming:euge:
     
  18. Clive

    Clive Active Member

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    black on black on black on black bumming :euge:

    :thumbs:
     
  19. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

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    Ha.. We are all having sparkly red roofs too... Gayyy:euge:
    Just got to pursuid Toby to do his jzx the same colours..

    You want sparky red roof?
     
  20. Clive

    Clive Active Member

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    Sounds Gay,

    I'm in... roof is proper wank anyway from stacking cars at my old workshop (leaking brake fluid from the breaker above :wack: )
     

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