Steve & Josh's EK wagon build

[J]

looks like it's meant to be in there!
Very tidy looking motor and looks like some good quality work going into it as well.

Good job guys!

[NoMAD]

yeah that looks sweet... tough with all the black covers as well i like it!

Cheers
Nathan

[the rocket]

That engine looks tuff sitting in the car, good luck with the headers. where did you find the radiator and what price?
Thanks Rick.

[mickhrt]

Lookin good boys should have dropped in was in cairns this week

[steved57]

Mick, anytime you're up this way feel free to come 'round & say g'day. Number is 0437 557 601. How's the ute going?

Rick, the radiator is an Aussie Desert Cooler. They're not "cheap" at $750 but you get what you pay for and I know it will do the job properly - particularly in the tropics.

cheers, Steve

[RollinLow]

What sump are you using for the LS1?

[steved57]

One of these: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LS-1-Gen-3-R ... 1c22ee6b6a. The yanks use them in Silverado's etc. Seller is great to deal with too. Cheers.

[RollinLow]

Thanks I will look into it!

[lildavo]

be a tight fit for headers on that right hand side. not more room for play. got same motor as my vx clubby expect mine isnt carby. there quite motor with out a big cam in them unlike the 5l that has abit of engine note and great exhuast note

[steved57]

Sheesh! Typed out this whole post, hit a button - obvioulsy the wrong one - and lost the bloody lot. Lucky it's quiet at work this arvo, so here goes again.

Thought it time for an update, as it's been a (long) while. My fabricator mate Mark & I have nearly finsihed the headers. Had to go out through the guards because there just isn't enough room on the drivers side and i wasn't too keen on cutting into the subframe:

Plasma cutter does a great job on making holes and we'll make up nice stainless trims to go around them.









Final weld & clean up to come, then ceramic coating:



Fittted up brake booster (Engineeer is happy for fronts only, pending brake test) stone/heat shield and all fuel & brake lines:







Put together a handbrake assembly for the VN disc brake rear end - made up from an unknown handle, VN rear cables (modified) some modified bracketry and an intermediate cable (also modified) from a VY Commodore:











Fitted thermo fans, trans cooler and hoses. Hoepfully the cooler's big enough but if not I'll change it:



and modified the radiator support brace to strengthen after I had tio cut it out for the radiator:



Finally here's something that might be useful if fitting 2" gauges into the EK housing:



Chrome tap surround - $1.70 at the hardware shop:



Center filed out (not hard, it's pretty thin - and I used the electric file!) to take 2" gauge:



and Bob's your uncle. Not the best photo but you get the idea. in the flesh it looks like it was made that way.



That's enough for now. I'll try and update more regulalry in future. mark is finishing off teh headers "as we speak" and the plan is to start fabricating the rest of the exhaust system on the weekend. Once that's done I'll start on the bodywork - the panel beater (a real nice old bloke) has already worked his magic on the front guards.

Cheers, Steve

[Shain Mullavey]

It is the simple little tricks like this, way I love this forum. Keep up the top job.

[shmeagain]

ITS SHMEAGAIN LOOKS GOOD MAN

[the rocket]

Love your work Steve. I like the look of headers through the guards (why hide them when they look that good and you put in a lot of work on them) I've just got a pair for mind done (ceramic coated ).

Rick.

[WesternWagon]

Awesome build, gotta pull my finger out and get stuck into my wagon

Great work keep the pics coming.

[steved57]

Thanks WW. I'll post some more pics soon. Been getting a little bit done - steady steady. Cheers.