Moving on from here tho I did find quite challenging.
First up when considering mount options I had several things to ponder. Firstly, and this is probably unique to the FFR but they set the driveline up with the engine/trans displaced to the right by 1". This is to provide better balance for a driver who would normally sit on the LHS of the car (US style!).
I was not that keen on keeping that, and wanted to bring the motor back into the centre.
Initially I decided to use factory Holden mounts with my LS3 under the rational that if it works in the HSV, then why not for me. Also worth noting that the LS3 mounts are actually quite different to those from the LS1, being much beefier. Which of course is where the problems started.
I kinda new the LS3 mounts were different to the LS1, but I was not sure by how much, and I could not find a decent photo of them anywheres. So I just jumped in and ordered them, nothing ventured, nothing gained type of thing. Anyway after they arrived (and its amazing how much time I seem to spend waiting for bits!) and I then fitted them up I realised I had a problem.
The factory mounts were way to big. They did not fit down between the chassis rails at all, and if they did, then the would be mounted down almost flush with the bottom of the rails. Way to big. Darn. Back to Mr Google.
I should add however at this point that the trans mount I bought from Holden was actually fine and I have used this for the install.
Back to main mounts and the search. Ignoring the overpriced options I saw on eBay Oz I then found a company called TransDapt who made a generic LS mount to suit engine transplant installs. I bought a set of them (via Summit) and again had another wait till they showed up. Which they duly did. Along with a pretty neat little 1:18 scale 427 SC replica - I wonder how that ended up in there?
So now with the new mounts in hand I could begin. Firstly I had to cut out the old mounting system from the chassis, and here I must pause to congratulate FFR on their fine welding. It was quite a mission cutting out the old mounts and grinding back the big fat fillets which held them in place. Excellent work with no signs of voids at all.
With the old mounts gone, I mounted up the trans, then setup the motor in just the right place sitting on a wooden block and a few shims here and there to get it level and centred. Next was all about fitting and shaping the new mounts to match the contours of the chassis rails. Once set it up right, I could then weld them in.
The pics reminded me - I bought a mid-mount shifter from Mal Wood to move the stick to right spot. Thanks guys.
OK, up-to-date on my cobra news now, best get back into the shed and do some more!!
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