'87 Turbo -> LS3

Hurt my engine in 2013 just as my kids got busy - so, conversion took 8 years.  I forgot where I was and what I was planning so many times that I was miserable to be around.  Seems like I had to do everything twice.  Running great now - been back to the scene of the original crime (Willow Springs) twice.  So much effortless power on tap that my brother didn't want his 911 anymore - boring by comparison.

I paid extra for the EROD so I could get it through California emissions.  Everything is done except they are demanding the VSS signal come from INSIDE the transmission.  My head is about to explode.  Has anyone gotten their LS3 past CARB? (help!)

Anyway, here it is:

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T-bar delete, Bilsteins all around, Delrin bushings, M030 sways, 4 Cayman rear wheels, 968 caster blocks, Autopower half-cage, Sparco seats/harnesses, Momo steering wheel

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Muffler shop found an oval exhaust tip that looks very similar to the original turbo exhaust.  Magnaflow resonator and muffler keeps it almost too quiet but I didn't want to get booted from track days.

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So much time, I just kept adding stuff:
Odyssey battery to save some weight, HVAC delete replaced with Accusump under black cover, BMW hydroboost with reserve bomb by firewall, stainless steel power steering reservoir to handle extra volume (took me a long time to acquire even modest TIG skills - between 3D printing attempts and poor stainless steel versions, I probably built more than 12 of those things; I'll hate them forever); Ground Control camber plates and brace; Walbro fuel pump with Aeromotive regulator; Setrab oil cooler; power steering cooler;

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In California, we have to have a check engine light.  Everyone else probably knows this but I was surprised to find an unused light in the dash that displays that message.  Found it when I swapped out the turbo cluster for the N/A version.

Thanks to all who went before me for their contributions to this board. Folks here have been really generous with their time and advice through the years to create this repository of knowledge.

Interesting on the VSS signal being required to come from inside the transaxle. Your speedometer does pickup a toothed wheel signal from inside the transaxle to display your speedometer reading. Someone better with wiring and tuning than me could probably tap into that signal and use it for VSS purposes.

chrenan wrote:Interesting on the VSS signal being required to come from inside the transaxle. Your speedometer does pickup a toothed wheel signal from inside the transaxle to display your speedometer reading. Someone better with wiring and tuning than me could probably tap into that signal and use it for VSS purposes.

It is very frustrating given all the other meaningful issues that have been conquered and how ridiculously low this engine's emissions really are.  I have the typical reluctor wheel on the transaxle output flange.  For automatic transmissions, I guess people change that pulse train to modify shift points and I suppose having it accessible makes that easier but this is a manual transmission - I shift when I want to.  

Anyway, the speedo signal is an interesting thought.  I will do some research on that signal.  Even if it's the wrong pulse count, I might be able to scale it with a cheap adapter (Motorola or PIC controller chip).

Many thanks to you and anyone else who gives my dilemma any thought.

If you ever want to put A/C into your motor, I did the full write up to get it done. You and I have the same LS3 so you may like the read. Let me know what you think.

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Porsche951toLS3 wrote:If you ever want to put A/C into your motor, I did the full write up to get it done.  You and I have the same LS3 so you may like the read.  Let me know what you think.

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Impressive write-up!  I've taken ALL of the HVAC stuff out of my car (Accusump where the fan used to be) so I don't see myself going back to AC but maybe the next owner will choose a different course.  If so, they will be lucky to have such a clear recipe to follow.  Thanks!

Maybe you could 3d print a cover that bolts to trans and completely enclosed the vss sender. Leave an opening big enough for the axle to clear. Technically that would be internal then.