So, it’s happening. The King is dead! Long live the King! etc etc. After much agonising, checking current price for a kidney on eBay & pondering life without my Marcos Mantis, this afternoon I confirmed to Jay that we will go ahead with the engine swap to a GM LS3.
This is a huge decision for me, to say the least. May as well get on with it now. Jay is ordering parts from Performance World before the rubbish post-Brexit exchange rate with the dollar pushes all the prices up. Here are the bits we know about;
- Crate LS3 480bhp engine
- TR6060 6 speed gearbox
- Starter motor
- LS480 Controller kit (Engine Harness, Mass Air Flow Meter & Mounting Boss, Accelerator Pedal Assembley, Oxygen Sensors & Mounting Bosses (2), Engine Specific Programmed ECU)
- New radiator
- Clutch
- Gear lever
- Flywheel
- Accessory drive system (Bracket–Air Conditioning Compressor, Compressor–Air Conditioning, Tensioner–Air Conditioning Compressor Belt, Belt–Air Conditioning Compressor (1040mm-Long), Bracket–Power Steering Fluid Reservoir, Bracket–Generator and Power Steering Pump
Generator, Pump–Power Steering, Pulley–Power Steering Pump, Brace–Power Steering Pump Front, Hose–Power Steering Fluid Reservoir With Clamps
Reservoir–Power Steering Fluid, Tensioner–Drive Belt, Pulley–Belt Idler,
Belt–Water Pump/Generator/Power Steering Pump) - A/C compressor & bracket
- Swirl pot
- Spigot bearing (anyone who knows me will appreciate I have no idea what this is)
- Rewire from dash onwards
- Hoses etc
Of course, I still need to get the car trailered back home from the garage in Warrington where they have been investigating the Ford engine. Then sometime in the next month, Jay will pick up the Mantis & take it back to East Sussex for major heart surgery. A few (perhaps rather nervous) weeks later I get it back again. Simples! Now, that would be a nice Christmas present!