Engine Installation - Challenge #1

DP designed the D2 to use GM LS series engines. The prototype used an emissions compliant LS-3 E-Rod engine which fit very tightly in the frame designed to mate with. It never occured to me that my LS-7 would have an engine oil cooler on the block's left side.  This is a feature GM added after I looked at GM Crate engines at the IMIS show last December.

The LS7 uses a dry sump oil system that pumps oil out of the block to an external dry sump tank, then returns the deaerated oil back to the engine to be pressurized and pumped into its bearings. The hoses to and from the dry sump tank attach to the engine on its right side.

Oops. Those LS7 add ons interfere with the frame tubes. This will be solved by detaching the cooler from the engine block and feeding it remotely via a  remote oil cooler manifold available from GM. This manifold comes with hoses that will be routed to the cooler.  Similarly I can fabricate an angled hose connection block for the right side drysump hoses.

Let the work begin.