LDK Swap List
#26
The heads on the regal/saab lhu are different. On the exhaust cam is a cam driven vacuum pump for the brake booster. The injectors are different as well. There is a sensor installed in the oil pan. The valve cover is different and so are the PCV lines. Other than that it looks to be a direct swap so far. I'm right in the middle of mine. I'll let you know if anything else is different or needs to be changed for swapping into a cobalt.
The im is supposedly different as well. There's a slight modification to it to make it work, can't remember what it is. The lnf fuel rail and im bolt right up tho. No problem.
#28
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
The heads on the regal/saab lhu are different. On the exhaust cam is a cam driven vacuum pump for the brake booster. The injectors are different as well. There is a sensor installed in the oil pan. The valve cover is different and so are the PCV lines. Other than that it looks to be a direct swap so far. I'm right in the middle of mine. I'll let you know if anything else is different or needs to be changed for swapping into a cobalt.
from my experience the PCV lines on the LDK VC are slightly larger than the LNF lines. I only know this because when I did the turbo upgrade kit from zzp they had a small bolt you used to block off one of the lines from the VC and it was smaller than the hole. About fell down into my head haha.
There are quite a few small differences between the blocks but overall they don't really matter when mating to our cars. I am interested in hearing what you do for the head. You going LNF head or something? or sticking with the LHU head?
#29
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
There's a bunch of little differences. The exhaust manifold from the lhu puts the turbo up about an inch. The dipstick from the lnf won't bolt to the IM because it sits higher in the oil pan so if you're using the lhu pan, get the lhu dipstick. The pcv line coming off the middle of the valve cover needs to be swapped with an lnf one. As you can see in the pics, the vacuum pump coming off the exhaust cam sticks out quite a ways. If it fits in the car, I'll actually use it. If not I'll fab a block off plate. If you go the block off route, you'll need to make a recess for the little oil port that's cast into the head. There's a few more things to note as I come across stuff I'll post it. Also bare in mind, my lhu was pulled from a regal, if you're buying from zzp they might already set yours up for the cobalt.
#30
That's a great list. I didn't think about a lot of that stuff since mine was zzp sourced. I had heard that the turbo sits higher. I wasn't sure if it was the head or exhaust manifold. I'm glad it appears to be the manifold. Mine went together fine (used my lnf manifold and turbo). I heard later that the turbo sat higher, so then I was worried about the flex pipe getting stressed. Now I'm not going to worry anymore.
#31
I found this thread very useful when researching the conversion: LNF-LDK-LHU Compare Some interesting things I noticed were that his block was foam cast, and they discuss the brake booster pump quite a bit.
Last edited by exninja; 05-18-2015 at 10:55 AM.
#33
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
I found this thread very useful when researching the conversion: LNF-LDK-LHU Compare Some interesting things I noticed were that his block was foam cast, and they discuss the brake booster pump quite a bit.
#40
New Member
Got it out and still a lot of work ahead, heater hoses and belt tensioner was the toughest part, welded a piece of 3/8 key stock to a piece of 1/8x1x10 flat stock for a tensioner tool, not much clearance in that area and tool worked great.
#43
New Member
I wouldn't be looking to forward to it, I am in the middle of mine and these things are the most complex machines I have seen, 972 sensors and each one has a different type connector you have to figure out how to disconnect, the engineers at GM spent more time on them than anything else. Now I have to figure out how to get the braided vent line disconnected from the valve cover. But of course I am old school, I am use to 1 hot wire, 1 ground, a fuel line, oil pressure and water temp connector and a couple of heater/radiator hoses.
#44
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
I'm not going to be looking forward to it in the sense of being excited. The last thing I want to do is drop over 2 grand on a new motor. I figured it wouldn't be easy but I at least hope most of it straight forward. Its It's already going to be hard enough since I don't have a lift.
#45
New Member
I will be tough without a lift. I guess this is a good way to get acquainted with the little 2.0, I just wasn't ready for so many sensors, oil lines, water lines and connectors. I have mine to the point where I need to get some gaskets and get the flywheel turned, my clutch is supposed to be in Tuesday although mine looked pretty good, thinking someone may have changed it, it was a Sachs brand, not sure if that is stock or not.
#50
New Member
Am I taking to long? I have 2 more trucks, another car and 2 motorcycles I can drive. I just started this Saturday. Looking for help on removing the vent line from old valve cover.