Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

[VE] How to: LLT to LFX engine swap

Glitch

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2023
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
28
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
Holden Belina S1 sportswagon
Yeah thats not an LLT.

It's going to be a much harder swap as none of the wiring looms from the old engine will work with the new one.
So far everything has lined up afpart from fuel lines and post cat exhaust sensors
I have swapped the tailshaft already as the 4S auto gearbox was 150mm short but other then that so far it’s all matching up I check the number of pins in the harness connections before putting them together and they both had the same amount and colour locations
 

Glitch

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2023
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
28
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
Holden Belina S1 sportswagon
So far everything has lined up afpart from fuel lines and post cat exhaust sensors
I have swapped the tailshaft already as the 4S auto gearbox was 150mm short but other then that so far it’s all matching up I check the number of pins in the harness connections before putting them together and they both had the same amount and colour locations
I also said that I got the engine loom and ecu with the motor and gearbox it was all one set and still together untouched
 

Commo64

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
2,107
Reaction score
1,959
Points
113
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
2010 VE Omega
2009 Holden be Berlina sportswagon this

is the motor that come out of it
You can check the build plate on your car and that will give you different codes, such as "M30" which means that you have a 4spd auto
 

Glitch

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2023
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
28
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
Holden Belina S1 sportswagon
You can check the build plate on your car and that will give you different codes, such as "M30" which means that you have a 4spd auto
I also said that I got the engine loom and ecu with the motor and gearbox it was all one set and still together untouched
 

Commo64

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
2,107
Reaction score
1,959
Points
113
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
2010 VE Omega
I also said that I got the engine loom and ecu with the motor and gearbox it was all one set and still together untouched
Yep, but what engine did your car originally come with? I'm still confused
 

Glitch

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2023
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
28
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
Holden Belina S1 sportswagon
I thought it was a LLT BUT BY WHAT YOUR SAYING ITS MAY BE A LEO
The motor I’m putting in is a LFX
 

_R_J_K_

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
6,723
Reaction score
1,856
Points
113
Members Ride
Zenki S14
I also said that I got the engine loom and ecu with the motor and gearbox it was all one set and still together untouched
It may bolt in, and you may have the engine loom and ECU, but electronically it's not a plug and play deal. The ECUs are coded to the modules in the cars they came from, so unless you have a scan tool capable enough of recoding everything you're gonna have a bad time. It's also highly unlikely the LFX ECU will work with the BCM in a Series 1 VE without some kind of no-VATS change to the ECU. Electronically the Series 2 VEs that had the LFX/LLT are vastly different to the Series 1 VEs, down to the wiring in the looms, so you might even find that a lot of the looms don't fit together.

Basically, you're not going to be able to plop the engine/loom/ECU in and expect it to work, the fuel lines are the least of your problems with this.

Also, 3 litre is definitely not an LLT or an LE0 (LE0 and LY7 engined cars are also no better for this anyway), none of which came in a 3 litre, it's going to be an LF1.

The reason the LLT to LFX swap (which your swap is not) is so straight forward is that they are basically the same engine with the LFX having some very minor differences and integrated exhaust manifolds, and they also use the same gearbox. Because they are so similar, you just use the cars existing loom/ECU/gearbox and some other small accessories from the LLT (cats, injectors etc...) and don't have to deal with any change in electronics because there is so little of a change in the physical engine (design, displacement, injection) and its engine management.

Apart from the LFX to LLT, largely any conversion to a different factory engine in a VE, from a Commodore or not, is going to be a pain for the average person to do at home. The know how for these types of jobs that require specific modules and specialist scan tools and settings just isn't out there, so many shops won't do it for you either - so far I'm only aware of one in Queensland that might attempt something like this.
 
Last edited:

someguy360

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
4,126
Reaction score
6,654
Points
113
Location
The Shed
Members Ride
Various
Definately not like the engine swaps of old where you can just plonk the new engine in, wire it up and turn the key.

It's all a lot more complex these days.
 

Commo64

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
2,107
Reaction score
1,959
Points
113
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
2010 VE Omega
I thought it was a LLT BUT BY WHAT YOUR SAYING ITS MAY BE A LEO
The motor I’m putting in is a LFX
Did the original engine in your car look more like this:

1681341652659.png


Or this:

1681341727375.png
 

brenny_90

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
Byron Bay
Members Ride
VS Ute
Hey, thanks to LachieKb firstly for the detailed write up for this swap..I'm considering the swap myself from a 2010 LLT.
Mechanically I'm competent to complete the job but electronically, not so much, I don't have any scan tools capable for recoding..what I'm hoping someone can inform me on is if this swap will be a straight drop in if I get my hands on a bare long lfx. And lfx cats obviously.
TIA.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230426_143654_Firefox.jpg
    Screenshot_20230426_143654_Firefox.jpg
    76.7 KB · Views: 126
Top