77 Nova with 5.3 (motor in, and running)
09-20-2009, 03:27 PM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
77 Nova with 5.3 (motor in, and running) Here are some pics of my 77 Nova that we just put my 5.3 into. Just got it running last night, here are some pics. 5.3 is stock short block with ported factory heads, and Lunati cam, Vic Jr., and 750 Quick Fuel. 486 hp, 425 ft lbs on motor, 615 hp, 570 ft lbs on 125 shot of spray.
09-20-2009, 09:08 PM
#3
Staging Lane
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Sounds like you did your research. I have the same short block with the single 4 in my 55 Belair. No cam or heads but I've been in the market. I'd love to talk more about it. I'm not a racer but just want a badass sounding, fun to drive car. I appreciate the hard work you guys do and I dont want to impose but my schedule and the time I have to enjoy the car and my kids is limited. I guess I should find another hobbie. If you could help I would be a happier man, in my spare time, for it
09-20-2009, 09:29 PM
#4
man im about to do this same thing in a 76 nova with a 6.0 block and a f1r procharger. thats some seriously impressive numbers you have up there. nice swap. what kind of headers u go with?
09-20-2009, 09:59 PM
#5
On The Tree
Thread Starter
First things first, to Louisianagulf, are you insane? Don't give up your car!!! Building cars is what its all about!!! OK, here's some additional info on my swap: For mounts I used the transdapt adapter mounts. They aren't exactly straight forward with installation, but with some slight modification they went together. Let me save you guys some headaches, the GM upper "clamshell" mounts that I used were too shallow, and my manual steering drag link contacted my oil pan. So we had to weld longer ears on the mounts to clear everything. About 1.5 inches did the trick. Headers, this is a funny story, I've been trying to put this engine in my 64 Nova for too damn long now, finally said screw it, and put engine and tranny in the 77 Nova. I want a stock suspension car anyway, and 64 is ladder bar car. So I ordered headers from S&S Headers, in Arizona I think, for the LS motor in the 64 with a Heidt's front sub frame. With a little clearancing on my upper motor mounts they went right in my 77 miraculously!! We did have to clearance my crossmember on the passenger side by heating with a torch, and a little hammer persuation. These headers are very nice headers, a little spendy, but you gotta have them, so it is well worth it!!! I also built my own adapter plate for the transmission crossmember for the 64, and it works in the 77 too. I need to take more pics to better explain some of the details here. I would be more than happy to help anyone else with similar swaps in any way I can!!! I'm also excited to see other disco era Nova LS builds!! Hey Outlawnova, that Procharged 6.0 in a Disco Nova sounds bad ***!!! Keep me posted for sure!! Good to hear from you guys, don't be shy!!!!!
Last edited by ten5nova; 09-20-2009 at 10:23 PM. Reason: poor grammar
09-20-2009, 10:18 PM
#6
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, that the car has grandma friendly 2.73 gears in it right now, but I think I'm going with a 3.90, or a 4.10. Also plan on a 200-4R overdrive at some time next year, some buddies and I are going to try to make it to Dragweek!!
I like the color of your 64 btw Trending Topics
09-21-2009, 02:37 PM
#8
On The Tree
Thread Starter
THE 64 NOVA IS FOR SALE!!! IT IS SET UP FOR AN LS ENGINE, MOSER 9" WITH LADDER BARS ON THE STOCK SPRINGS WITH FLAOTERS. CAR NEEDS SOME WORK TO FINISH, IT IS IN PROJECT MODE, BUT IT IS NOT FAR FROM GOING BACK TOGETHER!!! IT WOULD MAKE AND AWESOME BRACKET CAR, OR DRAG RADIAL, GRUDE, 8.5 OUTLAW OR WHATEVER TYPE OF HEADS UP RACE CAR!!! I WOULD LIKE TO GET 6500 OUT OF IT, BUT WILL TAKE OFFERS.
09-21-2009, 09:37 PM
#9
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Just got back from the maiden voyage. Went for about a 20 mile drive. The carb is a little fat yet, but it cruised just fine, and didn't try to over heat, and I don't even have my electric fan working yet. My Husrt V-Matic II shifter is a total piece of **** too, so we really didn't get to get on it any, but the drive was more or less to see if everything was going to work OK, and all was well. I'm going to put in a Hurst Quarter Stick anyway. The car is long way from going down the track, but I'm just happy to have the thing running and drivable after all this time, we dyno'd the engine about 3.5 years ago. More to come, Later
04-03-2014, 01:48 PM
#10
Here are some pics of my 77 Nova that we just put my 5.3 into. Just got it running last night, here are some pics. 5.3 is stock short block with ported factory heads, and Lunati cam, Vic Jr., and 750 Quick Fuel. 486 hp, 425 ft lbs on motor, 615 hp, 570 ft lbs on 125 shot of spray.
