kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Well, time for another one. 5 years ago we prove to PA, to pick up a 1965 Chevelle 300 to give to Dad for his 60th birthday. It a complete granny car, straight 6, radio delete, manual steering, 4 wheel drum brake, dished hubcap car. Right after we gave it to him, he had to have a V-8. So we picked up a late 70's motor trans combo out of a vette, put a cam in it and he drove the heck out of it. Last year, we lost dad to a short battle with cancer. Mom told me to take the car and do a father son project with my son(7). We sat on it for a while and my son has been dying to get started.
Thought hard about leaving it old school, but by the time jr starts driving, gas will be $8.00/gal. So We pulled out the 350/350, sold it as a complete running package. shopped around a little and came up with a 5.3 out of a GMC. We got the complete wiring harness except the trans harness was cut off at the back of the motor. I also picked up a core 4L80E trans that has all the connectors on it, but no wiring to go in between them.
Now the fun begins. Planning on tearing down the motor so we can clean up the block and paint it up. I want to attempt to tackle the wiring harness myself to keep the cost down, but looks scary. The last one I did I sent it to Speartech and it came all ready to go. I am working on getting some pricing to see if we can swing it.
Rock auto sells the fuel tank with pump complete for that car, so that will be purchased. I believe I still have the cardboard templates for motor mounts adaptor plates from the Camaro, so I am going to see how close those will be. I am going to plan to try and do as much as I can with jr and we'll see how far along we can get before we run out of $$$$$.

Carshopinc.com

iTrader: (5)

Hey KRat ... I have one , A 65 Chevelle, LS1 thst is, .. Figure some adapter plates,
an oil pan, and exhaust as the major parts... Can help with all 3 if ya need a deal $$$$

Cheers Tim

LS 63 Nova

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Good luck with the project, it will be quite an experience for your son. My son and I did a car together 20 years ago and, although he was like 15, it was a great bonding experience. He's as big a car guy today as I ever was. Kept him out of trouble and substance free. He now has a 383 powered Monza street car that runs 10's and a 383 powered Vega wagon race car that runs 9's.

lsx67

iTrader: (5)

Also sorry to here about your loss. I wish my dad would have done something like a father son build with me when I was growing up. Thats why I am building my car, so I can have something for me and my little guy to bond. Good luck with the build should be fun, and im shur he'll be the coolest guy at school when he finally gets to drive it.

oldgoat69

This will be a great tribute to your father. As my grandson gets a bit older I plan to do the same thing with him.
The 65 will be a good platform to to the LS swap. Everything you could need is readily available, and fairly priced. In my experience you can purchase almost everything you will need for less than you can fabricate. Check the stickies for combos of the components you will need.
If all you need is the trans plug and a pigtail, you should be able to source from a wrecking yard. The harness appears intimidating at first, but is far simpler once you get rid of some of the unnecessary rats nest. Check www.lt1swaps.com for a wiring schematic.

99VetteFRC

Check this one out, should make you drool!!!

http://www.nelsonracingengines.com/c...Turbo-LSX.html

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I saw the one fron Nelson. That thing is awesome. We will just take our time and not be in a hurry. Brousing around and collecting parts now.
I will check out LT1swaps for the wiring. I have never been on that site.
Thanks for all the input. Any little bit helps and makes the process that much easier.

DC True

Sorry about your loss. Should be a great way to remember your father.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone know if the frame mounts from a inline 6 are useable with the motor mount adaptor plates and V-8 mounts? Our car has the factory inline 6 frame mounts which look like they push the motor forward. Not sure if there are different frame mounts between the 6 or 8 and which ones are the best to use for the conversion?

oldgoat69

You will need the V-8 frame mounts. Just like doing any other SBC swap into a 6 cyl car.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I had a V-8 in this car. We never swapped the frame mounts? It was a old school 350 with stock motor mounts.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Starting working on the motor adaptor plates. Will get the motor mounts on Monday and attempt to set it in to get some measurements.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

The original gas pedal assy was all rods on the 65'. The new system is now cable. What is everyone using for a gas pedal assy in these to convert it to cable? My camaro was drive by wire, so that was easy. Is there another car pedal assy that will bolt right in?

oldgoat69

As many will suggest a trip to the wrecking yard will show a variety of OEM options. Some use the S10 assembly. You can use a Lokar or RPC kit as well.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Just picked up a CTS-V oil pan kit. Hope it fits.....

LSx64Chevelle

I love the black lokar in my 64. Works really smooth and blends in. Very easy install too.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I will check out the Lokar kit. Thanks

Mike Blanco

Were you able to get your 4L80E into the the 65 without issue? I will be trying to do the same thing here pretty quick.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I haven't yet. I am tossing around just using the 4L60 due to being able to convert the speedo over easier and not having to modify the firewall. My trans guys tell me they can make a 4L60 hold up just fine.