shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Finally am able to start on this swap, picked up a wrecked 98 camaro z28 today for 2500. The guy had receipts on a full engine rebuild 55 miles before he totaled it. I think i got a heck of a deal. The car runs and drives. All im taking is the motor, trans, ecu, and wiring. If anyone needs any parts let me know ans we'll make a deal. I think the car has lowering springs and possible a gear change in the rear end. Ill check for sure tomorrow. Here is some pictures of the el camino and the camaro. I plan to fully document the build, and be totally done by may. The el camino is a 1972 original 350 car. Plan to use seats from an 04 gto, and the car will be painted a midnight blue with a silver stripe combo. I have a paint and body shop so should knock the paint out very soon.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

You got a heck of a deal on the Camaro! Is it an automatic or 6 speed?
Also, is that a UFO in the first pic???

oldgoat69

Ditto ls1nova71, you really did score. I suggest that you keep the hulk around until you complete the swap. You never know what you might want to scavenge.

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Its an Auto... I wished it was a 6 speed, but i couldn't pass the deal up. Maybe ill find a deal on a t56 before i get to far into the swap. Are you talking about that black thing in the sky!? It probably is a ufo, i bet it was scouting out my camaro so they could do an ls1 swap into their ufo!
Yeah i probably will, ill get rid of a few things i know i dont care for like the seats, doors, decklid etc. first.

club_xcursion

iTrader: (6)

how bad is the damage up front on the camaro?

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Not bad of a find.. I got my doner, a 02 Z28 (auto) for $1700.. and it only had front damage like yours, but not as bad.. it was still driveable and could have bee repaired (Title was still clean). But I had more use for the parts.. and I sold off everything and re-invested the cash into the Nova project.. using the engine, trans, brakes, radiator and fans... and all of the wiring harness, Accessories

keep the posts coming on your swap..

BC

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

It is fixable, has a clean title. Needs a quarter panel and the front clip. The front frame horns need pulled, but it would be an easy pull.

Id like to see how you did your brakes.. Ive been trying to think of how i could fab that up.

Im going to order motor mounts tonight, and a set of headers tonight. So ill research up some headers and swap mounts, if any one has any advice for headers and mounts let me know. I want to try and use all the f-body accessory drive, and oil pan. I sold all the interior after about 15 minutes of posting it on craigslist for $350. The driver seat was crap, and i kept the console. So that pays for the headers tonight! With another $200 to slap on top. Headers are pricey! Also sold the radiator support, with an slp lid for $60. Everything i sell off the car will go towards the el camino. I cleaned a spot in my shop for it today, and I got the hood pulled off, interior gone, and ran the car for a solid hour to make sure everything was good. Maybe tomorrow ill yank the motor and trans. Ive got the whole week off, so i should get to dig in a lot this week. Here is some pics today..

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Thinking about these headers since they are the cheapest i can find so far. lol

http://compare.ebay.com/like/221004364897?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

The F body brakes are nice, I have them on the front of my '33. I turned down a set of Granada front brake rotors to just hubs so that the camaro rotor slid over them, and then fabbed up some caliper brackets. It's not hard to do, and I think you could just use some factory drum brake front hubs, make your brackets and be done. Bczee can probably give you more details as to your specific spindles since the ElCamino and Novas are the same.

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Ill look tomorrow and come up with something.


Well i got a sudden burst of energy and yanked the motor and trans out tonight, only took me a couple hours. I dont have a lift so i had to resort to my redneck ways of getting the K-member out. Heres some pics for tonight.

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Got the motor off the sub frame today, and the trans pulled off. Then went and bought a new engine stand, put it all together and cleaned the motor up. Im going to use the vintage air kit, so getting rid of the camaro ac compressor. Wondering if im going to clear the steering box with the camaro alternator location. Probably wont get much done on the car tomorrow. I committed to painting a buddy's car thursday, and my shop looks like a tornado blew through. My paint booth has been storing motorcycles for about 2 weeks now lol

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Might go to "pull-a-part" tomorrow and find a steering box out of a jeep, anyone know off the top of their head what year model jeeps are best? And is it the Cherokee or the Grand Cherokee jeep?

MichiganLarry

I used a 98 grand cherokee box. Was only like 120 bucks at Autozone rebuilt.

MikeFSKSpeed

iTrader: (37)

Looks like a fun project!

If you need any help or prices on swap parts, We always help out LS1 Tech members!

Pm me for any questions and Good luck on the build! Should be fun!

douglee25

Cool project!

Doug

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Mike, what kind of deal can you offer on a Holley swap pan ? (or MAST)..

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Mike, you will be hearing from me at some point in the next month!

Has anyone used f-body stainless headers in an a body? Seems like a saw a guy over at northstar chevelles use them in a 70 model. That would be very kind for my budget if i can make them work.

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

After some more research, im going with some f-body headers. Much cheaper and from what i have read... They fit with little effort in the abodies.

tmcmillan5

iTrader: (1)

Shane check out this thread on TSP Stainless F body headers.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...body-pics.html

shanex25

iTrader: (3)

He did a good job on his cross member, his motor is sitting forward though. Im going to be sitting mine back to clear for the alternator. I think it will be far back enough that the headers will clear the cross member. I'm going to order the cheapo headers on ebay tonight $180 shipped. Im still trying to decide on what to do with motor mounts. Im thinking 1inch set back transdapt adaptor plates, with a standard sbc mount.