Novapat67

Hello all, I figured I would make a post since I am finally making headway on the swap. A few years ago I picked up a 2006 L33 with 60k miles(allegedly). I also got a 4l80e off craigslist and am finally putting it all together. I've been working on the car for a few years. It's a bit of a frankencar with all the parts but it works. The idea is for it to be a daily driver street car with a bench seat and a column shifted auto.

To start, here is some info about the car:
1965 nova 4dr
Church boys racing Power rack and lower control arms
CPP 2" drop spindles
Ls brakes
Rearend is an 8.6 from a 2003 s10 with disc brakes, a new Eaton posi and 3.42 gears. Yoke is swapped to 1350
Wheel wells are mini tubbed with 275/40/17 tires on 17x9 wheels. 17x7 wheels up front.

The car originally came with a 194/powerglide combo.

I also have a factory underdash ac unit I plan to use with some modern components.

Here are some pics:

https://imgur.com/a/4c9obhl

Novapat67

The first thing I had to do was swap the oil pan to an f body setup for ground clearance. While I was in there, I pulled a rod bearing and it looked perfect.

https://imgur.com/a/qvhLATx

Once I pulled the inline 6, I bolted up the 4l80e to install the engine/trans as one unit. I had heard that installing a 4l80e in a first gen nova with a stock(non-clip) front end was very difficult. I was wary of blowing up a 4l60 and didn't have the cash to rebuild it with go fast parts.

I couldn't even get the engine in without cutting a little bit of the floor. Once that was done, it cleared enough to raise the trans up to get the proper driveline angle.

https://imgur.com/a/dLjLZyb

https://imgur.com/a/UqJMr9f

It is tight and requires a little cutting but is not that bad. I used a universal transdapt crossmember kit which was fantastic for $60. Don't worry, the car is no longer on harbor freight jack stands

https://imgur.com/a/aweh4lC

After lots of cardboard templates and shaping, I got the tunnel patch tacked in. It's not pretty but that's what carpet is for.

https://imgur.com/a/xsu6NgK

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Bitchin' lookin' "more door" Nova...

Novapat67

Well the first transmission had water in it but I was able to find another early core. I rebuilt it with new clutches, steels, pistons and lots of other stuff. It took a long time as it spiraled from a simple refresh to a whole rebuild with modifications. I ended up dual feeding and bringing all the clutch packs back to the proper clearance. I used a recalibration kit from Jakes Performance in addition to one of their stall converters. It should work well if it doesn't blow up immediately haha.

https://imgur.com/a/CkUAfKf

https://imgur.com/gallery/iZecaWo

https://imgur.com/a/HIO2w09

Novapat67

I put the engine and transmission back in the car and everything is looking good. I have a factory underdash ac unit I want to use with some of the stock ls truck equipment. The aftermarket brackets are pretty expensive. I was able to modify the bracket and the stock compressor works great.

Stock bracket:

https://imgur.com/a/KKQrq1a

It fits!

https://imgur.com/a/8qztV5W