RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I've been gathering parts for the last six+ months to convert my 498" street legal Nova to LS turbo power. I raced the car all summer with the rat. A best of 10.05 @ 134. The goal is to go faster....

3 weeks ago, I was laid off from my job of 37 years. Fortunately, I had purchased 2/3 of the parts already, so in order to stay sane, the project goes on.

The 498 came out today. As soon as I get a pan and mounts, in goes the L33.

The old and the new



Heads are ported 799, cam is by Martin, short block is stock with gapped rings.

Turbo is a BW S476 Billet wheel 87mm turbine 1.1 A/R

The 498 made 700 flywheel and is sold, should fund the remainder of the project

Ron

TurboAv

iTrader: (6)

Sounds like fun! Bummer about being laid off though. What made you decide on the 87mm turbine wheel over a larger one like a 96?

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Martin made me do it!
He picked the turbo. Also, this will be a foot brake car.
Ron

Bob@BruteSpeed

iTrader: (16)

I'm sorry to read you got laid off after 37 years, that's sad! Bob

69-chvl

iTrader: (11)

Knock it out Ron!

TDMKR496

iTrader: (3)

Sorry to hear about the layoff, tell us more about the car.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys. Corporate America at its finest. Swept out the 55 and over folks. Perhaps I can make the move from high tech to something auto related. But for now, it's Nova time.

Here is the car



It's been 9.40 on spray.
Th 400, 3.73 gears, 9" converter
Car will be in the 3400 lb range with driver

Ron

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I'm thinking it will like a 3.42 gear and probably a converter tweak. I'll confer with ATI on the converter, but am thinking I should run it as is first? It's about 4500 behind the old rat.

I have a 99 Camaro harness and PCM I'll need to modify. I have HPT and know how to tune. Ok, reasonably well. :-)
I had really wanted to use the Holley Dominator setup, but the budget has changed,

LS1NOVA and Stock48 have been my inspiration.
Truck manifold on drivers side, LS4 pass side. I'll fab the hot side. C5 vette accessories brackets. I'll use a Mast pan, may fab my own mounts. Not sure yet.

Need intercooler, BOV, WG, fuel pump, and well, a whole slew of little stuff. I will use a side exh setup, maybe un-muffled.
Plan as I go! I plan to run E85, it just makes sense although not super available around here.

BTW, I used procomp studs and GM LS1 MLS gaskets.
BTR and Tick have been supplying parts, after I sen $$$ of course. Excellent suppliers.

Nothing new here, basic LS turbo build. Results TBD based on my execution and tuning.

Will be asking questions here for sure. I'll put up a pic from time to time as well

Wicked69

Hey Ron keep me updated of stuff u need. If I have it its yours. Also, because of the weight of my csr I am going 3.73s. Iif u can waite 2 months I will give u my 3.42s. Free. They are Moser 12 bolt pro gears. I just ask if u don't use them give them back. Lol

I'm offended I am not ur inspiration. Lol. My only suggestion would be to use LS9 gaskets. Tried and trued.

I think u will be knocking on the 8's... forget about the9's.

yenkomike

iTrader: (2)

looks like a good start. I used the jegs motor mount adaptors the ones they call stock placement . uses the stock sbc upper mounts . they put the front of the engine in factory placement but the rear is forward about an inch. but it works good with my truck intake. here is a pic of it if it helps any. also if you need any measurments or anything of an ls1 in a nova let me know.

ajrothm

Sorry to hear about your job Ron... You'll have to go back to being a giggolo !

I look forward to seeing your Nova project, although I liked the traditional big block setup, you can't argue with LS/turbo performance. No doubt you'll do it up right.. I bet you have that thing in the 8.90s before you're done.

I'm subscribed!

Wicked69

I think 8.90'is money. Ron has a good working suspension too. Ron do u have coil packs? If not I have an extra set of the good ones that I was keeping for back up. If u need them I can ship them out Monday free of charge.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Del, what was I thinking? I sought the L33 based on your input! Doh
I'd trade you gears, but my 3.73 are trashed and howl bad. They are also 4 series as I have a spool.
I have coils, but if I need anything, I'll give you a shout. Thanks!

Mike, do you know the jegs part number? I have big block frame stands, probably need to go. If I only move the engine forward 1/2" or so, I won't need a driveshaft.

Alan, you know I loved that rat, simple and stout. But really couldn't do much with the car but race it. 5mpg on a good day, with a tailwind!

I'm going to be tickled with a 9.90.

The rat left today. :-(

Ron

Wicked69

Lol. I'm not worried about a trade. If I get them swapped in the next couple months I will give u the gears. You will have to swap to a 3 series anyeays to run a 3.42. At ur weight I think that would be perfect. I am just a tad to heavy for the 3.42's

yenkomike

iTrader: (2)

they sell a mount adaptor that they call 1" set back . they will put the bellhousing in stock location and move the front of he enine back an inch. my lq4 is about an inch shorter front of heads to bellhousing than a sbc

i'll get you a part #.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Thanks mike! This LS is going to look lost in there compared to the big block.
How is the head to firewall clearance on the pass side?
I can already see the TH400 dipstick won't work with the LS at all

stock48

iTrader: (17)

You have to rout dip stick up above cyl head by intake manifold and it clears. My trans is in stock location and pass head is 1/4" from firewall. The ls is 1.5" shorter at bellhousing than a sbc.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, good info. Save me some dollars.
Especially leaving the trans in the stock location. I'll need some SBC frame stands. Too bad I gave mine away

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I'm looking at the hooker mount plates. They make one set that places the bellhousing in the stock location. And another set that moves the engine forward 1/2".
From the pictures, it looks like a guy could buy the stock location plates, and drill and tap for the 1/2" forward position as well.

Also states clearly that big block stands will not work.

Chevy406

iTrader: (12)

Love to see this build thread stepping up into fast pace. It is bitter sweet to sell off the carb'd engine, but I predict you will not miss it once you have the turbo LS engine running. Ron is one of those old school hot rodders that will do things right. I'm sure this rebuild will quickly exceed his BBC & nitrous performance. You've got plenty of folks here willing to help you out my Oregon friend. Let us know what you need. Unfortunately I don't have a job to offer you though.

And Wicked69 - my 3.08 gears launch my 3,700 pound '69 Nova to 1.32 sixty foot times. No need to go too crazy with gear, just bump up the boost a little.