ls4 fwd engine into rear engine Corvair?
02-07-2013, 07:49 AM
#1
ls4 fwd engine into rear engine Corvair? I came across a good deal on craigslist for a whole ls4 (aluminum fwd 5.3) front cradle out of an 08 Grand Prix. I've also seen quite a few 60's Corvairs on there. I was wondering if anyone has swapped the whole ls4 engine/transmission/cradle into the rear engine Corvair? Seems like it would be a unique swap. Let me know what you guys think.
02-07-2013, 08:25 AM
#3
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I like the idea, always wanted a v8 corvair! I've seen it done in several fieros before, should be able to do the same in a corviar! I had a 66 Corsa Convertable in High school, that was a great car!
02-07-2013, 09:37 AM
#7
google, 1st thing that popped up
1969 Corvair:
http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...r/viewall.html
1969 Corvair:
http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...r/viewall.html
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02-21-2013, 04:59 PM
#8
I wouldn't go that route.
I'd either get the cradle and 5-speed manual from an '88 Fiero GT, or raid a Porsche 911 salvage yard for their latest.
The '06 Pontiac G6 GT offered an F40-MT2 6-speed manual if 5 speeds won't do it for you. But while the MT2 is stronger and offers a Quaife, it will give better MPG, but first gear will be useless except in parking garages.
There is the XFE version of the F23, but forget the F35. Using the '88 282 you can do a Phantom-Grip diff, and use existing axles. F23 can probably get by with Cobalt SS F35 axles IIRC, but for the MT2 you'd probably need to spend big at The driveshaft Shop if Fieroguru can't get you sorted out.
If you ever want to add boost, the MT2 is for you.
Still, any of this is better than the 4T65E-HD or the power-sapping, heavy 4T80E.
I'd either get the cradle and 5-speed manual from an '88 Fiero GT, or raid a Porsche 911 salvage yard for their latest.
The '06 Pontiac G6 GT offered an F40-MT2 6-speed manual if 5 speeds won't do it for you. But while the MT2 is stronger and offers a Quaife, it will give better MPG, but first gear will be useless except in parking garages.
There is the XFE version of the F23, but forget the F35. Using the '88 282 you can do a Phantom-Grip diff, and use existing axles. F23 can probably get by with Cobalt SS F35 axles IIRC, but for the MT2 you'd probably need to spend big at The driveshaft Shop if Fieroguru can't get you sorted out.
If you ever want to add boost, the MT2 is for you.
Still, any of this is better than the 4T65E-HD or the power-sapping, heavy 4T80E.
02-21-2013, 06:45 PM
#9
The real question is how much cutting do you want to do to the corvair. The corvair rear suspension is quite short in overall height and the transverse LS4/4T65e-hd cradle uses struts that are quite tall, so some significant sheet metal work would be needed for the strut towers.
Also the transverse layout has the engine/transmission ahead of the axle centerline whereas the corvair is a true rear engine layout, so you might even need to move the rear firewall forward to make room for the engine/transmission being further forward.
In a Fiero the engine bay (that a transverse LS4 just barely fits in) has the forward firewall about 24" ahead of the axle centerline. I doubt the corvair has this much room without some extensive sheet metal work.
Also the transverse layout has the engine/transmission ahead of the axle centerline whereas the corvair is a true rear engine layout, so you might even need to move the rear firewall forward to make room for the engine/transmission being further forward.
In a Fiero the engine bay (that a transverse LS4 just barely fits in) has the forward firewall about 24" ahead of the axle centerline. I doubt the corvair has this much room without some extensive sheet metal work.
05-09-2013, 09:26 PM
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I'll chime in I know this thread is a little old but for the sake of an answer...There is someone on corvaircenter.com who has put a 3.8L (similar layout) in the back of a corvair, but I haven't checked on the finished product. There has also been a northstar conversion. You will lose the back seat area and will have to reconfigure the firewall.
On a second note, I have put an LS4 in the back of a corvair but used a porsche 911 (997) transaxle. I used a one off adapter/flywheel/etc. It's still at the shop for final details. As of this post it should be a week or two till it's finished. You can PM me and I'll reply via email if you're wanting more info.
On a second note, I have put an LS4 in the back of a corvair but used a porsche 911 (997) transaxle. I used a one off adapter/flywheel/etc. It's still at the shop for final details. As of this post it should be a week or two till it's finished. You can PM me and I'll reply via email if you're wanting more info.
05-10-2013, 12:24 AM
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I know this thread is a little old but for the sake of an answer...There is someone on corvaircenter.com who has put a 3.8L (similar layout) in the back of a corvair, but I haven't checked on the finished product. There has also been a northstar conversion. You will lose the back seat area and will have to reconfigure the firewall.
On a second note, I have put an LS4 in the back of a corvair but used a porsche 911 (997) transaxle. I used a one off adapter/flywheel/etc. It's still at the shop for final details. As of this post it should be a week or two till it's finished. You can PM me and I'll reply via email if you're wanting more info.
On a second note, I have put an LS4 in the back of a corvair but used a porsche 911 (997) transaxle. I used a one off adapter/flywheel/etc. It's still at the shop for final details. As of this post it should be a week or two till it's finished. You can PM me and I'll reply via email if you're wanting more info.
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read...202#msg-505202
05-10-2013, 01:57 PM
#12
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I put a Ford 2.3 Turbo in a Porsche 914. Yes that has been done by others but I did it transversely with a Ford Escort trans. I didn't use the Porsche trans. The 2.3 bolts right up to the Escort, albeit with a kind of small clutch. But then with the right flywheel you can bolt up a Taurus SHO clutch witch is a little bigger.
I say try to keep the factory engine/trans mating. Adapters suck in my opinion. I know lots of people use them but why have all those special, one off parts buried deep inside the bell housing where they are difficult to get to? So my advice is to use the Pontiac trans and go transverse. Yes it is a lot of cutting and won't be a longitudinal mid engine layout when you are done but it has its advantages.
I say try to keep the factory engine/trans mating. Adapters suck in my opinion. I know lots of people use them but why have all those special, one off parts buried deep inside the bell housing where they are difficult to get to? So my advice is to use the Pontiac trans and go transverse. Yes it is a lot of cutting and won't be a longitudinal mid engine layout when you are done but it has its advantages.
