The OFFICIAL X-Body Swap Thread
 

I've been collecting some info on GM x-body swaps, and now that I'm pretty much finished with my '71 L92-head LQ4/4L80e (edit: now featuring a T56!), I'd like to pass along some valuable info to those looking to do LSx swaps in X-bodies. (NOTE: These are very much like 1st-gen F-bodies, so feel free to look up some camaro/'bird swaps, but I'm not including them here). I'm also including engine mount plates, headers, oil pan, and accessory info to help newbies choose a setup. If I've forgotten any builds, feel free to PM me or reply with a link.

*Here's a link to some good 68-74-related questions and responses.
*And here's a link to the Swinger Nova on LSxTV in case you wanna build a serious street machine (or just wanna dream).

1968
1968 Acadian L92/Tremec TKO600 (scherp69) http://www.canadiancrc.com/images/canada_flag.gif
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories

1968 Chevy II Nova Carb'd LY6/4L80e (bitterman) http://www.canadiancrc.com/images/canada_flag.gif
Mounts Mounts Dirty Dingo Double D
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories KWiK Performance

1969
1969 Nova Twin-Turbo Forged Iron-Block 408/TH400 (Chevy406)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (3/8" plate, non-setback)
Oil Pan Moroso
Headers C6 manifolds -- Temporarily using truck manifolds w/ NA setup
Accessories Meziere electric water pump, ATI superDamper, custom driver's side low-mount alternator mount

1969 Nova LS2/4L60e (coolguy802000)
Mounts TransDapt P/N:TRD-4592
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories stock truck modified for car intake

1969 Nova LS1/T56 (Chicago TDP)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers 1 7/8" Kooks
Accessories Stock from 02 Camaro, notched frame for A/C compressor

1969 Nova 5.3L L33/4L60e (kirk69nova) more build info here
Mounts Dirty Dingo
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers Hooker PN 2288-1
Accessories Truck

1970
1970 Nova LS2/T56 (another thread here) (strtlegal)
Mounts AutoKraft
Oil Pan AutoKraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories GM performance accessory drive kit

1970 Nova LY6/TH400 (-TheBandit-)
NOTE: Retaining VVT, clearanced frame for low mount AC and alternator
Mounts Dougs SK100 at 1/2" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Dougs D3337
Accessories LS3 intake, GM L99 wp & ps, LY6 AC and alternator (some notes on that here)

1970 Nova SS Forged LS1/T56 (pics) (dsster)
Mounts Brp Hotrods new-style (No issues at all fits perfect thanks to jeff)
Oil Pan Lh8
Headers BRP 2" long tubes
Accessories Stock fbody

1970 Nova LS3/6L80e with Paddle Shifters (12secondnova)
Mounts Moroso
Oil Pan LS3 (note: rack & pinion steering)
Headers Hooker super comp
Accessories Jegs alternator bracket (note: no power steering)

1971
1971 Nova LQ4 (w/L92s)/T56 (formerly 4L80e) (hookemdevils22)
Swap Info for above build
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Modified F-body
Headers American Racing Headers 1st gen F-Body swap headers (NOTE: The o2 sensor bungs are welded into the collector at the inside of the header. This may result in fitment issues -- the bungs were relocated to the slip collectors to accommodate the 4L80e).
Accessories LQ4 modified for car intake; alt/PS bracket modified per this write-up, L99 water pump, Warren Bros AC compressor bracket

1971 Nova LQ4/4L80e (billsnogo)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P non-setback, flipped upside-down (raises engine slightly)
Oil Pan JZ MotorWorks
Headers Dynatech
Accessories Stock F-body

1971 Nova LS1/4L60e (bczee)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style 1" setback (fabbed)
Oil Pan RetroLSX
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories unk

1972
1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/T56 (formerly TH350) (OMG it's running it's running!) (Frojoe) http://www.canadiancrc.com/images/canada_flag.gif
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Truck pan w/ 2.5" removed from bottom
Headers Hooker SBC Comp headers with welded LS-flange
Accessories Stock LQ4

1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e (crosstraining)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan LH8
Headers shorty
Accessories Stock LQ9 (?)

1972 Nova LQ4/Richmond 5-Speed (mikem77)
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories Kwik Performance

1972 Nova LQ4/Muncie 4-speed (Kansas_Nova)
Mounts Swaptech 3-position (eBay)
Oil Pan GMPP Muscle Car (LH8)
Headers stock F-body manifolds
Accessories undecided

1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (usafws6)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan Milodon
Headers Doug's Long Tubes
Accessories F-body

1972 Nova Turbo forged 370 cid/TH400 (1972nova)
Mounts Ebay 1" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Stainless works up and forward headers for turbo app
Accessories F-body/custom

1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (thenova70ss)
Mounts Kooks
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Patriot Clipster
Accessories Stock F-body

1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/4L80e (ryanleiker)
Mounts carshopinc plates
Oil Pan notched F-body
Headers flipped OEM truck manifolds
Accessories Modified truck; custom brackets for high-mount AC using an R4 compressor

1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e - The Booboo Project(Sebtarta)
Mounts Hooker engine swap mounts PN 12618HKR
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers Hooker Headers 2276-1HKR silver ceramic
Accessories Holley LS accessory bracket PN 20-135
Notes engine bored to 6.2L with LS3 heads/intake, LS1 TB

1972 Nova 5.3L turbo/TH400 - Project Miscellaneous Expense(Suncc49)
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders, Moroso solid mounts, OEM stands
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers KBracing log, custom-fit
Accessories truck

1973-Later
See post #3

Oooh can I get one of them fancy Canadian flags next to my name too..? :D

well, i only put the canadian flag on there because the CAR is canadian... but i guess

EDIT: Putting 73-Later in this section because I hit the character limit.

1973
1973 Nova SS LS1/T56 Turbo (MeanYellowZ)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers C6 manifolds flipped for turbo
Accessories Cut down F-body alternator bracket/ custom idlers

1973 Nova 6L Turbo 4L80e (73 nova guy)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan custom
Headers custom using speedway motors kit
Accessories Corvette LS1

1973 Nova Budget 5.3L/TH350 (Cruisin'73)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan Chopped truck pan
Headers Ebay F-body SS headers, with a little TLC (Torch'n Love and Care)
Accessories Alternator-only in F-body cradle and custom bracket

1973 Olds Omega LQ9/TH350 (bdonn8484) http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...TVL._SS40_.jpg
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders
Oil Pan Truck pan
Headers Hedman Hustlers
Accessories Stock LQ9

1974
1974 Nova LY6/faceplated T56 (twin74s)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan truck pan with 1.5" removed from bottom
Headers custom
Accessories unk

1974 Nova LQ9/4L60e (74novacustom)
Mounts TransDapt w/ custom frame stands
Oil Pan H3 pan
Headers Thorley longtubes PN D3337
Accessories Truck modded for LS6 intake

1974 Nova 408/T56 (Drednot)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers TBD
Accessories TBD

1975
1975 Nova LQ4/4L80e (yfzduner)
Mounts S&P/carshopinc 1" setback style w/ Moroso solid frame/engine mounts
Oil Pan F-body (subframe notched)
Headers Pacesetter F-body
Accessories Stock LQ4

1976

1977
1977 Nova 5.3L/4L80e (kwnova9)
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers F-body longtubes
Accessories Stock LQ4 with electric fan

1977 Nova Magnacharged LQ4 (cgslow77)

1977 Buick Skylark 5.3L/4L80e (LSxBody) https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...O-2STxFUwaGC3A
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers modified F-body headers
Accessories truck

1978
1978 Buick Skylark LQ4/4L80e (gonemad347) https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...O-2STxFUwaGC3A
Mounts TBD
Oil Pan TBD
Headers longtubes
Accessories TBD

1979

1980-1988
Anyone willing (stupid enough?) to try this? Remember, this includes the Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Olds Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix. I would also accept the 85-88 Nova. Come to think of it, my uncle has a Citation that would be a great candidate...

They didn't have Nova's from 80-85. The name came back slapped on a front-wheel drive Chevy, based on a Toyota, in 1985. Wasn't a bad car, just not a Nova in my book.

More about it.

Well I have an Acadian emblem on my dash but shaved emblems... does that count? Haha sorry, I'll stop polluting your thread :)

I am just starting my build. have not started a Build thread yet. but will start looking for more information using those thread for information and ideas.

thanks for the research.

subscribed!

future plans are in the works, it wouldnt hurt to have an extra last minute info source!

Hey Fellow X body enthusiasts, check out the Swinger Nova on LSXTV. The project is finally starting to gain some steam.They now have the engine mounted in the car.

I've been watching that one. I can't wait to see it done.

What, no love for the Gen 1&2 X bodies...? :cool:

If you'd like, feel free to use mine.....:D

T,

I guess I'll have to start a build thread on my '69 Nova getting a low compression 408 and twin turbos. Engine is about ready to go in for the final fit, but turbos are a ways off still. Here is a teaser picture.

Attachment 619611

New Ricks Tank:
Attachment 619612

that thing is gorgeous! i think i like that yellow on your nova better than mine - what color is it exactly?

i have a 1977 with a magnacharged LQ4 in it

Attachment 619609

Attachment 619610


and is for sale

Thanks - I caved in and had a body shop paint it 2½ years ago. I was going for Corvette Millenium Yellow but ended up with 2001 Viper Yellow because it was a little richer. My first Nova (1968) was painted something like 1974 Corvette Yellow, and I always wished it was a little deeper yellow.

I have been side tracked on my LS1 conversion because I am helping my son who is turning 16 tomorrow, to get his '95 Z71 painted and road ready. I hope to shoot the roof and hood this weekend. Then I'll be back on the Nova hot and heavy.

someone should make one of these for g-body's

Badass :cheers: Any more details on this one? Build thread?

sorry no build thread

https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...-w-maggie.html

theres the for sale ad

PLEASE START A BUILD THREAD WITH LOTS OF PICS AND DETAILS AND STUFF. KTHX BYE.


:drool::cool::):D

Thanks for the compalation! Very helpful. There should be a link to this in one of the sticky threads.

Might want to edit that to show it's an LY6.

done. i'm going to update the orig post with motor mount plates, oil pan, and headers to help people figure out a good combination.