Project M - AKA Emmy - 1968 Bel Air Wagon
04-06-2011, 06:02 PM
#1
Project M - AKA Emmy - 1968 Bel Air Wagon Hey guys,
I've lerked quite a bit and learned a lot....
I started my swap about 4 weeks ago and am just now getting around to posting up some pics and a build thread. Hopefully someone can learn from my trials.
The car:
1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon
327 4bbl, TH400
I bought the car in March of 2010 and it was in driveable condition. I replaced the floors, carpet, colored the seats, lowered the front end,
upgrade front sway bar, ADDed rear bar, Coy C5's(20x10+295/35, 18x8.5+245/45).
The Plan:
LSX power, T56, Twin Turbos, Engine/Drivetrain built for 1000whp, Air Ride...the ultimate family car.
The LS engine:
2007 Cadillac Escalade L92 and 6L80E.
A guy locally had tried to fit it in his 78 Vette and did not succeed.
I didn't want the 6L80E as I knew of the fitment issues people have had, but I figured I'd give it a shot.
The allure of the 6-speeds made it worth a try. The plan was not to spend too much time or effort making it fit.
Otherwise I might as well do the T56 like I want.
55K miles, kinda dirty, missing the alternator and a few other minor pieces.
Water pump was hacked by the junkyard sawzall operator.
I found what I thought was a pretty good deal for $2500. It looked like a slightly less good deal when I saw hard dirty it was and it was in pieces(partially disassembled) and fasteners were missing.
I've lerked quite a bit and learned a lot....
I started my swap about 4 weeks ago and am just now getting around to posting up some pics and a build thread. Hopefully someone can learn from my trials.
The car:
1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon
327 4bbl, TH400
I bought the car in March of 2010 and it was in driveable condition. I replaced the floors, carpet, colored the seats, lowered the front end,
upgrade front sway bar, ADDed rear bar, Coy C5's(20x10+295/35, 18x8.5+245/45).
The Plan:
LSX power, T56, Twin Turbos, Engine/Drivetrain built for 1000whp, Air Ride...the ultimate family car.
The LS engine:
2007 Cadillac Escalade L92 and 6L80E.
A guy locally had tried to fit it in his 78 Vette and did not succeed.
I didn't want the 6L80E as I knew of the fitment issues people have had, but I figured I'd give it a shot.
The allure of the 6-speeds made it worth a try. The plan was not to spend too much time or effort making it fit.
Otherwise I might as well do the T56 like I want.
55K miles, kinda dirty, missing the alternator and a few other minor pieces.
Water pump was hacked by the junkyard sawzall operator.
I found what I thought was a pretty good deal for $2500. It looked like a slightly less good deal when I saw hard dirty it was and it was in pieces(partially disassembled) and fasteners were missing.
Last edited by BelAir1000; 04-06-2011 at 07:27 PM.
04-06-2011, 06:35 PM
#5
And then February 19, the swap began....YES, this is all happening in my carport...:-)
A buddy at work had already made an offer on my 327. So I pulled it out on a Saturday morning and had it ready to be picked up by midday.
I then search Craigslist, Ls1Tech, Pro-touring, lateral-g, Ebay, etc for a swap engine....
I found this...it looked better in my mind.
A buddy at work had already made an offer on my 327. So I pulled it out on a Saturday morning and had it ready to be picked up by midday.
I then search Craigslist, Ls1Tech, Pro-touring, lateral-g, Ebay, etc for a swap engine....
I found this...it looked better in my mind.
Last edited by BelAir1000; 07-13-2013 at 08:33 PM.
04-06-2011, 07:19 PM
#7
After some clearancing of the cross member via a 3lb sledge, the oil pan clears enough to get the engine in the mounts. The pan still hits the center link, so the stock truck pan will not work. I looked at all the pan possibilities and settled on the LH8 pan. The Holley pan would work, but I'd still be waiting on it and it would cost me nearly three times as much.
Tranny pan is also low...I am only using the 6L80E because it came with the engine. If I have to cut the tunnel up, I might as well wait and find a T56 like I truly want....but that will mean Emmy is down another couple months...Can't have that.
I am able to reuse my stock tubular trans cross member. I just had to make a simple adapter plate to make it work.
My stock driveshaft will work with the escalade front yoke and a 1310/1330 u-joint. Little victories here and there.
Tranny pan is also low...I am only using the 6L80E because it came with the engine. If I have to cut the tunnel up, I might as well wait and find a T56 like I truly want....but that will mean Emmy is down another couple months...Can't have that.
I am able to reuse my stock tubular trans cross member. I just had to make a simple adapter plate to make it work.
My stock driveshaft will work with the escalade front yoke and a 1310/1330 u-joint. Little victories here and there.
Last edited by BelAir1000; 04-06-2011 at 07:24 PM.
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04-06-2011, 07:22 PM
#8
At night, while it was too cold, I was working on my wire harness. I'd love to have a well documented harness build. But alas, just a few pics. But it was fairly simple, but very tedious.
Last edited by BelAir1000; 07-13-2013 at 08:35 PM.
04-06-2011, 08:14 PM
#12
I'll post pics later...but I ran a hard 1/2 aluminum line through my frame(just behind front tire on the inside of the frame to just in front of the rear tire on the inside of the frame) via hard line adapters and -8 bulkhead fittings. I will run a -8 line to the rail. I will have a -8 line from the rear of the hard line to a Corvette Filter/Regulator. I am unsure of what I'm gonna do between the tank and pump.
I will be using the stock tank in the rear left fenderwell. I plan to run a couple of bulkhead fittings for the -8 feed and -6 return line and use a single walbro 255lph in the tank. Down the road I will add a second walbro 255lph when I add the turbos.
I have also ordered a rear cover gasket and rear main seal. I found a little oil leakage and also found the block porosity TSB. So I plan to fix it before I remate the engine and trans.
Also on the way from GMPartsDirect is accel pedal, water pump gaskets, intake port seals, alternator and LS3 MAP sensor connectors.
Still have to decide on a set of manifolds....The L92 manifold fits perfectly on the passenger side, but the drivers side is different(i.e. not symmetric with the right). If the left side part was symmetrical with the right side, I'd be in good shape.
Does anyone have any manifolds laying around?
I didn't want to buy headers, cause I plan to either may manifolds for my turbo setup or use upsidedown stock manifolds.
I will be using the stock tank in the rear left fenderwell. I plan to run a couple of bulkhead fittings for the -8 feed and -6 return line and use a single walbro 255lph in the tank. Down the road I will add a second walbro 255lph when I add the turbos.
I have also ordered a rear cover gasket and rear main seal. I found a little oil leakage and also found the block porosity TSB. So I plan to fix it before I remate the engine and trans.
Also on the way from GMPartsDirect is accel pedal, water pump gaskets, intake port seals, alternator and LS3 MAP sensor connectors.
Still have to decide on a set of manifolds....The L92 manifold fits perfectly on the passenger side, but the drivers side is different(i.e. not symmetric with the right). If the left side part was symmetrical with the right side, I'd be in good shape.
Does anyone have any manifolds laying around?
I didn't want to buy headers, cause I plan to either may manifolds for my turbo setup or use upsidedown stock manifolds.
04-12-2011, 04:56 AM
#19
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Sweet man, I love the wagon!
Are you sure on the Aluminum tubing for your fuel lines though? I was going to go that route but could never find info that said it could withstand the pressure. All the lines I found were rated for carbs 5/6 psi levels.
I ended up buy braided line, but looking back at it now I wish I would have bought one of those plastic tubing kits.
Anyway swap looks great, good luck!
Are you sure on the Aluminum tubing for your fuel lines though? I was going to go that route but could never find info that said it could withstand the pressure. All the lines I found were rated for carbs 5/6 psi levels.
I ended up buy braided line, but looking back at it now I wish I would have bought one of those plastic tubing kits.
Anyway swap looks great, good luck!
04-12-2011, 11:54 AM
#20
Sweet man, I love the wagon!
Are you sure on the Aluminum tubing for your fuel lines though? I was going to go that route but could never find info that said it could withstand the pressure. All the lines I found were rated for carbs 5/6 psi levels.
I ended up buy braided line, but looking back at it now I wish I would have bought one of those plastic tubing kits.
Anyway swap looks great, good luck!
Are you sure on the Aluminum tubing for your fuel lines though? I was going to go that route but could never find info that said it could withstand the pressure. All the lines I found were rated for carbs 5/6 psi levels.
I ended up buy braided line, but looking back at it now I wish I would have bought one of those plastic tubing kits.
Anyway swap looks great, good luck!
Russell Performance tubing is rated to 250psi per their site.