LSA/Grand National Conversion
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
LSA/Grand National Conversion Finally getting my wish to have an LSA in my GN.
Went through the suspension, brakes and reinforcing the frame with a notch before undertaking this conversion.
Lonnie Diers Stage III 4L80E Transmission with custom cut Billet 1st and 2nd gears 2.75 1st, 1.57 2nd.
Cooling system is already converted to a Ron Davis radiator so cooling should not be an issue.
Was running my stroked 4.1 on E85 and hoping to have this running on E85.
Nick Micale is doing the install with his vintage air conversion for more engine bay room.
After in and running a turbo (or twin) is(are) going in front of the supercharger to turn up the volume a little.
Total project should be around 2 months.
Here is this weeks progress:
Frame notch for Lower A/C mount underway.
Went through the suspension, brakes and reinforcing the frame with a notch before undertaking this conversion.
Lonnie Diers Stage III 4L80E Transmission with custom cut Billet 1st and 2nd gears 2.75 1st, 1.57 2nd.
Cooling system is already converted to a Ron Davis radiator so cooling should not be an issue.
Was running my stroked 4.1 on E85 and hoping to have this running on E85.
Nick Micale is doing the install with his vintage air conversion for more engine bay room.
After in and running a turbo (or twin) is(are) going in front of the supercharger to turn up the volume a little.
Total project should be around 2 months.
Here is this weeks progress:
Frame notch for Lower A/C mount underway.
Last edited by tdishon; Jul 13, 2014 at 10:29 PM.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yes, I went to Spohn for the mounts. I bought two sets. 1 welded and the other unwelded. I have heard about alignment issues, but they went in smooth.
Just have to modify my crossmember for the 4L80E.
Plenty of room for the conversion.
Just have to modify my crossmember for the 4L80E.
Plenty of room for the conversion.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
Here are some more pics of the car. I have had it for just over a year and now have 5k miles on it. Bought it from a collector with 4,200 miles. Just wanted a super clean foundation. Here are the GNX vent brackets I fabbed up so they are removable. They are functional too.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
Underside after I Installed Baer brakes and Detroit Speed
Updated buckets out of a Scion.
I wish I had better pics. I will as soon as we get it out of the shop.
Here is when it was delivered.
Updated buckets out of a Scion.
I wish I had better pics. I will as soon as we get it out of the shop.
Here is when it was delivered.
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How far did you notch the frame to the seam? What size wheel/tire you planning? I notched my GN to the seam but have not touched the wells yet didn't know if i need to to slip 315's in there some say yes most say no just massage the wells some.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
Well it depends on the tire brand. I have Mickey Thompson 315/35-17 currently and they fit and are big 315's, but recommend rolling the fenders. Plenty of room between my tire and frame. I fit the rear wheels off my corvette 325/30-19. They did fit and drive nice with the correct backspacing.
I did the notch to the seam. I'm probably moving to the Nitto tires that run small.The 335/30/18 Nitto should not be any larger than the Bridgestone 325/30/19 I already had on the car. The pic below is of the 325/30-19. If the Nitto on my 18x11 wheels with 5-3/8 backspacing do not fit, I will go to the Mickey Thompson 305/35-18. When the car is on the ground, they fit just inside the rolled lips and don't touch.
I did the notch to the seam. I'm probably moving to the Nitto tires that run small.The 335/30/18 Nitto should not be any larger than the Bridgestone 325/30/19 I already had on the car. The pic below is of the 325/30-19. If the Nitto on my 18x11 wheels with 5-3/8 backspacing do not fit, I will go to the Mickey Thompson 305/35-18. When the car is on the ground, they fit just inside the rolled lips and don't touch.
Well that's promising I cut my lips in half! Once i finish my rear setup I can use the wheel rite and measure everything up and start ordering! Nice build reminds me of mine lots of money for sure!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
I kept the rear wheel wells and added a strip of metal to offset it. I did keep it even with the notch and wish I set it in another inch. While figuring offset with wheel adaptors and the car lowered 2+", the wheels sat up in the wheel wells and would rub the inner upper wells on curbs, etc. I changed the springs to raise it about 1/2" and now have the top of the tires just below the lip and I have not ever rubbed anything since.