Senna

iTrader: (1)

I've been waiting quite a while to start this thread. I put the car in the garage to start this project in June.

My build is going to be a LS3 I built my self from scratch, bought a new block,crank, forged connecting rods and pistons, Brian Tooley stage II cam and valve springs. Found a set of brand new take off crate motor heads that I had a Very nice 5 angle vale job and some clean up work of the bowl area.

I'm hoping for 475 hp at the rear wheels.

The motor will be cooled with a Dewit's radiator in their Black Ice epoxy with dual electric fans. I'll also be using Wegner Motorsports black FEAD .

This motor will be backed by a new T56 Magnum. With a Hayes "Muscle Car" clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. And of course a new drive shaft.

The 10 bolt diff will get a posi and 373 gears. I put axles in when I did the Big Brake set up. I know the 10 bolt isn't the best choice, but it's what I have until I find a 66 12 bolt. And I do not want a Ford rear end.

The brake and suspension are all ready done. Bear brakes with SC&C suspension. And Boyd wheels.
But I will be adding Hydra boost and Bear master cylinder.

all of the LS swap components are from Holley/Hooker. The motor mounts, trans cross member, headers and exhaust.

Inside will be getting some new stuff also, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital HDX dash with satellite speedo. Also an complete rewire with American Auto Wire Classic Update harness.

This is the car before I parked it back in June

The reason I'm just getting to this after parking the car Back in June was a big set back.

The first thing in doing the LS swap was new body bushings. I knew I had some problem bolts but what I got into was a complete trunk floor replacement. This turned out to be a pretty big and time consuming project.

Here a little info on that

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/12-b...me-advise.html

Now that I'm done with the trunk floor except for final paint. I'm back on the swap.

So by the end of the Thanksgiving weekend I hope to have this new engine and trans set in place and be able to begin mocking up headers, radiator and FEAD.

Of course I have to do a pretty big modification to the trans tunnel.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Nice looking car! I assume this is cut and pasted from another forum, or you're not going to make that 'by the end of Thanksgiving weekend" deadline!

Senna

iTrader: (1)

LOL, I'm behind schedule. Yes, I have it posted over on TeamChevelle.com

Over there there is not so much love for the LS swaps, some but not a lot.
Over here is more there is more (obviously) LS love.

G Atsma

What, they all in love with the old school Gen I small blocks and big blocks? Living in the PAST! LOL

Senna

iTrader: (1)

And 14" wheels.

G Atsma

AAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!! LOL
And CARBURETORS??? And DISTRIBUTORS????? With POINTS???
The Wayback Machine has seized! LOL

Senna

iTrader: (1)

While I had the trunk floor out and was lifting the body to slide the floor in and out for fitting, I did some fuel line mods.

I bought a factory big block fuel line. this line is 3/8 and the original small block line was 5/16. so for the new fuel injection I needed supply and return lines.

I cut both line down and silver soldered -6 fitting on them, then used Fragola PTFE (teflon) black AN lines to make the connections.

This is the Corvette style filter/regulator with the PTFE lines attached.


here is where those lines connect to the hard lines. I had to add the bracket to the frame to mount the line to. I cut that piece off of the old truck floor.




when I first completed the hard line I made up some adapters and pressure tested for leaks.


Also while I had the trunk floor out I set the new Tank Ink tank in place on some straps so I could make the PTFE lines connecting the tank to the hard lines.

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

Just curious why such a long run from the tank to the fuel pressure regulator/filter? I actually mounted mine on the tank and have less than 12" of lines to the regulator/filter then hard line to the engine bay.

Senna

iTrader: (1)

No particular reason. A few of the vehicles I've owned previously had them mounted in a similar location on the frame rail from the factory.

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Yeah...It's a tough "row to hoe" for us LS guys over there...

Senna

iTrader: (1)

It's all good though. the Chevelle specific info is unlimitied.

Senna

iTrader: (1)

Got a lot done today. Pulled the engine back out and installed the flywheel clutch and bell housing then bolted on the T56. Then set it back in on the Holley Mounts and cross member. Everything lined up pretty good.

I also cut the tunnel out based on the patch panel I got from Tin Man Fab.




Once the trans was in I was able to confirm my Hydraulic clutch line, it looks good.


I also was able to mock up the Hydra Boost unit. I required some mods because of the adapter plate for the hyd clutch.

Senna

iTrader: (1)

Also got the headers in. I set the intake on, although I'm pretty sure I'm going to upgrade to FAST intake. We set the Spartech FI harness in place to see how it laid out. And installed some of the Wegner Motorsports FEAD. I'm waiting on the power steering pump to be returned from Wegner. I switched from a integral reservoir for a remote reservoir style pump because of adding hydra boost.

Jimbo1367

Nice looking Chevelle. I'd switch the FPR with the plastic insert. These are known to fail. Russel has redesigned it to solve this. http://www.russellperformance.com/mc...injected.shtml (2nd pic down)

Earls has a nice one too. https://www.holley.com/products/plum...ts/AT991986ERL

Don't feel bad. I bought the 1st design too. I actually bought the redesigned version and then I decided I like the design of the EARLS best and bought them too. LOL

Senna

iTrader: (1)

Thank's for bringing this up. I heard that mentioned once before.

I appreciate you posting those links. the Russell brand shows a 1/4" and a 3/8" x -6. On the Earls version I only see a 3/8" x -6?

Senna

iTrader: (1)

Worked on the rest of the fuel line today. This is from the filter/regulator to the engine.

This is the line that enters the frame and then comes out by the stock fuel pump. I attached -6 fitting to the line.


Here it is leaving the frame and feeding the engine.

Senna

iTrader: (1)

]Got a few thing done this weekend. Completed the fuel lines. The final part was connecting the filter/regulator to the hard line that goes to the engine compartment.



Installed the radiator.


I also got to mock up the power steering/ hydra boost lines and reservoir. The PVC pipe represents the radiator over flow tank.




Also mocked up the relays for the fans and head lights. The final version will be aluminum. Wood is just easier to test and move around their positions. Which I have already done a couple times.

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

Looks nice and clean. Just like I like them. Keep up the good work.

Jimbo1367

FWIW ......Earls does offer both -6AN to 3/8" and -6AN to 5/16" for supple and return
as mentioned previously:
-6AN to 3/8" supply https://www.holley.com/products/plum...ts/AT991966ERL
and -6AN to 5/16" return https://www.holley.com/products/plum...ts/AT991965ERL

Senna

iTrader: (1)

Thanks