((NEW PICS ADDED 1/12/09))

So i've been working on this swap for a while, and lurking on these boards. It's time to show you guys what i've been working on.

Here's what i started with, a 1958 triumph wagon that my dad gave me when he left the country.

















Shortly after my dad gave me the car and retired out of the country, he was diagnosed with cancer. So i decided to pour my money into his unfinished project and take it to a whole new level. The original plan was to give him one last ride in it (it has a lot of sentimental value to him as well, as he got it from a long time friend who passed away) but circumstances won't allow for that anymore. I quickly sourced an LS2 (from a member on here who turned out to be a total douche bag, you can find the threads if you look up Craig Payne), t56, and a plethora of other parts. Since I suck *** at welding, i handed the project over to my buddy Dan at DGR Fabrication who began fabbing the tube frame:

 

Most Recent Pics:















With Enkie RPF Wheels







As you can see, the car is a bit of a frankenstein. The original track width was only about 48 inches. With the 17x10 wheels in the rear and 17x8,5 in the front, combined with a modified 240sx independant rear suspension and custom front control arms, it looks like it'll be about 62" or so, with a wheelbase of about 84". In case the pictures don't do the car justice, it's friggin tiny, a 4 door wagon as long as a new mini.



The goal of the project is to be over 400 rwhp in a 2000 lb car that will shine mostly on some local autox, track days at road courses with some buddies, and scaring passengers around town :-)


Feel free to ask any questions, and thanks for looking!

 

that has to be the only one like it, never seen any think like it, should supprise alot of people . I guess nothing is safe from the almighty ls1 lol. looks great can't wait to see some vids.

 

Now thats different for sure

What part of Ca do you live in? (license plates/tags)

 

ummm i think your gonna have some body work ahead of you but the rims will look bad ***, can you say 35 mpg (rear end gear pending) LSX?

 

WOW! That is small, looks like you could haul it around in the back of that Excursion! Should have a good power to weight ratio!!! Keep us posted.

 

too cool

 

I can recall seeing Morris Minor SW's that were very similar.

Helped a buddy put a SBC in a '49(?) Thames (English Ford ?) 2-D sedan. Seems like it was slightly smaller than your Triumph -- but that might my memory playing tricks.

Very nicely done, so far -- hope you will keep posting!

 

Sorry to hear about your dad. Awesome project though. I had no idea how small your car was until I saw the pic of it next to the Expedition. Can't wait to see it finished. I had a Triumph TR-6 back in high school. Loved that car.

 

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

I'm in the San Jose area.

I'm hoping the front suspension will be finished this week, i'll definitely keep you guys posted on the progress. And yes, i definitely have some body work ahead to fit those wheels (which are being wrapped with Falken Azenis 615, 275 in the rear, 255 in the front) Ideally, i'll be doing some wicked but tasteful flares on it.

The wagon next to the excursion in the picture actually belongs to a buddy of mine in the seal beach area. As far as we know, there's only a couple dozen of these cars left in the country, if that many. I think i'm the only one crazy enough to cut one up though.

I'm not sure what sort of fuel mileage i'll be getting, but i'm hoping 30 isn't too unrealistic. The rear end is an LSD unit from a q45, 3.55:1 ratio. And according to the calculator, i'll be turning just under 1800 rpm at 75 mph.

I forgot to mention that im going carbed. Due to some issues with what was supposed to be included with the engine and what it arrived with, it was easier to go this route. Not to mention the fuel lines and all that. I might change that later down the road though. For now, i have a custom built 750 cfm with annular boosters, a custom ground cam from thunder racing, msd 6012 ignition, GMPP intake manifold,and hand built headers in the works.

 

That is going to be one sweet ride. Since you have to do the body work to fit the wheels why not make it a two door by extending the door and moving the post back? That would look awesome on the car and make it even more unique.

 

That thing will be a handful!

Looks like fun , keep us up-to-date

 

what are you guys doing for axles? narrowing yourself, or getting dss or similiar?

and why are you using the q45 viscous piece of crap, vrs say a 240sx housing with a real diff?

this is cool ****, im going to enjoy following it.

 

[QUOTE=brewster240;10035167]and why are you using the q45 viscous piece of crap, vrs say a 240sx housing with a real diff?QUOTE]

The Q45 has a better gear ratio (3.54) for the LSx engines and it uses 30 spline axles so it is stronger than the 240 stuff. Unfortunately there aren't any good aftermarket LSDs for the Q45 diff that I have found even though it actually is an R200 rear.

 

coming along nicely,i built a standard 10 sedan back in 1990 with spaceframe chassis similar to yours,350 sbc,glide,9",29.5x10.5 mt slicks,used to run 10.00@139mph and drove like a dream,best handling small drag car around at time,i race it for 15yrs.ive since sold it bout 3yrs ago now.
congrats on doing something out side the box,will be keepin an eye on ya progress.
any info you may need on build dont hesitate to bounce it off me haha.
cheers dave

 

that is gonna be sweet. good luck on the build

 

Very cool build, I'm looking forward to seeing it completed!

 

I like the way it looks. Reminds me of an HHR from those little tail lights.

What is that round thingy in the dash in the first few pix? It looks like an old slide show reel.

Chris

 

The round this is actually a speaker that was just sitting there.

As far as the q45 diff, i chose it because of the gear ratio and i know a few people who have done very well with them. BEsides, i got the entire rear end including brakes and everything for cheap. I'm sending the axles to moser to be shortened and re-splined.

 

so why did your dad leave the country?

jk sweeet swap you got goin