Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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LQ4 in a 1971 Nova

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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 11:09 AM
  #41  
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Default swamp swap?????????

Didi u get bit any gators getting that Lq4 out of the swamp???
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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #42  
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damn, y'all are brutal. i saved the lq4 from the elements. i think the guy who owned the silverado it came out of liked to do some serious offroading, mudbogging, or both.

i found some -6 AN fittings for the 'vette regulator from russell (RUS-640850 on the fuel inlet, RUS-640860 on the return line, and RUS-639210 on the outlet), so i may switch out the -8s in my fuel cell to '6s
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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 01:48 PM
  #43  
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Check out one of the Parker Stores they have a great supply of lines/fittings have one by the shop on 43rd ave.Cheaper then mail order.
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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 08:41 PM
  #44  
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Default 4L80 size

I had an 80 next to a 60 a week ago and measured some things. Mostly what I saw was the extra length but nothing that should make a big diff in the tunnel area. The pan is offset to the pass side on both. Should fit pretty well.
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 12:09 PM
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Just got back from the powder coaters. The A-arms are done, and man they are sick. Although they're not nearly as nice as some aftermarket ones (ahem, mikem), they'll get the job done. I'm using heim joints in lieu of the stock setup for more adjustability. We also fabbed up a tubular upper a-arm mount in place of the stocker to allow the heim joints to mount. The color is Silver Hammertone Semi-Gloss (GR05) by Cardinal, which is a textured coat.



Here's a slightly better look at the color:


Side note: I'm doing the door hinges as well, while everything's apart. I love how these projects seem to blow up into waaaay more than you intended.

Last edited by hookemdevils22; Mar 10, 2009 at 12:24 PM.
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:21 AM
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Those look really nice... I am sure they were much more economical than the $$ I have dropped into mine. Are you putting it together with coil-overs? I don't see you putting coil springs in without buckets on your arms.
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 09:22 AM
  #47  
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yup. got QA1s to go along with it.
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:54 AM
  #48  
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Default Header Question

Any ideas on what headers to run? I've got the carshop-style mounts (no offset), but the car will be dropped a couple inches, so i'm leery of longtubes. that being said, i'm looking at S&P and BRP shorties. if i remember correctly, the carshop mounts are a duplicate of the S&Ps, so I'm leaning toward those. anyone using either brand? and anyone running a dropped 1st-gen camaro/'bird or 3rd-gen nova that can let me know what they got?

i'll do a test fit once i build the subframe to ensure adequate clearance, but i don't want to go through the hassle of buying and returning headers that won't clear the power steering box.
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:03 AM
  #49  
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I am going to try the Edelbrock LT's. Talking with the guys at Autokraft they sound like they are fairly good on ground clearance. I also remember seeing a post from someone from Edelbrock here saying ground clearance was a huge concern when they developed them. I am going to try and order them next week, so I can mock them up.
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Old Mar 12, 2009 | 12:46 AM
  #50  
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just ordered Stainless Works headers i will report back on the fitment since my car sits on the ground i should be able to give you a good review
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Old Mar 13, 2009 | 09:56 AM
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let me know how both setups work. S&P hasn't gotten back to me, so it doesn't seem like i will be going that route.
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Old Mar 13, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #52  
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and of course they call right after i make that statement. the headers S&P lists for the 1st gen camaro will NOT work with the nova. they don't make headers for an LS-nova.
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Old Mar 13, 2009 | 10:40 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by hookemdevils22
and of course they call right after i make that statement. the headers S&P lists for the 1st gen camaro will NOT work with the nova. they don't make headers for an LS-nova.

Hooker just came out with a bunch of LS transplant headers, just got a notice on them for a special
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 12:08 PM
  #54  
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Any decision on auto or T56? If you've decided the T56 route (hopefully!!) have you started on it yet?

Or any updates at all? I liiike seeing other Nova's
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 01:06 PM
  #55  
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i tossed the engine in the other day, now i'm just trying to get the trans x-member lined up correctly. the 4L80e fits great, although the motor mounts took a little time to line up. i've got pics - i'll post soon.

i'm actually on the phone with summit trying to add russell PN 640940 (gm quick-connect to -6AN adapter) to my fuel system order. i went with a 'vette FPR, walbro 255 pump, and aluminum 3/8" line with -6AN braided stuff for the bends.
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 09:27 AM
  #56  
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Here's some pics. I didn't get any with both mounts installed correctly, but I did get them to work. I'm working on the trans x-member now, but I'm having some problems getting everything lined up correctly. I've got plenty of room between the steering linkage and oil pan, and the 80e fits like it was meant to be there (which I guess it kind of was considering it's a lengthened TH400).

Oil pan:




Driver's side, incl. upper a-arm:


Room between the firewall and engine/trans:


Room between oil pan and drag link (both at full lock):




The last two photos don't do the clearance justice - there's at least 1/2" clearance on either side at full lock. I'll take a few more today after I put the heads on.

Last edited by hookemdevils22; May 11, 2009 at 05:00 PM.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 09:12 AM
  #57  
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more pics. finished up the front suspension sans sway bar last night. would have dropped it except the trans is on jack stands while i figure out the x-member. i may have to fab up new mount plates to move the engine back 1/2"-3/4".







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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 02:12 PM
  #58  
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Sweet, gonna subscribe...good job, very informative....

T,
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #59  
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More pictures. The trans x-member sits about 1 1/4" further back than the trans mount. It also doesn't line up width-wise. It's a Raptor-X, and it's about $100 cheaper than anything else I've found (didn't feel like fabbing this up). I'm going to fab some 1.25" further back mount plates (double-checking the engine fits first, of course). It's actually easier to do this than move the x-member forward because the frame has indentations for the x-member. Plus I've got plenty of room between the engine, trans, and firewall.

I've also gotta hog out the mount holes to the actual x-member (there are two mount pads that bolt up to the frame, then the x-member bolts to them) about .150" each.

Side note, the fuel system came in yesterday, save a couple Russell fittings (on B/O @ summit). I'm going to start that this weekend as well.



(The mic below says 1.070")


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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:38 PM
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got my American Racing Headers in today - they look sick. I'll have pics when I toss 'em in either tonight or Sunday. I’m welding a longer piece to my x-member tonight to line up with the trans mount, as opposed to using further-back engine plates – it’s much easier, plus I would have run into the firewall otherwise. X-member mounts have been slotted, and it fits with a little effort. If the headers work, I'm pulling the engine and taking her to the machine shop.

stay tuned...

Last edited by hookemdevils22; Apr 17, 2009 at 12:44 PM.
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