1972 Nova LQ9 swap
1972 Nova LQ9 swap I finally got things started yesterday. The patient is a 72 Nova with a 350 and mild cam. The transplant is from a LQ9 from a 2006 caddy escalade. I have a friend helping me, or really teaching me. I am also getting great help from people on this board. Frojoe and his build has been very helpfull. This will be a learning experience as I have never done this kind of thing before. I have rarely put more than gas in a car let alone an engine swap. Yesterday we got started by stipping most of the engine down. We will be cleaning it up & putting a bigger cam in. I will try to update and add some pics when I figure out how to put pics up. Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy the build as much as I am
-LQ9 and tranny $2400. Damn it is an AWD tranny!
-tsp cam $190.00
-head gaskets $150.00
-LH8 oil pan from another member $250.00
-getting patriot valve springs $255.00
-computer $100.00 & another 1 for about $200.00
-new quick ration steering box
-timing set $65
-Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Gm parts direct p/n 12590008 $116.16
-pedal gm parts direct p/n 15831256 $43.22 ***This pedal did not work! It is a monte carlo pedal & I got a truck & tac harness from Speartech for 120.00 total.***
-adapter plates - done (free given to me by 71 chevelle)
-convert tranny or buy another (got a guy that will convert for 250.00)
-electric fan- from ebay
-headers - got shortys
-fuel system (walbro pump)
-All new wiring harness (from PSI, It was around $500.00)
-LS6 intake, ls1 fuel rails, and throttle body from the truck intake
-LQ9 and tranny $2400. Damn it is an AWD tranny!
-tsp cam $190.00
-head gaskets $150.00
-LH8 oil pan from another member $250.00
-getting patriot valve springs $255.00
-computer $100.00 & another 1 for about $200.00
-new quick ration steering box
-timing set $65
-Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Gm parts direct p/n 12590008 $116.16
-pedal gm parts direct p/n 15831256 $43.22 ***This pedal did not work! It is a monte carlo pedal & I got a truck & tac harness from Speartech for 120.00 total.***
-adapter plates - done (free given to me by 71 chevelle)
-convert tranny or buy another (got a guy that will convert for 250.00)
-electric fan- from ebay
-headers - got shortys
-fuel system (walbro pump)
-All new wiring harness (from PSI, It was around $500.00)
-LS6 intake, ls1 fuel rails, and throttle body from the truck intake
Last edited by crosstraining; Jul 9, 2011 at 07:01 PM. Reason: added parts
I put the new cam in today. It is a TSP 233/239 .603/.600 112 LSA. The only other I did was clean up the block a little. I am waiting for my buddy to clean up the 317 heads in the parts bath at his work. Hopefully putting the engine back together next weekend.
I'm interested in finding out what your piston to valve clearance is with that cam. I'm planning on running a very similar cam in my LQ9, perhaps a little higher lift, but I'm having a hard time figuring out just how much cam I can run without PTV issues. I realize that I'm going to need to check my final setup, but I'd really like to have an idea what I can use before I buy and install the cam.
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comp 921's. 918's are only rated to .600, so you may get valve float at higher rpm. of course, the 921 kit is nearly $600 (vs. $170 for the 918 springs), so it's spendy.
if it were me, i'd go with the 921s just in case. i solved this dilemma by going with a .646/.621 cam, so 918s weren't even an option.
if it were me, i'd go with the 921s just in case. i solved this dilemma by going with a .646/.621 cam, so 918s weren't even an option.
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I got my new springs. i don't have enought posts to put this in the ad section, so if someone is looking for some ls6 yellow springs PM me.
I had planned on putting the engine back together this weekend, but it didn't work out. I also decided to put a new timing chain on, and couldn't find one today. So not much progress. The heads are cleaned up, but now it will be a couple of weeks before I have the time to put it back together.
This is just the life of car projects.
I had planned on putting the engine back together this weekend, but it didn't work out. I also decided to put a new timing chain on, and couldn't find one today. So not much progress. The heads are cleaned up, but now it will be a couple of weeks before I have the time to put it back together.
This is just the life of car projects.
I have to resize the photo, but I'll put it up soon.
Last edited by crosstraining; Feb 27, 2011 at 09:41 PM. Reason: pic
not sure if this will help, but i did a 3rd gen camaro quick-ratio box (F41 suspension) per this write-up. I used Dorman PN 31011 from (I think) a mid-80s Chev truck. You could always order one and give it a shot.
The 3rd gen box is a direct bolt-in with the exact same dimensions as ours, fyi.
The 3rd gen box is a direct bolt-in with the exact same dimensions as ours, fyi.
you can buy the swap mounts fairly cheap now. there is a shop near me (Carolina Rod Shop) or if you want a better mount (better look and fit) Street and Performance makes a trick set. I have used both, the Rod Shop ones I used in a 86 C10 truck, and the S&P ones in my bro's 68 Camaro
Oh and for fuel delivery you can use a 89 Ranger fuel pump, it is capable of suppling 80-90 psi, then feed the fuel into a 98-99? corvette fuel filter (the filter that is used on the returnless fuel system in the corvettes)
You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.
You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.
Oh and for fuel delivery you can use a 89 Ranger fuel pump, it is capable of suppling 80-90 psi, then feed the fuel into a 98-99? corvette fuel filter (the filter that is used on the returnless fuel system in the corvettes)
You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.
You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.
I have some engine mounts I had made by a local machine shop laying around in the garage(I think I have all the bolt too). I am going with edelbrocks. If you want them their yours just pm your ship to and I will send them out.
we used my brother's stock 68 camaro radiator when we put in the LS1 5 years ago, now it is running an iron LS2 and the temps are still perfect 
The next semi diffecult task will be the transmission crossmember, as you will more than likely have to make a custom one. The trans mount got moved about 6-8 inches or so rearward in both the camaro (T56) and the C10 (4L80E)
The next semi diffecult task will be the transmission crossmember, as you will more than likely have to make a custom one. The trans mount got moved about 6-8 inches or so rearward in both the camaro (T56) and the C10 (4L80E) 
in know time