The OFFICIAL X-Body Swap Thread
#1
The OFFICIAL X-Body Swap Thread
I've been collecting some info on GM x-body swaps, and now that I'm pretty much finished with my '71 L92-head LQ4/4L80e (edit: now featuring a T56!), I'd like to pass along some valuable info to those looking to do LSx swaps in X-bodies. (NOTE: These are very much like 1st-gen F-bodies, so feel free to look up some camaro/'bird swaps, but I'm not including them here). I'm also including engine mount plates, headers, oil pan, and accessory info to help newbies choose a setup. If I've forgotten any builds, feel free to PM me or reply with a link.
*Here's a link to some good 68-74-related questions and responses.
*And here's a link to the Swinger Nova on LSxTV in case you wanna build a serious street machine (or just wanna dream).
1968
1968 Acadian L92/Tremec TKO600 (scherp69)
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories
1968 Chevy II Nova Carb'd LY6/4L80e (bitterman)
Mounts Mounts Dirty Dingo Double D
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories KWiK Performance
1969
1969 Nova Twin-Turbo Forged Iron-Block 408/TH400 (Chevy406)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (3/8" plate, non-setback)
Oil Pan Moroso
Headers C6 manifolds -- Temporarily using truck manifolds w/ NA setup
Accessories Meziere electric water pump, ATI superDamper, custom driver's side low-mount alternator mount
1969 Nova LS2/4L60e (coolguy802000)
Mounts TransDapt P/N:TRD-4592
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories stock truck modified for car intake
1969 Nova LS1/T56 (Chicago TDP)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers 1 7/8" Kooks
Accessories Stock from 02 Camaro, notched frame for A/C compressor
1969 Nova 5.3L L33/4L60e (kirk69nova) more build info here
Mounts Dirty Dingo
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers Hooker PN 2288-1
Accessories Truck
1970
1970 Nova LS2/T56 (another thread here) (strtlegal)
Mounts AutoKraft
Oil Pan AutoKraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories GM performance accessory drive kit
1970 Nova LY6/TH400 (-TheBandit-)
NOTE: Retaining VVT, clearanced frame for low mount AC and alternator
Mounts Dougs SK100 at 1/2" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Dougs D3337
Accessories LS3 intake, GM L99 wp & ps, LY6 AC and alternator (some notes on that here)
1970 Nova SS Forged LS1/T56 (pics) (dsster)
Mounts Brp Hotrods new-style (No issues at all fits perfect thanks to jeff)
Oil Pan Lh8
Headers BRP 2" long tubes
Accessories Stock fbody
1970 Nova LS3/6L80e with Paddle Shifters (12secondnova)
Mounts Moroso
Oil Pan LS3 (note: rack & pinion steering)
Headers Hooker super comp
Accessories Jegs alternator bracket (note: no power steering)
1971
1971 Nova LQ4 (w/L92s)/T56 (formerly 4L80e) (hookemdevils22)
Swap Info for above build
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Modified F-body
Headers American Racing Headers 1st gen F-Body swap headers (NOTE: The o2 sensor bungs are welded into the collector at the inside of the header. This may result in fitment issues -- the bungs were relocated to the slip collectors to accommodate the 4L80e).
Accessories LQ4 modified for car intake; alt/PS bracket modified per this write-up, L99 water pump, Warren Bros AC compressor bracket
1971 Nova LQ4/4L80e (billsnogo)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P non-setback, flipped upside-down (raises engine slightly)
Oil Pan JZ MotorWorks
Headers Dynatech
Accessories Stock F-body
1971 Nova LS1/4L60e (bczee)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style 1" setback (fabbed)
Oil Pan RetroLSX
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories unk
1972
1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/T56 (formerly TH350) (OMG it's running it's running!) (Frojoe)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Truck pan w/ 2.5" removed from bottom
Headers Hooker SBC Comp headers with welded LS-flange
Accessories Stock LQ4
1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e (crosstraining)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan LH8
Headers shorty
Accessories Stock LQ9 (?)
1972 Nova LQ4/Richmond 5-Speed (mikem77)
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories Kwik Performance
1972 Nova LQ4/Muncie 4-speed (Kansas_Nova)
Mounts Swaptech 3-position (eBay)
Oil Pan GMPP Muscle Car (LH8)
Headers stock F-body manifolds
Accessories undecided
1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (usafws6)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan Milodon
Headers Doug's Long Tubes
Accessories F-body
1972 Nova Turbo forged 370 cid/TH400 (1972nova)
Mounts Ebay 1" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Stainless works up and forward headers for turbo app
Accessories F-body/custom
1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (thenova70ss)
Mounts Kooks
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Patriot Clipster
Accessories Stock F-body
1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/4L80e (ryanleiker)
Mounts carshopinc plates
Oil Pan notched F-body
Headers flipped OEM truck manifolds
Accessories Modified truck; custom brackets for high-mount AC using an R4 compressor
1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e - The Booboo Project(Sebtarta)
Mounts Hooker engine swap mounts PN 12618HKR
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers Hooker Headers 2276-1HKR silver ceramic
Accessories Holley LS accessory bracket PN 20-135
Notes engine bored to 6.2L with LS3 heads/intake, LS1 TB
1972 Nova 5.3L turbo/TH400 - Project Miscellaneous Expense(Suncc49)
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders, Moroso solid mounts, OEM stands
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers KBracing log, custom-fit
Accessories truck
1973-Later
See post #3
*Here's a link to some good 68-74-related questions and responses.
*And here's a link to the Swinger Nova on LSxTV in case you wanna build a serious street machine (or just wanna dream).
1968
1968 Acadian L92/Tremec TKO600 (scherp69)
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories
1968 Chevy II Nova Carb'd LY6/4L80e (bitterman)
Mounts Mounts Dirty Dingo Double D
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories KWiK Performance
1969
1969 Nova Twin-Turbo Forged Iron-Block 408/TH400 (Chevy406)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (3/8" plate, non-setback)
Oil Pan Moroso
Headers C6 manifolds -- Temporarily using truck manifolds w/ NA setup
Accessories Meziere electric water pump, ATI superDamper, custom driver's side low-mount alternator mount
1969 Nova LS2/4L60e (coolguy802000)
Mounts TransDapt P/N:TRD-4592
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Doug's Headers
Accessories stock truck modified for car intake
1969 Nova LS1/T56 (Chicago TDP)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers 1 7/8" Kooks
Accessories Stock from 02 Camaro, notched frame for A/C compressor
1969 Nova 5.3L L33/4L60e (kirk69nova) more build info here
Mounts Dirty Dingo
Oil Pan modified F-body
Headers Hooker PN 2288-1
Accessories Truck
1970
1970 Nova LS2/T56 (another thread here) (strtlegal)
Mounts AutoKraft
Oil Pan AutoKraft
Headers StainlessWorks
Accessories GM performance accessory drive kit
1970 Nova LY6/TH400 (-TheBandit-)
NOTE: Retaining VVT, clearanced frame for low mount AC and alternator
Mounts Dougs SK100 at 1/2" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Dougs D3337
Accessories LS3 intake, GM L99 wp & ps, LY6 AC and alternator (some notes on that here)
1970 Nova SS Forged LS1/T56 (pics) (dsster)
Mounts Brp Hotrods new-style (No issues at all fits perfect thanks to jeff)
Oil Pan Lh8
Headers BRP 2" long tubes
Accessories Stock fbody
1970 Nova LS3/6L80e with Paddle Shifters (12secondnova)
Mounts Moroso
Oil Pan LS3 (note: rack & pinion steering)
Headers Hooker super comp
Accessories Jegs alternator bracket (note: no power steering)
1971
1971 Nova LQ4 (w/L92s)/T56 (formerly 4L80e) (hookemdevils22)
Swap Info for above build
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Modified F-body
Headers American Racing Headers 1st gen F-Body swap headers (NOTE: The o2 sensor bungs are welded into the collector at the inside of the header. This may result in fitment issues -- the bungs were relocated to the slip collectors to accommodate the 4L80e).
Accessories LQ4 modified for car intake; alt/PS bracket modified per this write-up, L99 water pump, Warren Bros AC compressor bracket
1971 Nova LQ4/4L80e (billsnogo)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P non-setback, flipped upside-down (raises engine slightly)
Oil Pan JZ MotorWorks
Headers Dynatech
Accessories Stock F-body
1971 Nova LS1/4L60e (bczee)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style 1" setback (fabbed)
Oil Pan RetroLSX
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories unk
1972
1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/T56 (formerly TH350) (OMG it's running it's running!) (Frojoe)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan Truck pan w/ 2.5" removed from bottom
Headers Hooker SBC Comp headers with welded LS-flange
Accessories Stock LQ4
1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e (crosstraining)
Mounts Carshopinc/S&P style (fabbed)
Oil Pan LH8
Headers shorty
Accessories Stock LQ9 (?)
1972 Nova LQ4/Richmond 5-Speed (mikem77)
Mounts Autokraft
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Edelbrock
Accessories Kwik Performance
1972 Nova LQ4/Muncie 4-speed (Kansas_Nova)
Mounts Swaptech 3-position (eBay)
Oil Pan GMPP Muscle Car (LH8)
Headers stock F-body manifolds
Accessories undecided
1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (usafws6)
Mounts TransDapt
Oil Pan Milodon
Headers Doug's Long Tubes
Accessories F-body
1972 Nova Turbo forged 370 cid/TH400 (1972nova)
Mounts Ebay 1" setback
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Stainless works up and forward headers for turbo app
Accessories F-body/custom
1972 Nova LS1/4L60e (thenova70ss)
Mounts Kooks
Oil Pan Autokraft
Headers Patriot Clipster
Accessories Stock F-body
1972 Nova Turbo LQ4/4L80e (ryanleiker)
Mounts carshopinc plates
Oil Pan notched F-body
Headers flipped OEM truck manifolds
Accessories Modified truck; custom brackets for high-mount AC using an R4 compressor
1972 Nova LQ9/4L65e - The Booboo Project(Sebtarta)
Mounts Hooker engine swap mounts PN 12618HKR
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers Hooker Headers 2276-1HKR silver ceramic
Accessories Holley LS accessory bracket PN 20-135
Notes engine bored to 6.2L with LS3 heads/intake, LS1 TB
1972 Nova 5.3L turbo/TH400 - Project Miscellaneous Expense(Suncc49)
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders, Moroso solid mounts, OEM stands
Oil Pan Holley PN 302-2
Headers KBracing log, custom-fit
Accessories truck
1973-Later
See post #3
Last edited by hookemdevils22; 06-22-2017 at 04:34 PM. Reason: welcome Suncc49!
#3
well, i only put the canadian flag on there because the CAR is canadian... but i guess
EDIT: Putting 73-Later in this section because I hit the character limit.
1973
1973 Nova SS LS1/T56 Turbo (MeanYellowZ)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers C6 manifolds flipped for turbo
Accessories Cut down F-body alternator bracket/ custom idlers
1973 Nova 6L Turbo 4L80e (73 nova guy)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan custom
Headers custom using speedway motors kit
Accessories Corvette LS1
1973 Nova Budget 5.3L/TH350 (Cruisin'73)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan Chopped truck pan
Headers Ebay F-body SS headers, with a little TLC (Torch'n Love and Care)
Accessories Alternator-only in F-body cradle and custom bracket
1973 Olds Omega LQ9/TH350 (bdonn8484)
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders
Oil Pan Truck pan
Headers Hedman Hustlers
Accessories Stock LQ9
1974
1974 Nova LY6/faceplated T56 (twin74s)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan truck pan with 1.5" removed from bottom
Headers custom
Accessories unk
1974 Nova LQ9/4L60e (74novacustom)
Mounts TransDapt w/ custom frame stands
Oil Pan H3 pan
Headers Thorley longtubes PN D3337
Accessories Truck modded for LS6 intake
1974 Nova 408/T56 (Drednot)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers TBD
Accessories TBD
1975
1975 Nova LQ4/4L80e (yfzduner)
Mounts S&P/carshopinc 1" setback style w/ Moroso solid frame/engine mounts
Oil Pan F-body (subframe notched)
Headers Pacesetter F-body
Accessories Stock LQ4
1976
1977
1977 Nova 5.3L/4L80e (kwnova9)
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers F-body longtubes
Accessories Stock LQ4 with electric fan
1977 Nova Magnacharged LQ4 (cgslow77)
1977 Buick Skylark 5.3L/4L80e (LSxBody)
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers modified F-body headers
Accessories truck
1978
1978 Buick Skylark LQ4/4L80e (gonemad347)
Mounts TBD
Oil Pan TBD
Headers longtubes
Accessories TBD
1979
1980-1988
Anyone willing (stupid enough?) to try this? Remember, this includes the Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Olds Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix. I would also accept the 85-88 Nova. Come to think of it, my uncle has a Citation that would be a great candidate...
EDIT: Putting 73-Later in this section because I hit the character limit.
1973
1973 Nova SS LS1/T56 Turbo (MeanYellowZ)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers C6 manifolds flipped for turbo
Accessories Cut down F-body alternator bracket/ custom idlers
1973 Nova 6L Turbo 4L80e (73 nova guy)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan custom
Headers custom using speedway motors kit
Accessories Corvette LS1
1973 Nova Budget 5.3L/TH350 (Cruisin'73)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan Chopped truck pan
Headers Ebay F-body SS headers, with a little TLC (Torch'n Love and Care)
Accessories Alternator-only in F-body cradle and custom bracket
1973 Olds Omega LQ9/TH350 (bdonn8484)
Mounts Dirty Dingo sliders
Oil Pan Truck pan
Headers Hedman Hustlers
Accessories Stock LQ9
1974
1974 Nova LY6/faceplated T56 (twin74s)
Mounts custom
Oil Pan truck pan with 1.5" removed from bottom
Headers custom
Accessories unk
1974 Nova LQ9/4L60e (74novacustom)
Mounts TransDapt w/ custom frame stands
Oil Pan H3 pan
Headers Thorley longtubes PN D3337
Accessories Truck modded for LS6 intake
1974 Nova 408/T56 (Drednot)
Mounts BRP
Oil Pan LH8
Headers TBD
Accessories TBD
1975
1975 Nova LQ4/4L80e (yfzduner)
Mounts S&P/carshopinc 1" setback style w/ Moroso solid frame/engine mounts
Oil Pan F-body (subframe notched)
Headers Pacesetter F-body
Accessories Stock LQ4
1976
1977
1977 Nova 5.3L/4L80e (kwnova9)
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers F-body longtubes
Accessories Stock LQ4 with electric fan
1977 Nova Magnacharged LQ4 (cgslow77)
1977 Buick Skylark 5.3L/4L80e (LSxBody)
Mounts carshopinc 1" setback
Oil Pan CTSv
Headers modified F-body headers
Accessories truck
1978
1978 Buick Skylark LQ4/4L80e (gonemad347)
Mounts TBD
Oil Pan TBD
Headers longtubes
Accessories TBD
1979
1980-1988
Anyone willing (stupid enough?) to try this? Remember, this includes the Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Olds Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix. I would also accept the 85-88 Nova. Come to think of it, my uncle has a Citation that would be a great candidate...
Last edited by hookemdevils22; 06-22-2017 at 04:27 PM. Reason: Put 73-later here
#4
They didn't have Nova's from 80-85. The name came back slapped on a front-wheel drive Chevy, based on a Toyota, in 1985. Wasn't a bad car, just not a Nova in my book.
More about it.
More about it.
Last edited by Skip Intro; 05-26-2010 at 12:50 PM. Reason: Compulsive Editor: It's incurable.
#6
I am just starting my build. have not started a Build thread yet. but will start looking for more information using those thread for information and ideas.
thanks for the research.
thanks for the research.
Trending Topics
#9
#11
I guess I'll have to start a build thread on my '69 Nova getting a low compression 408 and twin turbos. Engine is about ready to go in for the final fit, but turbos are a ways off still. Here is a teaser picture.
New Ricks Tank:
New Ricks Tank:
#14
I have been side tracked on my LS1 conversion because I am helping my son who is turning 16 tomorrow, to get his '95 Z71 painted and road ready. I hope to shoot the roof and hood this weekend. Then I'll be back on the Nova hot and heavy.
#17
#18
#19
Thanks for the compalation! Very helpful. There should be a link to this in one of the sticky threads.
Might want to edit that to show it's an LY6.
1974 Nova 6L/faceplated T56 (twin74s)