72 Olds 442 build
72 Olds 442 build Just bought a 72 Olds 442 without a motor. Thinking an LQ9, LQ4, or LM7 hooked to the Muncie 4 speed (already have it) or maybe a 5 speed Tremec (kit looks good) or 6 speed Richmond (done this before on my 68 vette).
Anyway, spent the whole day looking at A body builds so now shopping for;
CTS-V or LH8 oil pan (although I did see a chevelle with a batwing pan and they're cheap and low profile)
Vintage Air (they dont make an Olds kit, but do make a 72 chevelle kit)
Flywheel/clutch (think I've got a solution for a 10 spline muncie)
But my big question is what stock exhaust will work in a 72 A body? Everyone seems to use aftermarket headers. Anyone tried an 02 Z06 style exhaust? They're cheap, flow well, and I know they'll fit around the Z bar mount (they did on my 68 corvette build).
Oh yeah, and while I'm asking questions, has anyone tried using corvette C5 wheels and spacers on an A body?
Anyway, spent the whole day looking at A body builds so now shopping for;
CTS-V or LH8 oil pan (although I did see a chevelle with a batwing pan and they're cheap and low profile)
Vintage Air (they dont make an Olds kit, but do make a 72 chevelle kit)
Flywheel/clutch (think I've got a solution for a 10 spline muncie)
But my big question is what stock exhaust will work in a 72 A body? Everyone seems to use aftermarket headers. Anyone tried an 02 Z06 style exhaust? They're cheap, flow well, and I know they'll fit around the Z bar mount (they did on my 68 corvette build).
Oh yeah, and while I'm asking questions, has anyone tried using corvette C5 wheels and spacers on an A body?
Last edited by garys 68; Nov 3, 2010 at 09:01 PM.
Nope, can't do it... won't work... it's too complicated... won't fit... it's blasphemy... too many wires... darned computers, etc. J/K
Now that I got the negativity out of the way for you (sometimes I need someone to tell me it can't be done so I can prove them wrong).
Good luck Gary, I know you can make it happen!
Now that I got the negativity out of the way for you (sometimes I need someone to tell me it can't be done so I can prove them wrong).
Good luck Gary, I know you can make it happen!
I originally had 99 F-fody mainifold on by Chevelle and it worked out good, not sure if your Z-Bar setup would be a problem or not. I think the Vette Z06 mainfolds might run into the Crossmember since they are more center exit as compared to the F-Body which is more rearward.
I am using the CTS-V and it hangs down about 1" below the x-member, the LH8 will be even more.
I would go with the Tremec 5 or 6 spead and Hyd clutch setup.. will be a lot easier and cleaner.
You can use the C5 but will need to use 1 1/2" adapter/spacer.
I am using the CTS-V and it hangs down about 1" below the x-member, the LH8 will be even more.
I would go with the Tremec 5 or 6 spead and Hyd clutch setup.. will be a lot easier and cleaner.
You can use the C5 but will need to use 1 1/2" adapter/spacer.
Thanks for the input. I'll get the engine/trans hooked up and measure for the C5 manifold and Z bar.
I'm leaning towards the CTS-V too, mostly based on price (used). The Retro, Autokraft, etc are a bit pricey.
The car may have a 2.73 rear, which rules out a 0.64 OD. I'll try the Muncie first (if it is a 2.73). I've had REALLY good luck with the Richmond 6 speed (available in a half dozen different OD ratios) on my 1968 corvette.
Getting 26mpg hiway, 22mpg city with the LQ9/ ROD O.76 OD, 3.08 rear end and tons of torque in the corvette.
Great news on the C5/6 wheels. I can find them cheap on craigslist all the time.
I'm leaning towards the CTS-V too, mostly based on price (used). The Retro, Autokraft, etc are a bit pricey.
The car may have a 2.73 rear, which rules out a 0.64 OD. I'll try the Muncie first (if it is a 2.73). I've had REALLY good luck with the Richmond 6 speed (available in a half dozen different OD ratios) on my 1968 corvette.
Getting 26mpg hiway, 22mpg city with the LQ9/ ROD O.76 OD, 3.08 rear end and tons of torque in the corvette.
Great news on the C5/6 wheels. I can find them cheap on craigslist all the time.
I originally had 99 F-fody mainifold on by Chevelle and it worked out good, not sure if your Z-Bar setup would be a problem or not. I think the Vette Z06 mainfolds might run into the Crossmember since they are more center exit as compared to the F-Body which is more rearward.
I am using the CTS-V and it hangs down about 1" below the x-member, the LH8 will be even more.
I would go with the Tremec 5 or 6 spead and Hyd clutch setup.. will be a lot easier and cleaner.
You can use the C5 but will need to use 1 1/2" adapter/spacer.
I am using the CTS-V and it hangs down about 1" below the x-member, the LH8 will be even more.
I would go with the Tremec 5 or 6 spead and Hyd clutch setup.. will be a lot easier and cleaner.
You can use the C5 but will need to use 1 1/2" adapter/spacer.
An update.
Rebuilt, rekeyed, added cruise control, and painted the steering column.
Opened the trans, gears and synchros look great.
Now the bad part, front bearing and countershaft are spinning in the case. The input shaft bearing surface (where it rides on the mainshaft) is all tore up too.
Well, with 2.73 rear gears a muncie with a 2.56 would be far from ideal.
I'm trying to decide between a T10 (3.42 1st gear), Richmond 5 speed (3.28 1st, 1.00 5th), Richmond 6 speed (0.86 6th), or a TH400.
Engine showed up 05, 5.3. I put the LS1 intake and LY6 water pump on thinking the TB would clear the outlet. I'm a dunbass, its only the 07+ truck TB that clear the pump. Going with an LS1 pump I guess.
Anyone want to buy a LY6/L92 water pump?
Rebuilt, rekeyed, added cruise control, and painted the steering column.
Opened the trans, gears and synchros look great.
Now the bad part, front bearing and countershaft are spinning in the case. The input shaft bearing surface (where it rides on the mainshaft) is all tore up too.
Well, with 2.73 rear gears a muncie with a 2.56 would be far from ideal.
I'm trying to decide between a T10 (3.42 1st gear), Richmond 5 speed (3.28 1st, 1.00 5th), Richmond 6 speed (0.86 6th), or a TH400.
Engine showed up 05, 5.3. I put the LS1 intake and LY6 water pump on thinking the TB would clear the outlet. I'm a dunbass, its only the 07+ truck TB that clear the pump. Going with an LS1 pump I guess.
Anyone want to buy a LY6/L92 water pump?
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Verdad Gallardo It's been cold here, so I've been doing wiring in the house.
Engine harness cleaned up, Kwik AC bracket installed.
Dash panel wired, modified heat/AC controls to work with Classic Auto Air.
New gauges.
And a new harness/relay panel
And time to put in wiring, AC system, soundproofing, insulation, dash......
Engine harness cleaned up, Kwik AC bracket installed.
Dash panel wired, modified heat/AC controls to work with Classic Auto Air.
New gauges.
And a new harness/relay panel
And time to put in wiring, AC system, soundproofing, insulation, dash......
The last owner has an original 442 with 455 and 3.90 gears. I think he gets about 8mpg.
This is going to be a DD and the car I take to the lake (2 1/2 hrs each way). It would be nice to get over 20mpg, have cruise control, quiet exhaust, etc.
This is going to be a DD and the car I take to the lake (2 1/2 hrs each way). It would be nice to get over 20mpg, have cruise control, quiet exhaust, etc.
Hey Gary, how you been on the other side of the state? I'm freezing my tail off with a barely heated shop here. 
Looks like the car is coming along nicely. What fuel rails and body wiring harness did you use?
Looks like the car is coming along nicely. What fuel rails and body wiring harness did you use?
I'm in my barely heated garage.....
ebay for both. Fuel rail with S/S line and fittings $99. I used those so I could keep the original injectors. They look nice too. Fitted it with weather pack connectors in the engine compartment.
EZ2wire generic harness.
I got the relay block, along with weather pack connectors, fan controller, battery switch, etc from Haywire here in MO. Great prices, check them out.
ebay for both. Fuel rail with S/S line and fittings $99. I used those so I could keep the original injectors. They look nice too. Fitted it with weather pack connectors in the engine compartment.
EZ2wire generic harness.
I got the relay block, along with weather pack connectors, fan controller, battery switch, etc from Haywire here in MO. Great prices, check them out.
I found a muncie case on ebay for $50, so I went ahead and rebuilt it. I must admit, I'm pretty impressed with the Hurst shifter.
I also ran across some interesting mounts. The Olds mounts are way low and to the rear, and my crossmember is drilled for the chevelle mounts. According to this post and what I thought there were 2 styles of mounts but ended up the same height overall.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...s-gm-body.html
I found some frame mounts from a chevelle with a 307. They're definitely the narrow 2 3/8" style but they look like the taller frame mount used with a short wide mount.
Good news is that it raises the engine about 1/2" over the stock chevelle mounts so I might not have to add any spacers.
I'll be trial fitting this week then decide on an oil pan.
I also ran across some interesting mounts. The Olds mounts are way low and to the rear, and my crossmember is drilled for the chevelle mounts. According to this post and what I thought there were 2 styles of mounts but ended up the same height overall.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...s-gm-body.html
I found some frame mounts from a chevelle with a 307. They're definitely the narrow 2 3/8" style but they look like the taller frame mount used with a short wide mount.
Good news is that it raises the engine about 1/2" over the stock chevelle mounts so I might not have to add any spacers.
I'll be trial fitting this week then decide on an oil pan.
