Finally going to do the swap, 71 Nova
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Finally going to do the swap, 71 Nova I have wanted to do an LS swap for a few years now but with a failing TH350 transmission I finally have a reason to tear the car apart.
A little back story on the car. It was purchased in 1991 when I was 15. It was a 1 owner car with 29,000 miles. The cosmetics were done in 1993. It currently has a 12.75:1 406, TH350 with 3200 stall and a 4:10 10 bolt rear.
Here is the car:
I am going to go with a 5.3 and am about 99% convinced to go twin turbos. I am also swapping in the 4L60. I have been reading so many threads on here trying to soak up as much information as possible. I'll try and avoid repeating previously asked questions but this is completely out of my comfort zone with fuel injection, turbos and an LS. I'll try and post as many pictures and build pics as I go. I also welcome all advice.
A little back story on the car. It was purchased in 1991 when I was 15. It was a 1 owner car with 29,000 miles. The cosmetics were done in 1993. It currently has a 12.75:1 406, TH350 with 3200 stall and a 4:10 10 bolt rear.
Here is the car:
I am going to go with a 5.3 and am about 99% convinced to go twin turbos. I am also swapping in the 4L60. I have been reading so many threads on here trying to soak up as much information as possible. I'll try and avoid repeating previously asked questions but this is completely out of my comfort zone with fuel injection, turbos and an LS. I'll try and post as many pictures and build pics as I go. I also welcome all advice.
Welcome! That is a beautiful Nova
. There is a ton of info on here check out the x-body thread: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ap-thread.html
. There is a ton of info on here check out the x-body thread: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ap-thread.html Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
The color is GM Quaissar Blue. Am I asking for problems with the 4L60? This is going to be a 99% cruise car not a weekly track rat. It seems the basic setup is a ZO6 cam, injectors and the turbos and that was all I was planning on doing. I am still in search of a drivetrain, I missed out on the last one. The local reputable yards are looking but nothing has turned up yet for what I feel is reasonable money for 50k to 70k mile drivetrains.
Ive read alot of the Ebay turbo threads and there's no shortage of opinions good or bad. Regardless of an Ebay unit or a name brand, what would everyone recommend for size on twins or a single? Opinions on a single or twin setup? I am open to all opinions, please share.
Lewis
Ive read alot of the Ebay turbo threads and there's no shortage of opinions good or bad. Regardless of an Ebay unit or a name brand, what would everyone recommend for size on twins or a single? Opinions on a single or twin setup? I am open to all opinions, please share.
Lewis
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I would do a single....there really is not a whole lot of room under the hood to do twins if you are looking to keep the wheel wells stock and what-not...
A good friend of mine just did a 69 camaro, twin turbo ls2 and there is no room for the air cleaners to go....we are currently trying to devise a place to stick them so they look nice and clean.
Check out build in my sig... currently I am doing a T70 single build but also have a TC76 that I am going to put on after I get comfortable tuning and know that the motor is not going to grenade.
Beautiful nova though...car is very nice.
A good friend of mine just did a 69 camaro, twin turbo ls2 and there is no room for the air cleaners to go....we are currently trying to devise a place to stick them so they look nice and clean.
Check out build in my sig... currently I am doing a T70 single build but also have a TC76 that I am going to put on after I get comfortable tuning and know that the motor is not going to grenade.
Beautiful nova though...car is very nice.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
I would do a single....there really is not a whole lot of room under the hood to do twins if you are looking to keep the wheel wells stock and what-not...
A good friend of mine just did a 69 camaro, twin turbo ls2 and there is no room for the air cleaners to go....we are currently trying to devise a place to stick them so they look nice and clean.
Check out build in my sig... currently I am doing a T70 single build but also have a TC76 that I am going to put on after I get comfortable tuning and know that the motor is not going to grenade.
Beautiful nova though...car is very nice.
A good friend of mine just did a 69 camaro, twin turbo ls2 and there is no room for the air cleaners to go....we are currently trying to devise a place to stick them so they look nice and clean.
Check out build in my sig... currently I am doing a T70 single build but also have a TC76 that I am going to put on after I get comfortable tuning and know that the motor is not going to grenade.
Beautiful nova though...car is very nice.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
I love old school but I never drive the car. With the 12.75:1 compression and gigantic solid cam its a little less than streetable. I miss driving it. This was my first car, bought in 1991 when I was 15. It truly was the little old lady car. I put 15k miles on it by 1993 when it was painted and the interior was done and have since only put 3k on it for a total of 54,000 miles. The engine went in in 2000 and can't have 1000 miles on it. I really think a turbo 5.3 with the OD is going to give me the same if not better performance plus great road manners and some decent gas milage to boot. I think a twin setup will give some Oh Crap factor for the shows too but I want it to run hard too.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
I pick up my engine and trans tomorrow. I found an '09 LY6 6 liter with it's matching 4L80. They are coming out of a GMC van which has 88,300 miles. They are including everything from wiring to driveshaft yolk and all front accessories and gas pedal. It was a light right side and rear damage van which made me comfortable. The miles is high for an 09 in my oppinion but I figure it's better than out of a truck that has been towing or pushing snow. The complete package was $2500. Hopefully this was a deal, it seemed like it after looking online and calling the local reputable yards.
Get on it!
Well, here are some ideas if you need..... I have a motive for why I put everything were I did...The battery is still up front, I can upgrade to a PT88 T4 turbo in the future and I can still have my AC...food for thought....
Well, here are some ideas if you need..... I have a motive for why I put everything were I did...The battery is still up front, I can upgrade to a PT88 T4 turbo in the future and I can still have my AC...food for thought....
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
That is exactly what I want to end up with. Will the factory inner fenderwells fit? I plan on using the manifolds and factory intake but otherwise we are thinking the same.
\ 
I did put the factory fender wells back in.
The passenger side I modified to fit a battery.
Basically cut the well and fit a battery tray into it.
It is not ideal because the tire will rub when I corner really hard.
I plan on moving the battery to the back at some point...
The passenger side I modified to fit a battery.
Basically cut the well and fit a battery tray into it.
It is not ideal because the tire will rub when I corner really hard.
I plan on moving the battery to the back at some point...