Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Post your 75-79 Nova LS swaps.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 06:30 PM
  #1  
ten5nova's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
From: Stockett, Montana
Default Post your 75-79 Nova LS swaps.

I noticed there are quite a few disco Nova guys on the forum, so I thought I'd start a thread for us. Post up your swaps!! I'll start with mine.

77 Nova, 5.3, cam, carb, th350, 3800 converter, 4.10's. Full interior, all steel accept for the hood. My best pass so far at about 5k ft DA is a 7.94 in the 1/8. According to a formula my friend has, that's about a 12.45 in the 1/4, but I'm not saying that's 100% accurate. I'd love to run this pig at sea level!!

Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 09:40 PM
  #2  
78supersport's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Odessa, MO
Default

Here's my build, just getting started but hope to have it up and running by spring.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...t56-build.html
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 11:09 PM
  #3  
ten5nova's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
From: Stockett, Montana
Default

Originally Posted by 78supersport
Here's my build, just getting started but hope to have it up and running by spring.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...t56-build.html
Looks good so far man!! Keep us updated!!
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 11:19 PM
  #4  
kwnova9's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 2
Default

5.3 fuel injected in my '77!

Name:  IMG_7149.jpg
Views: 10357
Size:  61.1 KB

Name:  IMG_7044.jpg
Views: 13517
Size:  173.2 KB
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2012 | 02:36 PM
  #5  
hookemdevils22's Avatar
12 Second Club
15 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 8
From: Tempe, AZ
Default

we've only got a couple disco novas on the x-body swap thread. PM me or respond with your build link and the vitals and we'll get you forever etched in x-body swap lore!
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2012 | 07:04 PM
  #6  
jeffreysilv's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

more pics very soon
Attached Thumbnails Post your 75-79 Nova LS swaps.-wp_000196.jpg  
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2012 | 03:45 AM
  #7  
ten5nova's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
From: Stockett, Montana
Default

Looks good guys, keep the disco Nova stuff coming!!!
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2012 | 10:44 AM
  #8  
futureuser's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 1
Default

What do these things weigh? Also my understanding is the rear end width is the same as the earlier Novas and first gen Camaros. Confirm?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 19, 2012 | 12:02 PM
  #9  
hookemdevils22's Avatar
12 Second Club
15 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 8
From: Tempe, AZ
Default

Per novaresource.org, base model curb weight was a shade under 3500 lbs in 1975, and just over 3300 lbs by 1979. Add a hundred or so lbs for a V8. They're a little more portly than your typical 1st gen f-body or 3rd gen nova, but, surprisingly, they got lighter as the years progressed.

I currently have a corporate 10 bolt in my 71. It required no modification.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2012 | 09:47 PM
  #10  
ten5nova's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
From: Stockett, Montana
Default

Originally Posted by futureuser
What do these things weigh? Also my understanding is the rear end width is the same as the earlier Novas and first gen Camaros. Confirm?
I run an 8.5" ten bolt that's out of another 77 Nova so no mods were required. I've been told disco era Camaros use the same width rears as well. As far as weight goes, I always figured mine was around 3500 lbs, but now that I read the previous post, I'm happy to learn that it might be lighter than I thought.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2012 | 09:59 PM
  #11  
futureuser's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 1
Default

That is lighter than I thought. My 69 camaro weighs 3500 lbs without me. 69 F-bodies weigh nearly 200 lbs more than 67-68s. From everything I've read the 75-79 Nova has the same rear end width as the earlier Novas and first gen F-bodies, not the second gen camaros. I have not measured to confirm, but I'm curious. I find this thread interesting because where I grew up, I had a couple of friends with these cars and they were my first experience with "muscle" cars. My first swap was a 454 into a friends '76 ss.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2012 | 11:47 PM
  #12  
kwnova9's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 2
Default

4th gen novas have the same rear as 1st gen Camaros and 3rd gen Novas. 2nd gen camaros are longer.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 09:16 AM
  #13  
Tjn56's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Supernova

I have a 75 custom nova hatchback that I have had for years. I am going to swap the I-6 with a 350 that was built for a stock car. Any advice and or suggestions would be more than welcome.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:57 AM
  #14  
hokeplaya05's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 77
From: new hampshire
Default

my dad has a 76 nova hatch with factory 350/4speed that i was trying to convince him to do an ls swap in, but he ended up just rebuilding the motor (355, mild cam, 1.6rr) and trans. almost back on the road, just gotta find a set of longtubes that fit that car.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 12:01 PM
  #15  
toxic99's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 909
Likes: 2
From: La.
Default

Originally Posted by Tjn56
I have a 75 custom nova hatchback that I have had for years. I am going to swap the I-6 with a 350 that was built for a stock car. Any advice and or suggestions would be more than welcome.
Sell the 350 and use money to swap in ls type motor would be my suggestion.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014 | 08:07 PM
  #16  
76larkman's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 732
Likes: 1
From: alburnett, iowa
Default

im just doing a L33 5.3 4L65E tranny into my 76 skylark. I already swapped the rear 7 1/2 baby 10 bolt to an 8 1/2 10 bolt with 3:23 gear with posi. rear turned out to be from 80 camaro, i had to cut off spring pads as were closer together than skylark. I also think its 1 inch wider as wheels stuck out little more but barely noticable. im running 15x8 weld drag lights on rear think rear offset 3 1/2 inches. still dont hit 1/4 panel lip.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2014 | 06:51 AM
  #17  
wolfinsheepsclothing's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Default

In for more pics
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 09:50 AM
  #18  
Zackf2448's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Elizabethtown, PA
Default

Hi I'm new to this site, And new to ls motors. And I just bought my first ls. It's a 5.3 from an 02 suburban 130000 miles. It's going into my 77 nova, along with a t56. My first question is, where can I get proper parts like motor mounts, headers, stuff like that, that I womt need to modify? Or can someone point me in the right direction of a forum where I could find his if this isn't the right one? Thanks guys
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 10:58 AM
  #19  
76larkman's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 732
Likes: 1
From: alburnett, iowa
Default

I have a skylark. shorty headers on ebay work well. oil pan I used a gm muscle car pan its a mistake. hangs way low under crossmember. mounts use someting that drops on sbc mount directly. the plates bolting sbc mount on sets motor higher and 5.3 altenator touches hood. trannel tunnel will need to be cut open for six speed as 4L65E tight fit in my car. I would cut modify truck pan since thats what you have. you could use camaro but probably cut that too. check for inner tie rod clearance for turning . mine did hit pan.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 12:58 PM
  #20  
Suncc49's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
Default

I am doing a 3rd gen Nova now. Holley 302-2 pan, dirty dingo slider mounts
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:25 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE