5.3 into a 72 Chevelle
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
Well I got so busy working on the car and doing research that I abandoned this thread. Ive got it running and driving but still working on the tuning. I will snap a few pics today and try to share what I learned. I will say without a doubt I wish I would have not used the F-Body pan. I had to trim the cross member and wound up trimming more than needed. I got it braced up really good but I just dont like it now that it is done. I mounted my PCM where the windshield washer fluid tank was. The harness was just about the perfect length for that. All and all I would say its not as bad a swap as it may seem. Whoever runs LT1Swap.com deserves a shout out. I followed the pin out diagram and have referenced that site hundreds of times it seems like. I am really pleased with how the car runs and drives now and feel like this is exactly what i wanted. I feel like I could drive across country with the family if I wanted to and plan to do my ever loving best to run this thing in Hot Rod Drag Week this year if I can get registered.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
I still got a little cleaning up to do but it doesnt look too bad. The ECM is under the air filter. I bought a cold air intake for a truck and modified it a little. The fans are from a Cougar and the radiator is stock but was not very old. I bought a supposedly built 4l60E and a Jegs 3500 rpm converter. My mounts are the 1'' setbacks and frame stands are the originals in the original location. I modified the stock cross member and used it. I had to BFH the trans tunnel to get the trans to work and I am using the stock shifter with the shift works linkage. I havent got the speedo working but am planning on using the cable X box that drives the original speedo. I want the car to appear until you lift the hood.
Last edited by abritton77; Mar 9, 2014 at 08:56 PM.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
Ive got a Posi to install and just ordered a Cable X to get the speedo working. Thats got me drained now so I guess I will just have to drive it and stop working on it. I dont know what I would do on a weekend if I didnt have car on jack stands to work on.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
Got the cable x box working and installed and one of the vintage style radios. As bad as I hate to deviate from original, I am going to put some modern bucket seats in it for comfort. That old bench seat just wont cut it.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
These are out of a 2006 Honda Accord Coupe. The allow for much easier access to the rear seat and are much more comfy than the 42 year old bench seat. Once I get the rear seat recovered I think they will look great.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
Well Ive put a couple thousand miles on this thing so far and am loving it. I will be competing in the Dail Driver class in Drag Week next month and am looking foward to it. She is not as fas as i should be, but still allot of fun.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: SE Oklahoma
The seats fit great. I had to bend one side of the front mount flat to make them work. I do sit higher than I did with the factory seat and now the rear view mirror blocks some of my vision looking toward the right. Im still happy with them and do not regret the swap.
The seats fit great. I had to bend one side of the front mount flat to make them work. I do sit higher than I did with the factory seat and now the rear view mirror blocks some of my vision looking toward the right. Im still happy with them and do not regret the swap.
Looks good! I wanted to keep a bench seat as well in my 70 but the newer style seats are so much better. Put pro car rally 1000 seats in and got inventive on some low homemade brackets and sits and feels perfect, not to mention hugging you in the turns. Definiteley don't miss the rolling all over the place with the ole bench lol plus the seat pattern matches the 70-72 parallel door panel scheme perfect!
