1965 Riviera LS1 Swap
03-10-2017, 03:34 PM
#1
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1965 Riviera LS1 Swap I have a 1965 Buick Riviera with a rod knocking.
The nailhead engines that came in these cars are expensive to rebuild. I want to hopefully save a little cash, and get overdrive transmission as well. My buddy has a 2001 Trans Am with 130K on it, has known the first owner since the car was new. I will be getting the engine/auto trans for basically free. I am however worried about the oil pan. The 401 Nailhead that is in the car now, I believe has the sump in the middle.
Also, this is a heavy car, about 4000 lbs. Stock engine had 325 H.P., and 445 torque. Will I be disappointed with the performance of the stock T/A engine in this car?
The nailhead engines that came in these cars are expensive to rebuild. I want to hopefully save a little cash, and get overdrive transmission as well. My buddy has a 2001 Trans Am with 130K on it, has known the first owner since the car was new. I will be getting the engine/auto trans for basically free. I am however worried about the oil pan. The 401 Nailhead that is in the car now, I believe has the sump in the middle.
Also, this is a heavy car, about 4000 lbs. Stock engine had 325 H.P., and 445 torque. Will I be disappointed with the performance of the stock T/A engine in this car?
03-11-2017, 05:33 AM
#2
You'll just have to fab your way around the oil pan/cross member/steering issues - doable. As for performance -- the ratings on the old nailhead were 'gross' ratings from a time period when the ratings had more to do with the marketing department than anything else. The stock LS1 with a contemporary automatic tranny will out perform the nailhead in every possible way - smoothness, reliability, refinement, acceleration, emissions, and fuel mileage. AND - the nail head and old tranny with everything being cast iron (heads, block, exhaust manis and probably intake) likely weighs a good 150 - 200 lbs. more than the combo you have going in. EVERYTHING will be better with the new combo. With the O/D in the new tranny, you may be able to run more gear in the back of the Riv -- which will help performance even more.
03-11-2017, 06:41 AM
#3
Awesome car and swap candidate. If I were you I'd hang onto the old nailhead, they're getting hard to find. Does yours have a Buick Turbo 400 in it? Those are rare as hens teeth. A buddy just finished up his 37 Ford truck with that combo. Very expensive build indeed.
03-11-2017, 12:55 PM
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It has a ST400, basically a Turbo 400 with a switch pitch converter. I plan to rebuild the Nailhead with 3 2 bbls, maybe 6 2s? finned aluminum dress up parts, and put it in a '26 T roadster I have, with no hood to cover that beautiful mill.
P.S. Will be going with an 6.0 LS2 out of a 2007 Corvette, not the LS1. Still use the LS1 auto trans.
P.S. Will be going with an 6.0 LS2 out of a 2007 Corvette, not the LS1. Still use the LS1 auto trans.
Last edited by rdaugird@yahoo.com; 03-11-2017 at 01:30 PM.
03-12-2017, 08:04 AM
#6
I did a swap in my 67 GS a couple years ago. You won't be disappointed in performance. I would say money wise for me I already had the engine plus about 2500 to swap it myself. I went with a Holley HP EFI so there was most of the cost. I'm definitely watching this build. Nice car by the way.
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03-17-2017, 03:02 AM
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Wow, i've always dreamt of a 65 Riviera. Need to have these with the hidden front-lights. 
And of course, a LS swap. Basically, you are building one of my dream cars!
What's on the front of the oil pan, and what's in the back? Do you have a photo of the engine compartment? I don't understand what the oilpan need to pass, other than the crossmember?
And of course, a LS swap. Basically, you are building one of my dream cars!What's on the front of the oil pan, and what's in the back? Do you have a photo of the engine compartment? I don't understand what the oilpan need to pass, other than the crossmember?
03-17-2017, 11:18 AM
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I believe there may be an issue with the steering linkage; I think the middle sump on the pan goes between the cross member and linkage. I have not climbed under there myself and looked, I will this weekend.
The car still runs. My friend has a car show here in town every year. It's next month; I am not removing the engine until after the show.
The car still runs. My friend has a car show here in town every year. It's next month; I am not removing the engine until after the show.
03-28-2017, 11:49 AM
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Another concern I have is gauges, I imagine the fuel gauge will not change, but what about the speedometer cable? Temp and oil pressure sender? I won't put any modern looking gauges in there.
03-28-2017, 05:02 PM
#12
Speedo usually means a cable x box. Pricey but doable. Jags that runs makes a mechanical tailhousing, not sure if this is for your trans
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Par...ilHousing.html
02-23-2024, 01:14 AM
#18
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Sikky is no longer a vendor here. Give them a call.