1959 LS1 Apache?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
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1959 LS1 Apache? 
Hey guys,
I have a 1959 Chevy Apache, 31 series, RCSB. I am planning to buy a 01/02 WS6 motor off of my fiance's brother. It has about 22K miles. I am looking for some insight for this project.
It currently is bone stock, with it's inline 6 (287 I think), and 3-on-the-tree tranny that is not currently running. I will get the engine, 6-speed tranny, wiring harness, and computer from the WS6. The engine compartment is huge, and I have no doubt this will all fit.
I plan to turbo this engine, so I was wondering where I could get my hands on some stronger, lower CR'ed internals at? I plan to mate this to a ford 9" rear end. I want to end up running 8-15 psi on the turbo. But working of a military salary is difficult, as many of you know. Im a 22 yr old E-5.
As soon as I figure out how to post pics, I can show hohw bad the condition its in. Thanks for any and all help in advance.
Garrett
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 54
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From: Madison, WI
That is an awesome project. My buddy just inherited a truck like that from his grandmother. I may need to suggest that project to him.
As far as internals go nearly all of the sponsors can hook you up with some forged internals. Are you looking for a shortblock? If so, I would buy from APE www.automotiveperformance.net
Good luck!
As far as internals go nearly all of the sponsors can hook you up with some forged internals. Are you looking for a shortblock? If so, I would buy from APE www.automotiveperformance.net
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
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Thanks!
I am actually looking at my fiance's brother's ws6 setup. He had an 01 or 02, but then totalled the rear end. I am looking at 2500 for the entire engine to oil pan, ecu, and wiring harness. I wanted to lower the compression ration a tad, so I thought that maybe 5.3L truck heads and internals may work. Not sure though. The search continues.
Garrett
I am actually looking at my fiance's brother's ws6 setup. He had an 01 or 02, but then totalled the rear end. I am looking at 2500 for the entire engine to oil pan, ecu, and wiring harness. I wanted to lower the compression ration a tad, so I thought that maybe 5.3L truck heads and internals may work. Not sure though. The search continues.
Garrett
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Just my .02, stick with the stock setup for now and get it on the road, ignore the "while I'm at it" syndrome or it will just take too long. After you get it going work on the body and suspension, then go rearend, then go turbo.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Right now its dead. Someone stole the starter selonoid. The oil hasnt been changed since about...1987 (seriously) when the clutch went out. After my dad passed in 1986, it just sat, with no care for it. Good point though...I should just get it to a running opint first.
Garrett
Garrett
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 841
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From: Baltimore, MD.
Sorry for lurking on an "old" thread, but wanted to say neat conversion!
I too think the best thing to suggest is getting it swapped and running, then worrying about forged internals / low cr / turbo on down the road when money allows. Especially on a military salary. You can drop $5k on all the "right" forged and hipo parts and still not have a complete running vehicle.
However, somebody on here suggested 5.3l heads. To lower compression,I think thats the wrong head choice. LS1 heasds are 67cc, LS6 heads are 65cc, 4.8 & 5.3l heads are 61 cc. What you would want are the alum 6.0l truck heads. Same ports as LS6 with at 71cc chamber.
While you're grabbing stuff from the WS6, grab the radiator and such too (if its intact). There are probably other parts and pieces. Like clutch pedal / master cylinder, since the old truck is probably mechanical linkage and the T56 is hydraulic. Any other suggestions of stuff the should be aquired?
'Dreamin'
I too think the best thing to suggest is getting it swapped and running, then worrying about forged internals / low cr / turbo on down the road when money allows. Especially on a military salary. You can drop $5k on all the "right" forged and hipo parts and still not have a complete running vehicle.
However, somebody on here suggested 5.3l heads. To lower compression,I think thats the wrong head choice. LS1 heasds are 67cc, LS6 heads are 65cc, 4.8 & 5.3l heads are 61 cc. What you would want are the alum 6.0l truck heads. Same ports as LS6 with at 71cc chamber.
While you're grabbing stuff from the WS6, grab the radiator and such too (if its intact). There are probably other parts and pieces. Like clutch pedal / master cylinder, since the old truck is probably mechanical linkage and the T56 is hydraulic. Any other suggestions of stuff the should be aquired?
'Dreamin'
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
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Ok I guess i will update this thread. I bought a ls1 swap finally. And am now in the process of getting everything rounded up. I have a adapter plates from ebay to allow me to use the older style motor mounts. I also upgraded my straight axle front suspension to independent front suspension with 12" brake rotors from a 90 Iroc 1LE car purchased them new. I have the front 1 and 1/4 inch sway bar installed now. And have installed new upper ball joints and will install new lower ones soon. Also I swapped frames and went with a 68 chevy short bed frame. So now I have 2 link rear end. Also purchased a ford 9 inch rearend with 3.00 gears and a posi with disc brakes. I still need to have the rearend narrowed and the axles shortened and resplined. Anyone know of a good shop around dallas to do this? I have purchased some Billet Specialties GTP53 rims and BF Goodrich tires. Rims are 17x11 rears(315) and 17x8 fronts(255). I have the motor just about ready to bolt in but still have to get exhaust, wiring harness, and rearend narrowed before i can even think about firing her up. Also purchased a 99 corvette telescopic steering column for the cab and I need a blown airbag and a steering wheel for that. If anyone may know where one is. I have some pics but I do not have a place t upload them to the web.
Things I still need. Flowmaster 40 series exhaust, Wiring harness, and someone to narrow the rearend. Also I may have a 98 a4 wiring harness for sale soon.
Things I still need. Flowmaster 40 series exhaust, Wiring harness, and someone to narrow the rearend. Also I may have a 98 a4 wiring harness for sale soon.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
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man, sorry about letting this thread die. Have gone through a lot lately, most of which would be getting eloping, 
, and saving for the big wedding. What a way to spend a ton of restoration money, eh?
Any how, I worked out a deal with my Brother-in-law to inherit his WS6 front end for 3K dollars. From what Ive seen, everything from the intake manifold to the y pipe, back to the cooling system is all intact and fine. I hope to load the ws6 onto a dolley and ship it off to Arizona, where I call home.
I was wondering how you all work with the suspension? I am trying to figure out what front and rear axles I should go with, as well as the driveshaft. I was pondering a ford 9". Any input? Also, any of you classic conversionists have some good ideas on suspension? I actually plan to drop it, possibly even airbag it down th road, but for now, just want a nice smooth ride. Thanks for any input and comments
Garrett
, and saving for the big wedding. What a way to spend a ton of restoration money, eh? Any how, I worked out a deal with my Brother-in-law to inherit his WS6 front end for 3K dollars. From what Ive seen, everything from the intake manifold to the y pipe, back to the cooling system is all intact and fine. I hope to load the ws6 onto a dolley and ship it off to Arizona, where I call home.
I was wondering how you all work with the suspension? I am trying to figure out what front and rear axles I should go with, as well as the driveshaft. I was pondering a ford 9". Any input? Also, any of you classic conversionists have some good ideas on suspension? I actually plan to drop it, possibly even airbag it down th road, but for now, just want a nice smooth ride. Thanks for any input and comments
Garrett
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2004
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Originally Posted by mr. peepers
Thanks!
I am actually looking at my fiance's brother's ws6 setup. He had an 01 or 02, but then totalled the rear end. I am looking at 2500 for the entire engine to oil pan, ecu, and wiring harness. I wanted to lower the compression ration a tad, so I thought that maybe 5.3L truck heads and internals may work. Not sure though. The search continues.
Garrett
I am actually looking at my fiance's brother's ws6 setup. He had an 01 or 02, but then totalled the rear end. I am looking at 2500 for the entire engine to oil pan, ecu, and wiring harness. I wanted to lower the compression ration a tad, so I thought that maybe 5.3L truck heads and internals may work. Not sure though. The search continues.
Garrett
-gary
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 568
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From: DFW, TX
Originally Posted by mr. peepers
Ive been wondering how much effort it would be to adapt an LS1 turbo kit..the engine compartment is HUGE. I mean, I can literally sit next to the motor on either side...and Im 6'2, 245!
Garrett
Garrett
Im basically doing the same thing with my nova, getting it running with a 5.3 I scored cheap, then later ill step it up to a turbo 6.0 when I have the time and money to do it on the side....
yeah i agree with the getting it running first. I have a 59 apache too. Same series. Body work on these is really expensive. There are a lot of spots where i bet its rusted out. There are a lot of catalogs that have parts though. Try LMC and search the net too. If youre in AZ, I know in tucson there is this one place called Fred's truck parts. He specializes in these trucks. He has a lot of hard to find parts too.
Great Project Here are some pictures I took of a similar vintage truck at a recent car show, maybe they will give you some ideas. It has a Gen II Camaro Clip in it I believe, and a 4 link in the back. The motor is a stock '98 from a CA Highway Patrol Camaro. According to the owner it runs like a scalded dog as is.
Pat
Pat