67 chevy II conversion????
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City metro area
I wouldn't call it a common conversion but it has been done and by several folks here. My transplant recipient is a '62 with a TCI front clip. Seems that most I remember have used an aftermarket front clip. Since mine is a rust bucket total rebuild it is taking a while. In a nutshell this is what I have learned:
1. Use the engine and trans combo from the same car with all of the electronics.
2. Don't get rid of anything until you are done.
3. '99 up PCUs are the same and different than '97-'98 models
4. Don't think that motor mount adapters are going to lead to a carefree install
5. The uncut Nova trans tunnel won't accept a M6 or A4
6. The members here are invaluable for helping to solve problems
7. John at Spearco is a premium guy.
I can hardly wait to fire my car up, it will be unusual and fast but also reliable. Hang in there and good luck.
1. Use the engine and trans combo from the same car with all of the electronics.
2. Don't get rid of anything until you are done.
3. '99 up PCUs are the same and different than '97-'98 models
4. Don't think that motor mount adapters are going to lead to a carefree install
5. The uncut Nova trans tunnel won't accept a M6 or A4
6. The members here are invaluable for helping to solve problems
7. John at Spearco is a premium guy.
I can hardly wait to fire my car up, it will be unusual and fast but also reliable. Hang in there and good luck.
Last edited by Novas Forever; Aug 24, 2006 at 12:36 PM.
Originally Posted by Novas Forever
I wouldn't call it a common conversion but it has been done and by several folks here. My transplant recipient is a '62 with a TCI front clip. Seems that most I remember have used an aftermarket front clip. Since mine is a rust bucket total rebuild it is taking a while. In a nutshell this is what I have learned:
1. Use the engine and trans combo from the same car with all of the electronics.
2. Don't get rid of anything until you are done.
3. '99 up PCUs are the same and different than '97-'98 models
4. Don't think that motor mount adapters are going to lead to a carefree install
5. The uncut Nova trans tunnel won't accept a M6 or A4
6. The members here are invaluable for helping to solve problems
7. John at Spearco is a premium guy.
I can hardly wait to fire my car up, it will be unusual and fast but also reliable. Hang in there and good luck.
1. Use the engine and trans combo from the same car with all of the electronics.
2. Don't get rid of anything until you are done.
3. '99 up PCUs are the same and different than '97-'98 models
4. Don't think that motor mount adapters are going to lead to a carefree install
5. The uncut Nova trans tunnel won't accept a M6 or A4
6. The members here are invaluable for helping to solve problems
7. John at Spearco is a premium guy.
I can hardly wait to fire my car up, it will be unusual and fast but also reliable. Hang in there and good luck.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Down along the strand in NJ
Hardest thing so far is the exhaust manifold / header issue. Mine also involves an after market front subframe, stock front end may or may not be worse... Oil pan also needs to be checked for clearance, Heidts and F boody pan are OK. Passenger engine mount on Heidts had to be shortened ~3/4" for offset, trans tunnel enlarged and new opening for shifter, new driveshaft..nah piece of cake and lots of fun..anticipation is mounting now for me awaiting dryer weather to paint the car, garage built you know.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City metro area
I should be tracking my project on a website but I am not. I am awful slow. I do want to help anyone else I can on a similar swap. I have been helped a lot right here but the Nova swap is unusual. I am always ready to answer any question. I agree that headers seem to be a big problem. My latest thought is modifying some Ford headers since they have the same port spacing. The rearend is about to go back under the car so I will go on to the next challenge. It is going to be a beauty when it is done.
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hey Novas forever, I am planning on doing the same thing to my 63, how nuch work did the tranny tunnel take to fit in the 4l60? I have a 350/350 combo sitting in my TCI right now. I also got the rear subframe, so i have the adjustable tranny crossmember. I have tried asking around on the stevesnovasite.com website, but they told me to ask around here. What other types of troubles did you have putting it in?
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City metro area
Hey pmcclelland99
Well you know how snug everything fits in the little cars then. Your T350 has enough room but the 4L60 is much bigger. I bought an LS1/T56 combo but could not bring myself to cut the tunnel up to get the 6 speed in. I would say that as soon as the tunnel narrows after the bell housing area the cutting would have to begin. I had to use a scattershield to get my set-up to work so I know there is room in that area. You would end up having to enlarge the area pretty far back since the 4L60 is fairly long. The LS1 is setting in the car now and it went in easily. The F-body oil pan fits fine. I used adapter plates for the motor mounts which required a small amount of work on the actual mounts but not bad. The alternator has room in the stock location as does the power steering pump. There is no clearance for the A/C compressor. My major challenge now is exhaust. I have not found any off-the-shelf headers that will fit and I don't think there are any. The stock manifolds will not clear.
Kind of wish I had the rear subframe like you do. When I had the body work done they welded in subframe connectors and floor supports so i didn't want to have to mess with taking that out, but maybe should have! If I forgot anything just let me know.
Well you know how snug everything fits in the little cars then. Your T350 has enough room but the 4L60 is much bigger. I bought an LS1/T56 combo but could not bring myself to cut the tunnel up to get the 6 speed in. I would say that as soon as the tunnel narrows after the bell housing area the cutting would have to begin. I had to use a scattershield to get my set-up to work so I know there is room in that area. You would end up having to enlarge the area pretty far back since the 4L60 is fairly long. The LS1 is setting in the car now and it went in easily. The F-body oil pan fits fine. I used adapter plates for the motor mounts which required a small amount of work on the actual mounts but not bad. The alternator has room in the stock location as does the power steering pump. There is no clearance for the A/C compressor. My major challenge now is exhaust. I have not found any off-the-shelf headers that will fit and I don't think there are any. The stock manifolds will not clear.
Kind of wish I had the rear subframe like you do. When I had the body work done they welded in subframe connectors and floor supports so i didn't want to have to mess with taking that out, but maybe should have! If I forgot anything just let me know.
...There is no clearance for the A/C compressor. My major challenge now is exhaust. I have not found any off-the-shelf headers that will fit and I don't think there are any. The stock manifolds will not clear.
Also, I bought a set of Vette exhaust manifolds and although I can't get them on with the engine in the car (a head bolt hits) I may be able to get them to fit if they are mounted on the engine before it is installed. I have not determined if the steering box will clear yet. Now, having said all of that I may still clip the frontend to gain clearance but I think these issues can be overcome with a stock frontend - time will tell.
Last edited by BBPanel; Sep 3, 2006 at 01:05 PM.
The new GTO oil pan will work with the stock suspension. I've done this conversion for a customer - and have a jig for headers, with the stock suspension. It's a very tight fit...
If you're using an aftermarket front end - it's a simple bolt in, wire in conversion. The stock front end though - poses some challenges.
I recently bought a '62 wagon that I'm working on at the moment, and hopefully will have the front end(Smith Racecraft) and motor in and running by Hot Rod's drag week next year!
If you're using an aftermarket front end - it's a simple bolt in, wire in conversion. The stock front end though - poses some challenges.
I recently bought a '62 wagon that I'm working on at the moment, and hopefully will have the front end(Smith Racecraft) and motor in and running by Hot Rod's drag week next year!
do you have pictures of the car (LANE) i want to use to the stock subframe and i do have a gto engine that i would like to use is an ls2 with a six speed
we was planning on building some headers too
we was planning on building some headers too
Originally Posted by gEtyOPaPiOn
do you have pictures of the car (LANE) i want to use to the stock subframe and i do have a gto engine that i would like to use is an ls2 with a six speed
we was planning on building some headers too
we was planning on building some headers too
The headers came out real nice, and I've built a couple more pairs since then.
thats what i was looking for just to get a visual ...do you mind showing the driver side headers ? and what motor mounts did you use ? are the headers for sale ? hehe ? long tubes ?
Originally Posted by gEtyOPaPiOn
thats what i was looking for just to get a visual ...do you mind showing the driver side headers ? and what motor mounts did you use ? are the headers for sale ? hehe ? long tubes ?
I could do some headers, but with you being so far away - I wouldn't be comfortable selling you something that you may have to 'adjust' some, or a lot... I'll dig up my jigs and think about that some more though. LT's I don't think are possible. The collectors in the pics are 2.5" and they barely fit in between the tranny and front braces. The car did have a 4L60E in it though. M6 may give some more room.
Originally Posted by 350SS
BBPanel, any pics of the side clearance or other pics of the engine bay? I'm interested in this swap for my 65, so any pics are appreciated
I'll check and see if I have any better pics in another location.
I can't see how headers/manifolds will fit w/ the stock front clip, but I know pictures are hard to judge depth on. If you get a set of manifolds/headers to fit please, let us know. I'm just amazed the stock ac compressor fits, that's great 