L92/6L80, 65 Nova
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Rockford, IL
L92/6L80, 65 Nova Howdy Ya'll...
My name's Steve. And I'm new here - lookin for advice after years of bein out of hot rodding. You know how it goes. Back burner "for a few years" to get through college. Life intervenes in the meantime. Then one morning you wake up, and say "Holy Cow! How did I end up middle aged so quick?!"
Hahahahahahaha....oh God, I crack myself up. You young guys will be there before ya know it. So en route to your life goals, always make sure you stop long enough to have some fun, automotive or otherwise.
At ANY rate, just back into things. Recently bought a clean, 6 banger & glide 65 Nova. Original owner gifted it to her nephew for his 16th birthday in 1980, then I bought it off of him.
This car is perhaps beneath what many of you would consider worthy of interest. And my proposed budget isn't likely to change that. But I'M pretty excited about it. Always liked these cars as drag machines when I'd see em at Milan or Detroit as a kid.
Long term, I'd really like to make the car a more serious drag racing machine. But that's just not likely to be in my budget for the next 3-5 years. In my immediate world, I just wanna get the thing on the street and enjoyin it. I've had it for a couple years now, and every time I get ready to sink some money into it, the company I work for spools up the fear and loathing about job security. So, I've felt a little heistant to spend the cash on this project.
That said, it's too easy to get old quick, and feel like you haven't had any fun for too many years! I'm putting this thing together and gettin er out on the street, and I wanna finish stage 1 of the project in the next 6-12 months!
So here's the plan. Low dollar budget for the original swap. I want reliability, some good power, and a foundation suitable for the longer term modifications that will come as the budget opens up. I wanna drive it! I wanna be able to afford to drive it to some car shows & cruises, some weekend bracket racin, and perhaps the occaisional longer distance road trip.
Originally the old school 400" SBC was my thought. 700R4 for the benefit OD & lockup, allowing a decent cruise final drive ratio, but still have some torque multiplication. However, the more I research what's currently available, the more a L92/6L80 combo stands out.
Initially I just wanna swap in a stock eng/trans/harness combo from a single donor vehicle. And if possible, I wanna find a way to do it for under 5,000 bucks.
Ultimately, I want what I install to be something that's a good basic foundation for later mods (as the budget allows) to the basic originally installed setup. I don't intend to modify the front or rear suspension at this time. It's gonna be a skinny tire, drive conservative, go to car shows & cruises, fun machine. I'll solve the issues of the total package regarding making the rest of the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, etc catch up with the engine swap LATER.
Is 5 grand for the L92/6L80 swap gonna be do-able? How much am I gonna have to pay for a low mileage L92/6L80 out of a wreck?
What kind issues do I face when it comes to motor mounts, exhaust manifolds/headers, intake to hood clearance, harness wiring, etc?
What are the ways of dealing with these issues? And what are some good resources for me to consult to give myself a basic education on thse things?
I'm also interested in hearing the many points of view on why I should consider a different LS based motor for my project. But the "L92/6L80" is what I'm lookin at for now.
I want good power in the original unmodified engine/trans combo. But something that will adapt well to higher horsepower mods in the next 3-5 years, as money allows.
Whadya know out there? Lookin forward to hearing from the vast collective knowledge you all posess!
Thanks in advance for your insights.
My name's Steve. And I'm new here - lookin for advice after years of bein out of hot rodding. You know how it goes. Back burner "for a few years" to get through college. Life intervenes in the meantime. Then one morning you wake up, and say "Holy Cow! How did I end up middle aged so quick?!"
Hahahahahahaha....oh God, I crack myself up. You young guys will be there before ya know it. So en route to your life goals, always make sure you stop long enough to have some fun, automotive or otherwise.
At ANY rate, just back into things. Recently bought a clean, 6 banger & glide 65 Nova. Original owner gifted it to her nephew for his 16th birthday in 1980, then I bought it off of him.
This car is perhaps beneath what many of you would consider worthy of interest. And my proposed budget isn't likely to change that. But I'M pretty excited about it. Always liked these cars as drag machines when I'd see em at Milan or Detroit as a kid.
Long term, I'd really like to make the car a more serious drag racing machine. But that's just not likely to be in my budget for the next 3-5 years. In my immediate world, I just wanna get the thing on the street and enjoyin it. I've had it for a couple years now, and every time I get ready to sink some money into it, the company I work for spools up the fear and loathing about job security. So, I've felt a little heistant to spend the cash on this project.
That said, it's too easy to get old quick, and feel like you haven't had any fun for too many years! I'm putting this thing together and gettin er out on the street, and I wanna finish stage 1 of the project in the next 6-12 months!
So here's the plan. Low dollar budget for the original swap. I want reliability, some good power, and a foundation suitable for the longer term modifications that will come as the budget opens up. I wanna drive it! I wanna be able to afford to drive it to some car shows & cruises, some weekend bracket racin, and perhaps the occaisional longer distance road trip.
Originally the old school 400" SBC was my thought. 700R4 for the benefit OD & lockup, allowing a decent cruise final drive ratio, but still have some torque multiplication. However, the more I research what's currently available, the more a L92/6L80 combo stands out.
Initially I just wanna swap in a stock eng/trans/harness combo from a single donor vehicle. And if possible, I wanna find a way to do it for under 5,000 bucks.
Ultimately, I want what I install to be something that's a good basic foundation for later mods (as the budget allows) to the basic originally installed setup. I don't intend to modify the front or rear suspension at this time. It's gonna be a skinny tire, drive conservative, go to car shows & cruises, fun machine. I'll solve the issues of the total package regarding making the rest of the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, etc catch up with the engine swap LATER.
Is 5 grand for the L92/6L80 swap gonna be do-able? How much am I gonna have to pay for a low mileage L92/6L80 out of a wreck?
What kind issues do I face when it comes to motor mounts, exhaust manifolds/headers, intake to hood clearance, harness wiring, etc?
What are the ways of dealing with these issues? And what are some good resources for me to consult to give myself a basic education on thse things?
I'm also interested in hearing the many points of view on why I should consider a different LS based motor for my project. But the "L92/6L80" is what I'm lookin at for now.
I want good power in the original unmodified engine/trans combo. But something that will adapt well to higher horsepower mods in the next 3-5 years, as money allows.
Whadya know out there? Lookin forward to hearing from the vast collective knowledge you all posess!
Thanks in advance for your insights.
Last edited by practically.fast; Apr 22, 2011 at 04:42 PM. Reason: spelling/content
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Howdy Ya'll...
My name's Steve. And I'm new here - lookin for advice after years of bein out of hot rodding. You know how it goes. Back burner "for a few years" to get through college. Life intervenes in the meantime. Then one morning you wake up, and say "Holy Cow! How did I end up middle aged so quick?!"
Hahahahahahaha....oh God, I crack myself up. You young guys will be there before ya know it. So en route to your life goals, always make sure you stop long enough to have some fun, automotive or otherwise.
At ANY rate, just back into things. Recently bought a clean, 6 banger & glide 65 Nova. Original owner gifted it to her nephew for his 16th birthday in 1980, then I bought it off of him.
This car is perhaps beneath what many of you would consider worthy of interest. And my proposed budget isn't likely to change that. But I'M pretty excited about it. Always liked these cars as drag machines when I'd see em at Milan or Detroit as a kid.
Long term, I'd really like to make the car a more serious drag racing machine. But that's just not likely to be in my budget for the next 3-5 years. In my immediate world, I just wanna get the thing on the street and enjoyin it. I've had it for a couple years now, and every time I get ready to sink some money into it, the company I work for spools up the fear and loathing about job security. So, I've felt a little heistant to spend the cash on this project.
That said, it's too easy to get old quick, and feel like you haven't had any fun for too many years! I'm putting this thing together and gettin er out on the street, and I wanna finish stage 1 of the project in the next 6-12 months!
So here's the plan. Low dollar budget for the original swap. I want reliability, some good power, and a foundation suitable for the longer term modifications that will come as the budget opens up. I wanna drive it! I wanna be able to afford to drive it to some car shows & cruises, some weekend bracket racin, and perhaps the occaisional longer distance road trip.
Originally the old school 400" SBC was my thought. 700R4 for the benefit OD & lockup, allowing a decent cruise final drive ratio, but still have some torque multiplication. However, the more I research what's currently available, the more a L92/6L80 combo stands out.
Initially I just wanna swap in a stock eng/trans/harness combo from a single donor vehicle. And if possible, I wanna find a way to do it for under 5,000 bucks.
Ultimately, I want what I install to be something that's a good basic foundation for later mods (as the budget allows) to the basic originally installed setup. I don't intend to modify the front or rear suspension at this time. It's gonna be a skinny tire, drive conservative, go to car shows & cruises, fun machine. I'll solve the issues of the total package regarding making the rest of the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, etc catch up with the engine swap LATER.
Is 5 grand for the L92/6L80 swap gonna be do-able? How much am I gonna have to pay for a low mileage L92/6L80 out of a wreck?
What kind issues do I face when it comes to motor mounts, exhaust manifolds/headers, intake to hood clearance, harness wiring, etc?
What are the ways of dealing with these issues? And what are some good resources for me to consult to give myself a basic education on thse things?
I'm also interested in hearing the many points of view on why I should consider a different LS based motor for my project. But the "L92/6L80" is what I'm lookin at for now.
I want good power in the original unmodified engine/trans combo. But something that will adapt well to higher horsepower mods in the next 3-5 years, as money allows.
Whadya know out there? Lookin forward to hearing from the vast collective knowledge you all posess!
Thanks in advance for your insights.
My name's Steve. And I'm new here - lookin for advice after years of bein out of hot rodding. You know how it goes. Back burner "for a few years" to get through college. Life intervenes in the meantime. Then one morning you wake up, and say "Holy Cow! How did I end up middle aged so quick?!"
Hahahahahahaha....oh God, I crack myself up. You young guys will be there before ya know it. So en route to your life goals, always make sure you stop long enough to have some fun, automotive or otherwise.
At ANY rate, just back into things. Recently bought a clean, 6 banger & glide 65 Nova. Original owner gifted it to her nephew for his 16th birthday in 1980, then I bought it off of him.
This car is perhaps beneath what many of you would consider worthy of interest. And my proposed budget isn't likely to change that. But I'M pretty excited about it. Always liked these cars as drag machines when I'd see em at Milan or Detroit as a kid.
Long term, I'd really like to make the car a more serious drag racing machine. But that's just not likely to be in my budget for the next 3-5 years. In my immediate world, I just wanna get the thing on the street and enjoyin it. I've had it for a couple years now, and every time I get ready to sink some money into it, the company I work for spools up the fear and loathing about job security. So, I've felt a little heistant to spend the cash on this project.
That said, it's too easy to get old quick, and feel like you haven't had any fun for too many years! I'm putting this thing together and gettin er out on the street, and I wanna finish stage 1 of the project in the next 6-12 months!
So here's the plan. Low dollar budget for the original swap. I want reliability, some good power, and a foundation suitable for the longer term modifications that will come as the budget opens up. I wanna drive it! I wanna be able to afford to drive it to some car shows & cruises, some weekend bracket racin, and perhaps the occaisional longer distance road trip.
Originally the old school 400" SBC was my thought. 700R4 for the benefit OD & lockup, allowing a decent cruise final drive ratio, but still have some torque multiplication. However, the more I research what's currently available, the more a L92/6L80 combo stands out.
Initially I just wanna swap in a stock eng/trans/harness combo from a single donor vehicle. And if possible, I wanna find a way to do it for under 5,000 bucks.
Ultimately, I want what I install to be something that's a good basic foundation for later mods (as the budget allows) to the basic originally installed setup. I don't intend to modify the front or rear suspension at this time. It's gonna be a skinny tire, drive conservative, go to car shows & cruises, fun machine. I'll solve the issues of the total package regarding making the rest of the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, etc catch up with the engine swap LATER.
Is 5 grand for the L92/6L80 swap gonna be do-able? How much am I gonna have to pay for a low mileage L92/6L80 out of a wreck?
What kind issues do I face when it comes to motor mounts, exhaust manifolds/headers, intake to hood clearance, harness wiring, etc?
What are the ways of dealing with these issues? And what are some good resources for me to consult to give myself a basic education on thse things?
I'm also interested in hearing the many points of view on why I should consider a different LS based motor for my project. But the "L92/6L80" is what I'm lookin at for now.
I want good power in the original unmodified engine/trans combo. But something that will adapt well to higher horsepower mods in the next 3-5 years, as money allows.
Whadya know out there? Lookin forward to hearing from the vast collective knowledge you all posess!
Thanks in advance for your insights.
Cesar.
