73 Camaro 5.3/80e swap with 8.8 rear EDIT: Now running!
04-11-2018, 09:44 PM
#21
It’s actually a 2004 gto haha, nothing fancy. But it was the first nice vehicle I ever owned, and it was the first Ls vehicle o ever messed with. Plus we brought my first born home in it lol, it’s got a special place in my heart. I want to keep the t/a, but at the same time o don’t need all this stuff lol. Money wise no I wish I won the lottery, I’m just a lowly well guy, I don’t even make $20 an hour. I’m just good at spending it where it counts, and I have very minimal bills.
04-11-2018, 09:49 PM
#22
Thats nice. And you are having a blast it looks like, so you must be doing it right!!
I tried having more than one project at a time but i dont have enough time to enjoy it as much as i would like to (bad back kills my ON time...)
You want to back half the Nova!! Just because you want the style or because you want the help of the big tires? They make killer cars when done right with a set of 14x32's! 😉
Keep us posted!! And good luck with the GTO!
I tried having more than one project at a time but i dont have enough time to enjoy it as much as i would like to (bad back kills my ON time...)
You want to back half the Nova!! Just because you want the style or because you want the help of the big tires? They make killer cars when done right with a set of 14x32's! 😉
Keep us posted!! And good luck with the GTO!
04-12-2018, 10:34 AM
#23
why bother with 8.8" rear the 8.5 that comes in that is plenty strong and it already fits. Factory gears 3.73 are plentiful in trucks - look for code GT4 can probably get gears and gov lock for under 100$ at pick and pull sell govlock on ebuy and get a Eaton S spring posi they're getting scarce but they made alot of them
Last edited by zman1969; 04-12-2018 at 02:11 PM.
04-12-2018, 11:24 AM
#24
why bother with 8.8" rear the 8.5 that comes in that is plenty strong and it already fits factory gears 3.73 are plentiful in trucks - look for code GT4 can probably get gears and gov lock for under 100$ at pick and pull sell govlock on ebuy and get a Eaton S spring posi they're getting scarce but they made alot of them
04-12-2018, 02:19 PM
#25
better add new clutches in the 8.8 (you can add an extra plate per side from 3-4) you'll end up with 3.73s as 90+% of exploders have them. ask me how I know 
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
04-12-2018, 05:49 PM
#26
better add new clutches in the 8.8 (you can add an extra plate per side from 3-4) you'll end up with 3.73s as 90+% of exploders have them. ask me how I know
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
04-12-2018, 07:18 PM
#27
better add new clutches in the 8.8 (you can add an extra plate per side from 3-4) you'll end up with 3.73s as 90+% of exploders have them. ask me how I know
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
no don't put gov-pop in! get the S spring Eaton sell Gov-pop to offset your costs you will need to cut, buy and weld new perches and hope it don't warp the thin 8.8 axle tubes
the 8.5's 28 spline 8.5 axles will easily cover your combo for strength
The 8.8 explorer tubes are roughly 1/4” wall, so I’m certainly not concerned about that. Bottom line is I don’t use any rear end except 8.8.’s, they are dirt cheap, tough, disk breaks, etc etc. literally not worth touching this 8.5. In fact I’m going to cut the perches off of it and throw it away lol
Last edited by Cwarta; 04-12-2018 at 07:24 PM.
04-15-2018, 08:52 AM
#30
What...... your mean its generally not acceptable to bring a engine inside to work on it? WTF? LOL Yeah, Good thing.
04-15-2018, 10:31 AM
#31
TECH Senior Member
Oh yeah... a complete LS on the kitchen table.... now THERE'S a common sight! Oh wait... maybe not...
04-19-2018, 02:09 PM
#33
Well I picked up a 3” x pipe and borla xr1 mufflers today, should sound nasty. Unfortunately sounds like my converter is a few weeks out still, so that’s got things on hold. On the plus side, I just bought a new lift! Will be here Wednesday, super pumped about that
04-22-2018, 08:39 AM
#37
You do-not want to see all the dirty work that goes on in the bedroom LOL
04-23-2018, 11:52 PM
#38
if only I was joking lol.
ive got 3 **** trophy’s to prove it!
little update, making a few changes. Originally I was gunna slap the cam in and go, but I got a smoking deal on a flat top piston gen 4 5.3, out of like an 07 ish Chevy. So I’m actually going to use that instead of the lm7. Luckily for me I have the tool to swap reluctors.
so since I’ve gotta go that deep, for the extra $150 it costs I’m just doing new bearings and rings also, and new oil pump and lifters. So all nw engine. Should put me up around 11.25-11.5:1 compression. She should have a little thump too her 😍
little update, making a few changes. Originally I was gunna slap the cam in and go, but I got a smoking deal on a flat top piston gen 4 5.3, out of like an 07 ish Chevy. So I’m actually going to use that instead of the lm7. Luckily for me I have the tool to swap reluctors.
so since I’ve gotta go that deep, for the extra $150 it costs I’m just doing new bearings and rings also, and new oil pump and lifters. So all nw engine. Should put me up around 11.25-11.5:1 compression. She should have a little thump too her 😍
04-29-2018, 11:37 PM
#39
Well a guy brought me a 81 c10 to swap. Building him an iron 5.7, disassembled the donor 5.3 and took apart the Gen 4 5.3 somincould have the crank polished I just picked up for her car. The damn thing was so freaking clean, and brand new looking inside, along with perfect bearings throughout, I just swapped reluctors and put it back together! Gasp! What? Yeah I know, some people will flip a biscuit over that, I’ve had good luck with it in the past. So, now they we are back to a 24x cam swap, I’m shooting to have the car done for her graduation from RN school this Saturday! Gunna be a long week after work, but I think I can make it happen.
Still haven’t got my stall, so I’m going to stick the stock trans and stall in for now untill it comes in. Wish me luck!!
Also did my DOD delete
Last edited by Cwarta; 04-29-2018 at 11:51 PM.
