57 Nomad with LS1/6 speed

[wagoncrazy]

Just found this site from a referral off of a couple of Tri-5 sites I belong to. Great find!

Currently building a 57 Nomad with LS1/6speed out of a 2002 Camaro (340 hp stock).

Will be on this site periodically for input to situations and challenges with the build.

One thing about these forums...there's a wealth of collective brainpower going on, and it's very humbling to know I don't have much of that knowledge. But also very gratifying that alot of you DO have it, and are willing to share it.

Paul

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Samckitt]

Sweet! Welcome aboard.

[Rubes]

Welcome, and neat project. Is that the stock A/C compressor location on the '02 f-body? or is that a custom bracket. looks like it would work perfect in my '61 Impala.

[TPI Monte SS]

Wow, cool project! One of my neighbors growing up had a '55 Nomad, they are sweet cars!

[MrQuick]

sweet ride Paul, can't wait to see more. I had a question for you.
*!OFF TOPIC ALERT!*
How does that Nomad fit in the 20 footer? How much room do you think you will have front and rear with it assembled. Just wondering cause im shopping for one currenty. Thanks

[kp.touring]

Paul,
Great project we are currently building a 55 Nomad with a LS-7 and a 4L70e trans. I'm up for sharing info.

Kevin

[BossaNova]

Awesome man.
Thanks for joining & sharing pictures.
How about some more.
-Mark

[wagoncrazy]

sweet ride Paul, can't wait to see more. I had a question for you.
*!OFF TOPIC ALERT!*
How does that Nomad fit in the 20 footer? How much room do you think you will have front and rear with it assembled. Just wondering cause im shopping for one currenty. Thanks

Vince,
What I didn't tell you guys in that post is that I have another 57 Chevy wagon that I recently built, and it's a fun cruizer/driver. It's a 210 "factory 9 passenger" wagon. It is 16 feet, 9 inches long from bow to stern...and it would fit inside the 20' hauler I bought...should I ever need to put it in there. I think that's the same measurement as the Nomad.

I found a company here in Fontana, CA called Aztex trailers that makes car haulers, and got mine brand new for about $5200 out the door about a year ago. That's a double axle (7000# total) with trailer brakes.

Paul

[wagoncrazy]

Welcome, and neat project. Is that the stock A/C compressor location on the '02 f-body? or is that a custom bracket. looks like it would work perfect in my '61 Impala.

It's a custom made "1 off" bracket to move the AC up from the bottom position...thereby eliminating the need to notch the crossmember in the frame. I can't take credit for it, as someone else made it. If you want to know more, send me a PM and I'll get you hooked up with the guy who made it and has all the specs. He'd probably make another one if the price was right...

Paul

[Rubes]

thanx Paul...that looks better than the ones that hang the compressor way out there.

[MrQuick]

Thanks Paul, thats what I wanted to hear. Just wanted to make sure before I get one.

[DriverzInc]

Hey man, you are just in Fontana, we're in Corona, if you should ever need an outlet for suspension parts, or wheels & tires. Great project car!

[wagoncrazy]

Hey man, you are just in Fontana, we're in Corona, if you should ever need an outlet for suspension parts, or wheels & tires. Great project car!

I think I left you with the wrong impression...and after re-reading my post...I see why. I'm actually in Santa Clarita, but came to Fontana to buy/pick up the trailer. But thanks for the offer anyway. Never hurts to say you're out there with something that might work.

[Russ T Nut]

According to the posts, it looks like we have all 3 years of the tri-5's represented. Mine is a 56(Nomad), injected 502, tremec 5 speed, C4 IRS. I have the IRS hung and I'm starting on the Morrison front clip. I'll post pic's as soon as I upgrade my computer.
Russ

[wagoncrazy]

According to the posts, it looks like we have all 3 years of the tri-5's represented. Mine is a 56(Nomad), injected 502, tremec 5 speed, C4 IRS. I have the IRS hung and I'm starting on the Morrison front clip. I'll post pic's as soon as I upgrade my computer.
Russ

Pics would be great Russ. I'm at a crossroads on the frame on this Nomad, as the guy I bought it from has engineered the LS1 into into it, but left the frame stock (a-arms front, leaf springs rear), and powdercoated it.

It's a beautiful stock frame, but I'm not sure I'm sticking with it as I wanted to build a little more of a canyon carver here...so the rear leafs gotta go for sure, and probably change the front end too.

I'm curious why you did the Morrisson clip (instead of the whole frame) and how you see it going together. Other than the obvious (expense) of a whole frame, what other benefits do you see by doing it the way you're doing it. Like I said...I'm at a decision crossroads here and looking to "hear out" anyone who's doing different things with their frame setups.

Thanks,
Paul

[Russ T Nut]

Paul
I went with my stock frame for several reasons, 1: I didn't have 13K for a Morrison frame. 2: Their frame would need to be modified to accept the Corvette IRS. 3: I'm a DIY kind of a guy and I enjoy the challenge. 4: The front clip is about 3K and includes R&P, spindles, tube upper and lower A arms, coil over shocks, and can be blended into the stock frame fairly easy (I hope).
I researched vendors that offer kits to full frames and found that this was the most economical way for me to go.
Stay tuned as I try to get some pic's posted.
Good luck with yours
Russ