project update: .50cal- '68 Nova LS1 swap done and running

[NOPANTS-68]

I'm on the final stretch in getting my LS1 swap completely finished. This season started for me with a dropped valve in my just done BBC and scattered the block. This LS was for another project, so I decided to put it in the Nova as it was the more complete car, and to salvage the summer. Looking back I wish I had done this long ago. I do want to thank you guys for the help with regards to mounts, crossmembers, headers etc.- this forum made this swap far easier for me.

The combo:
stock LS1 out of a 2002 Vette with 50K on the clock
SLP ported oil pump- Autokraft pan (bitchin pan!)
327 frame stands- Moroso solid mounts- Edelbrock plates
Thunder racing Trex cam- 242/248 .608/.612 110LSA
stock 241s with Patriot Gold springs and Ti valve gear-7.40 pushrods
LQ4 coils and brackets- Taylor wires
home made lifter valley plate- Edelbrock victor intake- 750DP
edelbrock headers- literally 10 minute install with a rack and pinion- (beautiful headers and a very cool coating, flanges, stepped tubes etc.)
MSD 6010 control box- install took maybe an hour- fired on first hit- (very cool box with tons of options and capability)
made my own oil vapor collection system
Meziere water pump- home made speed control box
Honda one wire alternator- home made mount and adjuster
built TH350- man valve body- hughes gear to make it all work
MSD mini starter

I employed the carb system on this engine so I wouldn't have to change over my fuel system, but mainly because I feel very comfortable with a carb setup. I'd be lyling if I didn't say it just looks cool too IMO. It still needs a tune and my laptop hooked up so I can set up the timing, but it's very close with the MSD supplied chip 6. It goes in for exhaust Wednesday- and then the fun will begin. Thanks again to everyone here. Like I said- this community made it a simple swap. This combo doesn't make near the snot the BBC did, but it's almost 300 lbs. lighter in the right spot. I have a 150hp plate system going on later next month to make it more fun. I'll keep you posted. Vids to come. Thanks, Dave

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/ls1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/ls12-1.jpg

I machined this bulkhead on a friend's CNC machine for the harness.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/DSC05042-1.jpg

oil collection device and Meziere pump (dissasembled and brushed)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/DSC05043-1.jpg

Honda alternator and mount- had to remove a small section of the subframe

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/DSC05044-1.jpg

lots of room with the Unisteer rack

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/DSC05046-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/DSC05048-1.jpg

[67 ls1 vert]

you did a nice job. :1st:

[slownova73]

WOW!! amazing job dude!!:1st:

[BossaNova]

Dang man, that is beautiful!
Great job!

[birdsandbowties]

yep, thats killer !!!

[NOPANTS-68]

thanks guys- means a bunch from this crowd.

[1badchevelle]

dam that thing is nice. whats the HP on the motor?

[Steve68]

Nice Job Dave!!!!

[Gearhead Dude]

That's really cool: Great job! Inspiration for my Olds.

[BayouSS]

Dave, Thats a clean install and engine bay. I'm a BB fan myself but after being at RTTH last year the guys with the LS cars may have changed my mind about how I look at the LS engines.

How about some pics of the rest of the project.

[NOPANTS-68]

this combo is supposed to make around 420 hp according to Thunder Racing. It sounds the part so far, but we'll see how it runs.

As per request- the rest of the car:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/threeqtrfront-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/threeqtrrear-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/threeqtrhood-1.jpg

[nitrovette]

Wow very nice,i like seeing carbed lsx motors,theres alot of injected lsx motors but seeing a carbed one every now and then makes it different.Looks right at home.

[Motown 454]

Sweet ! Very nice work, it looks great. Is that a DSE air cleaner?

[gearheads78]

Looks great ...nice clean work

[NOPANTS-68]

Sweet ! Very nice work, it looks great. Is that a DSE air cleaner?

It's the same one they have used. It's just a circle track air cleaner you can get from Speedway for around $20.

[novanutcase]

Nice Job!

John

[lt1chevelle]

car looks sick seen it over at the nor cal nova car show!!! i like the black stripe somthing differnt.

[baggins]

Do you live around Granite bay?

[WILWAXU]

Great looking swap!

[NOPANTS-68]

car looks sick seen it over at the nor cal nova car show!!! i like the black stripe somthing differnt.

thanks- some hate it some love it, which makes it about perfect for me. I met your brother at the Nova show. Pretty cool cat.

[NOPANTS-68]

Do you live around Granite bay?

Yeah right on the edge of Roseville and Granite Bay. I've been buzzing Sierra College trying to get this Holley dialed. lol

[LSXZ28]

Sweet ride and very nice install!!! Hoping to be there myself one day... I'm going injected, but with a 4 barrel throttle body so I can keep my factory cowl induction... Again, great job!!

[130fe]

Nice setup, can you post some under-car pictures. I am curious about the ground clearance with that headers setup. Thanks!

[baggins]

right on man. i saw you driving down douglas a few sundays ago. i live right there too.

[796spdbu]

Awsome job!! Ihave pics of your car all over my screen saver!! i have a 72' that im building.Did you get rid of the 17" mini lites. I love the tel-stars but the mini lites were good looking too!!

[blown69nova]

Beautiful car, love everything you have done.
Just curious, how well do those 325/50's fit? Did you have to do anything "special" beyond the standard mini tub?
I'm just about done with my mini tubs and I'm wondering what size drag tire I will be able to fit.
Thanks, Steve

[NOPANTS-68]

Sweet ride and very nice install!!! Hoping to be there myself one day... I'm going injected, but with a 4 barrel throttle body so I can keep my factory cowl induction... Again, great job!!

hey that's a good idea- you'd get all the benefits of the spider style intake but with efi driveability.


Nice setup, can you post some under-car pictures. I am curious about the ground clearance with that headers setup. Thanks!

I'll see if I can snap some today for you.


right on man. i saw you driving down douglas a few sundays ago. i live right there too.

probably ran out of coffee again. What kind of car do you have so I can keep my eyes peeled for ya?


Awsome job!! Ihave pics of your car all over my screen saver!! i have a 72' that im building.Did you get rid of the 17" mini lites. I love the tel-stars but the mini lites were good looking too!!

thanks again- yeah I sold the Minilites to a buddy and decided to get the car ready for the strip. I'm much happier with the car's ride/ performance with the current wheel and tire. The 17s looked cool though I'll give you that.


Beautiful car, love everything you have done.
Just curious, how well do those 325/50's fit? Did you have to do anything "special" beyond the standard mini tub?
I'm just about done with my mini tubs and I'm wondering what size drag tire I will be able to fit.
Thanks, Steve

Thanks Steve. The 325/50/15s fit perfectly. A guy at DSE told me there was no way they were going under there, but here they are. The 9 inch is cut down a good 6 inches but only because I wanted a deep wheel on the rear with a big lip. I made my own shock mounts and plates but other than that it's a pretty standard DSE tub job. The only time they ever rub is on a steep driveway entrance with a big passenger onboard- it barely kisses the inner lip on the quarter. Wheels are 15 x 10 with 4.5 BS.

[Magic]

Car looks awesome!

Engine looks right at home!

[71SlammedCam]

Good looking ride. Nice job on the swap. Do you have any pics from the side? Would like to see how the wheels look like on it. I'm undecided on what to get.

Thanks
Allen

[rlplive]

I love it man, I love seeing the carb'd ls motors. Your car is very different in a good way.

[K5Cruiser]

Great job on your Nova! Love the name/plate too.

[NOPANTS-68]

Good looking ride. Nice job on the swap. Do you have any pics from the side? Would like to see how the wheels look like on it. I'm undecided on what to get.

Thanks
Allen

Allen, here's the only side shot I have with these wheels.

Thanks for all the nice comments guys.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSCN6603-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp26/silverback427/nova%20stuff/DSCN6603.jpg%5B/IMG%5D

[71SlammedCam]

Looks good man. Thanks for the pic.

[70Nova4dr]

Im thinking of putting a 5.3 in my 70 Nova, what GM oil pan would work the best? I 've been looking into the LH8 Hummer pan, but im not sure. JUst starting to collect some parts . Thanks Guys.

[NOPANTS-68]

Im thinking of putting a 5.3 in my 70 Nova, what GM oil pan would work the best? I 've been looking into the LH8 Hummer pan, but im not sure. JUst starting to collect some parts . Thanks Guys.

I'd stay away from that pan as it has a very deep sump and could easily fall victim to road damage. My pan came from Autokraft and I can't begin to tell you how nicely it fits and how much of a headache it will save you. Take a look at their site as I think he's got some good photos. You'd have to chop up an F body pan as well to make that fit which isn't real great either. I did a ton of research on this and if I had to do it again it would be another Autokraft.

[70Nova4dr]

Sounds good, that place is only like 3 hours from me so i would just drive there and pick up the pan. What adapter plates did you use? Im guessing it would be best to use there plates also. I don't want to have to play around with moving my trans mount too much if i don't have to. I also plan on using my stock powerglide behind this 5.3 also. I might go with the L33 option 5.3 , which is all aluminum also. Thanks for the info Dave, someday my 4 door will be on the road again.

[pitbull73]

car was done really nice i can tell you put a lot of time into this project it should run really well:1st:

[Capown]

Man that looks great!! Im sooo sad now I just had to sell a complete LS1 carb swap setup =( Dang no job is killing me! Did you use the MSD 6010box?

[NOPANTS-68]

Sounds good, that place is only like 3 hours from me so i would just drive there and pick up the pan. What adapter plates did you use? Im guessing it would be best to use there plates also. I don't want to have to play around with moving my trans mount too much if i don't have to. I also plan on using my stock powerglide behind this 5.3 also. I might go with the L33 option 5.3 , which is all aluminum also. Thanks for the info Dave, someday my 4 door will be on the road again.


I used Edelbrock mount plates and headers. I really like them as they fit great and are of good quality.

"car was done really nice i can tell you put a lot of time into this project it should run really well:1st:"
thanks dude. I'm really enjoying it.

"Man that looks great!! Im sooo sad now I just had to sell a complete LS1 carb swap setup =( Dang no job is killing me! Did you use the MSD 6010box?"
yeah I'm using a 6010. It's pretty simple but the MAP is funky. Sucks you had to get rid of it all.

Took the car to the track Staurday. With a garbage 60 foot of 1.97 it ended up running 12.1 @ 118 three time in a row. THe FAST A/F meter logged it all and shows it to be a little fat. I have the same converter I ran with the BBC in it, but because of the little LS's light torque range it's flashing at 2200 RPM so the launch is crappy. I have a 4000 on order that should put the car deep in the 11s. The MPH is there for sure. The little motor pulls like a monster on the big end. I'm happy with it. I also weighed the car at the track. It came in at 3220 without the driver. Interesting.

[PhillipM]

Did you move your photos? All the links are broken. :(

[NOPANTS-68]

don't know I can see them fine? :dunno:

[PhillipM]

Oh okay, maybe my computer isn't working properly then. Thanks

[strtlegal]

I used Edelbrock mount plates and headers. I really like them as they fit great and are of good quality.

"car was done really nice i can tell you put a lot of time into this project it should run really well:1st:"
thanks dude. I'm really enjoying it.

"Man that looks great!! Im sooo sad now I just had to sell a complete LS1 carb swap setup =( Dang no job is killing me! Did you use the MSD 6010box?"
yeah I'm using a 6010. It's pretty simple but the MAP is funky. Sucks you had to get rid of it all.

Took the car to the track Staurday. With a garbage 60 foot of 1.97 it ended up running 12.1 @ 118 three time in a row. THe FAST A/F meter logged it all and shows it to be a little fat. I have the same converter I ran with the BBC in it, but because of the little LS's light torque range it's flashing at 2200 RPM so the launch is crappy. I have a 4000 on order that should put the car deep in the 11s. The MPH is there for sure. The little motor pulls like a monster on the big end. I'm happy with it. I also weighed the car at the track. It came in at 3220 without the driver. Interesting.


Sounds just like my set up..very cool to see another Nova on the road with an LS in it..I just got mine tuned on a dyno and yes it pulls like a monster after 3500 rpm...

Props man!

[scherp69]

Nice job!!! Always nice to see another 3rd gen Nova here, especially with a LS conversion. I really like the attention to detail you've done. Good job.