Pro-Touring Corvair???

[chevy6455]

I have been hanging around on here for awhile now but haven't really posted. I have been building a 64 Nova for a couple years but due the the economy and what not I have had to really back off of where I wanted to go with the car. After doing some searching around on the site and seeing some other projects I think I have been bitten buy the Corvair bug. I have always found them to be interesting. My grandfather had a project convertible when I was a little kid and they have always lurked in the back of my mind. They seem like they could be fun and relatively cheap compared to most other cars. My main question is whether or not there is a major difference between the early and late models. I have come across a few 62-64 but it seems like most guys on here have done the later style. Aside from personal preference in style is there any big reason why it would be better to do the later model? I would rather find a late model if there is a significant difference in what can be done to upgrade the handling and performance of the early models. I'm somewhat inspired to do the earlier body just because its a little different than what most everyone is doing. Of course just building a Corvair in general is a little different isn't it? LOL. Well anyhow, thanks in advance for any input anyone may have, Jeff

[showa]

Not being a Corvair expert, I do know that the early body style (thru '64) had a swing arm rear suspension and the late models ('65 and up) had independent rear.....
The early's don't seem to handle as well without more work than it takes to do a late model....
Maybe TonyL or some others can chime in and add if there is significant front suspension differences...

I have read about early models being made to handle quite well despite the tendency for rear axle "jacking" (think early VW rear swing arm suspension)....

I say do either one as your tastes dictate... I would do either style myself if I could find a good body "cheap"....

Whatever you do, post plenty of pictures on this site so we can all enjoy your build....

[chevy6455]

Thanks for some info Kurt. I am most likely going to swap the transaxle out for a porsche and do a rear LS motor or something along those lines so I'm not sure if that makes any difference. I really just started looking into building one and most of it comes down to whats available for the right price. I just don't want to bite off more trouble than I need by going with one or the other. I have done alot of searching here and on google and have seen one other LS swap into a late model so I think ot would be cool to try and pull it off on the early platform.
Jeff

[MichaelUser]

Hey Jeff,

My buddy has a 1965 Monza Convertible that he is doing the "Crown Kit" who made the V8 conversion kit back in the 60's and 70's. The kit flips the transaxle and locates the V8 mid engine. The major problem with the Crown Kit is the using the weak stock transaxle and it's smallish 7.5 ring gear and saginaw gear box. Also, the kit has some pretty light duty mounting hardware. We did upgrade the cage and the mounts as well as stiffing the chassis. I tried receommending the http://mendeolamotors.com/trans-proto/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=7&Itemid=58 but the trans is a little pricey. Used ones can be found you need to know what to look for. There are other brands as well. http://www.fortinracing.com/transaxles.html I think a LS and either trans would make a really nice car. Good luck and let me know if you need to talk to my buddy. He is a Corvair guy.

[chevy6455]

I have seen alot about the Crown kit searching around but it mounts the engine in the backseat and I dont want to lose that. I would like to mount it where the stock motor is and keep the back seat. The one I have seen pictures of completed had the motor in the stock location with a Porsche 930 transaxle. There is a company that sells adaptors to connect the LS motors to the transaxle. From what I have seen there is not much if any weight difference between the stock motor and transaxle vs. the Ls1 with porsche transaxle. First thing will be finding the suitable candidate. Considering that I plan on swapping the transaxle out anyways I don't forsee it being an issue between early or late model body but I would love to hear more opinions and get a better idea of what would be best if it even matters.