1971 Chevelle SS Clone LS3 swap

[gmachala404]

I had this thread kind of running in the welcome section and decided to move here. So if you want to see some pics of the car you can check out the welcome section.

I pulled the motor today, installed the '04 Z06 seats and some Morris retractable shoulder harness seat belts too. I have a GMPP crate LS3 coming Tuesday or Wednesday, a TSP cam (225/230), Stainless Works 1-7/8" headers and Stainless Works 3" exhaust. I ordered a built 4L65E from Prodigy Customs and also ordered Ricks Vaporworx tank from Prodigy as well which will probably take a while longer. Here some pics of my progress so far.

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[gmachala404]

I forgot to mention I pulled the console out too to fix some holes someone drilled into it years ago and will freshen the paint up on it too. I also got a Shiftworks shifter conversion to match the 4L65E pattern with a cool OD indicator :-) I am so excited to finally be doing this project.

[jgpclone]

sounds like a fun combo ur putting together and those seats look amazing kind looks stock.do u have any pitures of the ride

[gmachala404]

Here are some pics of the car:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/08/6060765769_4cf654b7d2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/08/6060765733_f9afbdef1b-1.jpg

[jgpclone]

like the color

[gmachala404]

I am kind of surprised how at home the Z06 seats look in the car. The vertical pattern on the door panels blends well the the vertical stitching on the Z06 seats. The power seats were an easy two wire hookup too. However, I had to connect 12V(+) to both orange wires in the seats connector to get it to function. And I hooked ground to the black wire with white stripe.

[jgpclone]

dont u just love it when it goes smoothly

[Hondo78]

Cool SS project, big plans for other mods?

[gmachala404]

Cool SS project, big plans for other mods?
Yeah I am planning big brakes, suspension and probably Fikse profil 5 18" wheels. Either Baer 13" track 4 or Wilwoods. Just focusing on driveline first. _

[gmachala404]

dont u just love it when it goes smoothly

I always expect things to go terribly wrong so when things go smoothly its very surprising.

[nitetrain4590]

Glad to see another A Body project. Can't wait to see how it pans out.

[RicerwannaB]

Badass man! Loving the seats!

[terrydmorgan]

Very nice. I've always been partial to blue.

I'm doing a very similar seat installation on my 69 Camaro. Did you modify the tracks at the front? I was thinking about taking off the bracket at the front, as it raises the front of the seat about an inch or so, and I have limited headroom in the Camaro.

[1971CHEVELLE]

Awesome project..... I'm in the same position as you swap Ls3 for 307 in to 71 Chevelle

[gmachala404]

The C5 Vette seat tracks sit flat on the floor in the back of the seat so your about as low as the seat gets. You might gain a 1/2" by chopping the front down but the
under thigh bolster wouldn't even touch your leg and it wouldn't lower the back of the seat where is butt is much anyway. I didn't modify the seats at all and I am about
2" lower than before. I had to make new holes for the back of the seats since the track is longer. It is a great mod and the C5 seats being so thin up top look a lot like
the original seats shape wise. Oh, the driver seat is power and there is a trick you can do to gain another 3/4" head room by trimming down stop. I used to have a C5
and I did that to get more headroom. But don't need to on the Chevelle.

[gmachala404]

I am so excited to be working on the car. Haven't been this excited since I was a kid. I picked up the crate motor today WoooHooo.

[gmachala404]

The freight company called today that my LS3 was at the freight dock. I went and fetched it. Note the TSP 225/230 cam sitting next to it :smoke:48843

[terrydmorgan]

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

[gmachala404]

I got the Shiftworks horseshoe shifter kit today and installed the PRND321 bezel into the console. I also filled holes someone drilled into the sides of the console, repaired some screw holes and repainted it.

[gmachala404]

I got the Shiftworks horseshoe shifter kit today and installed the PRND321 bezel into the console. I also filled holes someone drilled into the sides of the console :seizure:, repaired some screw holes and repainted it. Now the shift pattern and detent will match the 4L65E's shift pattern. This weekend I will remove the old TH400, driveshaft, fuel tank the remainder of the exhaust system. While I am waiting on the new transmission I will finish working on the shifter mods and straighten the driver and passenger window glass and fix a rattle in the passenger door. Also want to get the TSP cam and spring kit in the motor while its out of the car.

[gmachala404]

I got the TSP cam and spring kit installed today. Boy changing springs with the heads on, even with a tool designed for that, is tough. I also painted the valve covers red. I was wanting some nice valve covers but they are simply too expensive. Since I have the engine out I also made some 1/4" spacers out of some aluminum and put them under the motor mounts on the cross-member. I have been reading that even the Mast Motorsport oil pan (which is what I have on order) needs a spacer to clear the inner tie rod ends on A-Body's.

[chuckd71]

The holes in the console might have been where the seat belt holders were. I hope you have better luck with your kwik bracket than I have had with mine.

[gmachala404]

Oh? What kind of issues did you have with the Kwik brackets?

[gmachala404]

After work today I got the radiator fitted and made some aluminum brackets to hold an electric cooling fan.48910

[willj313]

any updates

[jhiphopjunky]

Sweet!

[gmachala404]

Been waiting on the transmission now. Once I get the trans I can get a lot of this done. Got lots of parts waiting to go in but transmission is the key to getting the engine in the car and get a driveshaft ordered. While I am waiting for that I ordered and got some suspension parts.

Took a picture of the front suspension progress. The front will be and SC&C/SPC ATX tall spindle setup with C6/Z06 brakes from Kore3. Also got a set of Fikse FM5's coming this week too. Everything should be here before the weekend except the transmission. Been waiting since middle August for the transmission.

I also worked some on the dash. Got rid of the clock and put a Monte Carlo fuel gauge in its place tested it and it works good. Also, got a oil pressure gauge to replace the small "SS" fuel gage on the lower right. I
used an oil pressure gauge from a late 70s model GMC Jimmy. It matches fairly well and just fits inside the confines of the 1-1/4" circle. I got it all wired up tonight and it seems to be working.

I piece-mealed the front accessory brackets for the LS3. I ordered all the parts from summit using part numbers I found on LS1tech. I got the tensioner, idler, ps brace, reservoir and alternator/ps bracket for about 250 bucks. Got a used 06 Vette PS pump and alt for 200. So $450 for the accessories brackets. Will be adding a Kwik/Sanden setup later on to complete it. Here are some pics:

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[gmachala404]

I got some used 18"x10R 18"x9"F Fikse FM5's with Yokohama Advan 295/35 and Yokohama 255/40 yesterday for $1500 for the set.
However, they are pretty rough and absolutely filthy dirty even though they are only 4 years old. Tires are almost new though. I have
to get two new lips cause the two front had bad curb rash. The centers need refinishing too. The paint on the centers is all chipped
up around the lugs and at some point (when they were in storage) some kind of chemical spilled on the centers finish and ruined
it on two wheels pretty badly. Whomever had these before didn't take good care of them seeing they probably spent about $5000 for
these wheels and tires. At least they aren't bent though. The two lips will cost nearly $500 and will go get a quote on powder coating
the centers on Monday. I hope the media blast and powder coat doesn't cost more than $500.

In other news I just finished putting on a 1350 pinion yoke that's a job!

[gmachala404]

The engine and trans is in the car now. Just finished it up this weekend. Also got the exhaust done and the suspension. The Mast oil pan barely clears the
inner tie rods, the 4L65E barely clears the tunnel the Stainless Works headers barely clear the crossmember. In other words its a very tight fitting combo.
It turned out nice though. Will post some pics tomorrow. Next up is brakes then wiring.

[darkgable79]

Where did you get your LS3 from?

[joeko23]

Please post more pics

[gmachala404]

I got engine from protech engines in Lubbock Texas. Its a
New gmpp crate engine.

[darkgable79]

Thanks.

[gmachala404]

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[LSxChevelle]

I want to see the Fikse's on! I don't care if they are rough or dirty...

[gmachala404]

The front wheels are all apart for outer lip repair/replacement so here is a shot of the back wheels mocked up
on the car
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[zipsimons]

car is looking sweet and i'm sure will perform even more so! that engine is just plain gorgeous

[Hayden.m]

Wow looks awesome!

[terrydmorgan]

Do you have an electrical schematic for the seats? I picked up a set of C5 power seats for my son's Camaro. They're in and now we just need to hook up the electrical.

[gmachala404]

Do you have an electrical schematic for the seats? I picked up a set of C5 power seats for my son's Camaro. They're in and now we just need to hook up the electrical.

The power seats were an easy two wire hookup too. However, I had to connect 12V(+) to both orange wires in the seats connector to get it to function. And I hooked ground to the black wire with white stripe.

[terrydmorgan]

Thanks

[gmachala404]

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I am converting to a late model orifice style A/C using parts from an 85 Chevrolet Pickup and and 95 Chevrolet full size pickup. I got the high and low side pressure switches wired and the Sanden SD5S14 compressor
mounted on a Kwik bracket.

Parts are so slow to come in. Been waiting now more than 3 months for a VarporWorks gas tank I ordered from Prodigy Customs. The ATX spindles are backordered too so I have no idea when I will be able to get the
car off jackstands.

[gmachala404]

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Here are pictures of the 95 Chevrolet pickup condenser mounted in the car with some brackets I had to
make. It fits pretty good. I also had to cut two round holes in the radiator support where the lines will go.

[gmachala404]

I got the rear brakes and put the rear wheel on the car. I know how everyone loves pics so I am posting some.
Excuse the mess. Also, am plumbing up the A/C and took some pics of that. I got the Currie upper and lower
control arms in, the SPC coils and the Helwig tubular sway bar in addition to the Kore3 C6/Z06 rear brakes
with Hawk pads. Had to shim the Eaton Posi in my 12 bolt to get the axle end play within specs too. I go the
pinion angle set tonight and measured for the driveshaft that I will order after my Ebay sales go through and I
get some extra money in the bank. Car is amazing pictures simple don't do it justice. This is going to one
cool ride.

I am supposed to get the Rick's/VaporWorks gas tank next week along with the ATX spindles so hopefully I
can get the front suspension done and put the front wheels on and put the car on the ground. I placed the order for the Speartech LS3/4L65E harness on Tuesday and that should be here in 3 to 4 weeks. Then, the only parts I lack now are the driveshaft and C6/Z06 front brakes. The exhaust is Stainless Works 2-7/8 headers into Stainless Works 3" X-pipe exhaust. I can post pics of the exhaust if there is any interest.

The wheels are 18x10 rear 18x9.5 front. They came with 275-35-18 and 255-40-18 tires so will run these
tires for now. I will eventually do a 295-35-18 Michelin PS2 rear.
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