Few swap questions

[DarkoNova]

Do those "beauty" covers or whatever they're called bolt to any LSx head? I'm referring to the covers that say Corvette or GTO, you know? I'm looking to get an LQ4 and I think the motor looks prettyy ugly with the big Vortec intake thing, and I'd like to do what Car Craft did and put some L92 heads on it. Just wondering if those covers would bolt right up or not.

Also, it looks like the 6.0's never had manuals behind them (could be wrong, though), so where could I get a flywheel and clutch setup, along with a bellhousing to mate to my TKO-600? Right now I've got a mechanical clutch, and I don't have a problem sticking with it, but if all the aftermarket has is hydraulic, I'd switch.

Last question I can think of is will the truck's accessory setup fit in a 69 Nova frame? I know Camaro/Corvette stuff won't, but I don't remember if truck stuff clears the frame.

Thanks,
Matt

[68Formula]

In most, if not all cases for the car versions, the covers snap onto the fuel system.

[streetk14]

Do those "beauty" covers or whatever they're called bolt to any LSx head? I'm referring to the covers that say Corvette or GTO, you know? I'm looking to get an LQ4 and I think the motor looks prettyy ugly with the big Vortec intake thing, and I'd like to do what Car Craft did and put some L92 heads on it. Just wondering if those covers would bolt right up or not.

Also, it looks like the 6.0's never had manuals behind them (could be wrong, though), so where could I get a flywheel and clutch setup, along with a bellhousing to mate to my TKO-600? Right now I've got a mechanical clutch, and I don't have a problem sticking with it, but if all the aftermarket has is hydraulic, I'd switch.

Last question I can think of is will the truck's accessory setup fit in a 69 Nova frame? I know Camaro/Corvette stuff won't, but I don't remember if truck stuff clears the frame.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt,
I don't have all the answers you are looking for, but I'll try to help.

The fuel rail or "beauty" covers clip onto the fuel rails, not the cylinder heads. I'm not sure if the LS1/LS2/LS6 covers will work with that intake. They would definitly work if you swapped to an LS6 intake, which could be a good idea anyways. I have not heard too much about the LQ4 intake, but I am assuming the LS6 version would work and flow better.

I'm pretty sure you can use any LSX flywheel on that motor. I used an LS2 flywheel and LS7 clutch on my '02 LS1. It was a bolt-in swap, so I'd think you could do the same. I used the F-body T56 and went with a hydraulic clutch.

Mcleod makes a bellhousing to bolt a TKO to an LS1, and I think there is a company who makes an adapter plate. This may be a stupid question, but why not run a newer T56? It would be less of a hassle, and you could use the factory hydraulic slave cylinder. Then to hook it up, just get a hydraulic kit from ATS (that bolt up to the stock pedals) and you are done. Since it sounds like you are keeping the factory fuel injection, the 6th gear would be a very nice and useful thing for cruising.

Hope this helps a little.

Andy

[DarkoNova]

Yeah, *if* I got the motor, I'd switch to an LS6 intake and somoe L92 heads. The vortec intake is friggin ugly! The only reason I'm set on using the TKO is because I literally JUST bought it from Classic Chevy. I don't even have 2000 miles on it, so I'd like to keep that if I could. Plus it'd help me save money because I wouldn't need to get an engine and trans.

Another question, what are all you guys doing for fuel systems? I was planning on getting a tank from Rick's Hot Rods but I wasn't sure if the tanks retained the stock dimensions or not, or if there was a cheaper way?

Matt

[DCx]

cant use the ls6 intake on l92 heads. you need the aussie l76 car intake. ls7 intake wont work either.

there was an article in CHP where they bolted a tko-600 to an ls2. ive asked many times about it and even wrote CC5speeds an email. no response.

the article name was called four + one. and like always they left all the part numbers out. lakewood also makes a bell for an ls1 that can bolt up to a munci, etc.. it stil has the pivot ball for mechanical clutch fork. only problem is you will have to fab up a bracket for the block mounted pivot ball.

[WS6]

Classic Chevy now makes a LSx bell housing that will hold the tremec behind an LSx engine with all the bolts. You have to use a 168 tooth bell housing other wise. You can continue to use your mechanical clutch if you can mount the Zbar or whatever it's called for the Novas. Or you can switch to hydraulic. You will need to use a pilot bearing that sits in the outer crankshaft bore with these bell housings. No worries, it's a GM part and your dealer will have it or Classic Chevy will have it.

As mentioned you will have to use the L76 intake with the L92 cylinder heads. I do not know if they fuel rail covers will fit or not. Personally, I say ditch them and move the coils off the engine. There are after market valve covers for these engines or simply find a new and different way to make yours look good.

Fuel system can be done a couple of ways. If you can afford to, go with a tank from someone like Rick that is designed for FI applications. If not you can mount an external pump and run the lines from there. The system must supply 60psi continuously. Aeromotive and Walbro pumps can do this no problem. I would use a 99+ C5 fuel filter/regulator to regulate the pressure. This allows you to mount the filter/regular(it's a one unit deal) under the back of the car. The return line will come right off and go back to the tank. No need to run two lines up to the front of the car.

[pist0lpete]

If you wanna switch to the L92 heads you will have to use the L76 intake as said which would require you to change the entire front drive accessory setup because the water pump will be smack dab in front of your throttle body. You can't just change the water pump to a vette/f-body style because of the difference in the amount that the front drive sticks out on the truck vs f-body vs vette setup. Hope this helps. Same story if you stick with the Lq4 heads and try to do an LS6 intake btw.

[DarkoNova]

Ah, that's what I meant. Sorry for the mix-up, I'm new to the LSx game and it's been a while since I read that CC article.

Ah well, I probably wouldn't have enough money to get new heads and intake if I do get the engine, so I guess it doesn't matter. I was just curious, though.

Matt

[WS6]

Do a search on www.performancetrucks.net you can run the car inatkes using the truck accessories sort of. There is apparently some cutting that has to be done on the truck brackets due to the throttle body's new location. However, you do have to do some water pump and pulley swapping. That's the jist of it, but for the specifics go do the search. It could save you a lot of time and money potentially. Also keep in mind that the truck intake, while ugly and tall, flows very well for what it is. It may serve your purposes for a while before you need to change it out.

[DarkoNova]

Another question. I was talking to some buddies about the swap and they're all telling me not to do it because even though it has a good amount of power and torque it will "still drive like a truck."

Now, I hear all kinds of stupid stuff, and usually I know better, but I need some reassurance. I'm thinking that once you get the ecu reflashed or whatever has to be done, it should "think" it's a car, right? And even if it did still "think" it was a truck, as long as there were no trouble codes or problems with the engine, and the gear ratios and tire diameter(s) were all configured, it should run perfect. Am I oversimplifying or are they right?

Matt

[DCx]

you gotta figure how bulky and heavy a truck is. id say a 300+ hp motor doesnt know any better.

[DarkoNova]

you gotta figure how bulky and heavy a truck is. id say a 300+ hp motor doesnt know any better.

That's another thing I told em. Trucks are what? 7000 pounds? It'd be *about* twice as fast in a 3500 pound car. They still said it'd drive like a truck.

Matt

[Rybar]

They probably are referring to the cam specs. If you swap out the stock truck cam (lower reving/more torque) to a more performance oriented one it should then "run more car like" I guess. lol

[WS6]

I think Rybar has it right. As for performance of a truck engine, head over tot hat website I listed and have you buddies see just how many of those trucks would drive like a truck right past them. There are some seriously fast trucks out there running 5.3s and 6.0 engines.