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





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



oil collection device and Meziere pump (dissasembled and brushed)



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





lots of room with the Unisteer rack

[67 ls1 vert]

you did a nice job.

[slownova73]

WOW!! amazing job dude!!

[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:

[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.