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Hello all. I finally have a few pictures from the build that is happening on my car. I am keeping the original driveline just in case I were ever to sell the car. I have a rebuilt 6.0L LS that was bored .30 over and has 10.5:1 compression with a larger cam for the motor with a built 2004R transmission so that there was not too much modifications needed along with a 3.55 posi to try and get traction. Suspension is Eibach 1" lowered pro kit and tubular upper and lower control arms in the front. Gauge cluster has been replaced with the Dakota Digital VHX series. Brakes are now the 12" rotors from 98-02 Camaro so it will stop better than the factory drums. Also decided to go with a carb intake for the LS with the FAST ezEFI 2.0 for more of a period correct look when you open the hood.
Thanks, after changing the carb and doing the electronic conversion on the distributor it was a bit better. That two speed was terrible as far as mileage goes. At least with all the work all the work being done it will be much more user friendly. I just like how the valve covers on the LS hide the coil packs and look similar to the Olds/Holley valve covers that are on the 330 that was in the car.
That's really nice, can you provide some details on how you mounted the LS in the 66 engine cradle? Did you use a Chevelle conversion kit-frame mounts, motor mounts to set the engine in or did you fab your own? How's the clearance for steering rod to the steering gear box, pan clearances thanks...Robski...
Motor mounts are late model F-body and everything seemed to line up aside from the bottom port on the heater core. The pulley for the power steering pump had to be changed to a smaller diameter as well. I had the accessory brackets are from a truck and the alternator just fits under the hood with a bit of clearance. I used the Holley retrofit oil pan and single plane intake. The transmission is the same dimensions as the original switch pitch just had to drill the holes six inches back for the cross member. I went with the Hooker exhaust manifolds for a more period correct look as well. We are guessing that with the cam profile it should be in the neighborhood of 400-425hp at the wheels. I should say that the bottom end of the motor was overbuilt for adding more fun later on.
I was told the mounts are from 2010 and up Camaro. We are waiting on a module for the LS controller that works with the fuel injection system to fire it which should be in early this coming week. Once that happens it will be ready to finish the little details and wiring in the dash for the new cluster.
So you had no big issues with the conversion in terms of transmission tunnel etc? What radiator did you pick that fit in the cradle and the radiator hoses?
The transmission tunnel was fine since I chose to go with a 2004R trans which is the same dimensions as the switch pitch. I had a large aluminum radiator in the car already from when the 330 was having cooling issues and we simply added an electric fan to it for cooling. The shop was able to source the hoses to work with the existing radiator.
I chose the valve/coil covers and intake for the reason that when someone looks at it they just think it is a clean big block but if you look closer you realize it is something completely different. I look forward to having a car that is much more driver friendly when it is done. The new suspension should level the car out to where the driver's side had sagged to over the years and handle like a newer car. I will try to get some photos of the suspension now that it is in place sometime this week as everything is being buttoned up over the next two weeks. Luckily the car will be done just in time to sit in the garage till it is warm out again.
I had the chance to stop by the mechanic's shop today. I saw the new stance of the Cutlass from the new suspension and like how it sits now. The dash is almost back together after the Dakota Digital VHX install. When we popped the hood it looks great and just has a few small details left to finish up as well. Also, the alignment will be done this week and early next week will be the tuning. Then it will be finished and ready to come home and sit in my garage till spring. It will start and run now too and sounds amazing.
Thanks everyone. I am now looking for a few small things like a radio delete plate as we had to remove the factory radio in order to hide all the computers under the dash. I had a thought of having something made with a 3-D printer. I will post a picture of the heater box modification that had to be done for clearance of the motor on the passenger side. Also, the gas pedal needed to be replaced to a cable operated system from the original linkage rods. The exhaust is louder than before but I kept the Magnaflow that was on the car when I got it. I can barely wait till spring to drive it but I will take it in for polishing and detail as soon as the mechanical work is done so that I can have the option to enter it into the World of Wheels show next month. Still undecided on doing this show though.
Anyone know who makes those Predator tires? I recall seeing a few of them around years back . Still make them? They look good with the rallies actually.
Anyone know who makes those Predator tires? I recall seeing a few of them around years back . Still make them? They look good with the rallies actually.
Eric
Canadian tire brand. stopped making them about 8years ago.
That is a badazz ride, I love how you made the engine look like a BB Olds at first glance. Now if you can fab up a fake oil fill tube and really blow some minds.....lol
That is a badazz ride, I love how you made the engine look like a BB Olds at first glance. Now if you can fab up a fake oil fill tube and really blow some minds.....lol
Thanks, I was hoping to have the car back but the mechanics discovered a weak link while test driving it and tuning. Needless to say the "built" transmission is back at the rebuilders to see what went wrong inside of it in under two miles. I said it was going to need to handle roughly 600hp from the engine but I think it was not built as strong as I was told it was. Better it happen now rather than once I start driving and pushing the car this summer.
Just a quick update. I got the transmission back from the rebuilder after it broke during the test drive and it is at the shop to have it installed. While I was there I took a picture of the dash with the new instrument cluster and it looks pretty nice.
I got a call yesterday from the shop that is doing the build for me and went for a test drive in the car today. There are just a few small things to finish up like calibrating the speedometer and whatnot. I should have it back next week sometime to enjoy driving for the summer. It is very quick, corners like a new car and stops better than most cars I have ever driven. It sits nice and low in the front and about an inch lower than stock in the back and I am happy with everything I saw today. 1/3 throttle felt the same as full throttle on the old 330 that was in it and full throttle is now much like what you would feel in a ZL1 Camaro.
Could you tell me what brand or part number center link you are using?
I am doing ls swap on a 66 also with the holley kit but my center link (Proforged) sits high and still has tie rods hitting pan.
I have the Proforged kit that I ordered from Rockauto. I could not say why everything fits in mine as I did not do the install. They only issue I am having is the exhaust hitting the rear sway bar on big bumps in the road.
Well, after putting about 1000 miles on the car since getting all the work done and the re-torque done I have to report back on how the car drives like. First of all with the new suspension the car can corner now without needed to slow down to a crawling speed. Acceleration is very quick, 0-60 times have been around the 4 second mark. The brakes actually stop the car unlike the drums didn't and to cruise down the highway at 70 mph the engine revs at about 2100 rpm. I am really happy with how it has turned out and I am thankful that I could make everything happen with the build.
