Well thanks to everyone for the feedback on conversion choices.I'm going to rule out 1st gen F body ,IMO especially V8 cars, SS, RS, and Z28s should be restored to original condition period.I would only consider converting a 6 cylinder car.3rd gen cars do not appeal to me ,maybe 2nd gen thats possible.68-72 X body cars are getting difficult to find at a reasonable price, but a possible choice.As far as the G body, I guess he is referring to years 78-88 cutlass,they are maybe.The 280z,how much is the install kit,and what do you have to change?So far I think I like A-body idea the best for a car choice. Last month at a car show I saw a real nice 72 El Camino for sale 3500.
You started this with a goal in mind,cheap, i thought, but idk what cars do you own ? I say that because it looks like you're thinking, buy car and kit. Cheapest mounts, cheapest trans options and a set of headers in a vehicle that the truck access clears sounds cheap to me. Im doing my Caddy because its a car i've always liked and its the cleanest, cheapest car I own.
__________________ 79 caprice coupe 468,700r4, 410's
79 caddy coupe 6.0 4l60e swap, about to begin
77 regal coupe dunno YET
If you're looking for cheap and easy, forget about a thirdgen. An LS1 with stock manifolds might be an easy-ish swap, but if you're trying to do this cheap forget it. An LQ4 or LQ9 is a lot cheaper than an LS1, but then you need to buy all the f-body accessories, LS1 intake manifold, deal with wiring, and then there's always the transmission issue. Exhaust is a bitch too.
A 2nd gen camaro seems like it would be a lot easier and cheaper. Less wiring, less headaches with exhaust/headers, cheaper exhaust & headers, etc. Something that leaves room for the truck intake & accessories would make things cheaper, so the S10 suggestion may not be a bad one at all.
And i like this guys idea. I've never wanted to be told what a musclecar was and i've always liked b-body's and wagons; so i think a plain jane 79-85 240 wagon would be killa
__________________ 79 caprice coupe 468,700r4, 410's
79 caddy coupe 6.0 4l60e swap, about to begin
77 regal coupe dunno YET
Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
Well the first descending opinion on a 3rd gen comes from Jim85IROC,and this one has been suggested several times.3rd gen f body does not really appeal to me. But if cant be done with truck intake and accessories then its not going to make it on my list to be considered..
I have been thinking about doing LS engine swap for sometime.I want to use a truck engine ,with a truck intake and accessories.What I would like to know is what vehicles are the easiest and cheapest to convert.I'm not concerned about hood clearance, as I do not mind adapting a hood to make it work,but I want to stay away from, projects that require major altering engine compartment or frame notching, and such,I will be doing this on a budget so CHEAP fun quick and easy is what I am looking for.Probably at the top of the list is going to be older GM trucks I would guess. Like 68 to 72 or 88 and later. but want cars would be good candidates?So give me some choices to chose from.
Well Kj598bbc is one of the few that understands my goal and this post.I have a few cars and trucks.My current project is a 98 Z28 swaping in a 370 LQ9,L92cnc heads ,mild cam which has already run over budget and its not done yet. So thats why my next project goal is FUN QUICK EASYand CHEAP are the key words here.And yes I do like B-bodys too,I have a couple 9C1 cars ,like to here if anyone has done one with a truck engine.
Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
If you stick with the stock transmission you only need a $37 adapter and about $40 worth of longer GM bolts to mate it with the flexplate and the day is done. You may need a different fill tube for the transmission since my original hit the back of the GEN III head so I bought a Lokar flexible one - problem solved. Essentially the driveline stays stock minus the engine. Can't get much simpler than that! The most expensive things I had to purchase beyond the engine itself were in reverse order: fuel pump (200), computer tune to kill VATS, 2nd O2's, EGR, etc. ($150), trans fill tube ($90) and the adapter and proper bolts from GM ($80). Everything else was grunt work or came with the take out engine.
Take a look at something like this for a perfect example of a dead on simple swap.
Don't get me wrong, there are other conversions going where you have to make mounts, brackets, etc., etc. (I have one) but for absolute bang for the buck a full size truck or a car that used to have a carb or TBI can't be beat! Lots of room under the hood, simple wiring, few gauges, just add a fuel pump and plug in the engine! Most GM combos have mounts available if you don't have fab skills and you can just take the engine and accessories as is.
__________________ More Gen III conversions brewing...
How'd I know this stuff? 'sperience, son.
'sperience (aka experience) - learning from your successes AND failures.
omc8 i forgot that you said 68-72 Chevy trucks were high on the list, those are my favorite; i'll take mine lowered, black, short bed or step side, Ls powered of course.
__________________ 79 caprice coupe 468,700r4, 410's
79 caddy coupe 6.0 4l60e swap, about to begin
77 regal coupe dunno YET
Chevy Caprice 9c1? I mean, the original engine's not more than 200 HP...
Yes Chevy Caprice Classic basic police issue,mine are 95 and 96 models with LT-1 factory rated 260 hp I believe.If I was going to do one these cars ,I would probably try to find a nice 93 with a good body,93 still has open rear wheel well,which I prefer.94 and laters had LT-1s and if they are nice bring more money around here.93 and earlier areTBI rated around 200 hp or maybe your thinking of L-99 engine.
Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
Just buy a 4x4 truck 88-98. And use the Silverado SS Borg warner full time AWD transfer case. It won't need any shift levers or anything etc since it AWD.
Lighten, and lower it and enjoy AWD!
__________________ '73 Scout II 4x4 Vortec 5.3 4L65E np241
'01 VW Beetle TDI-50mpg or better!
'56 Belair 4 door hardtop*next LSx project* 5.3/4l60/3.08's (looking for 25+mpg!)
Just buy a 4x4 truck 88-98. And use the Silverado SS Borg warner full time AWD transfer case. It won't need any shift levers or anything etc since it AWD.
Lighten, and lower it and enjoy AWD!
I like your AWD idea never thought of doing it on a full size truck thou, so its easier to start with 4x4, the 4x2 would be to much work to change over,tell me why ?I have played around with idea of doing a 1st GEN S-10 AWD LS powered .Going to use a transfer case from a astro AWD or safari van ,I believe these will work if anyone has done this conversion let me know.I have heard of a syclone swap to LS-1, so thats basically what it would be.
I like your AWD idea never thought of doing it on a full size truck thou, so its easier to start with 4x4, the 4x2 would be to much work to change over,tell me why ?I have played around with idea of doing a 1st GEN S-10 AWD LS powered .Going to use a transfer case from a astro AWD or safari van ,I believe these will work if anyone has done this conversion let me know.I have heard of a syclone swap to LS-1, so that's basically what it would be.
Well the 4x4 will already have the front axle and drive shafts and CV. All you have to do is remove the stock part time transfer case and intstall a New Venture 149 transfer case. Its an AWD unit and is stronger then the S-10/van stuff.
__________________ '73 Scout II 4x4 Vortec 5.3 4L65E np241
'01 VW Beetle TDI-50mpg or better!
'56 Belair 4 door hardtop*next LSx project* 5.3/4l60/3.08's (looking for 25+mpg!)
Well its interesting that when you do a part interchange for a Syclone you get Astro,Safari and Bravada transfer case.But if you do it for a Typhoon you get full size GM trucks and Jimmys.So that tells me they used the stronger full size transfer case in the Typhoon because it weighs more,I guess.I wonder if that venture 149 case would work someway in a S-10.I've never heard of a problems with the Syclone transfer case failing,but maybe some Sy/Ty guys that race could let us know!
