Conversions & Hybrids - 1972 Nova LQ9 swap

I finally got things started yesterday. The patient is a 72 Nova with a 350 and mild cam. The transplant is from a LQ9 from a 2006 caddy escalade. I have a friend helping me, or really teaching me. I am also getting great help from people on this board. Frojoe and his build has been very helpfull. This will be a learning experience as I have never done this kind of thing before. I have rarely put more than gas in a car let alone an engine swap. Yesterday we got started by stipping most of the engine down. We will be cleaning it up, putting a bigger cam in, and some LS6 valve springs. I will try to update and add some pics when I figure out how to put pics up. Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy the build as much as I am:D
-LQ9 and tranny $2400. Damn it is an AWD tranny!
-tsp cam
-head gaskets 150.00
-LH8 oil pan from another member $250.00
-engine mounts
-getting patriot valve springs $255.00
-computer $100.00
-jeep grand cherokee steering box

Still Need:
-to make adapter plates
-convert tranny or buy another (got a guy that will convert for 250.00)
-radiator
-headers
-fuel system (walbro pump)
-get wiring harness re-worked
-maybe brake hydroboost set up
-

I put the new cam in today. It is a TSP 233/239 .603/.600 112 LSA. The only other I did was clean up the block a little. I am waiting for my buddy to clean up the 317 heads in the parts bath at his work. Hopefully putting the engine back together next weekend.

Remember to blow out all bolt holes before reassembly. keep us posted.

I hope someone else will chime in and tell me if i am wrong but i think .600 lift is way to much on ls6 springs. i think .550 is the max on those. I could be wrong.

I would def get some dual springs or some quality beehives for anything .600 and larger. Some PAC 1518's installed at the correct height would be good.

I'm interested in finding out what your piston to valve clearance is with that cam. I'm planning on running a very similar cam in my LQ9, perhaps a little higher lift, but I'm having a hard time figuring out just how much cam I can run without PTV issues. I realize that I'm going to need to check my final setup, but I'd really like to have an idea what I can use before I buy and install the cam.

Remember to blow out all bolt holes before reassembly. keep us posted.

Thanks, I am a newbie, so I appreciate any advice. I will have to check into some different valve springs.

I'm interested in finding out what your piston to valve clearance is with that cam. I'm planning on running a very similar cam in my LQ9, perhaps a little higher lift, but I'm having a hard time figuring out just how much cam I can run without PTV issues. I realize that I'm going to need to check my final setup, but I'd really like to have an idea what I can use before I buy and install the cam.

I'll see if I can check that next weekend.

Does anybody have any other spring suggestions?

comp 921's. 918's are only rated to .600, so you may get valve float at higher rpm. of course, the 921 kit is nearly $600 (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-26921-KIT/) (vs. $170 for the 918 springs (http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=208)), so it's spendy.

if it were me, i'd go with the 921s just in case. i solved this dilemma by going with a .646/.621 cam, so 918s weren't even an option.

patriot extremes

the new comp 918s are maxed at .625 lift. I am using those on my swap with a .598 lift comp cam. those should be good for you but call comp to be sure.

I ordered :
198-8401 Patriot Performance Dual "Gold" Springs (max lift .650")
Thanks for the help.

I got my new springs. i don't have enought posts to put this in the ad section, so if someone is looking for some ls6 yellow springs PM me.
I had planned on putting the engine back together this weekend, but it didn't work out. I also decided to put a new timing chain on, and couldn't find one today. So not much progress. The heads are cleaned up, but now it will be a couple of weeks before I have the time to put it back together.
This is just the life of car projects.

I decided to upgrade to quick ratio steering. I got this out of a Jeep grand cherokee. Does anyone know where I can get the rag joint I need to swap these out?
I have to resize the photo, but I'll put it up soon.

not sure if this will help, but i did a 3rd gen camaro quick-ratio box (F41 suspension) per this write-up (http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html). I used Dorman PN 31011 from (I think) a mid-80s Chev truck. You could always order one and give it a shot.

The 3rd gen box is a direct bolt-in with the exact same dimensions as ours, fyi.

you can buy the swap mounts fairly cheap now. there is a shop near me (Carolina Rod Shop) or if you want a better mount (better look and fit) Street and Performance makes a trick set. I have used both, the Rod Shop ones I used in a 86 C10 truck, and the S&P ones in my bro's 68 Camaro

Oh and for fuel delivery you can use a 89 Ranger fuel pump, it is capable of suppling 80-90 psi, then feed the fuel into a 98-99? corvette fuel filter (the filter that is used on the returnless fuel system in the corvettes)

You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.

Oh and for fuel delivery you can use a 89 Ranger fuel pump, it is capable of suppling 80-90 psi, then feed the fuel into a 98-99? corvette fuel filter (the filter that is used on the returnless fuel system in the corvettes)

You should still beable to use the stock radiator, but upgrade to a really good electric fan.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if I could use the stock radiator.

I have some engine mounts I had made by a local machine shop laying around in the garage(I think I have all the bolt too). I am going with edelbrocks. If you want them their yours just pm your ship to and I will send them out.

we used my brother's stock 68 camaro radiator when we put in the LS1 5 years ago, now it is running an iron LS2 and the temps are still perfect :) The next semi diffecult task will be the transmission crossmember, as you will more than likely have to make a custom one. The trans mount got moved about 6-8 inches or so rearward in both the camaro (T56) and the C10 (4L80E)

I have some engine mounts I had made by a local machine shop laying around in the garage(I think I have all the bolt too). I am going with edelbrocks. If you want them their yours just pm your ship to and I will send them out.

Thanks, PM sent. Why are you going with the Edelbrocks? Are you using Edelbrock headers?