They sure fit nice!


--Eric

I may end up with these same wheels -- (call me a copycat). Not sure I need them quite yet though. I'll have to see how the budget goes, but I'm trying to spend as much as possible on the stuff that is not easily changed later!

The wheels look awesome! Keep me posted on the fitment etc.. I may pick your brain before ordering mine.

Thanks man, I was really nervous about fit and appearance. I am pretty shocked I didn't cancel or change the order but I am happy with them.
Thanks, I should have waited until the rear end was under the car to measure but I mocked it in with jackstands and just measured that way. Dse recommends back spacing so it wasn't a complete shot in the dark as to what fits but I did adjusts them to my needs.

Heck, that's what build threads are all about. We all see what others are doing, what works and doesn't and put our own spin on what we see. I'd be honored to sway or influence someone's build. Let me get some tires on these before I say the backspace is right of not. I ordered mine with more backspace than what dse suggested. I can always run a small spacer if needed.

As far as the idea on spending money on quality more permanent parts, is exactly my build strategy too.

Kevin,

The wheels looks awesome mocked up on the car!! Glad to hear you are keeping them. I can't wait to receive my RTS's...should have them any day now.

You planning on running a 315 rear tire?

Thanks!
I am still looking for tires, I am planning on a 315's but tire selection is pretty weak.

Tires are gonna have to wait, just placed a deposit on a ls1 t56 lift out from a 2002 slp SS camaro with 43K miles. It's still in the car so I got to listen and run in through the gears. I should be picking it up next week!

cool car I like the concept can't wait to see it rolling

Kevin I'm in Australia & have an attachment to a Chevy Nova that goes back to watching an imported one race here against Mustangs when I was a teenager. I'd guess that might have been one of the only ones "Down Under". Now at 65 I'm getting warm fuzzies watching your build. I'm amazed by the add on parts you can get for it. We have nothing like that here in Oz even for old cars made here. Seeing the quality of your add ons ensures me you are in fact building a car that will be every bit a Super Muscle car of Barry White standard. What do you intend doing with this toy when it's finished? Keep working & posting the pics as I'll be salivating!

Thank you, I am pretty anxious myself!

I truly appreciate your kind words, Sometimes posting updates and pictures can be time consuming but knowing someone like you is getting enjoyment out of it makes it all worth while. I hope my build keeps you reeled in and maybe sooner or later I can post some videos of the engine running and maybe a burnout or two. :lol:

Today's update.
43,000 mile ls1 5.7l t56 transmission. Removed from a 2002 SS SLP camaro. The donor car sat in a hay barn for over a year wrecked which enplanes the dust. I already pulled the wiring and emissions junk, just waiting for a buddy to help off load it. Then I get to see how much floor pan modification is required.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...8.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...0.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

That's a nice engine and trans,you will be happy with that in there:thumbsup:

This is such a cool build. Do like this vintage Nova best and they look great in Pro-Touring style. Definitely agree with your plan to spend the money on what is really hard to change later like suspension. Interesting wheel choice, so it will be interesting to see them with the rubber on them. I sure hope that the bs is correct.

Good luck on a successful build.

Rod

Ah.. I hope you're right! I am jealous of all the crate ls3 builds around here, but this old ls1 should suit the build fine.

Not a fan of the wheels? They weren't my first choice either but these were pretty much the only "custom" backspace wheels I could fit into the budget with the widths I needed. I am anxious to see some rubber on them too.


Brother came over, we removed the trans in order to test fit the motor. I need some weight in the car before I weld in the subframe connectors. And I can't mock the trans in until the subframe connectors are installed.

Test fitting the motor 1st time.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...5.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...3.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...2.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...2.jpg~original

Headers?
 

With the 1st trial fit of the engine I was wondering what you found for headers to fit your new front chassis? New suspension looks good. Engine position looks about right in the pictures. But it does look like space for headers will be at a premium. I'm sure that DSE has headers available but don't know if they're the only choice. But looks good to see you this far along.

Rod

It's a tight fit for sure! Dse must have designed this with weight position in mind. The motor is as close to the firewall as it could be. Dse headers run $2300. I wouldn't have even bought this front end if that was the only option. I was told by church boys racing that their stainless headers will clear this subframe. Their headers are only $660. I really really hope they fit but until the bank account recovers some I won't know for sure. The way I see it I can mod the church boys headers if required and still be money ahead.

Boy that does sound good. I agree that the DSE headers are pricey, but they do provide a quality product, which is better than some companies that charge a lot for their product and the quality is less than satisfactory.

Will you be having AC? I see that you were able to keep front drive system and accessories from your donor vehicle which is great for a cost savings. But didn't see AC compressor/belt on the engine.,
Rod

Factory compressor didn't clear. I believe the Sanderson compressor from vintage air is smaller. I hoping it will clear otherwise no a/c for the time being.



Edit: I just looked up the vintage air low mount. It's not going to clear either. There are a few companies that make a high mount, so I'll have to do some research to see what works with my oe belt drive

Looking good Kevin!! I myself like the wheels you are running!!!

I have heard anecdotally from several people that the Church Brothers will fit. I've specifically asked them, but they won't officially confirm or deny which tells me that they haven't fit them up themselves.

Other than that, about the tightest fitting header (full length) that I could find for another project that I built was Model A or 32 Ford header -- -that was for a SBC, but I'm sure there are options for LS for those cars, you might be able to check that out.

The other option that I was looking at was a mid-length header from these guys.

http://ultimateheaders.com/

I'm not for certain that they will fit though either.

Thanks man!

Church boys told me on 3 occasions that the mid length headers will fit the dse subframe. Once on the boards, once in an email and once on the phone. But like you I've never seen it done or even heard of anyone doing it. My plan is to order a set and cross my fingers. If they are close I don't mind modifying them to an extent. I am concerned with frame clearance and steering shaft interference. I guess time will tell. I am not scared to be the guinea pig. :confused59:

Not really a flashy or cool update but the detail work must go on! I decided to finish the work at the back of the car before starting work on the motor swap. I just don't do well with too many irons in the fire.

So in the past few weeks I've been mainly focusing on my daughter, she's now 8 months old today and she brings more fun and enjoyment to life everyday. But after bed time, I get a hour here and there to make some progress on the ol' car.

First pic, the important stuff in life.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

These are some pictures of modifying the rear seat-back brackets and boxes for the dse mini tubs and quadralink

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...m.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...c.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...6.jpg~original

Started on the trunk hinge supports, I decided to just make these both from scratch, the dse instructions state to modify the passenger side mount but I really didn't make since to me what they wanted so I just made a new one.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...3.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...3.jpg~original

Lastly for this update, I began working on some rust repair. I got very luck with this car, Besides these two spots I have to replace part of the tulip panel right at the back glass.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...ginal~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...s.jpg~original

Great post and the picture of your Daughter is the best pic in this thread. Be careful they grow up fast and then they start liking boys and even want to date them. Ask me how I know .....

btw the car looks great.

Hey don't rush it, she can't even say "boy" right now haha! I know what you mean though, these 8 months have flown by and it's picking up speed. Each day she does something new and each day she is more and more fun to be around, I trying not to think about the dating and drama that is without a doubt, down the road. I am still in my bubble. I like it in here, it's nice and worry free. :EmoteClueless:

It's a good place to be and if your lucky you may get another 10 or 12 years. But after that the Boys start looking at them and then it starts........

Still chipping away at the to do list. Got the floor cut fr subframe connectors, and mocked them in. Didn't get any further tonight because my welding cylinder is empty.

Here's how I have the car sitting with weight on the suspension. Motor is in for added weight too.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...8.jpg~original

Floor pan cut for the pass through
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...q.jpg~original

Floor pan cut to expose the torque box so the connector can be welded to it.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a.jpg~original

Test fitting
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...v.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

Looks like great progress. Bummer about running out of the gas when you're ready to weld in the connectors. Just like when I use to barbecue and ran out before finishing cooking the meat. Bought an extra cylinder for the BBQ but I can understand not doing that for the welder. Keep up the good work with the great picture posts.

Rod

Same here, always keep a spare propane bottle! Other than these connectors and trans tunnel most of my welding is behind me. I do wish I bought a larger welding cylinder but really other than working on the nova my welder doesn't get used much. Hope to have more progress to report soon, thanks for the feedback.

Got my American Auto wire kit from www.mattsclassicbowties.com
Great guys and gals to work with, can't wait to start laying this harness out.

3 Projects with AAW and not one complaint

Glad to hear that! Wiring is not my strong suit, I can run wires, make connections, solder, heat shrink. But understanding why and how it works. Not for me, but the kit comes with a very nice diagram and I am sure with a little help it'll end up ok.


I hope....

Kevin AAW harness will take all of the work out of it,very nice kits.Car is looking great:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

~originalSubframe connectors are fully welded, also sandblaster the top of the floors yesterday and today. After a few more hours with the blow gun removing abrasive out of all those nooks and crannies I'll be laying down some more PPG dp90. I wished the trunk pan would have cleaned up better. If I could go back in time, I would have replaced it before the quadralink install. The floor pans cleaned up great, some pitting in the passenger side toe board but nothing bad.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...f.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...5.jpg~original

Looking good Kevin! Are you planning on painting the outside of the car? I don't remember.

I won't say "never" but painting the body isn't in my current plans.

Laid down some primer tonight, I do have holes to fill and obviously the trans tunnel modification, but this will keep the rust at bay until that time comes.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...f.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...9.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...5.jpg~original

Looks great Kevin,very nice solid car:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I can't wait to see this car on the ground.

Wait I may have already said this before.

:thankyou:

I think you said that before or maybe I say it daily. Can't wait to get behind the wheel but I am a ways off yet. :headspin:

Progress is always good
 

Great progress. Looks better than when it went down the assembly line. This car is really turning out nicely. It's enjoyable watching your progress (maybe use that word too much) on it. Better than the edited TV shows that make this look easy. This is going to be a very nice little coupe with a cool patina.

Rod in HB

Got the church boys racing headers in Wednesday. Over all I am happy but the fit isn't perfect, however the motor may not be in its final resting spot. Also, it may be angled since I don't have a trans crossmember in yet. The driver side appears to be good, the passenger side is hitting the frame rail slightly. For a 3rd of the dse headers I can certainly work wih these! I'll get some better pictures but here's what I have for now.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...s.jpg~original

Man I love these Novas! Almost went this route instead of the Camaro. Keep up the progress!