I read a forum story a few years ago about a guy in Poland I think that fused an Olds Bravad with a 78 or so Vette including a forced induction LT1...and made a pavement eating race car for the poor quality race strips in his area.
Okay....So, I have done the 3rd gen Vette...had recently done an LS2 powered 1985 Vette...not excited about a 5th or 6th gen...and find a first gen impractical for actual use (permanent convertible...etc).
So...I'm thinking about getting a basket case or kit car body mid-year - 63-67 and figuring out how to fuse the front half of an AWD Bravada, Jimmy, or Blazer in there with LS power...etc.
This Summer I'll be going to a couple of large mid-west Vette shows where I can look for a body/basket case project Vette - that needs me more than I need it.
You might also consider using a Silverado SS or Trailblazer SS for a doner since they are already AWD and are LS based drivetrain. The Silverado comes with a 4L80E trans and Trailblazer has the 4L65. Sounds like a fun project! I have a Silverado SS with a Magna Charger and it hauls a$$ and it's fun to suprise the late model Mustangs with.
You make a great point. I was firguing that the width of those as well as the weight/girth of the full size frame (or Trailblazer) would be too heavy and wide to use. However, it doesn't mean I couldn't yank the guts...and figure out how to suspend them in the other frame.
Seems the issue is the front springs. The old S10 based stuff uses a torsion bar that comes up from the transmission cross member as the drive axles go right through where the coil springs would go. I would suspect this is one of the more tricky aspects of it.
I saw video of the dude in Poland that did it - and it looked really clean. The 3rd and 2nd gen Vette share many components suspension and frame related.
You make a great point. I was firguing that the width of those as well as the weight/girth of the full size frame (or Trailblazer) would be too heavy and wide to use. However, it doesn't mean I couldn't yank the guts...and figure out how to suspend them in the other frame.
Seems the issue is the front springs. The old S10 based stuff uses a torsion bar that comes up from the transmission cross member as the drive axles go right through where the coil springs would go. I would suspect this is one of the more tricky aspects of it.
I saw video of the dude in Poland that did it - and it looked really clean. The 3rd and 2nd gen Vette share many components suspension and frame related.
It might be pricey,but what about having someone make a steering knuckle that you could mount a coilover on top of or on the side of ?
The same upright used on a C5/C6 for the front is used for the rear. You will be able to use the drive bearing set front and rear.
The Holden that the GTO is based off of in Au has another derivative called the Comadore I think. It is a El Camino looking thing that is 4 wheel drive and is the same size as the GTO. They run an LS motor. There is your source for the front drive/transaxle.
You might also consider using a Silverado SS or Trailblazer SS for a doner since they are already AWD and are LS based drivetrain. The Silverado comes with a 4L80E trans and Trailblazer has the 4L65. Sounds like a fun project! I have a Silverado SS with a Magna Charger and it hauls a$$ and it's fun to suprise the late model Mustangs with.
Just FYI Silverado SS comes with a 65e and the TBSS comes with a 70e, the 80e was only in the 2500 trucks.
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Nick Schiffer
2001 Silverado Regular Cab Short Bed
Currently Under the Knife
Special Thanks to:
Air Ride Technologies - Wilwood Engineering
Do you remember one of Troys early masterpieces - The Quadraduce ! It had GMC Cyclone drivetrain with 6 speed trans and aluminium smallblock. It allso had C4 vette rear . Road&track tested it for handling and performance with great results. Sorry to say but Stielow took the fun out by changing automatic transmission for summit ..
Anyway do some search of it. Had lots of good ideas!
Do you remember one of Troys early masterpieces - The Quadraduce ! It had GMC Cyclone drivetrain with 6 speed trans and aluminium smallblock. It allso had C4 vette rear . Road&track tested it for handling and performance with great results. Sorry to say but Stielow took the fun out by changing automatic transmission for summit ..
Anyway do some search of it. Had lots of good ideas!
Maybe I remember that wrong, I thought Troy did the re-do and put in the auto? Still, one of my all time favs. Would still like to see it in person.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
AWD Project Vette - Doing some Dreaming....
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