Project "KushVair" - 1967 Corvair Street/Track Build

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by DarkoNova

I've just never seen the belt routed like that. Looks craaaaazy. I didn't even know Corvairs were rear engine cars. I learned something new today.

some came with turbo chargers, too. The corvair was an innovative car for its day. There's a very good write up on the corvair over at http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/...rticle/65.html
That'll give you a good 101 on this car...

Don't forget Don Yenko used to build these before the Camaro came along (Yenko Stinger) GM, I believe, even experimented with these cars using an electric motor. Look up "electrovair" sometime...

Back to the project thread- very cool project! I'd like to build a '67 Corvair sometime. Probably the optimal year, imo.

[DarkoNova]

Originally Posted by Tuske427

some came with turbo chargers, too. The corvair was an innovative car for its day. There's a very good write up on the corvair over at http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/...rticle/65.html
That'll give you a good 101 on this car...

Don't forget Don Yenko used to build these before the Camaro came along (Yenko Stinger) GM, I believe, even experimented with these cars using an electric motor. Look up "electrovair" sometime...

Back to the project thread- very cool project! I'd like to build a '67 Corvair sometime. Probably the optimal year, imo.

Awesome article, thanks.

[HotRodKush]

This isn't my car, but these photos show how the drivetrain is arranged. Whole damn thing fits on a small dolly, and drops out of the car with the rear suspension. Thought it was an interesting view that you wouldn't usually see.

[70rs]

I'm glad to see you get back on this project. I remember when you picked it up. Cool car, looking forward to seeing what you do.

You mention the roof extension. Is that the part that looks like a vinyl top in the pics? What is under it? Will the profile change if you remove it?

[DarkoNova]

Not gonna lie, after reading that article about Corvairs, I really, really want one now, haha. Can't wait to see this thing transform.

[HotRodKush]

Originally Posted by DarkoNova

Not gonna lie, after reading that article about Corvairs, I really, really want one now, haha. Can't wait to see this thing transform.

If you are stuck on small block power, some guys do mid-mounted V8 conversions. Crown and Kelmark were two companies who sold kits to mount V8's towards the center of the car. The power/weight ratio can be insane, and weight bias is much improved. There's still a few Corv8's out there, but they're rare. Nobody sells the kits anymore. Here's one very clean version that was built up from an original Crown car shell:

http://www.corvaircorsa.com/norris01.html

If you can find one, it would make a helluva project.

[DETON8R]

Saw an article in Super Chevy (I think...) where a Corvair and 1980's G-body (Monte Carlo/Grand National/Cutlass/Grand Prix) had the same wheel base and similar track width as a Corvair, and the Corvair body was put on a G-body frame and floor. LS1 / T56 or 4L60E is an EASY swap as the Monte Carlo folks are selling conversion kits.

I thought about this myself for my project after the 1969 Camaro but found an awesome deal on another project car (Need an old car as a foundation out here in California to stay away from the smog nazi's, and I've worked on Corvairs in the past).

Wouldn't take much to get a dead G-body for next to nothing, box and stiffen up the frame, get a DSE suspension kit and you would have quite a foundation to start. Tons of other g-body related parts too, 9-inch rear ends, big brake kits. Need to look at a few things that need to be thought out ahead of time, like cooling the engine, as the Corvair has no grille, but those kinds of things have been worked out before.

Ton of work, on a proven chassis, but easy to do if you are a handy welder and fabricator, and have the time and ambition. Here's an posting on a LS1 conversion. Found it quick, and I've found a few other tech articls on other pages too, I just don't have time to dig them up.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...1-corvair.html

Hmmmm.... Can I post an article from another site and not get it deleted.... Guess I'll find out.....

[HotRodKush]

Originally Posted by 70rs

You mention the roof extension. Is that the part that looks like a vinyl top in the pics? What is under it? Will the profile change if you remove it?

Thanks, yes that's the vinyl-looking piece. Fitch produced Fitch "Sprints", a modified Corvair design back in the 60's. Mine's not Sprint but I do have the roof feature. Underneath is just the stock roof line. I'd rather save the weight and remove it, and the more I look at stock-bodied Corvairs the more I like them anyway.

Here's a quick summary of Fitch:
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch.html
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch01.html

Sadly, there were more aftermarket parts available back then than there are now for these cars. Even Yenko had his hand in them back then, and produced the Corvair Stinger - which I believe was his first involvement with GM. Some parts are still available, and the community is strong so advice is available from guys who have been there already.

[70rs]

Thanks for the links. Good reading on Fitch.