Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I've had this car for a long time. Bought it when I was 18 and have done quite a bit to it over the years. Suspension goodies, rear end, interior, etc. Came with a 305 LG4 that got the boot for a 383 SBC with AFR 195 heads. I added fuel injection to that and then a D1SC. Made some good power with that and actually just finished it up a couple years ago. What started this swap was actually my FIL. He bought a 57 chevy 150 that needed a engine. So he bought my 383, I kept the procharger for this new build. We just finished his 57 swap up the end of this past fall, I'll have to get some pics.
SOOOO... I needed something new. After some thinking and gathering parts here's a list so far:
408 Forged (9.8 CR) from Thompson motorsports
230 AFR heads
Cam from Tony
Fast 102 ported from Tony
D1SC

I'll try to keep this thread updated the best I can, I have twin 4 year old boys that keep me busy!

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

New engine:
408 from Thompson,
Cam from Tony Mamo
Johnson lifters,
230 AFR heads, w/yella terras
Manton pushrods
etc.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

My little helper, very good crane operator

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Since the engine was out, I decided to try my hand at painting the engine bay.
Also, went with UMI's K-member.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Plenty of clearance for the oil pan:



Just had to re-route some brake lines:

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I decided to trial fit the headers.

Went with Stainless works 2" headers sold through Hawks.

Passenger side fell into place. Driver's was a little tight, but ok. If you had a stock k-member, good luck, lol!




They really hug the frame rails underneath, I think I'm going to have to use some heat shielding on the fuel lines and such:

Amillionoh7

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if its just me or not but all your pics are not working

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I'm seeing them?

I'm using img tags?

Anyone else having the same problem?

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Pics lookin good, cars lookin good. Keep us updated man.

Amillionoh7

iTrader: (1)

ok I will look on my home pc later. cant wait to see this beast

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Alright, trying to catch up

Threw the P.S. and alternator brackets from procharger on



Both fit very well! My old 383 D1SC had their P.S. pump bracket, but it was pretty bad. This new one for the LSX is soo much better. Very happy.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Next, couldn't wait to see the procharger bracket on there. I got this from Indiana Muscle Car. Justin did a superb job with the fitment and design! And he's still answering my questions, great customer support.

Power steering should clear:


I think I'm going to clock the blower so the outlet points away from the engine (I've tried it and it works, just need an updated pic)

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I'm using a Griffin Radiator, forget the part number, I've had it for a while.

I used Dayco 71321 for the lower radiator hose. Fit is good, just had to trim a little bit off both ends.


I used a stock 98-02 f-body upper radiator hose without power steering. Dayco 71981. Seems to fit ok, I can see revisiting this, but for right now I'll keep it. Need to check with the blower belt.

Ikes 91Z

iTrader: (1)

I'm not having an issue with the pics either. Keep em coming car is looking great!

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I can tell this one is worth watching.

indebt

iTrader: (1)

Gosh, I think we are brothers. Here's my 86 and my 6.0 with Indiana Muscle Car bracket and D1SC and using 2" SW headers. Definitely gonna follow this!! I thought Power steering wouldn't work, so keep me updated. Motivates me to maybe start working on my swap as well. Still need to buy a 9" and decide what tranny. Question for ya, what head gaskets? Any head studs? Intercooler or meth and how much boost you shooting for? Car looks great and motor is sweet!!

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Qwk- thanks for answering my pm's. I feel better about dealing with the trans and shifter. I really just need to order a shifter and see where things land, but I think it will work just fine!

indebt - OMG, it's like looking in a mirror! FANTASTIC CAR!!! I never get tired of seeing that color. I even think our interiors were the same! (which reminds me to get some pics of my interior, you'd love it!)
-Power steering should work, check out the new pictures.
-Using Cometic head gaskets (C5789-040) recommended from AFR
-APR head studs
-Going to use my intercooler from previous, I have the smallest pulley on the D1SC so we'll see what it does.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

So here's my steering setup:
I'm using a C6 P.S. pump (GM #25960709), a derale fluid cooler, canton reservior, -8AN feed line, all the others are -6AN
Cooler:


P.S. pump; and lines, routed to clear the bracket.


Reservior: Made a simple bracket using the 2 holes for the old air inlet.


Side project: Flaming river steering shaft. Very easy to install. Gets rid of the rag-joint.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I'm going to re-use the treadstone 4" intercooler I had on the 383 D1SC setup.
I have it mounted on an AL bumber. Tucks very nice behind the front cover. I might need to cut out the area behind the license plate for some more air flow.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Does that P/S hose have potential to rub your new paint? In my experience the stainless braided sleeve cuts through anything it touches. There are versions with black plastic braid that isn't as abrasive or can be cut off with scissors to reveal the hose. The braid does not add to the strength of the hose so don't hesitate to remove it if you want.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Qwk,
It's hard to tell from the pictures, but the hoses are not touch anything. I'll end up zip tying them together on final install and clean it up a little. Also, the paint isn't that sweet, lol! I did a 20 footer job, looks good from 20 ft, but when you get up close....
Also, I already had the hoses and almost all the fittings lying around from previous things. I think I had to order only 4 addition fittings.
I thought about going the black braided stuff, but my fuel lines were already braided stainless. Not the cheap stuff, PTFE lined, good with E85 (hint hint...). So I didn't want to replace those, and everything needs to match! LOL.

The fuel system is actually a Lonnies twin pump setup. I have an 99-02 f-body plastic tank. Should be able to supply enough fuel for 1000 hp.

R13_Braz

If you don't mind, what's the part number for the steering shaft that you used?

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

FLA-FR1746DDPL u-joint at the steering box

FLA-FR1717DDPL U-joint at the steering column

FLA-FR1856-SS Steering shaft.

Those are the part numbers from Summit racing.

I just had to cut the steering shaft to length. And grind the small nub on the steering box input.

indebt

iTrader: (1)

Thanks!! Yeah, absolutely love the blue and when I started looking 4 years ago, told myself, nothing but blue. At times wish I had a hardtop though, think it looks cleaner or something. I have an intercooler, but not sure if I feel like removing front cover and cutting up and all tubing. Might just use meth at first and see how hot things get, then intercooler if necessary. Even though it's a 20 footer, engine bay is clean. Now I'm gonna have to do mine haha. Also, guess I should do head studs, especially since it's still out of the car. Keep the updates coming, it sure motivates me!!!

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Nice build!

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Wrapped the fuel lines with DEI sheilding and mounted them along the frame as far from the exhaust as I could.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Installed the bellhousing and clutch.
Clutch is a monster twin disc. Can't wait to try it out.
You can see how much I cut off the back plate of the bellhousing to get the headers to clear on the driver's side.


Also, got this bad boy. RPM transmissions T-56 magnum. Jeremy had it built with the steeper overdrive gears. Thing is HEAVY. Much heavier than my TKO, it's going to be interesting trying to install this thing.


Dialing in the bellhousing. It ended up only being .004 out. So it's fine. Glad I checked though.

indebt

iTrader: (1)

Moving along! Can't beat an RPM tranny. Several years ago, took my 02 ZO6 up there and in one day, they had it out, rebuilt, and back in later that night. Held up great!!!

Yonerton

Most definitely a badass build man, motivating for sure! Just picked up a 92 RS myself that I plan on swapping an LS3 based engine with a whipple 2.9 supercharger. Anyways, My only question would be what type of bell housing is it that?! I would imagine the driver side header won't have any clearance issues with the stock bell housing...I hope lol

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Its a Quicktime Bellhousing #8020

The headers are design for a stock bellhousing so you'd have no problem.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I got around to installing the T-56. I found out real quick that it is heavy as hell! I tried my old method I used when I installed the TKO, set it on my chest and bench press it into place. Not happening with this one!
Ready to install, wth remote bleeder:



I got a trans scissor jack from harbor freight, for $90 shipped. WOW! I should have bought one of these a long time ago. Went in so much easier, really no wrestling around.



Hard to get some good pictures:




Here's the area that I need to check on. The shifter location. Seems like it's about 2" longer than the opening. My car is an original 5-speed. So it looks like I'm going to have to open up the shifter hole. I want to put the console in and make sure it will align with the opening before I start cutting things up. It seems pretty common though for T-56 swaps. Can anyone confirm that?

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Also,

I decided to get some ground control weight jacks. I was running cut Moog's before. They seem like they fit into the UMI k-member pretty easy. I might use some heater hose to take up the slop. I got the 950-1000 lb spring front and 200 lb for the rear.

R13_Braz

Very common, and should be fine. I actually miscalculated my hole, and cut a little too much off the back, but I just covered it all up with heat shield and called it a a day. Plenty of space to move the shifter everywhere.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

You'll be very happy with the ground control weight jack set up.

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

this car is looking phenomenal, wish I knew harbor freight had those little scissor transmission jacks, would of bought one a while ago as well

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

After reading a little more, it seems like I am just about right with the shifter location. I feel a little better. I'm still going to double check the shifter opening with the console.

Definitely can't wait to try the GC setup. I want to put the fronts in this week.

Yes! They are very affordable, and I think the max height is like 24-30 inches, and it holds 450 lbs.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

You probably have enough room to check where the shift rod will be with the console in place, you just won't be able to lift it up all the way. Just sneak up on the hole size and you won't worry about cutting it out too big.

fbodyfreakls1

sub'd this thing is gonna be nasty as hell

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I'm surprised RPM Transmissions let you keep that remote bleeder. I had a remote bleeder on my trans when I took it to them and they threw it in the garbage and told me to not use one. On the drive home I thought to myself, HEY!!! That bleeder belonged to me and I could have sold it for money!

I also did the weight jacks a few weeks ago and Ground Control tried to sell me on the 1000 lb/inch too. I said no way! I chose 800 lb/inch, which was a random number halfway between Hotckiss (600 lb/inch) and what Ground Control was peddling (1000 lb/inch). Even at 800 lb/inch the ride quality is horrendous and the car is being pounded by the road. I can't imagine how bad 1000 lb/inch is going to be! The good news is springs are $50 so you can switch things up if you want.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Sorry for the long absence. I got sick for a little bit, then I had to go out of town last week for work, and trying to catch up on house projects.

QWK - I don't see the big deal about the remote bleeder? Tons of people use them with great success. I bought the trans new from RPM, I didn't have an old one to send.
I'll see how the 1000 lb's go. Keep in mind, I have an Iron block, the procharger, and the intercooler adding weight to this thing.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

I've mostly been working on getting the trans to fit right in the opening and with the crossmember.

A few pictures I took before I cut anything:


Not sure what gear it's in..



Seems to line up pretty darn good good. So out came the angle grinder.





I've merged the Hawk's and Spohn crossmembers together. Turned out ok. I'll get some pics. The Hawk's piece fits pretty bad. None holes line-up, for the frame rails or the trans mount and the piece is too wide for the frame rails. It's being forced into place. I've hacked and the modified the Hawks' enough. I'm going to use it for now, but once the car is running and tuned I'm definitely going to make my own.

Very disappointed in the Hawk's piece.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Cool, another milestone down.

Funny how people have such vastly different experiences with the same parts. I had to cut the tunnel hole further back and lost the console bracket that you managed to keep, and yet my Hawks crossmember bolted to the car.

On the topic of the transmission, I don't have a clue why RPM made me throw away that bleeder hose. They just said it causes problems and didn't elaborate any further. I didn't ask more questions because I was still in sticker shock paying the bill at the front desk.

camaro1185

Im glad I wasn't the only one who had trouble with the hawks t56 x member. I tried getting mine to fit but not dice, i sent it back and bought a spohn.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Mine pretty much bolted right up as well. I had to do a little finegleing but no worse than when I put a poly mount on the stock trans/xmember.

I know Tick talks smack about the remote bleeder as well. I'm not sure what these shops gripe is. But I will tell you mine got loose when I was putting everything in and was leaking brake fluid everywhere when I tried to bleed the clutch. Shouldn't be a big deal, but you have to pull the trans at least part way to get to the nut to tighten it back down on the slave cylinder.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Qwk -
Yea, it's getting there. Progress as slowed with the summer months, my wife has me doing all sorts of outdoor projects.
I can't imagine how hard it would be to bleed the system without it. People with 4th gen's cut a hole in the trans tunnel, no thanks.

1185 -
It's a very tight fit, too tight IMO. I bought a spohn to cut-up and I bolted it in to see how bad it hangs down. It's actually kinda funny how low it is. I like Spohn stuff, but I don't think they even bolted one up to see how it fits. Like I said, I'm just going to make my own after the car is running.

outmyway -
Yea, I made sure to tighten it down pretty good before installing the trans. Tick talks smack about it?? LOL, they sell it! Goofy.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

So I've been meaning to show off the interior a little bit.
I redid the seats a couple winter's ago and never got around to posting pics. All new seat foam and leather covers.
I wanted to match the color with the original the best I could. The goal was to make it look like it was a factory option or the like.
The center area on the seat is perforated, thought it would add just a little sporty feel.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Here's a few pics of the trans crossmember installed. It turned out o.k. Like I said, I think I'm just going to make one after everything is running. I want to incorporate all 3 holes to help with some strength, since the torque arm mount is a decent cantilever from the hole locations. The torque arm connection is definitely the lowest point. I'll get some measurements once the car is on the ground.




Here's a pic with the Torque arm installed. Bolts are just finger tight, but there is good clearance on everything.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Also, put the starter in. No problems with fitment around the headers.



Power steering is done, just needs fluid.



Put the alternator on, and coolant reservoir tank on. Not sure where to put the catch can yet. You can also see the throttle cable, it's a little long, but should work fine.



Intake is on, needs to be snugged down. Four corner cooling on. Fuel supply line is finished.

Thomas Aquinas

iTrader: (14)

Got a few more things done. Its been slow going and I'm into the small detail stuff. So nothing big and exciting.

I used a 4th gen shift boot and had to make a small plate in front of it where the old opening was.


I wanted to keep the 2 mounting bolts for the console, it was close.



Shifter position is perfect. Right in the center. It's in neutral in these couple pics.



Put on the coils. Working on the intake side of the supercharger. Figuring out vacuum lines, got a serpentine belt.


Mounted the catch can. The air filter is going to sit right in front of it. I'm not sure where else to put it? That seems like the biggest space to put a large cone filter.

indebt

iTrader: (1)

Interesting spot for filter. Most ones I've seen just has filter off the back of the charger.