LS3 into my 72
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
One more I forgot. The Fast fuel rails came with mounting brackets but are not for the LS3 intake. They also have a set for their Fast intake but not for this motor. I had to make 4 brackets to mount the rails so they are secure. I painted them black and you can barely see them in this picture. Just what I wanted. Also have a new set of valve covers coming. I will relocate the ignition coils.
Last edited by Gordonm; Nov 5, 2011 at 05:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Not whole lot new. No good pictures. Just doing a lot of things I have wanted to do for years. My frame had a split weld at the lower control area. It has never gotten bigger but now was the time to fix this. My welder buddy was fixing up my crossmember for the new mounting point and also fixed the weld seam. Just touching up some paint on the frame also. The inner fender on the passenger side was loose. The bonding of it to the fender had cracked. I repaired this also. I could hear it rattle a little when going over some bumps. I got my replacement fuel tank suppport and cleaned it up and painted it. Starting to put in the Cool Mat in the interior to help with sound deadening and heat. I pinned the crank and balancer on the motor. I also got some new valve covers and proceeded to yank out the breather tubes for something of my own. I cant leave well enough alone. More pictures later.
Last edited by Gordonm; Nov 12, 2011 at 06:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Not whole lot new. No good pictures. Just doing a lot of things I have wanted to do for years. My frame had a split weld at the lower control area. It has never gotten bigger but now was the time to fix this. My welder buddy was fixing up my crossmember for the new mounting point and also fixed the weld seam. Just touching up some paint on the frame also. The inner fender on the passenger side was loose. The bonding of it to the fender had cracked. I repaired this also. I could hear it rattle a little when going over some bumps. I got my replacement fuel tank suppport and cleaned it up and painted it. Starting to put in the Cool Mat in the interior to help with sound deadening and heat. I pinned the crank and balancer on the motor. I also got some new valve covers and proceeded to yank out the breather tubes for something of my own. I cant leave well enough alone. More pictures later.
its all progress!
how thick is the cool mat once its laid down and compressed with the roller?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
The cool mat is only about 1/8 inch thick. Very thin material. It does not really roll down thinner. It just presses into the shape you need. Pretty good stuff. Not totally done with it but so far the drivers side looks good.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Gordon, where did your lower frame break? Mine broke from the lower rear a-arm bolt area up around the side. So I welded it, ground flush and then added quality steel flat bar stock over the area so it is stronger than brand new. I added the bar to the unbroken side just so it wouldn't happen down the road.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Gordon, where did your lower frame break? Mine broke from the lower rear a-arm bolt area up around the side. So I welded it, ground flush and then added quality steel flat bar stock over the area so it is stronger than brand new. I added the bar to the unbroken side just so it wouldn't happen down the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Had to have my crossmember welded up too.
Looks like at least 3 stick weld passes for u this time. Ya know, the factory frame welders for the C3 corvette were consistently terrible for some unknown reason. I think the assembly lines had quality issues back then that hurt GM in competition with the foreign makes - and lost a lot of market share. But on the other hand by '74 nearly anyone that wanted one could buy a new vette.
Funny to note but my 4th gen camaro has a K member up front there and a very common upgrade is tubular K member - saves a bunch of weight and gives much better access to the oil pan.
Oh and looks pretty awesome in red powder coat too.
cardo0
Looks like at least 3 stick weld passes for u this time. Ya know, the factory frame welders for the C3 corvette were consistently terrible for some unknown reason. I think the assembly lines had quality issues back then that hurt GM in competition with the foreign makes - and lost a lot of market share. But on the other hand by '74 nearly anyone that wanted one could buy a new vette.Funny to note but my 4th gen camaro has a K member up front there and a very common upgrade is tubular K member - saves a bunch of weight and gives much better access to the oil pan.
Oh and looks pretty awesome in red powder coat too.cardo0
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Recently finding time for this has been scarce with work and other things. I did get some time this afternoon. I am putting in the Cool Mat to insulate and sound deaden the car. Goes in pretty easy. Very thin and flexible. Also got to put a little more on the motor and work some on the AC system.
It took me an hour to get the 4 lines so they would line up properly. So much for it being an easy fit. I trial fitted the unit in the car and it will also require slight adjustment.
Front of motor
Top of motor
It took me an hour to get the 4 lines so they would line up properly. So much for it being an easy fit. I trial fitted the unit in the car and it will also require slight adjustment.
Front of motor
Top of motor
Last edited by Gordonm; Nov 20, 2011 at 08:05 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
I like the valve covers, for me though it would cause problems with relocating the coil packs, the driver side of my swap is very cluttered.
That vintage air system was a bear for a Friend of mine to install into his 74 convertible, the bracing in the dash made things a great challenge. Hope you have better luck then he did.
Riggs.
That vintage air system was a bear for a Friend of mine to install into his 74 convertible, the bracing in the dash made things a great challenge. Hope you have better luck then he did.
Riggs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
looks great Gordon! I was in both cars today, was on 70 and was tempted to drive further west to see you and check out that LS3 of yours! I'm on vacation this week - figures they are calling for rain!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
The one brace they actually say to remove in the instructions so it is gone. I don't see how it would fit the the brace in there. The trial fit was not to bad as it only had to line up 2 holes. The others are drilled and new fasteners are put in. That is just the unit. I'm sure and from what others have said the hoses are going to be a challenge. I am not using the standard Corvette dials so the console will be different. with everything out it looks like plenty of room until you start putting stuff back in. I'm not sure the computer and fuse central for the computer is going to fit in the car behind the pad. I'm going to start to think about it outside on the passenger inner fender. I pretty much have the coil packs figured out. I yanked out the breather tubes on the new valve covers and put in my own AN fittings and will plumb that up later.
Mike anytime you want to stop by let me know.
Mike anytime you want to stop by let me know.
Les
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Some more progress today. I finished up installing the Cool It mat. Nice stuff to work with. Flexible and thin and sticks well. I got the VA unit in. Of course it is not a bolt in like they say. I had to modify the brackets slightly and remove a little more fiberglass but it fits like I want it to now. I will use different fasteners to secure the cover on as I do not like their "push in" plastic plugs for this. I have removed a ton of wiring form the engine harness and dash harness as the VA system will not use any of the HVAC wiring from the original harness. It looks like a rats nest but it is an organized mess and all wires are labeled. I have some non sticky tape to tie up the harnesses on order and when that comes in I can rewrap it all up. I think I am going to leave the computer outside on the passenger fender. Should fit nicely and give me plenty of room. Just not much room inside with the VA system in there.
Outside with the cover off
Outside with the cover off
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
From: Northern Ca.
Looks familiar
I am heading in this direction. As you can see I have a the same rats nest I am looking into an LS. Just need a check list to add to yours. Thanks.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=98025
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=87131
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=98025
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=87131
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Good stuff as usual Gordon. I have been wanting to redo my sound deadener in the 70 and this is looking good to me. I also am intrigued by the stuff that Riggs put in his and wouldn't mind doing that. I pulled the seats and carpet in my DD over the last few days and installed some deadener my son picked up at a car show, foil backed and about 3/8" thick on the floor of the car. After driving the DD, it makes me want to jump in on the 70 even more.
Keep the pics coming.
Keep the pics coming.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Just a little update. This is one of the reasons this is taking so long. It is all the small details that nobody will ever see or even think about that make the car work right. The DBW pedal is obviously different than the stock pedal. To try and mount it in the stock location the pedal would be on the trans tunnel Rather than bend up the new pedal I decided to make an aluminum mount for the pedal. Started out as a 6X6 piece of aluminum. I cut measured and drilled it until I was satisfied with the fit of it. Bolted it all in in the final configuration adn I get full pedal travel and the pedal is in almost the stock location.
Starting point
Backside of the mount. I had to mill out some of it for the rivits holding the original plate on.
In the car.
Starting point
Backside of the mount. I had to mill out some of it for the rivits holding the original plate on.
In the car.