- Color: Black
- Horsepower: 425
- Drivetrain: RWD
Vehicle Overview
I've been working on this project for 20 years. I bought the car in pieces, painted it and put it back together. I am not a painter, I taught myself how to paint and painted it in the garage one piece at a time. The paint is not perfect, but then again it is a driver, I put about 5000 miles on it every summer. Hard to keep the bugs off the front of it. The first engine was a ZZ3 350 ci crate engine. Then years later I built a 383 SBC with AFR heads. Now I am working on a 6L LS for it. Last winter I changed from a Turbo 350 and Coan torque convertor to a 4L60e with a Coan lockup torque convertor. I was going to use a 700r4 because I was still running a HP ECU, so I had one built. Then I got a deal on a Dominator ECU, so I changed to a 4L60e and sold off the 700r4. The Dominator controls sequential MPFI, Holley CNP, shift light, PWM rad fans, AC fans, AC pump, Transmission cooler fan, electric crankcase vacuum pump, low crankcase LED warning light, transmission pressure sensor, fuel pressure sensor, oil pressure sensor, knock sensors and two 3.5 inch displays in the dash. I also have an input set up for testing that will alter the Target AFR table and Timing table using Advanced tables and another input to start internal data logging. It has 10.2/1 compression and I have it tuned to run on 89 octane. I can get over 20mpg out of it right now. With the overdrive and 3:42 rear gears it runs at 1900 rpm at 65 mph. This fall I plan to put it on a chassis dyno to get a baseline, just in case I get the LS engine done early and get it in by spring 2020.
Vehicle Story
Steering - Suspension
10/28/2020I have been driving this car for 20 years, so I figured it was time to replace a few thing. I went with a Borgeson steering box, Proforged Steering Rebuild Kit (idler arm, center link, inner and outer tie rod ends), Proforged upper and lower ball joi...
Read MoreNew Intake
09/02/2020I removed the sheet metal intake and replaced it with a GM factory LS3 intake. I went with the Holley fuel rails.
Read MoreLS swap Complete
03/21/2020The 6L LS is in and running. All that is left to do is charge the AC up. Still a little cold here, so tuning will have to wait. But it moves under it's own power. I had some issues with running hot. It didn't like the heater core bypass hose. Too muc...
Read MoreDigital Dash
02/09/2020I removed the two 3.5" Touch screen displays I had and installed a 6.86" Pro Dash. I ended up making a little power supply for it with some Capacitors and diodes. It was resetting when I would crank the engine. The voltage on the power line was dropp...
Read MoreLS Swap
01/13/2020The 6L LS in in the engine bay. I went with aftermarket LS3 heads and a little smaller on the cam. I do a lot of cruising on the highway with the torque converter locked up so it needs to work in the 1800 to 2000 rpm range.
Read MoreEngine Removed
01/08/2020The old 383 SBC is out.
Read MoreThe LS swap has started
01/01/2020I started the LS engine on the stand today. I was surprised how fast it fired up.Started to remove the 383 SBC.
Read MorePriming the LS
11/02/2019I wanted to prime the oil system on my LS before I tried to start it up. I got a used SBC oil pump for $10 and a 1 gallon pail from the Hardware store for another $10. I tapped and installed a fitting on the output of the oil pump and then mounted th...
Read MoreTiming Tape
10/07/2019Since I had the heads off, I found TDC on the balancer and then added a timing tap and pointer. Once the engine has been started and the timing verified I can remove the timing tape and pointer.
Read MoreLS Heads
10/05/2019I got the LS3 based heads from a place in BC, Canada. I bought them bare. They have Comp Cams valves, springs, titanium retainers and spring seats. They have a strong intake to exhaust ratio, 80%, so I went with a single pattern cam. It is a little o...
Read MoreLS Short Block
10/05/2019The LS 6L short block is ready to go. I had the block cleaned, decked and honed. The crank was turned .010/.010. I got the bearing size I wanted with the first set of main bearings, but the rods were a little more difficult. I ended up getting 3 sets...
Read MorePaddle Shifters
10/03/2019I didn't feel like paying the big dollars for a paddle shift kit so I made my own. I got 2 momentary switches that fit into the holes in my steering wheel. Then I used a stretchy phone cord to allow the steering wheel to turn. Now all I need is the r...
Read MoreStartup Harness
09/30/2019I finished the harness that I am going to use to start the LS engine. I put clips on it for the positive and negative battery posts. It has the fuel pump wired into it and an on/off switch. All I would need to do is put power to the starter, open my...
Read MoreWindow Sticker
09/29/2019I sent away for a copy of the window sticker.
Read MoreSpare harness
09/29/2019I had some things left over after making the new harness that I used to move the ECU to the trunk. Like, the ECU plug (J1A, J1B) end of the used LS1 harness I cut up, an old Commander 950 harness, used GM coils and GM coil harness. So I built another...
Read MoreIntakes
09/20/2019Over the years I have had many different intakes on it. Edelbrock RPM, Torquer II, Professional Products Polished, Holley, etc. The current intake is a Motown EFI intake, I had it when I had a little bigger cam. But now I drive the car a lot more and...
Read MoreWiring Complete
09/20/2019Got the wiring done and took it out for test run today. It looks a lot cleaner under the hood, especially the drivers side inner fender.
Read MoreBuild Sheet
09/17/2019Found this in the Car
Read MoreRewire
09/12/2019Got the main harness in today. Now time to start connecting it all up.
Read MoreRewiring
09/10/2019I have been getting a little work done on the car. I got the ECU mounted in the trunk and the trans harness and second WBO2 harness are in. The trans harness will need to be lengthened a couple feet. There is a big factory hole in the firewall which...
Read MoreRewiring
09/08/2019Started to put things back into the car. Got the ECU mounted and the transmission and second WBO2 harness's are in the car. I can't put the main engine harness in until I get a grommet that is on order from Summit. I have not measured to see if the t...
Read MoreRewiring
09/05/2019I've got as much pre-wiring done as I can. I was working on the out put harness that will go to the engine bay. It powers the rad fans, AC fans, AC pump, trans cooler fan, vac pump, shift light, coils, injectors, etc. Now I need to take the seats and...
Read MoreRewiring
09/03/2019I am building the new harness to fit the new LS motor. It should still work on the engine that is in the car, but may not fit as nice. I am building the harness with out the coil pack and injector plugs that you would normally find at the end of the...
Read MoreWiring removal
09/03/2019The wiring tear down has begun. Just a little of what was pulled out.
Read MoreLast drive this year
08/30/2019I took it out for its last drive this year. I am starting the rewire tomorrow.
Read MoreTuning
08/30/2019When I first switch to electronic timing control, I made the mistake of listening to everyone. Put the cruise timing up to 40 and it will help fuel economy. Big mistake. After driving like this for a couple summers I started to notice a loss in oil p...
Read MoreOil Leaks
08/29/2019I was using a convectional PVC system. This type of system does nothing to create vac in the crankcase. I put a MAP sensor on the crankcase and I was getting positive pressure in the crankcase with a conventional PCV system. And I was always getting...
Read MoreAmped up
08/29/2019With all the electronics I added to the car I needed a lot more amps from my alternator. The stock 38 amp GM SI 10 would just not be enough. I decided to use a GM AD244. Even though these are great alternators, they are not all created equal. They ha...
Read MoreOil leaks
08/29/2019I used to run a conventional PCV system This type of system does nothing to create vac in the crankcase. I have a MAP sensor on the crankcase and I was getting positive pressure in the crankcase with a conventional PCV system. And I was always gettin...
Read MoreInterior
08/28/2019When I bought the car off my brother it came with two interiors. On Tan and one black, I put the black interior in. The dash pad, gauge cluster and seats are factory. I replaced the carpet, door panels and console.
Read MoreInteresting Picture
08/28/2019A guy at a car show had a program to alter the appearance of your car.
Read MoreMy Dads ride
08/28/2019My dad, who pasted way in 2003.
Read MoreBuddies rides
08/28/2019Some of my buddies with cars.
Read MoreBrothers ride
08/28/2019I took a winter off from working on my car to help my brother with his. My garage is insulated and has heat so we brought his car over to my place for the winter.
Read MoreRims
08/28/2019The car originally came with 15x7 Snowflake rims but I decided to go with 15x8 Snowflake rims. So I sold off the old rims. Then I ended up buying 8 15x8 rims to end up with 4 that could be refinished. Old rims.New rims.
Read MoreRe-wiring
08/28/2019Got a little more work done on the wiring. For now I can't go much further, I need the harness's that are still in the car. J2A, J4, coil harness and injector harness.
Read MoreRe-wiring
08/25/2019Started to do some of the prep work for the re-wire. I plan to move the ECU, relays and fuses to the trunk this winter.
Read MoreCar shows
08/25/2019I like to get out as much as I can with my buddies. Like most places you can find a cruise in or car show just about every night of the week.
Read MoreThe paint
08/25/2019I bought the car back in 1999. I got it off my brother, he started to restore it and then lost interest when he found a 1972 TA 455HO. So I stepped in and got it real cheap. He already had it taken apart and had under carriage cleaned, blasted, epoxy...
Read MoreA little fun at the track
08/25/2019Me and my brother at the track. And he is the one I bought the TA off of. I won. My best time 12.2 at 112mph.
Read MoreA Little mishap
08/25/2019At one point I had a chrome water pump on it. I didn't think about the strength of these units come pared to a regular aluminum water pump. But apparently they are not as strong. This is what happens when you shift at 6500 rpm and the front of the wa...
Read MoreMy first EFI
08/25/2019When I first made the switch to EFI there wasn't much to choose from. I started with a Power Jection III TB EFI system. It worked well for me. But after a will I wanted more. So years later I started to look at the Holley. I bought a HP Universal kit...
Read MoreFuel System
08/25/2019When I first started with fuel injection I used an external pump and regulator in the front with a return line. But I keep having problems with the pumps getting hot and then the fuel would boil in the lines. I was picking up a lot of under hood heat...
Read More
Completed Modifications
- Touch Screen Digital Dashboard Featuring a High Resolution 6.86" Screen
- Pre-Terminated J1A / J1B 15' Flying Lead Main Harness
- V8 over Manifold, Bosch Style Connector Harness for Avenger EFI, HP EFI, Dominator EFI and Terminator X. GM / Chrysler Cylinder Orientation
- The new standard in EFI with virtually unlimited capabilities! Integrated electronic transmission control, drive by wire throttle control, dual wideband oxygen sensor capability, extensive amount of inputs and outputs for various combinations, and much more.
- GM 4L60/80E Transmission Harness - Complete terminated harness with j4 connector to operate GM electronic transmissions. for Dominator EFI
- Bosch/EV1 Style, High Impedance, Maximum Horsepower: 575
- GM LS Swap Oil Pan - 1955-1987 GM/Muscle Car/Classic Car/Trucks
- LS Water Pump w/Forward Facing Inlet- All LS with Standard and Middle Belt Alignments
- LS Hi-Flow Holley EFI Fuel Rails - Fits LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6 & L99 factory intakes
Future Plans
The car has been an evolution over the years. So this winter (2019) I plan to tear out all the wiring (except the factory wiring), move the ECU to the trunk and put in a relay fuse box in the trunk as well. I bought the Holley Unterminated 15' Flying Lead Main Harness and I found a used LS main harness on E-Bay. I cut up the LS harness to use all the plugs and loom off it. I have the J1A and J1B connectors from the used LS harness with about 40 inches of wire left on them. So if anyone needs to extend your main harness, give me a shout. The winter of 2020 I plan to change the engine to the 6L LS I am working on. The goal is between 450 to 500hp and still get 25 mpg. The rotating assembly is complete. I had the crank turned, block decked and the cylinders honed. I assemble the rotating assembly myself. The mains measured good with the first set of bearings I bought but I ended up getting 3 sets of rod bearings before I got the clearances I wanted. I bought the LS3 style heads bare from a place in BC Canada. Then I assemble them myself. I would have liked to have use the Holley intake and TB, but with the Canadian dollar down, cost was an issue. I have the Sniper TB on the current engine and I am very happy with it. I modified a factory coil bracket to accept the Holley Smart coils I already have. I am also going to reuse the Holley 36lb injectors I currently have. I still need to purchase the Holley oil pan, Holley accessory drive brackets and Holley EGT kit for my F-body. Then when all this is done my wife will probably ask "is it done yet" and I'll probably so no.
Wish List: Future Parts
- Black Alt, P/S & A/C- Fits Sanden SD508 or SD7 Comp.
- Plug and Play CANbus Exhaust Gas Temperature Kit, for Holley EFI.
- Hi-Ram Sheet Metal Fabricated Intake Manifold LS3/L92 92mm Throttle Body opening + Fuel Rail Kit Black with Sniper EFI logo
- Kit includes everything needed to add a power steering fluid reservoir to any of Holley's driver's side LS accessory drive brackets.
- Black Installation Kit, LS Acc. Drive Brackets, use with MIDDLE belt alignment (alignment common on F-body & GTO)
- Power Steering Pump Assembly, Aluminum Saginaw (TC) with bearing supported shaft
- Multi-fit GM LS Exhaust Manifolds, 2.50 inch Outlet - Natural Cast Finish
Removed Modifications
- Street/Strip Carbureted Applications Compatible with Gasoline Only
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