Chevy408 from Huntsville, AL

[Chevy408]

I'll go ahead and make my first post on this thread. I found this forum from reading Retrolsx's post on his new conversion oil pan on LS1Tech. Seems like the start of some good things here, so I'll have to check it out.

I am just starting the engine building phase of an iron block, 408 twin turbo for my '69 Nova. I have been running this Nova with a nitrous 406 SBC for the past 12 years. In this time of "change :rolleyes:" I feel like I should do my part and swap over to LSx, fuel injection, and turbo. At this point I have a 2001 LQ4, bored it .030" and line honed for main studs. I am in the process of fitting it with a 4.00" Callies crank, 6.125" Callies rods, and -32cc Wiseco pistons. I am still looking for a good deal on some aftermarket heads with 62 to 64 cc chambers (i.e. some AFR 225 #1610 or comparable Trickflows). I also still need to find a Victor Jr. intake and 4-hole throttle body. I plan to get the engine installed in the car and running on the '99 C5 ECM & wiring harness that I picked up off various forums. In the process, I will try to sell my 406 SBC to finance a couple turbos and supporting plumbing.

Here are a few pictures to fill in the blanks of what I left out:

Recent picture of the '69. It's painted a 2002 Viper yellow.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/Nova%20Rebuild/DSC_8917.jpg

It runs a best of 6.40 @ 110mph in the 1/8 mile here at Huntsville Dragway.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/Nova%20Rebuild/KOTSracewheelsup.jpg

And the 406SBC that will be evicted in favor of a 408.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/Nova%20Rebuild/DSC_7964.jpg

This is the humble beginning of the 408. Coming home from the junkyard.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9019.jpg

Trial fitting the main studs... love the way the LS block supports the crank with 30 main bolts.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9163.jpg

Reluctor wheel runout looks ok at .012"
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9584.jpg

Finger tips are healing nicely after installing 16 spiral locks.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9600.jpg

And a quick check of piston deck height looks like about .002" out of the hole.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9589.jpg

That's about where I stand right now. Mostly just a bunch of parts, with a lot more to buy and a lot more knowledge to gain.

Thanks for this platform of learning Retrolsx.

Clyde

[retrolsx]

You can always run some L92s. I can get them for only about $650 a set and they make great power for the price! Thats a killer car let us know how the build goes. I do plan to build some turbo headers soon what are your plans or any ones out there that you have seen that are of a good design?

[bczee]

Great looking Nova.. I am about to start LS1 / A4 swap for my 71 Nova.. I've already done my 71 Chevelle. Love that yellow !.. I was considering some shade of Yellow or Aztec gold for a paint job on my 71...

I've order one of Shawn new cast pans and looking to see what his mount kit will look like soon.

Keep us posted on your project..

[345HP87SSAC]

Great little NOVA. I love the color.

[Chevy408]

I was starting to write a reply last night, and my power supply crapped out on my desktop.

I appreciate the comments on my build. I will be needing a lot of help to get things like my wiring harness figured out, fuel delivery... I like the simplicity and quality of Shawn's new cast oil pan. I need to make sure what oil volume I will need with a twin turbo setup before I order it.

Shawn, I am leary of the L92 heads for a boosted engine. I know people are using them with some success, but I hear that above 700 or so rwhp and/or 15 psi they typically start lifting head gaskets. I'll probably try to find a decent set of used aftermarket heads with their thicker decks.

For the turbo plumbing, right now I plan to use truck exhaust manifolds turned forward and up. That will be an economical way to get up and running with turbos, and then if I can go to tubular headers later if I want to refine it. Stainless Works makes the only turbo LS1 headers for a Nova that I have seen so far.

I got the 7 of the pistons installed in the 408 this weekend. Broke one top ring, so I'll have to give Wiesco a call Monday morning. I need to get the oil pan ordered so I can button up this short block.

[retrolsx]

Its a 5 quart pan without the filter on the LHX.

Im also a dealer of Comp, and deal with vengeance racing if you have some heads in mind i can check pricing?

I’ll take a look at the SW headers I know there is a big demand for these and I want some that are not going to break the bank for customers. The truck manifolds are tried and true and be sure to take a ton of pictures for us.

[Chevy408]

In the past couple months I have made a little more progress on my 408 build. I picked up a pair of used AFR 225 heads, a Comp shaft rocker setup, an Edelbrock Victor Jr intake, and a Meziere water pump. So the engine is pretty much complete, but I still need to save up for a 4150 style throttle body, injectors, fuel pump, and valve covers to clear my shaft rockers. Meanwhile I'll start modifying the stock wiring harness to meet my needs.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9755.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9757.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/cacinal/408%20Engine%20build/DSC_9773.jpg