LS1/t56 swap

3 minute(s) of a 132 minute read

made some progress.

The design. Through frame driveshaft loop. Decided it has to be a bolt in. Mandrel bent 1x2 .120 wall. I found some well on nuts that have an OD of 3/4" (on order) and take a 1/2" bolt. I gave up on finding metric. I will drill 4 1" holes, weld 1" .120 wall DOM tube inside and then weld the nuts in on top. Tube will prevent the frame from crushing when you tighten it down.

I this is in the process of making it fit, Its currently welded. Even clamped down to 2x4 steel it warped a tad, not terrible but I need to straighten it somehow, about 1/8" off. I have the lower bolt on hoop cut, just got burnt out and called it a night. The lower loop section is the same height as the rest of the frame rails, that way It wont screw up my flat floor plans!

also got that cut out so I can weld in my new piece (at the red line, just no picture of it done).

12-31-2018

Sadly couldnt grind this one smooth.. The shape on the mandrel bent loop isnt quite flat so it doesnt match up perfectly. Oh well.

All welded up and straight. Had to straighten everything to make it fit together perfectly. I hate how metal moves when you weld it regardless of how secure it is!

Measured out ready to drill.

Perfect fit!

The basic Idea. Pipe is just tossed in, needs prep and welded. I did screw up on the bolt in part, I should have used 3/4" .120 wall and not the same 1"... Ill have to sleeve it with some 3/4 so its aligned when its bolted in and not moving around. no biggie I guess but wtf lol, not sure how I missed that..

ill probably weld the pipe in when I get the weld in nuts this next week. But thats where it stands. Probably have 30 or so hours into that driveshaft loop so far..