LQ4 into a 3rd Gen/1972 Nova by frojoe

3 minute(s) of a 891 minute read

A new LS9 exhaust valve was just delivered, as well as some ARP fastener lube and a couple other misc things, so tomorrow should be rear cover install, oil pan final install, 317 head removal, and LS9 head mockup install. I'll mockup install the LS9 heads with the used LS9 gaskets in place, to confirm that the pushrod length hasn't changed from previous 7.400", as well as be certain that there is no valve interference.. however I have -11cc dished Wiseco pistons so I have no reason to believe the valve will be remotely close to the pistons.

I got the rear main seal locally (discovered it was leaky AFTER I already ordered just the exhaust valve.. go figure... didn't want to pay multiple shippings) and installed on the rear cover. New seal has noticeably more elasticity, and is now a reverse lip seal vs the old seal I had, which I'm pretty positive was the one original to this 2005 LQ4 motor.

Got the modifications to the transmission cross-member wrapped up. Slotted the passenger side mounting tab to compensate for the shrinkage that occured from welding. Once fully welded, the whole thing was very *slightly* bendy when I put all my weight onto it on the bench, so I decided to add some reinforcements to the clearance notches so to be extra beefy. They existing notches are 1/4" thick, and I added 1/8"x1" strips on the tension (under) side once the trans weight is on it, and the center of the x-member wants to flex down, AKA spread open the notches. Before/after bending was definitely improved just on the bench, and once it's installed an the mounting bolts are tight (preventing the overall width of the thing from enlarging once it flexes) it should be totally fine.