The beginning, my 57 LS powered streetrod

[ZR2RICK]

Decided to get off the porch and dig in to my latest project, a 1957 short box ,
as you can see she was in pretty decent shape, all the usual dents and dings but very little rust,
plans for it so far are ,
5.3L /4l60E Modern drive train
79 nova front clip w/air bags
18' american racing tt2 wheels
and so it begins.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks and sounds like a real nice build.
Be sure and keep the pics coming.
Kim

[ZR2RICK]

Thanks, heres some early progress. heres the doner 79 nova clip,I cut off the old frame in front of the firewall after taking a lot of measurements, I followed this thread on the H.A.M.B forum to help with the clip install, (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...8&referrerid=0)

[Kabwe]

Nice project you have going there. We are running the same engine and transmission combo. Keep the pics coming.

[Pop's C-10]

nice..sweet tow rig

[ZR2RICK]

Thanks, it's a 72 GMC running a stock 402 BB/400 TH, she is one of the most reliable trucks iv'e ever owned. Found a good used drivers side fender and have the clip tacked in place ,I lengthened the wheelbase 1/2", hung the fenders to check if the wheels are centered, what do you think?

[ZR2RICK]

Slam Specialties SS7 bags

[ZR2RICK]

3.5 Gal. air tank, and 2" drop spindles to keep ball joint angles closer to correct w/ a severe drop.

[ZR2RICK]

American Racing wheels, 17x7"w/3.75 bs and 17x9.5"w/3"bs (custom built with aluminum outer and chrome inner finish. 295/45/17 rear tires and 235/45/17 fronts.

[ChuckDriver]

Wow! That is a great looking project you've got there! What are you plans for the rear? And I hope you don't plan on painting it too soon!

[ZR2RICK]

thanks, no this is a long term project, I plan on trying to get the suspension set, ride height,air components mounted, rear frame c notched, LS wiring routed, then removing cab to finish the frame. the rear end I have is from an s10, it has drum brakes and is too narrow by about 3.5" so am unsure yet what I'll be doing there.

[Daze57]

good lookin project !

[ZR2RICK]

here's the power plant, a 2004 LM7 out of a TAHOE w/32K miles on it, I have an LS1 oil pan to install on it to keep the pan above the crossmember. also picked up a 69 mustang gas tank.

[hotrodrookie]

Very cool project, Im also putting a 5.3 in my '59. Any idea on rear suspension plans?

[Kim57]

Looking good.
IMHO the tire looks good where you have it.
Kim

[ZR2RICK]

thanks so much, Iv'e followed your build as well as others here, you have been great help with ideas, I currently have a late model S10 diff. on stock leaf springs in there now but it is too narrow so am still working on that issue. I may add air also,what are you guys running for 3rd members?

[Kim57]

I've got a narrowed 9" with Currie axles.
Kim

[ZR2RICK]

Here's the pile of wire left out of the harness after I went through it pin by pin, I am now working on rerouting the engine harness to hide the wiring better, figure out where to mount the PCM, also trying to find the best place to go through the firewall. had the PCM reconfigured by Bendon Patton over at http://www.lt1swap.com/index.htm he was very helpful and his website has a lot of info on the LSX swaps. the other site I reference a lot is http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/index.php , I'll get back to rerouting the wiring once I get the motor back in,

[ZR2RICK]

Installed the LS1 oil pan today, new gasket (man those are pricey, $53.00) and a new o ring for the oil pick up tube, pics show the difference in depth of the LM7 vs the LS1 pans. this one is from a 2001 Camaro, $100.00 off craigslist.

[ZR2RICK]

Replaced the polyurethane motor mounts w/stock rubber type, couldn't get the frame brackets to bolt up right (too wide) ,plus I prefer the isolation of vibration of the rubber mounts, I bought the 69 Camaro tall/narrow type of frame mounts from Year One, almost ready to reinstall the engine. here's some good Chevy motor mount info: http://www.nova-ss.com/MOTORMOUNTS.htm

[ZR2RICK]

Got the motor reinstalled, very tight ,will have to clearance the p.side rear valve cover area of the firewall, maybe a little hammer work on the tunnel around the cooler line fittings. There is 1/2" between the LS1 pan and the crossmember front to back, the heater hose nipples are very close to the upper A arm,will need some sort of preformed elbows there. but were gettin there.

[ChuckDriver]

It looks right at home sitting there!

[ZR2RICK]

Started working on getting the front bags installed, I have the frame trimmed for clearance, 2" of pipe welded to bottom plate to space the bottom of the bag to give clearance between bottom of bag and the A-arm, but don't know if I really need to bolt the pipe to the bottom of the spring cup???, now to figure out the needed pipe length for the top. I have Slam SS 7" bags, 2" drop spindles, trying to figure out the best way to set ride height, the guy at Slam Specialties said he recommends ride height be set with bag at mid travel, which is 7" on these bags, anyone here have bags on a Camaro/Nova clipped 55-59? how did you set yours up?

[Kabwe]

Everything is looking great and I like that you are posting pics for all of us to see. Nice work and the engine is sitting nice.

Here check out this link I have not seen him post in quite a while but he's a nice guy who has a GM Clip with airbags with detailed pics in his build thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=220256

Also Cal58GMC has a GM Clip with bags on is wicked truck but his build thread is huge but a pleasure to look at.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=162816

Tri5nerd also has the same setup but I did not see any details about the air bag setup but post to his thread he is a cool guy.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=371513

There are a lot of others on here but those are the ones that popped in my head.

[ZR2RICK]

Thanks so much, Kabwe I will check them out.