Doug's Official LS Build thread

ITS ALIVE!

It sounds awesome, I'll try to post a vid tomorrow.

Tranny is not shifting, pretty sure is the neutral safety switch on the side of the trans, gonna mess with that this weekend.

I am SO pumped!

All of a sudden I could care less about how much money I have spent

Cadet57 wrote:

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Congrats Doug, can't wait to see it!

PHUCKIN' AYE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

That's awesome!

Doug, congrats on the major hurdle.
cant wait to see it in person.

hood looks great also.

Thanks for the comments guys. I am so pumped, lots of little things needed to get it on the road, but with the exception of the exhaust I believe everything is little to no money needed, just another couple weeks of little stuff and hopefully get her on the road.

Can't get the video to embed, but here is the link, this is the first startup...NSFW due to some celebratory F-bombs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQxdIvNsi5M

Yaaah.........eF Yaaah........

Spring has officially sprung.
Congrats!!!
Not bad at all....
10 months (including a couple of complete direction changes & returns to the original idea)
and a bunch of planned periods of inactivity.
Cant wait to see it pull up.

Sounds killer, man!

I love how the open headers always blot out the mic on the camera!

Update:

Did a little troubleshooting with the trannsmission and ended up looking like a broken pump. I pulled that bish and brought it to the resident BADASS tranny guy (See what I did there?). Just got the word that it was the pump, so we are throwing one in and hoping for the best.

FYI on tranny installs; Be sure you have the TC in all the way. I was very careful the last time I installed it, but I installed it a couple times in before when I was in a rush and more than likely broke it then... Don't make the same mistake.

More news to come after I get it back in...

Doug

From what I've heard, you want to hear 2 seating clunks when installing.

We have a BADASS Tranny? Same 1 that does rearends?
You need to find better ways of describing that talented member.
If this keeps up he'll have to buy a Subaru

sdstick wrote:

From what I've heard, you want to hear 2 seating clunks when installing.

We have a BADASS Tranny? Same 1 that does rearends?
You need to find better ways of describing that talented member.
If this keeps up he'll have to buy a Subaru

Haha, yes, the same one who does rear ends...LOL...He knows his ish for sure, why else would I drive two hours when I have a couple tranny guys 20 minutes away!

Yah, sadly I know how to seat it correctly, and I'm SURE I did twice, but with all the trouble I had with the conversion I had to install it 3 times and who knows that other time, I was pretty aggravated when I installed it.

And just to keep up with the new SASS of NE traditions, the transmission was delivered in the wife's 2006 Subaru Legacy.

Doug

ScoobASS?

I saw that tranny. Lotsa broken bits! YAH!

(boo)

sdstick wrote:

From what I've heard, you want to hear 2 seating clunks when installing.

We have a BADASS Tranny? Same 1 that does rearends?
You need to find better ways of describing that talented member.
If this keeps up he'll have to buy a Subaru

Ummm.....you said member

V8Killer wrote:

sdstick wrote:

From what I've heard, you want to hear 2 seating clunks when installing.

We have a BADASS Tranny? Same 1 that does rearends?
You need to find better ways of describing that talented member.
If this keeps up he'll have to buy a Subaru

Ummm.....you said member

Why yes....yes I did....a talented member at that...

Your welcome

Huh...huh-huh-huh-huh...tranny...huhhhh-huh-huh...

Well, transmission is almost done, just waiting on a little funding after the next paycheck. Nothing too much done lately, but I did get the battery tray and hood latch system from Glen, so I put those and the hood, grill, and bumper on this past weekend....She actually looks like a complete car! (Still need to align the hood)

Just need to finish the tranny and some exhaust...

It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I want a ride! I want a ride!

Careful, that car might get a sunburn.
Hasnt seen daylight in ......???

Looks good....without parts stacked on it & ....you know....assembled & all
Waiting patiently for the video.

Whats with the hood? ..... whats that bump in the middle for? clearance im guessing but why?

bowtiepimp wrote:

Whats with the hood? ..... whats that bump in the middle for? clearance im guessing but why?

The alternator.

Cadet57 wrote:

bowtiepimp wrote:

Whats with the hood? ..... whats that bump in the middle for? clearance im guessing but why?

The alternator.

....... til I see it in person....GAYYYYYYY!......... that car looks so sexy , that bump messes the lines up.....

Idk, I like it, it flows with the rest of the car. It's as if to hint that maybe there is something amazing under that hood.

Way to come in a few months after the explaination and ass the thread up, Chris! We assed it up on that months ago!!!!

Awesome news Doug. Almost there!

bowtiepimp wrote:

Cadet57 wrote:

bowtiepimp wrote:

Whats with the hood? ..... whats that bump in the middle for? clearance im guessing but why?

The alternator.

....... til I see it in person....GAYYYYYYY!......... that car looks so sexy , that bump messes the lines up.....

Haha, Were the hell have you been? We went over this before, I knew going into it that it would be a love it or hate it mod, but I try my best to do something different when I do a build, so it is unique to me. Plus I'm only into it for $40 and paint, so if I decide I don't like it later it won't be a huge loss.

Personally I think a bubble in the hood of a bubble Impala is pretty fitting...lol

Doug

FINALLY out of the garage! Can't wait to see it all done in person....and maybe a bit lower too?

lookin good.

hope everything else goes smooth for you.
youll be tearin up the streets before you know it.

1984twodoor wrote:

FINALLY out of the garage! Can't wait to see it all done in person....and maybe a bit lower too?

Not sure about lowering it. The oil pan hangs a little low and, as any of the guys who have been to the house know, my driveway is not the most conducive to lowered vehicle access. I think if I put the air damns on it, it will get rid of a bit of the lifted look it has right now...LOL

Doug

does this swap require any welding or is it all bolt in?

chapel wrote:

does this swap require any welding or is it all bolt in?

Once the company got me the correct oil pan it was weld free.

Doug

so all the tranny and engine mounts bolt in and then it's just a matter of a proper oil pan to clear everything?

If so... sign my ass up.

chapel wrote:

so all the tranny and engine mounts bolt in and then it's just a matter of a proper oil pan to clear everything?

If so... sign my ass up.

Go to PG 1 & start reading....then ask, it'll keep you from assing up the thread

sdstick wrote:

chapel wrote:

so all the tranny and engine mounts bolt in and then it's just a matter of a proper oil pan to clear everything?

If so... sign my ass up.

Go to PG 1 & start reading....then ask, it'll keep you from assing up the thread

yeah, I did, that's why I'm just asking for clarification.

these were the points that I was curious about:

Quote :

All in all, if I had known about the little notch on the oil pan needing to come off, this would have been a bolt up swap so far.

and

Quote :

If you want to do this swap on a car that you need the heater in...you're going to have to get creative...

the only follow up on that was

Quote :

installed heater hose (Al talked me into keeping heat)

I didn't see how he got 'creative' or if any creativity was actually required

My other question was about the alternator. I actually kinda like the hood bulge as it's different, but for someone who isn't as talented as you in terms of making a custom hood, is there a way to relocate it so it would fit properly?

The thread makes it look easy though.

chapel wrote:

these were the points that I was curious about:

Quote :

All in all, if I had known about the little notch on the oil pan needing to come off, this would have been a bolt up swap so far.

and

Originally they sent me the wrong oil pan, so i notched the frame, and once that did not work I brought it to their attention and they sent me the correct oil pan. With that oil pan and their mount kit it would be been a bolt in install with no welding.

chapel wrote:

Quote :

If you want to do this swap on a car that you need the heater in...you're going to have to get creative...

the only follow up on that was

Quote :

installed heater hose (Al talked me into keeping heat)

I didn't see how he got 'creative' or if any creativity was actually required

Originally without the tranny in, the motor tilted forward more, so the heater hose holes in the firewall were blocked. Once I installed the tranns it pulled the motor back and down a bit, so I was able to hook one hose into the firewall just fine and the other I have to use a 90 degree adapter, not too much creativity needed.

chapel wrote:

My other question was about the alternator. I actually kinda like the hood bulge as it's different, but for someone who isn't as talented as you in terms of making a custom hood, is there a way to relocate it so it would fit properly?

A cowl hood would take care of it also btw... Otherwise you would have to swap to one of the car accessory setups, which mount the alternator in a different spot, but everything is offset off the crank different, so you would have to change it all...Or just use a car motor...LOL

chapel wrote:

The thread makes it look easy though.

Honestly, it have been a very easy swap, hardest parts were piecing little things together and making things like power steering and tranny cooling lines work.

By far the biggest hold up on the car has been money. I figure I have somewhere around $4000-$5000 into the swap and I'm not done yet. It could be done cheaper if you did your own wiring and made your own headers, mounts and crossmember, but boy was it nice to just bolt stuff in...


Hope that helps, feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions. At this point I am pretty much only exhaust away from done.

Doug

Awesome. Thanks for the clarification. I really appreciate that!
Would love a ride in it. I'll let you rip on my S6 if you want

chapel wrote:

Awesome. Thanks for the clarification. I really appreciate that!
Would love a ride in it. I'll let you rip on my S6 if you want

I'd love a ride in it too, just have to finish it! I figure I'm about $500 away from being "done" for now. I assure you that as soon as it is done I'll make it to the next club meet.

A little update...

Got bored today and decided to install the 96 console in my 96 Impala, against my better judgement. To my surprise, it does not look too bad and functions well, but how am I supposed to live without a cup holder?

This has given me a renewed urge to work on the car, as soon as I sell the motor of my current parts car I'm going to grab another 4l60 to throw in the car to get it on the road.

Oh ya, and I just ordered a tranny jack

Doug

Pooge wrote:

Oh ya, and I just ordered a tranny jack

Doug

About freakin' time!

Pooge wrote:

A little update...

Got bored today and decided to install the 96 console in my 96 Impala, against my better judgement. To my surprise, it does not look too bad and functions well, but how am I supposed to live without a cup holder?

This has given me a renewed urge to work on the car, as soon as I sell the motor of my current parts car I'm going to grab another 4l60 to throw in the car to get it on the road.

Oh ya, and I just ordered a tranny jack

Doug

Are you still planning on making this one handle like its on rails or is that going to be another car completely. I think two LS imps would be friggen sweet! One auto and one manual just so you have freedom of choice.

1984twodoor wrote:

Are you still planning on making this one handle like its on rails or is that going to be another car completely. I think two LS imps would be friggen sweet! One auto and one manual just so you have freedom of choice.

I wish I could afford another one...I will be putting everything into this one. I already have tubular rear lower control arms and front Bilstein shocks (New in box). Gotta get the rear Bilstein shocks, sway bars, and springs. If all goes well and it handles within my goals I will scrap the idea for another LS vehicle project and T56 this one when I jump up to a cammed 6.0, but that is hardly set in stone. I am pessimistic about just how well I can make this big boat handle. I hope I surprise myself.

If nothing else, I will have a very fun summer DD, but I hope I can make it handle and therefore not feel the need to ALWAYS have a project going on.

Doug

Friggin Drive-ah! I bet you will be more than happy with the handling. I mean how fast do you really want to go around corners on a public road? lol

Pooge wrote:

1984twodoor wrote:

Are you still planning on making this one handle like its on rails or is that going to be another car completely. I think two LS imps would be friggen sweet! One auto and one manual just so you have freedom of choice.

I wish I could afford another one...I will be putting everything into this one. I already have tubular rear lower control arms and front Bilstein shocks (New in box). Gotta get the rear Bilstein shocks, sway bars, and springs. If all goes well and it handles within my goals I will scrap the idea for another LS vehicle project and T56 this one when I jump up to a cammed 6.0, but that is hardly set in stone. I am pessimistic about just how well I can make this big boat handle. I hope I surprise myself.

If nothing else, I will have a very fun summer DD, but I hope I can make it handle and therefore not feel the need to ALWAYS have a project going on.

Doug

The badass summer driver is a plus for sure and the engine can always change now that you've gotten one in. Maybe try the LSA from the ZR1 LOL!

I'm going to do a little bit of a copy cat project with your build and some things Glen (machine De-zine) did and try to box my frame as well as well as some better suspension pieces so I hope that your project turns out to handle pretty darn well! I want a driver more than anything but I want to make it worth my time rebuilding it, I want to be able to spank a few imports and such. I am looking forward to your completion as much as you are to see how she goes!

Hope you can get some work done this winter to have it by the summer!

1984twodoor wrote:

.....

Hope you can get some work done this winter to have it by the summer!

Deja Vu......

Seems like I've heard this before.......maybe.....LAST WINTER???

yada..yada...glass houses....I know

As far as the handling goes. I can attest to the fact that you'll be able to throw it into anything & go as far as 4 wheel slides.

Problem is, 4 wheel sliding a 5K lb car with sticky tires can be intimidating (read as pretty efin scary).

Not Scary

If you break it free on purpose.

Wide open spaces.

Scary

That instant you go from "the edge" to "here we go"

Fast approaching curbings, trees, etc.

THAT'S when non-buffable results flash thru you head.

Umm,there is nothing better than leaning over the raged edge. DUH.

-
These cars are only a few hundred pounds heavier than NASCAR racers, closer to 4k, not 5k, unless the driver weighs 900 lbs!
Always LOVED to watch them race on the road courses, turning left & right.

With really good tires and proper suspension tuning, these cars can handle way better than most people here seem to think.

But, things really don't happen as fast or scary with an abrupt loss of tire-grip as compared to a 3k f-body, or lightweight fox body Mustang.
Our big cars also have a much higher polar moment of inertia than the older pony cars.
- - - (The effort required to rotate them on their vertical "Z-axis" is much greater) - - -
-

sdstick wrote:

1984twodoor wrote:

.....

Hope you can get some work done this winter to have it by the summer!

Deja Vu......

Seems like I've heard this before.......maybe.....LAST WINTER???

yada..yada...glass houses....I know

No doubt I've said it before But now I have the cats, the mufflers, and most of the parts needed, so I really have no excuse for not coming up with the last few parts needed!

This has turned into a long-term project, which drives me nuts, but as anyone who has done a long term project knows, unless you are made of money and have plenty of time, they always take longer than you wanted them to. Buying a business, and pretty much starting over financially because of it, also plays a big role.

I'm just hoping the reward is worth the wait! I'm sure it will be.

Machine-De-Zine wrote:

-
These cars are only a few hundred pounds heavier than NASCAR racers, closer to 4k, not 5k, unless the driver weighs 900 lbs!
Always LOVED to watch them race on the road courses, turning left & right.

With really good tires and proper suspension tuning, these cars can handle way better than most people here seem to think.

But, things really don't happen as fast or scary with an abrupt loss of tire-grip as compared to a 3k f-body, or lightweight fox body Mustang.
Our big cars also have a much higher polar moment of inertia than the older pony cars.
- - - (The effort required to rotate them on their vertical "Z-axis" is much greater) - - -
-

Not to mention, weight=downforce. These cars are pretty damn predictable at speeds "above the posted limit"

Very nice mod! I hope to see some videos from first drive. What exhaust will you have?

MarcinV8 wrote:

Very nice mod! I hope to see some videos from first drive. What exhaust will you have?

Exhaust is going to be a bit of a Frankenstein setup. I have a set of 2.5" spun high flow cats (brand new) and a set of Dynomax mufflers off a parts car, all stainless. I plan to grab a stick or two of stainless 2.5" Exhaust and make something up myself with as few bends and clamps as I can. I am not 100 sold on this setup, it is just what I was able to come across for very little money, so I don't want to throw a lot into it in case I go a different route motor-wise later.

After 2 VERY long nights of work we have the impala moving under it's own power.

Pulled the pump out of a parts truck I have, swapped it over to the Impala tranny...a VERY scary job I have never done before, and I got lucky and it worked!

Tomorrow I'm doing a rear end flush and fixing the rear shock bolts that are a little elephanted from my rugged masculinity. After that I'm going to try for a couple hot laps around town.

Tomorrow evening I'm hoping to start mocking up exhaust.

Very exciting stuff!