Hey guys, I'm looking to do an LS swap into a Volvo Wagon, and am looking for some insight on car selection regarding weight and ease of swap as far as any cutting/welding, tunnel enlargement, and so on. My hopes are to kill a few birds with one stone:
A: Acquire a big rod B230 or B23 in the donor vehicle that I can freshen up and use the short block in my old red-block powered boat.
B: Occasionally my GF and I have all of our kids from our ex's(5), and a car with the fold up
3rd seat would be nice when we all go swimming together. The front seats will be going away in favor of something lighter and more racy.
C: Have a daily driver that is quick and versatile yet no frills.
D: Further along the engine may receive a "snail" at moderate boost to bump things up to the 550hp/500tq range.
E. Have an awesome sleeper.
Considerations:
I own my own 430 amp TIG and 250 amp MIG welder, belt sander, band saw, drill press, etc etc. Also have access to a lathe and mills, punches, shears, metal brakes, and more at work. I've done numerous engine swaps to Honda's, Nissan 240's, and even a rotary engine/2nd gen RX-7 independent suspension swap narrowed 14" into an MG Midget. That said, I would prefer not to have to do sheet metal work involving cutting out and relocating parts of the firewall, drive shaft tunnel, and so on.
The 7 and 9 series cars appear wider, and it seems it would be easier to fit a different rear suspension. I'm a former road-racer/auto-x guy so I like independent rear suspensions and corner carving. I'd like to insert the whole rear sub-frame and/or suspension all around from an SC300/400/Soarer/RX-7 or equivalent. The 7-9 series cars are however, about 300#'s heavier when compared to a 200 series? Weight is always a big concern when getting something to get up and go but I'm curious how much difference there is when all the drivetrain is stripped out if anyone knows?
Do ANY of these cars come with standard manual roll up windows?
FWIW I'm eyeballing an aluminum block 4.8L LS still in a running and somewhat driving T-boned 2009 GMC 1/2 ton pickup that was an insurance buyback, available from an acquaintance at a great price. I'd have to pull it but I can take whatever I want/need with it.
A: Acquire a big rod B230 or B23 in the donor vehicle that I can freshen up and use the short block in my old red-block powered boat.
B: Occasionally my GF and I have all of our kids from our ex's(5), and a car with the fold up
3rd seat would be nice when we all go swimming together. The front seats will be going away in favor of something lighter and more racy.
C: Have a daily driver that is quick and versatile yet no frills.
D: Further along the engine may receive a "snail" at moderate boost to bump things up to the 550hp/500tq range.
E. Have an awesome sleeper.
Considerations:
I own my own 430 amp TIG and 250 amp MIG welder, belt sander, band saw, drill press, etc etc. Also have access to a lathe and mills, punches, shears, metal brakes, and more at work. I've done numerous engine swaps to Honda's, Nissan 240's, and even a rotary engine/2nd gen RX-7 independent suspension swap narrowed 14" into an MG Midget. That said, I would prefer not to have to do sheet metal work involving cutting out and relocating parts of the firewall, drive shaft tunnel, and so on.
The 7 and 9 series cars appear wider, and it seems it would be easier to fit a different rear suspension. I'm a former road-racer/auto-x guy so I like independent rear suspensions and corner carving. I'd like to insert the whole rear sub-frame and/or suspension all around from an SC300/400/Soarer/RX-7 or equivalent. The 7-9 series cars are however, about 300#'s heavier when compared to a 200 series? Weight is always a big concern when getting something to get up and go but I'm curious how much difference there is when all the drivetrain is stripped out if anyone knows?
Do ANY of these cars come with standard manual roll up windows?
FWIW I'm eyeballing an aluminum block 4.8L LS still in a running and somewhat driving T-boned 2009 GMC 1/2 ton pickup that was an insurance buyback, available from an acquaintance at a great price. I'd have to pull it but I can take whatever I want/need with it.