62 Skylark LS swap project

has any one done this before
Im planning to do this swap , but there is not to much info out there , help needed , anyone ?
thanks

 

Shouldn't be too bad the 350 Buick is a pretty straightforward swap and is much wider than the 215 that came in them, so a LS should be a pretty simple deal,..I have a 62 myself

 

If you head down to the "hi tech for old iron" section there's a few ls swaps there. None into a 62 specifically, but should give you an idea.

 

Have fun! It's going to involve some major work and changes. Steering will need to be altered, custom mount towers fabbed up and welded in, totally new transmission tunnel installed and that's just for starters.

Hope your up for the challenge lol!


Keith

 

Yea , it looks like a really good challenge, but I don’t want to keep the old 215 , need some different, also thinking about the 5.0L Mustang swap with the whole suspension , Im wondering if the mustang suspension is the same wide and will be probably better option , still not decide what to do cuz with the LS will have the stock suspension too .. but I notice the gearbox is on the way too

 

The 215 in my opinion is a really cool motor, but each to their own. There is a ton of aftermarket support for this motor as well.

I know 2 guys in our 61-63 group that have done an LS swap. They hit major road blocks almost every step of the way. They both have "bum-steer", which must make them fun to drive.

I have asked both of them if they would do another LS swap and both said NO.

Keith

 

Woody can you forward the contact info on the 2 guys that have done an LS swap.
I have a 62 as well I'm considering doing an LS, V6 GN Turbo, Buick 350 or even a small block chevy.

Fatman Fab makes a front suspension replacement (Hub to Hub) with rack and pinion, new cross member and so on.

 

That was the first I wanted to do but I followed the history on that engine wich now is a Land Rover until 95 wich is theoretically the same Engine.
I said well I gonna swap the 4.5L from Land Rover and keep it EFI but There is no too many options for tranny since all Land Rover are 4wd

 

There are transmission adapters and I think there are bell housings made as well if you want a manual trans.(or were you referring to a cross dresser?)

D&D in Almont Michigan sells adapters and IIRC also bell housings for sbb 215?Rover engines.

If there is any $$ in the budget for an engine build, a sbb 300 with a stroked sbb 350 crank and a set of aftermarket TA Rover heads would make for a great runner. The fabrication $$ to install an LS in it could be put towards for the sbb 300 stroker build.

With the TA Rover heads it is possible to get 300 intake CFM out of them that would support 600 + pump gas HP!

Also with a sbb 300 crank(or a stroked sbb 300 crank) in a Rover 4.6L block would make some power with the TA Rover heads as well but not 600, to be safe with that build to build it to be around 450 hp so it stays together.

 

Derek
What would a 450HP build cost? going the route you mentioned above.

 

Which build?

450 from the Rover or 450 from the sbb 300?

 

I installed a mildly built 430 BBB in a 62 skylark back in the early 70's without much trouble and used a 57 olds rear differential and custom driveshaft. Had to rebuild the trans tunnel and firewall so the turbo 400 trans would fit. My only suggestion would be to make sure the frame and body are in good shape. My 62 had some rust issues and the 430 shook nuts and bolts out every time I drove it and finally broke the frame. Lots of torque and HP can damage a those old unibody cars

 

Sorry This one.

 

I bough this 62 cuz I found it cheap $1800 (I think so)and really straight no rust covered since 92, compare to novas , and any other big sport body that cost 7-8k just for the rusted shell,
Not too much $$ , actually I got a 5.3L core from a silverado (broken lifter) which I gonna fix , and also a 4l60 from a 05 silverado with a 4th shift slipping (which im going to fix too) is not gonna cost me too much other than parts , I just need to get harness , computer and rewire it , I just need to find a good welder if i have to cut the floor to fit the tranny and engine mount brackets , but seems a lot of modifications , and I think I should fit another suspension (before) since mine is 4 lugs drum brakes , like I said i would like to have ideas from someone who already done this before ,
this narrow unibody is complicated .

 

can you send me some pictures ? what modifications you did ? still 4 lugs ?

 

can u send me that info?

 

Here is Fatman info:
Tim Tullo
Fatman Fabrications
8621-C Fairview Rd
Hwy 218
Mint Hill, NC 28227-7619
704-545-0369 ext. 114

 

This Info

 

Sorry for the delayed response guys, been busy here. Anyway the 2 guys that did the LS swap are members of the Facebook group. One guys name is Derek Newcomb and I can't remember the others name.

Keith