PROJECT "Z069" - LS7 powered '69 Stingray....

[ChiefRocka]

I used "STRAIGHT LINE STEERING" they are in San Jose, right off of Phelan and Monterey Road.

That is ALL they do...and are very, very knowledgeable.

I forgot what we paid, but if was reasonable...and didn't even put a stratch in the coating.

[protrash64]

WOW!!!!!!!!! Ive seen you mention this thing in a few different threads. Awesome work......if that engine ends up being too much of a problem you can go ahead and ship it over here to Az!!!!

Is it just the pics, or are those tires pretty damn big? I thought Vettes were space challenged; those things look meaty.

It was nice looking at all the pics in a row.......Joe hasnt discovered this thread yet!

[ChiefRocka]

Thanks man.....Actually, that's the replacement radial tire size that normally gets put on Vettes, to replace the Bias...I forget the size, but I'll get back to you !!.....
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Here's more !!!
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[ChiefRocka]

...more from Mar 7, 08
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Well, I progressed a little bit further on the Vette. I'll tell you, the body straps work great !! I've had this body going up and down several times already, and more to come I'm sure.....This really helps with the mock up of things.

My fuel lines worked out great, with plenty of clearance thru out the stock location on the frame, even with the extra diameter of the -8 line.

I fabbed up a cool fuel pump/filter mount, and used heavy-duty vibartion mounts to support it. Used the lower existing holes (spare tire) and drilled & tapped the upper two.
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Found center:
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Basic design:
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Since attached the filter right to the pump (to eliminate a hose), it sat 5/8" off the plate, so I made up this simple spacer out of solid bar, and tapped it out
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[ChiefRocka]

Finished it up....
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Now, I still needed to find a spot for this MONSTEROUS oil tank...
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I removed the washer tank mount in hope of placing it here...
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However, with the heater cover/blower motor (which I have no idea where it's at) there it would'nt fit. All hope was almost lost, untill....
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I removed the vacuum tank (do we really need this?) and it will be placed there !!
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Pretty tight fit...but it fits !! I will have to change that str. vacuum port to an elbow (vacuum to regulater) If you look close, you can see it.
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Once I find the heater cover...it will probalby have to be massaged too..
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[ChiefRocka]

I drilled some start holes for the new fittings, but need to pick-up a 37/64" (??) drill bit for the 3/8 pipe port.
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Body up and down...
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Next I moved back to the fuel lines...
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[ChiefRocka]

......Mar 17, 08
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Hey guys I'm back with a few more pics...
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Trey from 'SpeedHound' shipped out the clutch pivot ball mount last week...looks like it'll work perfect, once I clearance a little for the knock sensor. Evidently, this sensor in located down low on the LS7....I will provide Trey with a template of the clearancing for future production of the mounts. Quality made piece, I might add.
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Here's the knock-sensor...
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I left that for later, and started on the tricky install of the huge oil-tank. With the tank shoved in the corner, templates were made for a bolt on bracket to be mounted to tapped holes in the frame...
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I utilized the mounts that came with the tank (designed to mount flat, say like to a firewall) and built to them...
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[ChiefRocka]

The mount bolts on top and side for support of the tank holding 8 quarts of oil....I also braced it to the clutch pivot frame mount...
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Plenty of room for the harness'...
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Once this thing in mounted for good, I dont think will ever have to remove it....but just in case, you can access the clamps thru the side gills...
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[ChiefRocka]

We received the fuel tank from the coaters a few days ago...man did it come out pretty !!! Check it out....
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Also ordered a new sending unit and gaskets for the tank. I had the old unit's tube welded up, but figured to start with a new sender...
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But before it gets put in the chassis, I was planning on going the extra step and using EastWoods sealant kit (even though it was pressure tested numerous times)....
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[ChiefRocka]

After a slight clearance...the Mount worked out perfect !!!
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Although, there is this unused mounting location on the LS7 block that must be cut back....Evidently it not there on an LS1 (??) Not a big deal. Hard to tell, but the mount is just touching the block...not tight at all. Just need some clearance for the 1/2" nut.
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[ChiefRocka]

Just received another batch of coating:
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Soon I will jump back on it and finish the fuel system and make-up and plumb the oil lines....By then, we should have the headers in and be able to fire this beast.
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[ChiefRocka]

...Circa April 17, 08....
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Well I am back...but the HEADERS are MIA !!!
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I have made some more progress since my last visit:
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Started by fininshing up the hard-lines and mounting the pump/filter assembly and tapped holes for the bulkhead mount:
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This back-ordered T-stat housing finally came in...actually a while ago:
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Here's a couple shots of the deep-sump, and hardlines double-flared and attached:
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Before the tank was home...new pads were installed....I was glad that masking tape was out of there !!!
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[ChiefRocka]

Tank came back off for this -10 elbow to screw on. This will be changed to a swivel for future ease of service....
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Decent fuel flow....
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I lined the inside of the tank straps with black pipe tape for more protection...
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Return line went into the stock location...only bigger....
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Moved on to the oil system...custom overkill mount and tank....
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[ChiefRocka]

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Finished these up and reinstalled the water-pump...
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These MASSIVE -12 lines are to be ran next:
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They will be ran neatly around the front as shown and secured firmly. Original plan was to run under pan along steering...but it was a little tight and looked crappy.
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Pressure line made up and installed:
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A small-block T-stat is needed before the CSR can go on:
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Well...this is it for now...still waiting on the headers before I can accuratlely mock-up my oil-lines....Till then...have a good one !!!

John

[ChiefRocka]

I forgot about these two pics.

This is the nice mount I received from SpeedHound.....Here it is after the notching and recoating. The notch was done to clear the KNock sensor which is located down low on the LS7....
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As you can see from the first pic, it's about a size "D" notch...

[ChiefRocka]

....Circa April 27, 08...at time of this print, SpeedHound came thru with the very first set of LS/C3 Vette conversion headers...these shown were the very first set produced !!!
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I just recieved the headers in on Friday, but couldn't wait untill Monday to try them on, so I went to my shop on Saturday evening to try them on....I must say, so far, the fitment is just awesome !!

Check it out !!:
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Passenger side clears the starter and the idler arm just perfect:
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more.....

[ChiefRocka]

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Move'n on to the drivers side....
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Again, the clearance is great....5/16" from the steering box !!! The clutch arm has plenty of room as you can see....
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Overhead shots....
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Rear Shot:
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more.....

[ChiefRocka]

Under side-view, with a tape measure for an idea:
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In case you didn't know...add 3" !
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Now that I can finish my oil-lines, I will check the body fitment of the headers once the lines are in. Find a spot for the fuel-regulater, lift the body again and start on the exhaust.

[Sub-versive]

Awesome work John! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Sub-versive

Awesome work John! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks man, here's more...back from May 19, 08......
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Mocked the oil lines, and ran them around the front and back behind the driver side header:
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I'll have more on that later.....Lets move on to the exhaust, shall we ?
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I used the 3" U-Fit pipe kit from Flowmaster....Here the z-bends fit almost perfect:
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Here I wrapped the pipe with 1/4 strips of plastic to center the pipe in the tubes while mocking the rest up:
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[ChiefRocka]

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I had to cut the Z-bends to make them perfect:
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Oooooh, action shots :
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[ChiefRocka]

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After lowering the body on it, I realized that the pipes need to curve down out from behind the tranny X-member...they interfere with the body.

[ChiefRocka]

Jun 10, 08....
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I'm am back with some exhaust pics.

Like I mentioned, I had to re-do some pipes after the body was lowered back on....

...the back half was changed a bit too:
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Almost perfect, but not yet....
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[ChiefRocka]

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For lack of having exhaust stands...I'm using the "portagee-greenhorn" method.....bungees and lumber !!
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I decided to hang the mufflers in more of a level, tucked up position.....as well as run an extra hanger from the diff crossmember, using an existing hole....The mufflers will be hung today...
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More pipe pics....
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[ChiefRocka]

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