56 BelAir LS swap quick look

[Advanced Design]

I bought this 56 Chevy from a friend 12 years ago. It had been built in late 80's with a 1974 Corvette IRS, chrome axle shafts, chrome upper control arms and splash pan.

It was equipped with a 350 sbc and THM 350.

The car handled horrible due to the rake and the IRS set up incorrectly.

Here is a before.

[Advanced Design]

Back in 2010 a friend talked me into doing an LS swap and I am really glad he did.

I'll share the pictures I can find as I was pretty focused on completing the update quickly as we had an event in Iowa and South Dakota to go to. So as a result I don't have lots of pictures.

We put the car on the lift and took out what it didn't need. Glad to get rid of the IRS too.

[Advanced Design]

While I had zero plans to build any kind of a show winner, I did want to make what we were doing look nice. We took the car to a buddies body shop to have the firewall painted.

You can see the CPP engine stands I used for the engine mounting.

We also completely stripped the suspension for a rebuild and repaint.

[Advanced Design]

Firewall came out decent enough for this car. We also added a Borgenson power steering gear box. You can see the painted engine in the back ground.

[Advanced Design]

Replaced the IRS with a Ford 9 with new center section 3:70 and posi.

Bought leaf springs from CCI Ecklers in Florida. They were too soft and the car settled all the way down on the hangers under normal load. CCI was no help really, so I had St. Louis Spring company make a set with a 2 inch drop.

By the time I noticed the spring problem it was a Wednesday afternoon and the following Monday we were leaving for Iowa and South Dakota in the car.

St. Louis had the springs done and ready for me to pick up on Friday. They worked perfect!

[Advanced Design]

The engine is a 5.3 from an 01 Silverado and we switched to a car intake for a better look in this car. I used the GM Performance Parts Corvette accessory drive package. The AC needed to be mounted high with KWIK brackets as it wouldn't clear the frame.

Bought a new Camaro pan and machined the sump area enough to clear the center link, then had aluminum plate welded on to close the hole we left. This was before Holley pans and I thought the S & P pan was too pricey.

We used Camaro exhaust manifolds and bought new heat shields from GM for a better look. Note, the little bolts that secure the heat shield were $10 apiece so don't lose them.

Don't have any pics of the 4L60E transmission but you know what one looks like.

Also remounted the steering tilt column with a new rag joint. I made a new base for the column before I figured out you could buy one.

I don't have any pic's of the VA unit going in though it was very slick.

And I moved the battery to the trunk.

[tune_1]

Thanks for posting. It is always good to see other projects.

Dwight

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by tune_1

Thanks for posting. It is always good to see other projects.

Dwight

Very welcome Dwight. We have lots of fun with this one.

[davischevy]

Now this is a good thread too, although I got sidetracked looking at your Burb threads. I have been looking at Burbs some. We are HRPT Long Haulers form the past. I'm ready to do it again.

The Grandkids are the reason we got the Blazer and it has worked well. Our oldest daughter ane son in law have always ran with us. He has built some nice rides too. Work has gotten so crazy lately he doesn't have time to go.

When We lived in New Athens, IL in 1968 and 69 my dad had a 53 Burb. I worked on that thing a lot, but he sold it when we moved back here.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Now this is a good thread too, although I got sidetracked looking at your Burb threads. I have been looking at Burbs some. We are HRPT Long Haulers form the past. I'm ready to do it again.

The Grandkids are the reason we got the Blazer and it has worked well. Our oldest daughter ane son in law have always ran with us. He has built some nice rides too. Work has gotten so crazy lately he doesn't have time to go.

When We lived in New Athens, IL in 1968 and 69 my dad had a 53 Burb. I worked on that thing a lot, but he sold it when we moved back here.

Thanks Davischevy. Yeah, I have a thing for Burbs and tri-five Chevys. We bought the Burb for HRPT and also hoping the kids with grandkids would want to take it to shows. And we've had the 56 on parts of the HRPT for two years.

Cool thing they really enjoy it and has been good family time for all of us this summer.

I've noticed every where we go it is mostly middle age folks and older that gravitate to the 56 and younger folks really like the 72 Burb.

Here is when we took a run to Indy to an LS event.

[Advanced Design]

And here we are on the way back about 2 hours from home when the fuel pump provided with the Spectra fuel injection tank failed with 1,500 miles on it. That is my good friend that convinced me to swap to LS.

[Daddy'O]

davischevy - good call on having AD starting this post!

Doug - Awesome!

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

davischevy - good call on having AD starting this post!

Doug - Awesome!

I am thoroughly enjoying your "barn find" thread, but, I just thought this 56 deserved it's own.

[MP&C]

Nice job on the LS conversion. That has to be night and day difference..

[Advanced Design]

Davischevy -- Great story there...and in a 454 Chevelle to boot. You nailed it with the description of the challenges to get there. The journey is fun, even if a little nerve wracking at times. I just looked at the Fellowpages sitting on my desk today.

Wayne - it was a good idea Davis had. And it kept me from cluttering up your thread! I wish I had more pictures on this one and I was more focused on busting my butt to get it done on time. And thank you!

Thanks MP&C. The swap made a huge difference in enjoying the car. It won't win any trophies but it has sure won our hearts.

The friend I bought it from lives 5 hours away and he hadn't seen it for 12 years until this last August. We went for a little cruise, I nailed the throttle and he said he about wet himself. Plus he was grinning ear to ear. It never ever ran that good before.

[Daddy'O]

Thanks davischevy and I agree, AD's 1956 Chevy needs to be shared.

[davischevy]

Here is the finished chassis for the 56 Nomad. Pwr, strg, brakes, factory air, wonderbar, tinted glass, power pack, etc.

Not a good pic, but the first one I found.

A guy wanted the car worse than I did so I sold it before I finished it. It's up in special-K's part of the country now.

[Advanced Design]

Wow, that looks really good. Throw up some more!

There is a 57 Nomad that shows up for shows around here. Guy just got it back on the road after a deer hit a couple years ago.

[65standard]

How come I never notice you had an LSx motor in this car?

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by 65standard

How come I never notice you had an LSx motor in this car?

Hey Tony, I don't know. Car is fun but not a big attention getter. Weren't you at MM?

[65standard]

Yes, I was there again this year. I saw your car there, but didn't get a chance to see you. I think two years ago you showed me the motor. Did it have the LSx then? I'll pay more attention next year.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by 65standard

Yes, I was there again this year. I saw your car there, but didn't get a chance to see you. I think two years ago you showed me the motor. Did it have the LSx then? I'll pay more attention next year.

Yep, we installed the LS in 2012. I was in and out a lot last MM and sorry to miss you! We'll have to hook up next year.

[57larry]

were you happy with the new steering box?

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by 57larry

were you happy with the new steering box?

Yes, the power steering box from Borgenson is a nice quality piece. Bolted right in place and has performed well for 5,000 miles.

[oldman3]

Hey Doug, was just looking through the Alternate Tinking suff and seen this. Glad I found it. Nice job on everything on the 56, you know how I like them. One day I will get a look at your rides...Jim