83 longroof wheelie build

[Blmpkn]

Bought the car 4 or 5 years ago for 900$. 305/700r4 combo. Motor leaked, trans made noise, interior kinda smelled like mice. SWEET car to drive around in for the summer.

I decided it would be more fun turbo. So I parked it and started amassing turbo sbc things, until I found the gospel that is the LS.. so I sold off the sbc turbo stuff.. aquired a 4.8 and started amassing LS turbo things.

4 years later I'm pulling it out of storage and getting started. No shortage of work ahead of me!

Towed it from where it was to my new shop with my 2021 ford ranger (with tow package) truck did awesome. The 10 speed tranny makes towing a piece of cake.

Hauled out someone's new boat anchor last weekend.

Car turned unto a mouse mansion during its slumber. Interior is trrraasssshhheedddd.

43 pounds of acorns, 37 pounds of feces lol.

Stay tuned. I'll upload pictures of parts later on.

 

[Blmpkn]

My ultimate goal is to get the car to pull at least one front tire off the ground. When it's "done" it'll be a twin turbo 4.8 LS mated to a trans brake th400 and a ford 9" rear.

I'm still in the process of getting parts, but I have everything I need to start the swap.

-HAVE-

Motor, Intake, headers, oil pan, e-carb, conversion plates, stall converter, trans, a/o seperator and a breather tank, front wheels.. gotta be forgetting something


-NEED-

Pcv hose&fittings
New fuel system
Trans cooler, hose&fittings
Ignition controller
Turbos, oiling for turbos
Assorted intake things
Custom driveshaft
Ford 9" axle once this one breaks..
Probably more I'm forgetting.

 

[GoodOldsGuy]

View attachment 240

Bought the car 4 or 5 years ago for 900$. 305/700r4 combo. Motor leaked, trans made noise, interior kinda smelled like mice. SWEET car to drive around in for the summer.

I decided it would be more fun turbo. So I parked it and started amassing turbo sbc things, until I found the gospel that is the LS.. so I sold off the sbc turbo stuff.. aquired a 4.8 and started amassing LS turbo things.

4 years later I'm pulling it out of storage and getting started. No shortage of work ahead of me!

View attachment 241

Towed it from where it was to my new shop with my 2021 ford ranger (with tow package) truck did awesome. The 10 speed tranny makes towing a piece of cake.

View attachment 242

Hauled out someone's new boat anchor last weekend.

View attachment 243

Car turned unto a mouse mansion during its slumber. Interior is trrraasssshhheedddd.

View attachment 244

43 pounds of acorns, 37 pounds of feces lol.

Stay tuned. I'll upload pictures of parts later on.

View attachment 240

Bought the car 4 or 5 years ago for 900$. 305/700r4 combo. Motor leaked, trans made noise, interior kinda smelled like mice. SWEET car to drive around in for the summer.

I decided it would be more fun turbo. So I parked it and started amassing turbo sbc things, until I found the gospel that is the LS.. so I sold off the sbc turbo stuff.. aquired a 4.8 and started amassing LS turbo things.

4 years later I'm pulling it out of storage and getting started. No shortage of work ahead of me!

View attachment 241

Towed it from where it was to my new shop with my 2021 ford ranger (with tow package) truck did awesome. The 10 speed tranny makes towing a piece of cake.

View attachment 242

Hauled out someone's new boat anchor last weekend.

View attachment 243

Car turned unto a mouse mansion during its slumber. Interior is trrraasssshhheedddd.

View attachment 244

43 pounds of acorns, 37 pounds of feces lol.

Stay tuned. I'll upload pictures of parts later on.

I don’t know where you are, but in Texas, that would be an awesome snake habitat too. Lol

 

[Shortfuse]

I have an 82 Impala that has seen many engine and trany combos over the years. One thing I have found with these cars and will be even more true with the wagon is you will need to strenghten the frame. You will probably soon find out that your headers may interfere with the front crossmember braces so get ready to fab those up. I also recocommend replacing all the rubber suspension bushing with poly components while you have the engine and trans out. Repalc the body mounts as well because your new setup will twist it big time. Gio ahead and invest in new rear adjustable control arms Southside machine makes some nice ones. if you are not planning on installing a adjustable four link this will be nessesary to get the traction you will need. Also remember these are heavy cars so do not focus on horsepower alone make sure you build in some torque as well since that is what will get the front wheels off the ground. It is very doable. As I can lift the left front on mine all day and it is a SBC not an LS.

 

[Blmpkn]

I have an 82 Impala that has seen many engine and trany combos over the years. One thing I have found with these cars and will be even more true with the wagon is you will need to strenghten the frame. You will probably soon find out that your headers may interfere with the front crossmember braces so get ready to fab those up. I also recocommend replacing all the rubber suspension bushing with poly components while you have the engine and trans out. Repalc the body mounts as well because your new setup will twist it big time. Gio ahead and invest in new rear adjustable control arms Southside machine makes some nice ones. if you are not planning on installing a adjustable four link this will be nessesary to get the traction you will need. Also remember these are heavy cars so do not focus on horsepower alone make sure you build in some torque as well since that is what will get the front wheels off the ground. It is very doable. As I can lift the left front on mine all day and it is a SBC not an LS.

The headers I'm using are up&forward so I should have no troubles with clearance.

Adjustable arms are definitely on the list, but I probably won't bother until I put the 9" axle in.

Strengthening the frame has definitely crossed my mind, shouldn't be too difficult I would imagine. I'm somewhat handy with steel & a welder.

How much power are you making to lift that one wheel?

 

[Blmpkn]

I'd rather the car be full of snakes than mice! Would probably smell better lol.

 

[Shortfuse]

The headers I'm using are up&forward so I should have no troubles with clearance.

Adjustable arms are definitely on the list, but I probably won't bother until I put the 9" axle in.

Strengthening the frame has definitely crossed my mind, shouldn't be too difficult I would imagine. I'm somewhat handy with steel & a welder.

How much power are you making to lift that one wheel?

I wish I could tell you. The previous motor would do it and it made 503 hp at 4600rpm and 568ftlbs of torque at 2900rpm. The motor that is in it now is much stronger but I have not gotten it tested. Your biggest issue is going to be getting it to hook up. I fought wheel spin for a long time and it is still an issue. The cars are so heavy they do not like to start rolling so they just break the wheels loose. I had to put my car on a major diet. If it didn't need it to start, stop, turn or keep the rain out it went. There is no heat or a/c, no power anything except the trunk release, even the wiper motor is gone.

 

[Blmpkn]

I wish I could tell you. The previous motor would do it and it made 503 hp at 4600rpm and 568ftlbs of torque at 2900rpm. The motor that is in it now is much stronger but I have not gotten it tested. Your biggest issue is going to be getting it to hook up. I fought wheel spin for a long time and it is still an issue. The cars are so heavy they do not like to start rolling so they just break the wheels loose. I had to put my car on a major diet. If it didn't need it to start, stop, turn or keep the rain out it went. There is no heat or a/c, no power anything except the trunk release, even the wiper motor is gone.

Lol.. My wiper motor is gone as well! On the right track then.

I'm going to take as much weight off the front end as I can.

I saw awhile back that there's a fiberglass front bumper available for the later models, I was planning on converting to that front end arrangement so I could run that.

I would like to try my hand at making some fender skins and a hood out of carbon fiber.. removing the inner fenders.. already have skinnies for the front.

When it comes time to actually BUILD a motor and not just beat on cheap junkyard take-outs, id definitely go for an aluminum block.

Any idea what your rig weighs all stripped out?

 

[Shortfuse]

I have no idea what it weighs, I guess I should run down to the scrap yard and ride across their scales. Aluminum is the way to go with the LS blocks. A few hundred pounds makes a lot of difference. Frick carbon fibres in the skin if you have ever gotten into some fiber glass and itches carbon is even worse. I would love to have some glass parts but I cant find any.

 

[Blmpkn]

I have no idea what it weighs, I guess I should run down to the scrap yard and ride across their scales. Aluminum is the way to go with the LS blocks. A few hundred pounds makes a lot of difference. Frick carbon fibres in the skin if you have ever gotten into some fiber glass and itches carbon is even worse. I would love to have some glass parts but I cant find any.

You have a build thread? I'd like to read it if you do. Definitely interested in hearing about the details

 

[Shortfuse]

No, no thread. This is my baby and have been constantly changing and modifying her for for over 25 years , the work never stops.

 

[Blmpkn]

No, no thread. This is my baby and have been constantly changing and modifying her for for over 25 years , the work never stops.

Right on. I really appreciate the dedication, care to share a little bit about your baby?

 

[GoodOldsGuy]

I'd rather the car be full of snakes than mice! Would probably smell better lol.

Hmm, “smell better” is just not a term I would associate with snakes lol Around here, if it’s full of mice it will shortly fill up with snakes as well, so mice must smell pretty good to snakes

 

[Blmpkn]

Hmm, “smell better” is just not a term I would associate with snakes lol Around here, if it’s full of mice it will shortly fill up with snakes as well, so mice must smell pretty good to snakes

Haha we don't have as big of a problem with snakes up here in maine as other parts of the country. If we did there would be less mice I'm sure! Lol. Little buggers get in EVERYTHING if it sits outside for more than 5 minutes.

Made some slight progress today by ordering a "complete" (minus pitman arm) steering/front suspension kit off ebay. 300$ shipped. I've been trying to order the kit for at least a year... but every time I had the cash the kit was sold out! I ended up buying the last one in stock. Super happy about that.

Also ordered a new fuel tank. Getting "close" now.. I'm hoping to have it running sometime in October.. but.. well have to see how much life gets in the way between now and then. The plan is to save as much money as I can between now and the end of September and order a big pile of parts. Here's to hoping!

 

[blkop]

hey that is a nice car they do not make them like that anymore r w d body on frame etc
i worked for a gm dealer for over 20 years and also worked for an armoring company that armored many gm cars for export many were wagons
would love to share some ideas
many options r p o's and s e o's special equipment options some not for the general public and for export only
hope to hear from you jeff
i have a 83 olds 98 regency brougham 4 door 61000 original miles mom bought new and of course i have it now

 

[Blmpkn]

Time for "fun" facts!

I've tallied up the total of what I've spent on parts so far 😧🥵🤪

Here she goes..

Fti level 4 th400- 2175$
ICT timing cover 90$
ICT valley cover 38$
ICT mount plates 35$
Flexplate spacer 11$
Heater core bypass 15$
Breather tank 27$
Air/oil seperator 67$
Holley 302-2 oil pan 330$
B&M 2400 nitrous converter 357$
Holley sniper intake 514$
Headers 106$
Timing cover gasket kit 33$
Holley 302-15 dipstick kit 38$
Front end kit 310$
Fuel tank 260$
FiTech go efi 4 1200$
Vision 15x4 front wheels 224$
Vision 15x10 -25mm rear wheels 317$
Fabricated valve covers 104$
20' -6an stainless braided line 90$

Parts total so far: 6,400$

I'll have another grand or so in Fuel pump, lines, and ignition controller. Close to a grand in turbos, another wastegate, and oiling for the turbos, 300 in lines and fittings for the pcv system (using AN stuff everywhere), 600 for a custom lifetime warranty driveshaft, whatever a good ratchet shifter costs, 1250 or so on tires and rear wheels, 500ish on intercooler/piping/carb hat..

Still a lot to go lol. 13k deep when it's "done" at least... and that doesn't include putting a 9" rear end in it, new shocks, brakes, adjustable control arms/links.. it never ends!! hope the ol lady don't find this 🤭


I had to re-order my fuel tank. The seller I originally bought it from off ebay, mach5auto, even though they claimed to have 5 in stock... didn't have ANY in stock, weren't sure if they could aquire one, and IF they could get one they would likely have to charge me 150$ extra for freight shipping even though the listing advertised free shipping.

Screw mach5auto.

 

[Blmpkn]

I realized I promised pictures, but hadn't delivered yet.

Here's the motor with dry-fitted Intake and headers. She's filthy, definitely going to pressure wash it and get it painted before installation. This definitely isn't going to fit under the hood without cutting a hole in it.. big surprise eh? Lol. Gotta add a cowl to the list of crap to buy I guess.

Not sure what color to go with... I think I'm going to paint the engine pay purple and run gold intercooler piping.. probably just paint the block black to match the intake and other stuff.

Ended up making carb studs out of some bolts that I cut the head off because I'm impatient lol. 9$ for 4 bolts, 4 nuts, and a die to clean up the end of the threads from the cutoff wheel. Didn't really need the die.. oh well.

 

[Blmpkn]

Slight development to the plan....

Decided two turbos isn't nearly cool enough for what I want to end up with. Ol girl also needs a supercharger.

After endless reading, soul searching, and figuring out how much all that would cost.. I ended up ordering a used detroit 3-71 blower off ebay.

Shit yeah! The bottom opening on the 3-71 is conveniently just a whisker bigger than the opening in an intake for a 4 barrel carb.. and I have a machinist acquaintance that can make me an adapter. Blower should be to my house next saturday.

 

[Shortfuse]

It all sounded great till you got to the FItech. My shop will not even install them anymore because of all the failures. Box it up and return it! This is the best advise I can give you, Spring for a Holley Sniper setup and save yourself a world of problems. Fuck Fitech, Fuck Fitech and fuck them some more!

 

[Blmpkn]

It all sounded great till you got to the FItech. My shop will not even install them anymore because of all the failures. Box it up and return it! This is the best advise I can give you, Spring for a Holley Sniper setup and save yourself a world of problems. Fuck Fitech, Fuck Fitech and fuck them some more!

Thanks for the heads up! What sort of failures were you seeing?