1971 Vega LS1 Project

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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:57 am

Long time since my last update, been buzy with kids, working on the house and other projects. Back working on the Vega project!
Fuel system is ready for action.
-Stock shortened -00 camaro fuel bucket with pump placed in the Vega tank. (pictures to come)
-Cut the trunk floor a little to make room for the bucket.
-Stock -00 Camaro charcoal canister to avoid fuel smell in the garage..
-GM push connect fuel fittings reused with hoses pressed on by local hydraulic supplier.
-Aluminum 3/8" fuel line pressed for inverted flare and push connect fittings with a really nice tool (Mastercool 71475).
-Turned the fuel rail 180 degrees to get the connection on passenger side.
As always some pictures below!
Watch for exhaust update soon, will be ready in the end of the week.
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:58 am

Finished the dual 2.5" exhaust system in stainless steel.
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
grandam75
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby Rickracer » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:14 am

VERY NICE!!!! :th: :th:
Rickracer
ASE Master Auto Technician, 36+ years
'76 Vega Notchback, Twin Turbo 355/TH350 (soon to be a Powerglide w/Brake), 4 link, Koni Coilovers, 3.50 geared 9" w/Spool & Moser Axles, drag only, best all motor 1/8 mile pass to date, 6.90@99mph, 6.57@107.0 on a 60 shot, Best 1/4, 9.66@139.78, still tuning...
Project Album: http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i4/Ri ... 20Begins/'
93 S10 RCSB, Hyd. Roller Vortec head 363 ci SBC, 2800stall lockup 700R4, LS Front Brakes, Narrowed F*rd Exploder 8.8 disc brake 3.73 posi rear, 8.0s@89 mph, (all motor, haven't sprayed it yet...)and tows the Vega to the track too
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1976 Chevrolet Vega

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby gerbsinmd » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:34 am

love that exhaust!
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2017 Cruze Hatchback
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2018 Cruze - 35mpg - avg, 49.7mpg - best so far.
2011 Impala - commuter
RIP-2002 Saturn SL2 Commuter car - burned a valve @ 234k miles

1977 Monza Mirage being Restified!!
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby bbcowboy » Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:07 am

What a project...it is looking good. I just hope mine comes out as good as yours... nice job.
Byron

Cosworth Vega #0756 (IMSA inspired CV)
Cosworth Vega #1044
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Engine running!!

Postby grandam75 » Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:02 pm

Today I managed to start the engine for the first time!!

My first attempt was yesterday. Everything seemed to work except fuel delivery. Checked spark, fuel pressure and the signal to the injectors. Everything was working but no fuel. The injectors were clogged from sitting too long with old fuel. A friend of mine cleaned them with an ultra sonic cleaner and today I got the engine running!
Have a leaking heater element but other than that everything seems ok.

I will post some pictures of the the cooling system that was finished a few days ago. Componets:
-Aluminum radiator from a BMW 535 E28. This is about as big of a radiator I can fit. (Will be visible if I dont use a front spoiler) Hope this will be enough too cool the LS1. I will use 2 SPAL puller fans.
-Expansion tak from a 90s Mercedes
-Made an adapter to connect the steam line from the heads of the LS1 engine to the upper radiator hose.

By the way, thank you all for your comments!
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
grandam75
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:37 am

Finished the fan setup. Dual SPAL 1328cfm puller fans, the biggest ones I could fit. Made a fan shroud out of 1mm aluminum sheet.
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
grandam75
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby ColinOpseth » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:20 am

Dude... your car is fricking awesome.

Funny, I took my car to "the best exhaust guy in the High Desert" and he said it was too much trouble to run the exhaust over the rear axle. I might have to look elsewhere because my car is still pretty loud.

Your car looks great. Keep it up! I have a six speed in my car, too. You made the right choice. :)
'72 Vega with '93 Camaro LT1/M29 T56/12 bolt 3.31. 16" IROCs all around. Sanderson headers into duals with an H-pipe and Flowmasters. It's loud but at least it's faster than your grandma's Buick. pwned.
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1972 Chevrolet Vega GT

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby Rickracer » Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:34 am

Colin, when I had the 427 in my old Vega, with the factory style 4 trailing arm suspension, I built my own "Flowmaster" clones, with 3.5" inlets and dual 2.5" outlets, and did 4 2.5" tail pipes over the rear axle and out the back. Took me like 6 hours to fab them, WITH an exhaust bender. When I was all done and set the car back on the ground, I did the forehead slap, I could have easily gone under the rear axle. Something to consider.... :wink: 8)
Last edited by Rickracer on Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rickracer
ASE Master Auto Technician, 36+ years
'76 Vega Notchback, Twin Turbo 355/TH350 (soon to be a Powerglide w/Brake), 4 link, Koni Coilovers, 3.50 geared 9" w/Spool & Moser Axles, drag only, best all motor 1/8 mile pass to date, 6.90@99mph, 6.57@107.0 on a 60 shot, Best 1/4, 9.66@139.78, still tuning...
Project Album: http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i4/Ri ... 20Begins/'
93 S10 RCSB, Hyd. Roller Vortec head 363 ci SBC, 2800stall lockup 700R4, LS Front Brakes, Narrowed F*rd Exploder 8.8 disc brake 3.73 posi rear, 8.0s@89 mph, (all motor, haven't sprayed it yet...)and tows the Vega to the track too
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1976 Chevrolet Vega

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby cosworth0135 » Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:43 pm

gotta agree with rick on that one seen plenty of street rods and show cars going under the axle my self, lets be honest we don't take hotrods off the road too far and speed bumps would miss cause of the diameter of the tires but in my area there are no speed bumps, and has anyone but me and Art seen how low the V8 nova oil pan is to the ground. Timmy
i currently drive a geo metro,insert silly joke here,, but i'll pass you while your getting gas
If you don't have time/money to do it right the first time,how will you have time/money to do it again. Timmy
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:06 pm

I used to have dual exhaust under the axle on my grand am and did not like it. On full extension the axle was resting on the exhaust and if I drove too fast over speed bumps it hit the ground.
It could work better on the vega since it has stiffer suspension and probably less suspension travel but the tire diameter is also a lot smaller.
Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
grandam75
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby Era » Mon Dec 26, 2011 6:46 am

Hey nice project.

Does the G-Body and S10 have the same spindel?
I have the same ackerman problem as mentiond her and would realy liek to adress it.

Andy chance I can get you to make me a set?
Or supply some more pictures of how you made it?

i own and drive a 74 Vega Wagon with LS1/56, jaguar Xj rear end and front end with G-body spindles.
Have owned the car now for 23 years and are still customizing it.

Currently rebuilding the rear axel to gat the track with closer to the front.
Last winter I moved the lower ball joint 4,5cm forward for more caster to 6,5 degrees.
Also to improove steering are geometry afther installing a Volvo 240 servo rack.

Good luck with your car looks greate.
Hope to meet up with you at some car meeting in sweden next year.

Regard
Erik
Tønsberg in Norway
Lucas invented darkness and Magnetti Marelli invented disco lights.
Era
 
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby BadBowtie » Mon Dec 26, 2011 12:06 pm

On the exhaust note, a very well known professional group at "Federal Muffler" (Montreal Canada) had no problems making the 8 or 9 piece section to get the exhaust over the diff (per side). It can be done (these guys made it look easy), but it was a pretty big job and took him maybe 2 hours).
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James

1975 Vega GT sbc, Microsquirt w/Edelbrock MPFI, M21 4-speed and Ford 9"
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1975 Chevrolet Vega GT

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:23 am

Era wrote:Hey nice project.

Does the G-Body and S10 have the same spindel?
I have the same ackerman problem as mentiond her and would realy liek to adress it.

Andy chance I can get you to make me a set?
Or supply some more pictures of how you made it?

i own and drive a 74 Vega Wagon with LS1/56, jaguar Xj rear end and front end with G-body spindles.
Have owned the car now for 23 years and are still customizing it.

Currently rebuilding the rear axel to gat the track with closer to the front.
Last winter I moved the lower ball joint 4,5cm forward for more caster to 6,5 degrees.
Also to improove steering are geometry afther installing a Volvo 240 servo rack.

Good luck with your car looks greate.
Hope to meet up with you at some car meeting in sweden next year.

Regard
Erik
Tønsberg in Norway



I belive the G body spindle is the same as S10, but some G bodys have a longer steering arm. If you give me your e-mail I can send more pictures. I made these with "normal" tools, angle grinder etc. The end of the original vega spindles were used as the new mounting point for the tie rod end. I did not have a reamer to make a new part..

Your car is really nice, have to be one of the first LS converted vegas! I have seen your website.

Do you visit Power Meet in Västerås? I will be there!
Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
grandam75
 
Posts: 166
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby Era » Wed Jan 11, 2012 4:22 pm

You can e-mail me at easkjem@hotmail.com.

Is the bracket wedged over the spindle?
I am considering doing this modification befor Orsa Speed Week End in March.

Can I use a rod end instead of the vega steering joint?

Yes it was one of the first LS1 project was supposed to be the first but loosing my jobb in the middle of the project stoped it for two years.

Used to go to Vesterås but last few years I stoped to much of a party for me.
Visited Power Hot rod Reunion a few times.

Hope to run the car at SpeedFestival at mantorp park this summer but I realy do not have brackes for it...

Thanks for helping out.

BtW were in sweeden are yiu located?

regards
Erik
Nøtterøy close to Tønsberg in Norway
Lucas invented darkness and Magnetti Marelli invented disco lights.
Era
 
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:52 am
Location: Oslo in Norway

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