Nissan, Meet Chevy

Started by New2Drifting · Oct 1, 2007 · 35postsInvision 2005–09

New2DriftingOct 1, 2007, 12:38 am · #1

That's right folks... I am putting a 350 CI chevrolet smallblock into my S12 Hatch. I got tired of the CA18ET (which is for sale, make offer) because I'm not a "tuner". I grew up building american muscle and working on my old trucks. I am old-fashioned in the sense that I blame all new cars' failure to their electronics. I don't even like Fuel injection, unless its on my brand new toyota, haha. Who wouldn't like 40 mpg? Anyways, I have stuck to my roots, and decided on the 350 swap after being further inspired by Premo. Whether he knows it or not, he has helped me tremendously in many aspects of the build (preparation of what to expect, answers, PICTURES, and other things all add up quickly with me). I have done a lot of progree with the car thus far. I have pulled the engine and transmission out of the S12 and also the Chevy truck that supplied the 350. I have the CA18ET on the floor in my shop, on a pallet ready-to-go, haha. The 350 has made its way to the engine stand, separated from it's 3 speed transmission. I have many pictures and will post them up tomorrow sometime (most likely during class, haha), which show my progress with the motor and the preparation on the car. Since this is how far I have gotten tonight, I will post the further progress in new posts as I go, along with pictures. Like I said, I have a bunch, wait til tomorrow! haha.

A thanks for inspiration from Premo, and another "Thanks" to the good, positive comments that are going to come about as the thread goes along... LOL. Do not bash my thread, any neg feedback will be mentally shoved back up your ass, kidding. Im open to all criticism. LEt me know some stuff if you have USEFUL information.

lvDaveOct 1, 2007, 1:11 am · #2

Any idea how much shipping would be for the ca18et to 89052?

JonBOct 1, 2007, 1:14 am · #3

I wanna see pics! Now damnit! Just kiddin. The ford seemed like a little better choice though; over-all size and the distributer in the front. But SBCs are cool to. Are you going to keep it street legal?

New2DriftingOct 1, 2007, 1:27 am · #4

lvDave @ Sep 30 2007, 08:11 PM
Any idea how much shipping would be for the ca18et to 89052?

All the way to nevada? I went to UPS.com and the heaviest you can mail, other than going to Freight is 150 lbs. So that's what I clicked and it would cost $125 to ship it to you in a week / week and a half. Someone give me an estimate weight of this booger and I could get you a better quote. I can spilt the engine too to make multiple pakages if necessary.

The engine is missing the fuel rail and injectors. (I sold them to a member on here)
The turbo manifold is cracked internally.
The turbo is seized.
Comes with no harness.

JonB @ Sep 30 2007, 08:14 PM
I wanna see pics! Now damnit! Just kiddin. The ford seemed like a little better choice though; over-all size and the distributer in the front. But SBCs are cool to. Are you going to keep it street legal?

As of Street legal-ness. We probably have differing definitions. I will try and find a title for it, and falsify a bill-of-sale. It will meet no emission code, will have no legitimate state inspection (i get them illegally for my other car), and will not have any sort of lights for a while. I completely gutted the entire car. I literally have a chassis, a metal shell, a roll cage, a seat, a column, and a floor shifter. NO DASH AT ALL. I have gauges mounted up the A-pillar, and more to come where the steering clumn support is.

A 5.5 inch tack, a dig speedo, a water temp, oil pressure, transmission temp, voltage meter and a push button starter are the only "Wires" in the car other than the EIGHT on the engine (sparkplugs), and the coils.

I will drive it on the streets to the track most likely and around town every once in a while for shits and giggles... other than that, mainly just a drag car and something to brag about at shows, and local meets.

lvDaveOct 1, 2007, 1:29 am · #5

New2Drifting @ Sep 30 2007, 06:19 PM
The engine is missing the fuel rail and injectors. (I sold them to a member on here)
The turbo manifold is cracked internally.
The turbo is seized.
Comes with no harness.

Those were the main things I wanted. The trans weighs about 60lbs. If shipping is cheap enough I'll take it. I was just kinda hoping to get everything I needed for ca20et and a manual swap in one shot. Thanks anyways.

New2DriftingOct 1, 2007, 1:32 am · #6

edit. off topic

This post has been edited by New2Drifting: Oct 3 2007, 01:16 PM

gadget1382Oct 1, 2007, 1:55 am · #7

My gf's old man has a supercharged 350 in his patrol. It's a bit of a beast but has ripped it out after seizing the engine after having about 1.5" of sludge / mud in the sump.

I told him his air intake hoses weren't sealing. Also the dipstick kept popping.

Anywho, the 350 is a good motor for what it is, and the torque they can get is more than a 1 ton can would need.

Good luck with it, n keep us up to date.

New2DriftingOct 1, 2007, 2:25 am · #8

I'm going to keep mine all motor for now with just your average bolt ons. i dont feel like buying forged internals, etc for a supercharger.

My plans, for the record:

"The Wish List"

- A cam swap (edited)- Most likely a Sealed Power 214/224 "baby-cam"... 114 bucks... can't beat it.

- Headers (edited)- Might keep the stock manifolds since huggers dont give anymore horses than the manifolds. If I can find some huggers in a 3", i might do those... but i will see when i mock her up this weekend.

- Carburator. Most likely a 650 since that's all this engine will "need". Looking into a Holley of course, but I have enough time to look for bargains. Might steal one out of a buddy of mine's junkyard... lol

- New oil pump - $16.46 for a Melling, $35.99 for a Hi-tech Engine Components.

- New water pump - $39.99 for an ASC HIGH-VOLUME, Heavy Duty.

- Some style of air breather to top off the carb. Won't know what style I need until the engine is mounted in the car (clearance). Yes, I know I will need a hood scoop, this is another that will have to wait.

The Things I HAVE (edited as I get it)

- Engine dressup. Chrome valve covers, chrome timing cover, chrome dipstick and tube, chrome breathers, etc.

- New plug wires, some 8mm or 9mm silicones and of course the chrome wire separators that keep them looking clean and neat.

- New timing chain, since this one is pretty stretched. (Got the whole set cheap, lol)

- New piston rings (I went ahead and got moly because they were 2 bucks more than regs lol)

- New main bearings

- An Engine Gasket Set Kit (Plain Jane Felpro/Sealed Power)

- Intake manifold. - Edelbrock Performer for 128 bucks

For everything else that I buy, it will be as I find, tearing the engine down tomorrow. I'll keep you informed with pics of everything as well.

This post has been edited by New2Drifting: Oct 8 2007, 01:13 AM

lvDaveOct 1, 2007, 5:06 am · #9

Sounds like a good build up. You should post the pictures and updates in the club-s12 garage section though.

PremoOct 1, 2007, 6:46 am · #10

no worries man..and cant wait to see some pics! oh, and if you're going carb too dont forget to swap out your fuel pump as the pressure will be way to high (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

deadpirateOct 1, 2007, 7:15 am · #11

I Definatly cant wait to see how this turns out

gadget1382Oct 1, 2007, 12:47 pm · #12

if you keep the boost below 7psi it'll cope with a blower!

They are very hardy engine's. Just have to be sure to get the air / fuel mix right.

New2DriftingOct 2, 2007, 12:34 pm · #13

Ok guys, so I stayed home from school yesterday like a bad student... BUT it was due to my wife having labor pains. She has 5 weeks left til the due date and my wife and I were both 3 weeks pre-mature, meaning the little squirt could come any minute now. I brought her to the doc and got her checked out (everythings fine, incase you're concerned), then I got to tear on the engine some more. I was going to tinker with it for a little while, but it got addictive and I ended up finishing the disassembly. Cam, crank, pistons, etc are all out and taken apart. I have pics of ALL of this and most of the process that I will be posting as soon as my wife can find her damn jumper link to her camera. Worse comes to worse I'm going to go buy one! lol. I think I have about 30-40 pics to share if I had to guess... I get out of school at 6 today and plan to atleast do some more cleaning and degreasing when I get home. I have some parts to check off the list as well, so I will edit the list up top as I get the parts. As for boost, we'll see a little further down the road. (Probably this summer when I'm taking home 1800 a week in the plant on turn-around...)

ANOTHER THING, tell me your opinions on which would be best for my application:
Edelbrock Performer OR
Edelbrock Torker 2

I'm leaning toward the Torker, myself.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc...olds_main.shtml

This post has been edited by New2Drifting: Oct 2 2007, 02:47 PM

New2DriftingOct 2, 2007, 1:50 pm · #14

lvDave @ Oct 1 2007, 12:06 AM
Sounds like a good build up. You should post the pictures and updates in the club-s12 garage section though.

Why when I can place it in the Hybrid and Engine Swap Section that has the subtitle about "squeezing what you can fit in between the fenders". I figured (and maybe it's just me) that my project truly "fit" in this category... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

on another note, I could write up a rebuild for a Chevrolet 350 Engine... what category should I put that one in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) lol

New2DriftingOct 2, 2007, 2:03 pm · #15

I'm going to be doing many random double posts and triple posts to let you guys know... don't shun me for this, it's my thread, haha.... anyways I will do this however frequently I have an update or idea. I usually do edit when something I have posted gets updated so I try to follow the rules lol.

As for electronics, I have finally come to the conclusion that I am going to want some afterall... haha. Here's a list aside the engine of course

- Windows, since mine are power (never thought I would complain about having pwr windows)
- Headlights, just incase I am out at night for some reason (crusing around shows and meets)
- Tailights, once again (night)
- Brakelights, the most important ones...
- Flashers, so I can flash them when beating someone (HAHA KIDDING, no need for them)
- A hidden push-button start, since I have no lock cylinder, nor anything on my column other than a steering wheel
- Main engine switch, most likely a toggle between coil and distributor
- All of my many gauges, of course

PremoOct 2, 2007, 6:14 pm · #16

go preformer man, you'll have enough low end torque for that car as it is, you'll want a bit more top end. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

lvDaveOct 2, 2007, 8:01 pm · #17

New2Drifting @ Oct 2 2007, 06:50 AM
Why when I can place it in the Hybrid and Engine Swap Section that has the subtitle about "squeezing what you can fit in between the fenders". I figured (and maybe it's just me) that my project truly "fit" in this category... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

on another note, I could write up a rebuild for a Chevrolet 350 Engine... what category should I put that one in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) lol

I meant to say. Post all about how the swap goes here, but have a thread in the garage section as an overview of the whole car. Technical here. Showoff there.

New2DriftingOct 2, 2007, 8:08 pm · #18

Premo, appreciate it... as always

and gadget, i understand what you're saying now... i just kind of like having all of it together because they intertwine so much. It would be confusing to have two different pages going at once, and it's easier to reference back to if someone else wants to try it. I read all 14 (might be 15) pages of asparagus build and i loved every bit of it. I kind of want the same type of "build up page" but in the hybrid engine section for those who are searching for different engine ideas

New2DriftingOct 3, 2007, 1:24 am · #19

New2DriftingOct 3, 2007, 4:01 am · #20

and after I pulled them out, i replaced all the bearings and rings and put them back in... i ran out of time (it's 11 here) and i have school at 6:30

i have a bunch more pictures step by step of reinstalling the new moly piston rings, the pistons (polished with a buff wheel), the new main bearings, and new rear main seal.

i placed the 8 pistons back in the cylinders, but didn't seat them yet nor attach them to the crank. i bolted the crank back in with the new main bearings so that i could revolve the engine stand back upright without worrying about the crank falling out. more pics in the morning when i get to school and have time.

New2DriftingOct 5, 2007, 12:33 pm · #21

Xano @ Oct 5 2007, 01:34 AM
DO IT, ive been following your thread, seems like your gonna get this thing done REAL fast, your gonna be rockin the v8 in very very little time at all.

yeah it's easy to say something even if you really don't have the will-power to do it, but i really want a ridiculously simple Fast car. i don't want to have to tune and tweak constantly and keep spending money on little accessories to make me go faster. i want something that will be out-of-the-box fast with as few accessories to go wrong as possible. (granted it's not out-of-the-box. i have built the entire thing, haha)

on that note, it's easy for me to say i want a right-hand-drive too, only because it would be totally different than you average car in America... BUT that would be the only reason to do it. it offers no other performance, nor any other advantage over left hand drive. i would just be doing it to be different. therefore it probably wont get done. i can't be worrying about my steering's lower end right now, i'll be having enough problems with the upper. now if someone wants to tell me that there is a SIMPLE fix to the steering rods, etc, etc, i might be a little more interested. but as of now, i have a "full plate" and really no need for "seconds"

This post has been edited by New2Drifting: Oct 5 2007, 12:34 PM

XanoOct 5, 2007, 6:36 pm · #22

New2Drifting @ Oct 5 2007, 07:33 AM
yeah it's easy to say something even if you really don't have the will-power to do it, but i really want a ridiculously simple Fast car. i don't want to have to tune and tweak constantly and keep spending money on little accessories to make me go faster. i want something that will be out-of-the-box fast with as few accessories to go wrong as possible. (granted it's not out-of-the-box. i have built the entire thing, haha)

on that note, it's easy for me to say i want a right-hand-drive too, only because it would be totally different than you average car in America... BUT that would be the only reason to do it. it offers no other performance, nor any other advantage over left hand drive. i would just be doing it to be different. therefore it probably wont get done. i can't be worrying about my steering's lower end right now, i'll be having enough problems with the upper. now if someone wants to tell me that there is a SIMPLE fix to the steering rods, etc, etc, i might be a little more interested. but as of now, i have a "full plate" and really no need for "seconds"

haha bro, believe it or not right hand drive does offer improvements if your right handed, your controlling the car more with your right hand so you have better more precise movement.

starbucksOct 5, 2007, 6:55 pm · #23

your a bad bad man. and i love you... i wonder if my 383 would fit in their... too bad s12-sale-sitings are down to null, or i would definantly try to out-do you...

New2DriftingOct 5, 2007, 9:14 pm · #24

starbucks @ Oct 5 2007, 01:55 PM
your a bad bad man. and i love you... i wonder if my 383 would fit in their... too bad s12-sale-sitings are down to null, or i would definantly try to out-do you...

why wouldnt a 383? its a stroked 350. they are identical in external dimensions. next summer i will have a 400 smallblock, so try to keep up. haha

New2DriftingOct 5, 2007, 9:37 pm · #25

Turns out I had at least two of the pistons in backwards (connecting rods were 180 degrees on the crank)... i have never had pistons not have a mark showing direction so i assembled them to the best of my ability and i didnt even notice. the guy who installed my cam bearings told me about em. so I have to twist those two and then I will be in action. I got my cam bearings installed today for 41 bucks after tax... i couldn't beat that deal with a stick. they threw in a new cam plug too, so im definitely happy about today's progress. tomorrow, i plan on rotating those pistons, torquing everything back to spec, installing the heads (which i polished), and awaiting my manifold. i guess i will buy the manifold first, so that i can go ahead and seal up the motor. i can roll with a stock cam for now and wait for my next bit of play money to come my way. after i get the heads seated, and the bottom end back sealed up, im putting the timing set on and reattaching the flushed trannie. i want to have the engine mounts done this weekend hopefully and if i can get the engine and trannie mounted up, i will work some on the firewall and trannie tunnel. i forgot to upload the damn pics today, but i promise to have them on here by tomorrow, along with some more of the progress. i have big plans this weekend, i know... but i stay motivated on goals that i really want, and this is definitely one of them. the guy at the engine shop told me that i will have a solid 300 horses with the 214 224 cam, and the edelbrock performer rpm manifold... with my stock heads. he said i should have no problems busting 12's on my first run. i hope he's right, because that gave me a kick-in-the-ass for motivation. i couldnt stop smiling knowing that my s12 was going to run side by side with vettes soon.

This post has been edited by New2Drifting: Oct 5 2007, 09:39 PM

New2DriftingOct 7, 2007, 10:54 pm · #26

Since the LSU game was so fuckin chaotic last night against Florida, i didn't get very much work done like i had wanted. i got the connecting rods and pistons in the correct way, and torqued them down to spec. i also torqued the heads down to spec as well, aftter polishing them up, inside and out. i got my new manifold today, Edelbrock Performer EPS, nothing special... but exceptionally better over stock. It's the nonEGR, high-rise, dual plane intake manifold that was descently inexpensive... $145 after tax. Keep in mind this is a budget build. i didnt get it torqued down yet, because i am waiting on my engine anchor points to dry; i cleaned them up and painted them, because they made my beautiful new manifold look a little "off". i didnt take any pics because i simply didnt feel like it and i was rushed for time. i was full of grease and didnt want my wife's camera nasty. i will try to take some tonight and get them on here during class tomorrow. i know i have been saying that a lot, but i work weird hours and dont have much freetime at home. i order my new oil pump, a melling m55 i believe (standard for a chevy smallblock), nothing fancy. i am waiting to get to that, and then the internals will be near complete for now. i can seal up the motor and get to those mounts. my stock cam is back in because i dont have the money right now for the other one. it will come soon, but with a kid about to pop out any minute, im on a budget. i should be able to finish torquing the manifold down tomorrow, and hopfully get the oil pump installed and the pan sealed. this will leave me with the timing chain set... so i should be able to get that done as well. i was brainstorming the day, and decided i might just flip my stock exhaust manifolds and shoot em through the hood with baffels, but we'll see once the motor gets put in.

asparagusOct 7, 2007, 11:00 pm · #27

Xano @ Oct 5 2007, 11:36 AM
haha bro, believe it or not right hand drive does offer improvements if your right handed, your controlling the car more with your right hand so you have better more precise movement.

I'm pretty sure everyone who drives in the US is proficient with their left hand when it comes to driving, it's already become second nature since we have to use our left hands. Suddenly making it your right hand, and then shifting with your left hand will feel odd for a little while not to mention be inconvenient at any drive-through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

New2DriftingOct 7, 2007, 11:06 pm · #28

asparagus @ Oct 7 2007, 06:00 PM
I'm pretty sure everyone who drives in the US is proficient with their left hand when it comes to driving, it's already become second nature since we have to use our left hands. Suddenly making it your right hand, and then shifting with your left hand will feel odd for a little while not to mention be inconvenient at any drive-through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

not only the valid points you make, but i have a starter on that side of my smallblock, and steering linkage would be HELL over there.

PaulOct 7, 2007, 11:33 pm · #29

RHD in the USA is only useful for two things

1 delivering mail
2 drive-by shootings

New2DriftingOct 7, 2007, 11:54 pm · #30

Paul @ Oct 7 2007, 06:33 PM
RHD in the USA is only useful for two things

1 delivering mail
2 drive-by shootings

LMAO, tis true. With it being RHD, you don't have that god-aweful muzzle blast in the passenger seat. I usually choose to shoot across the street, to try to minimize the noise in the cab, but I might have to check into RHD for future "business". haha

OzchuckOct 8, 2007, 12:34 pm · #31

Or you get one of these bad babies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFDVf2p7weQ

RHD is the best.

Hold wheel, counter steer, shift, handbrake, adjust counter, handbrake some more, steer straight and shift up.

New2DriftingOct 10, 2007, 12:20 pm · #32

Ozchuck @ Oct 8 2007, 07:34 AM

RHD is the best.

Hold wheel, counter steer, shift, handbrake, adjust counter, handbrake some more, steer straight and shift up.

oh, i forgot that you couldn't do everything you just said in a LHD... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

New2Drifting @ Oct 10 2007, 07:11 AM
oh, i forgot that you couldn't do everything you just said in a LHD... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

and sorry guys, i didnt get any work done withing the last couple of days because my wife went into false labor... haha. except NO "haha". anyways everything is going ok with the baby, so no worries there.

i did manage to pick up the oil pump and the oil pump screen... with i cant seem to get into the fuckin pump, lol. i dont know if they arent compatable or what, but i think im going to go back and get the true "melling" pump, since thats what i wanted and thats the brand screen i got. it scanned in there computer as a melling, but it was in some older looking shit box. (the only one they had) so that's that. if i get that bad boy in and installed, i'll be in good terms with the old engine by this weekend. the ONLY thing i dont have now for her to run is a carb (kind of important, i know, haha) but there is nothing that can keep me from sealing up the entire motor, filling her with oil and spinning the oil pump shaft to lube the engine before cranking her for the first time. i might try to get that carb REAL soon. i have no money, but i know of a few junkyards around here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif) so we'll see what's what sooner than later. i know i promised pics, but after the wife freaked the living hell out of me with the labor thing, my camera has been in her car since i brought it up to the hospital with me. pics to come though, as im sure you know... i take a couple of pictures as i go, hehe

200sxkitcarOct 11, 2007, 12:26 am · #33

Nice build (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

Dont forget the RTV between the head and block, before the intake manifold goes on! You know, the spot where the head and block meet in the front and rear of the engine on both sides (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Otherwise you will have oil leaks like a SOB!

Definitely make sure the pistons are facing forward, and that they are installed in the original cylinders. Did you at least hone out the block? You really should do that with new rings so they have a chance to break in properly together at least when you aren't going to bore the thing square (which I've never done, just hone).

Do you have a chiltons or FSM or something to follow when rebuilding this? They have all sorts of good hints and ideas, things to look out for, etc. They're only like $15 from autozone or whatever autoparts place is nearby you. Oh yea, there is some issues with the heads and retightening/adjusting the lash on the hydraulic lifters, but I am taking it you are not rebuilding the heads (it may not be a bad idea to replace the valve stem seals tho)

Oh yea, my first car was a '65 Impala with a 283 my dad and I rebuilt, motor, body, etc. so this is somewhat familiar although its been awhile lol. Good luck and keep us posted!

This post has been edited by 200sxkitcar: Oct 11 2007, 12:28 AM

RB25sx - SLPROct 12, 2007, 8:43 am · #34

I can wholeheartedly understand the desire to have a simple car with balls that just WORKS. And it looks like you're chasing the right dream with this setup.

In all honesty, so many people trash the american V8, and yes it is a pig.. BUT, it has such a huge aftermarket support and is so easily upgraded that it lends itself to a fast car for cheap.

Yes you can extract 800 bhp from a CA18det.. But at what cost?

Dont get me wrong, high revving import motors are great and I will always prefer them.. But not for the 'bang for buck' factor..

I really hope you did put those pistons back in the appropriate cylinders, otherwise you'll need a bore&hone to get her sealed back up again.. Which would also mean new pistons (oversize).

I really cant wait to see this car finished. I just hope that rear end holds together for you.

Mad props for a father-to-be!

-Dan

XanoApr 28, 2008, 4:28 am · #35

JonB @ Apr 27 2008, 11:26 PM
I don't know for sure, but most likely advocate of theft (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pinch2.gif)

No, he was banned for having a somewhat smart stuck up attitude regarding his other thread posts.