Project 1966 Skylark/LT1

[RicanSkylark]

Hello All,


I have been stewing on this project for a while. I been collecting parts and researching my eyeballs out, I think its time to start a thread and ask for all your help and experiences.

I have pretty good experience turning wrenches but I lack the knowledge with high powered American muscle/domestic cars.

I want to build decent looking mild manered street/strip car that is a blast to drive, not sure on horsepower or slip times yet, but I will figure it out as I build it and money comes available:laugh:

Am not a purist, I apologize in advance if I hurt anyones feelings with my project, I just want to have fun with it and enjoy it.

Here are some pics.

[Fastbird]

Great looking car! So the plan is to put an LT1 into it?

Posted from my Rooted and ICS'd Rezound

[MeanTA]

Question is do you plan to keep it EFI or go carb?

[RicanSkylark]

Thanks,

The engine was out of a 1995 Caprice, all stock, am just running just the alternator.

Already have the Buick to sbc engine to frame mounts, TechRods wiring harness1883818839

[RicanSkylark]

Header question,

Ok, from what I been reading, am going to need headers with 1 3/4 primaries to cover the ports on the LT1 heads.

While searching,
All I can find for a 1966 GM A body are 1 5/8, the one with 1 3/4 primaries are for a 396-400 bbc engines.

Does anyone know of what will fit without any modifications? I know I want to get the ceramic coated headers so I want proper fit and cleareance so I dont have to beat them up.

Thanks

[nstg8r]

I'm all for lt1's being put in EVERYTHING, but what is wrong with the original motor?

[nstg8r]

Header question,

Ok, from what I been reading, am going to need headers with 1 3/4 primaries to cover the ports on the LT1 heads.

While searching,
All I can find for a 1966 GM A body are 1 5/8, the one with 1 3/4 primaries are for a 396-400 bbc engines.

Does anyone know of what will fit without any modifications? I know I want to get the ceramic coated headers so I want proper fit and cleareance so I dont have to beat them up.

Thanks
What you are actually looking for goes beyond the primary size, you want a d-port shaped header.

[NoMoneyZ]

What you are actually looking for goes beyond the primary size, you want a d-port shaped header.

Not exactly, if you use a 1 3/4" Primary it covers the entire d shaped port without issue.

OP, There are some you just have to do some digging. I am doing the same swap into my 65 Skylark. Go ahead and take a look. I don't have it together yet but it's coming along. I'll see if I can find the link to the headers I'm going to use. Start searching for 66 Chevelle parts and it will be easier.

[RicanSkylark]

I'm all for lt1's being put in EVERYTHING, but what is wrong with the original motor?

Good question!

The engine is the stock one, 300cid/2 barrel carb.

Am looking for more power and the realiability of fuel injection.

[RicanSkylark]

Not exactly, if you use a 1 3/4" Primary it covers the entire d shaped port without issue.

OP, There are some you just have to do some digging. I am doing the same swap into my 65 Skylark. Go ahead and take a look. I don't have it together yet but it's coming along. I'll see if I can find the link to the headers I'm going to use. Start searching for 66 Chevelle parts and it will be easier.

Thanks, I will, I thought I found some on ebay a few months back, but the went before I had a chance.

I been following your build for a while, actually I been buying some of my parts based on your project. Looking good!

If you find a web link for a set of them let me know, oh, they must be long tubes. I will keep looking.........

Thanks

[popo8]

Wow...very nice....Im digin these skylark swaps.

I love an ltx in anything.....

And just in case...Welcome to the site!


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[firebird_1995]

Love it!

[Featherburner]

66 post, nice! My brother is a huge Buick nut. Good luck with your swap.

[Ghettogmc23]

Interior looks nice! Extra gauges, seat swap, cowl hood, now a motor swap.... is this the final piece of the project or just another step? Either way it looks nice and should be a nice setup for the car.
Off-topic my brother had a 1973 Buick lesabre that was about that same color but had a blue vinyl top. Real nice car. When he went to pull the motor the front end was so long the motor puller wouldn't reach!

[79LT1Monte]

Good looking car, I'd rock that :)

As far as the headers if you plan on keeping the iron heads from the Caprice you don't need to worry about the port shape, iron heads are more of a round port anyway. If you plan to step up later to some aluminum heads you should buy the 13/4" primaries now. I ran a cheap set of Hookers with the iron heads and then bought Shoenfeld's when I swapped heads.

Good luck with the build.

[RicanSkylark]

.... is this the final piece of the project or just another step? Either way it looks nice and should be a nice setup for the car.


Thank you all for the compliments,

The car is a 50 footer, the perfect candidate for my plans, was not in good enough shape for me to feel guilty to modify it.

Big plans for it, once I get it running, suspension/braking are next alone with a Ford 9 that I have laying around from another project.

I pictured the car at the stagging lanes doing burnouts, ripping it up!;)

[RicanSkylark]

Good looking car, I'd rock that :)

As far as the headers if you plan on keeping the iron heads from the Caprice you don't need to worry about the port shape, iron heads are more of a round port anyway. If you plan to step up later to some aluminum heads you should buy the 13/4" primaries now. I ran a cheap set of Hookers with the iron heads and then bought Shoenfeld's when I swapped heads.

Good luck with the build.

Yup, you are right!

Yesterday I was playing around with some old scrap 1 5/8 headers I had laying around and it does looks like the ports is completely covered.

My short term plans is to do the aluminum heads and cam package, so I want to invest on the 1 3/4 exhaust system while I have the funds for it.

Thanks, good info.

[RicanSkylark]

Hello All

Quick update on my project.

Some pictures at random,

Engine LT1 stock, 700r4 stock, Dougs Headers, A/C deleted, EZ wiring harness, TechRods LT1 standalone harness, tubular A arms top and bottom, disk brakes, Autometer Sport Comp gauges, Ebay universal GM radiator, Flex a lite 14 in fan, Hayden 14x7 transmission cooler, home made dash, home made CAI, Fatmat insulation, aftermarket non tilt steering column, am sure there's more...

I filed for divorce in May, am my God, I didn't know a divorce cost that much now days! My budget shrunk fast, hell she might end up with the car when all is over with, LOL.

So the engine, tranny, Ford 9" have to wait for a while, just want to be able to drive it while I work on it.

I will have some questions on the PCM wiring, I have to ad a few more pins to the harness, for example, fan control, pnp signal, brake signal, vss signal and PCM tcc control wiring, so I will be inquiring on the how to do it, right now my motivation and funds are low!2199321994219952199621997219992200022001220022 20032200422005220062200722008220092201022011

[RicanSkylark]

Next on the plans,
Fuel lines, already have a Walbro 255 pump installed, brake lines, the headers were too close to the lines so I have to re-route them, finish the PCM wiring, dash......anything else to get the Angry Bird running.