Building a better Sleeper - Turbo Six Style

[slider]

I have a complete 87 55K GN drivetrain and all of the wiring(from a wrecker) all the way back to the posi rear.

I'm searching for a donor car and came accross a few candidates.

I have a shot @ a couple different 65-66 Novas, one is a four door with hardly any rust minus the drivetrain for really cheap, or a 2 door that needs a LOT of work for a few cents more. I also have a line on a 67 Skylark GS340 with a fair amount of bondo and work that has been done, but the car looks "decent" as it sits.

I see a lot of pro-street 4 doors @ the shows, anyone done a mid 60's Chevy conversion?

Any info or comments would be appreciated.

=Eric

[just plain john]

Do a G body. It's a virtual bolt in.

[slider]

Originally Posted by just plain john

Do a G body. It's a virtual bolt in.

Pssst. I'm trying to evade the CA "Smog Nazis"...

[B4turbo]

The problem with that is the rules. Which ever is newer, the engine or the body, the vehicle must meet the standards of the newest. Federal and kalifornication law BTW.

[slider]

Originally Posted by B4turbo

The problem with that is the rules. Which ever is newer, the engine or the body, the vehicle must meet the standards of the newest. Federal and kalifornication law BTW.

Do elaborate....please. I'm having trouble finding said laws on any CA DMV or federal site. I did however find this blurb on the CA BAR site...

"Vehicles with two-cycle engines, engines under 50 cubic inch displacement and vehicles powered by diesel fuel or electricity are exempt. All 1973 and older model year vehicles are not required to get a smog inspection under any circumstances"

>>> Full Text Here <<<

I obviously want to play by the rules and avoid any fines in the future..

Thanks for the tip.

[87bigcut]

IMO, there is nothing uglier than an old 4 door car. They look so much better as 2 doors....

I wouldn't put any time into a 4 door nova/chevelle/anything. But thats just me.

Joe

[B4turbo]

Originally Posted by slider

Do elaborate....please. I'm having trouble finding said laws on any CA DMV or federal site. I did however find this blurb on the CA BAR site...

"Vehicles with two-cycle engines, engines under 50 cubic inch displacement and vehicles powered by diesel fuel or electricity are exempt. All 1973 and older model year vehicles are not required to get a smog inspection under any circumstances"

I obviously want to play by the rules and avoid any fines in the future..

Thanks for the tip.

I went through this in Texas in the early 90's. I'll see about getting the quote from the inspection board at work tomorow. It goes something like this.

A componant (engine or tranny intended) may be replaced with a federally specified replacement if the manufactued part meets the standard for newer part, chasis or componant, if the guide lines are met for the newest to be compliant with the emmision standards.

We went through a lot of greef when smog checks came out and several of my customers couldn't get their cars through inspection.
The laws in Kalifornication have changed from the quote you gave so that's a good thing. Emmisions started in 67 for you guys and they used to enforce it so I'm glad that they decided to get realistic for a change. You should be good then.
PS Federal law only requires 25 years back for inspection, but it does require that all parts are there. Since most of the inspectors are state stooges I doubt they would know what they're looking at.
Good luck

[slider]

Thanks for the info.

Keeping up with the "sleeper" mentality, I may have settled on one of my options that is going to require the least amount of work getting it ready for the swap, a 65 Nova 4 door. Straight everything with no motor or trans for ~$900.

We'll see what happens when I negotiate tomorrow...

[just plain john]

I don't mean to slam you, but I agree with 87bigcut. I wouldn't spend my time or money on ANY 4 door. What good is a sleeper if you wouldn't want to be seen in it? On the emissions issue, here in Texas if the car is older than 25 years, they do not perform emissions checks anymore, just the safety inspection (tires, brakes, horn, ect.). The cost of living is about 1/2 of California too.

[slider]

Originally Posted by just plain john

I wouldn't spend my time or money on ANY 4 door. What good is a sleeper if you wouldn't want to be seen in it?

Agreed. I was trying to avoid the molestation of my 66 Lark GS....

Based on what's out there....I'll have to do a "graceful" Turbo Six upgrade to the GS and keep all of the original parts for re-insertion if it is ever sold...

Stay tuned...

[racecar_guido]

I say if you're looking to build a true sleeper, go with the 4 door. The whole idea of a sleeper is to have something no one is going to suspect. If I pull up next to a 60's 2 door Nova, I'm gonna be atleast a little suspicious no matter how ratty it looks.

[slider]

I took a look at the 72 Vega GT wagon and overall, it's a good straight car. It currently has the mounts for a 350 and TH350 trans. The stock rear-end is still in the car and that will definately have to go....

I know a lot of folks drop 350's and more in there, I'm curious as to how the Turbo six with all of the add-ons will work out...or, is it going to be too much cutting and welding...

Any wise folks out there with any experience with these cars?

[SinistrV6]

My suggestion for a sleeper...

'80s Jaguar XJ6

You can pick 'em up dirt cheap.

[B4turbo]

Originally Posted by slider

I took a look at the 72 Vega GT wagon and overall, it's a good straight car. It currently has the mounts for a 350 and TH350 trans. The stock rear-end is still in the car and that will definately have to go....

I know a lot of folks drop 350's and more in there, I'm curious as to how the Turbo six with all of the add-ons will work out...or, is it going to be too much cutting and welding...

Any wise folks out there with any experience with these cars?

You need to go to HBody.org. There are 2 that I know of and one of the builds is one their site. Do some looking at what's over there. Good site so you know what you're up against.

[bautowreckers]

or a malibu wagon , gbody malibu to make it more clear.