Interesting idea on the swap, which I fully support. :yes: ....but, that it one UGLY motor setup.

 

I've seen one in a 70 or 71 Chevelle that looked outrageous...if you put it in the car & build the custom intakes/turbo plumbing it'll look killer...
Tim

 

That will be badass. Great idea....keep us updated.

LEn

 

I would find a 2.50 rear gear and a over drive!

That diesel at idle will push that car 75mph!

Can you imagine the torque and millage!! Wow!!!

Al

 

My son will love this build up, I myself think diesels belong in trucks, (old school) :yes:

 

I thaugh that the wagons were crew cab nova's

 

With a lift kit & 2 1/2 ton axles ????

:yes: 4 X 4 !!!!!!!!!!! Ted Nugent would be proud.

 

SWEET! :yes::yes:

 

That 4L60 won't survive the torque the engine produces. LBZ duramax is rated at 650 ft lbs stock, and with just tuning can run closer to 1000 ft lbs. You would be better off with the 6 speed Allison (if you can make it fit) that origionally came with the engine. Even they need modification to hold on to a tuned Duramax. What are you going to do for a frame?

 

there is one important factor here!

Weight!
the vehicle weighs nothing. Not a big truck nor pulling 20k pounds.

The six speed will be a waist. Like granny gears in a manual transmission.

The 4L60E will work just fine for this application.
he needs to load the diesel, make it work.

Not gear it up.

Al

 

Sorry I just realized you said 4L80. I don't think GM offered anything other than the allison behind the LBZ due to torque production. Earlier models of the duramax the 4L80 was avail.

 

trans issues

They put 4l85's in the new cargo vans/stack trucks. I am going to have the 80(pretty much same as 85) built with all good internals. Torque converter is still up in the air. Anyone have any suggestions on a tuner box(bully dog,ppe,etc)??

 

Skip the tuner box. EFI Live will let you custom tune the engine for your aplication. I believe the 4L80 are only used on the detuned version of the LBZ (360 HP) I think the code for those is LLY (310 HP). Substantially less horsepower and torque.

 

I've always wanted to do it. Plenty of people have put these things in passenger cars, just do some good looking for some info and let their mistakes and learning help you out.

 

Very interesting swap which I will be following.

Worlds first nova with a duramax???

IIRC, there was a 4th gen 4 door on YouTube with a diesel engine. Not sure if it was a Duramax and can't find the link now.

 

Very interesting swap which I will be following.

IIRC, there was a 4th gen 4 door on YouTube with a diesel engine. Not sure if it was a Duramax and can't find the link now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLtEXkLO-XE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fFj6r1g-8E&feature=related

 

Alison 1000 4L80
1st 3.10 3.059
2nd 1.81 1.482
3rd 1.41 1.00
4th 1.00 .750
5th .71 n/a
6th .61 n/a

It's not a case of wasted granny gears. It's closer ratios and more spread so the engine can operate better in a more limited RPM range. The 4L80 can probably be built to hold on to it, but you will want a very strong converter with a lower than stock stall and probably a tripple disk for lock up.

 

Diesels belong in cars too. The rest of the world has been doing it for years. GVW has a lot to do with the transmission selection as do back tires getting traction. GMPP has a version of the 4L85E designed to hold up to the ZZ572/720. It should work behind the diesel with a different converter.

 

:no::no::no::no::no::no::no:

 

I have an 07 CrewCab Duramax with the LBZ. I've added an Edge programmer, 4" turbo back MBRP Exhaust, and an AFE stage 2 cold air intake to it. Last year I towed my car to the track with it and when we got there I unhooked the trailer and took it down the track. It ran a 15.4 at 91MPH and the last time I was at the dump with it the scale said 7200lbs. Thats pretty quick for a vehicle of that weight. So I'd say in your wagon it should move pretty damn good. The Edge programmer is supposed to add 100 extra Hp and 230 ft lbs of torque on level 3. So if thats remotly true (which I doubt) it would be @ 460 hp and 880 ft/lbs of torque, plus the exhaust and cold air kit. You better have one hell of a read end in that wagon.

 

I have an edge tuner on my lb7,and it works flawlessly, but for your project I would talk to the efi live crew because there will be so many different variables on this engine compared to being in a truck. Good Luck!

 

here's the Chevelle i saw at last years John Force Toys for Tots show at his race shop...

this is killer....

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0906phr_1970_chevy_chevelle_turbo_diesel/photo_07.html

Tim

 

chevelle

This car is what fueled my madness. Take a original faded paint 66 wagon add a duramax/trans/and good rear end. Car will maintain 14 in wheels/hubcaps,worn out paint and interior. Car should be a what the when done. Plate may read II D MAX. I wanted to build something on the wild side. I think we are on the right track.

 

This car is what fueled my madness. Take a original faded paint 66 wagon add a duramax/trans/and good rear end. Car will maintain 14 in wheels/hubcaps,worn out paint and interior. Car should be a what the when done. Plate may read II D MAX. I wanted to build something on the wild side. I think we are on the right track.

I don't know...I think you should go the painted/finished route intsead of the sleeper route...you've certainly done that before. That Chevelle is what your Nova could be like....maybe a S**Tload of money later...but that car is one of the baddest unique cars around!!!
JMO
Tim

 

That Chevelle is certainly different. The brake pedal is definitely old school and kind of cool. No brake lines seen anywhere.

 

Shiney paint is for car shows

Been there and done that, I have a way better time with a beat up car with a wicked drivetrain. My fab buddy has some wild ideas so who knows what this car will look like under the hood when done.

 

My fab buddy has some wild ideas so who knows what this car will look like under the hood when done.

:thumbsup::devil:

 

I love the idea of a diesel in a Nova. Originally the new 4.5L was coming out earlier and I would have loved to use it, love the design in stock form of the 2010 4.5L Duramax...plus great mileage.

http://jalopnik.com/347346/2010-45l-duramax-diesel-has-shockingly-brilliant-design

 

II D MAX(plate idea)

I know someone of you guys think this is a crazy idea,but I like to make crazy a reality. Took measurements today the diesel will sit back exactly where the ls1's do. I will have to run a coil spring front because of the weight(coil overs sound like they are out of the question) Rack your brains looking for good plate ideas(7 letters or less) II D MAX,BLKSMKE, ??

 

Plate Ideas

I think "IID MAX" would be hard to beat:yes:, but...

BLWNSMK - Blown' smoke
DSULDCE - Diesel Duce
COLBRNR - Coal Burner
DSULSMK - Diesel Smoke
DMAXDCE - Dmax Duce
OILFIRD - Oil Fired

 

I think "IID MAX" would be hard to beat:yes:, but...

BLWNSMK - Blown' smoke
DSULDCE - Diesel Duce
COLBRNR - Coal Burner
DSULSMK - Diesel Smoke
DMAXDCE - Dmax Duce
OILFIRD - Oil Fired

You could run BioDiesel and have FFBRNR - French Fry Burner. All kiding aside, I love the ideal and can't wait to see your progress.

 

That will be pretty cool when it is done.