Pround new member/owner

[Metalman]

I recently bought a '65 Monza from a gent in S. Cal. Beautiful condition car for a great price. Well, that is I'm in Afghanistan and the pics looked great. I'm having shipped to my place in Rancho Cordova, CA. It's been a CA car it's whole life so I'm not too worried about rust, etc. Praying the wiring isn't hacked.

I contemplated a Porsch 914 for a long time, but take a lot of bodywork to look good, and they have no back seat. My intent was to buy one and do a V8 swap. After researching the Corvairs, I like the body lines, platform and light weight. Only a couple hundred more lbs, than a Porsche 914. I had also researched building a Fiero, but with current smog laws in CA, why bother. No, I won't get the handling I can out of the other cars, but heck, it's not a track car. Those LS motors are about 200 lbs less (at least) than your standard iron V8.

My plan is to do an LS4 swap on it with a Porsche 996 trans, rear mount. Why? cost. The LS4 can be had for half or less than half ($500-1000) of an LS1 but shares all the same basic architecture. I may even keep the Displacement on demand. Right now the 996 trans is the most affordable porsche trans (and pretty compact too) that can handle the HP and uses cables which are easy to route vs. modifying rod linkage. I've got a pretty good idea of how I"ll have to make the adapters, which should lower the cost considerably anyhow. I know there's no starter on the LS4, so I have an idea to integrate a Northstar starter onto the adapter plate and use the stock LS4 ring gear.

Ok well thats all for now. I have some spec questions, but I'll search/post in the other sections for that. Thanks for this forum.
Greg

[Chicago Guy]

Welcome Greg,

You have some great ideas, don't give up on your dream of building what you want. I wish you the best of luck! Be careful over there.


AND


Gene

[Trip]

You have some great ideas, I can't wait to see the build come together =)

Don't discount the handling capabilities of the Corvair, lots of our members have Corvairs that ARE track cars... not just a couple, lots of them!

Look up the history of the Yenko Stinger when you have a chance, that is a good place to start learning about Corvairs in racing.

[cad-kid]

Welcome. Here's to future plans.

[Metalman]

thanks guys, and for now I'm not married/no kids so when I get back I plan on not working for a while and just do my build.

[Phil Dally]

Thank you for your service!!!

Welcome to the addiction!!!

[65Ragtop]

Sounds like a great project. Looking forward to seeing it come about. Welcome.