BobtailedSnail's LSx MS6 and N/T Nova

[BobtailedSnail]

Heading to South Jersey tomorrow to pick up a Gen4 4.8 and a TH400, give me some options to play with.

[BobtailedSnail]

$250 for a GEN4 4.8L short block, TH400, and Powerglide.

[BobtailedSnail]

While we wait for this project to lift off, here's a video of Matt Hapel's second Colorado build, Gen 3 LQ4, reused the stock headbolts and headgasket. These motors amaze me everytime I see them.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo3kZ8wbnkA

[BobtailedSnail]

Little teaser. Friend let me borrow one of his Welds to test fit.

This is a 15x8 5.5"BS (21mm offset) with a 275/60 (28") I'll be doing a 26" tall but tire width is unknown. Also the wheel hit the caliper on the face of all places. So a little spacer will solve that issue or shaving the caliper down. Right where the barrel dips to meet the spokes. I'll probably order a set of 15x8 6.5"BS (51mm offset)

[BigRed06]

Subbing to this so I can follow along even more, I'll continue to help where I can. Glad someone is making my dream come true, I'll be planning out my swap along the way of urs

[BobtailedSnail]

More pics

Where it nicks the caliper.

I know the poke is corny. It'll tuck nicely inside the car on the finished product. Thank you to @BigRed06; for getting me straight on what brakes to use in the rear to eliminate the contact issue all together.

[RhoadBlock]

Good to know that 15s will work. What brakes are you gonna use in the rear?

Also, I know fender flares are sorta corny but they would cover the poke.

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[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by RhoadBlock Good to know that 15s will work. What brakes are you gonna use in the rear? Also, I know fender flares are sorta corny but they would cover the poke. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

03-05 Mazda6 rears. They should be considerably smaller. A set of good rotors and pads and I should be fine.

I really do want them to tuck. And I'm sure the 6.5"BS (51mm offset) will be nice and flush. I also decided to run 245/55/15 M&H radials. Equivalent to a 26x9. I've had good luck with M&H on my Chevelle (325/45/17) and my Nova (390/45/15). This makes it easier for me on the front tires as well. I can do a 17 in the front with Evo calipers and 245/45/17

[BobtailedSnail]

Little update. Finally sold the motor out of the speed! No more 4cyl in my life.
Also wrapped up a single turbo Silverado build for a friend of mine.

My first order of business is to finish my Nova before May 18th and have Nishan tune it so I can go to the Cruisin' in Ocean City. Then the Mazda will be focused on. But I did purchase a motor plate and heads for it so it's not on the back burner by any means. I also sold the Powerglide today and am going to cut to make this TH400 fit. Look for mockup pics soon.

[BobtailedSnail]

Picked up some coils for the 6 today

[turbskies]

https://clinchedflares.com/product/glider12/

I think these should help you fit a bigger tire.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Pu Manchu]

bump.

[BobtailedSnail]

Bump! Spoke to 16W Fab works today and we are finally getting started on mounting the Cobra 8.8 IRS rear in stock rear subframe. I’m putting the finishing touches on my Nova tomorrow get it racing this year. I’m swaying on if I want to still run a TH400 or do the work to fit up a 4L80e.

Originally Posted by turbskies https://clinchedflares.com/product/glider12/ I think these should help you fit a bigger tire. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Flares won’t necessarily help fit a larger tire without cutting the fenders, which I’d rather back half the car and put a 4link in it with tubs before I went with flares.

[BobtailedSnail]

Hey guys. I’m in need of some measurements of the Rear Subframe mounts. My subframe is 4.5hours away and I haven’t been able to pick it up so I need some help.

Here’s what I’m looking for.

Distance left to right and front to back of the mounting holes in the subframe.

Thanks in Advance.

[myarbro1]

I bet Clint has those measurements Mike. I’m not sure I can get under the car today but I can get that for you soon if he doesn’t.

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by myarbro1 I bet Clint has those measurements Mike. I’m not sure I can get under the car today but I can get that for you soon if he doesn’t.

Thanks. I talked to Clint on Saturday and his car is already gonzo.

[myarbro1]

I was unable to get the measurements out in the parking lot. Ill put it on ramps and get those asap.

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by myarbro1 I was unable to get the measurements out in the parking lot. Ill put it on ramps and get those asap.

Wow Thank you very much.

[BobtailedSnail]

Should have a few more parts in the next couple of days. Purchased some solid subframe bushings and poly bushings from Phates thread. Ditched the Cobra 8.8 for a S550 super 8.8

[BobtailedSnail]

Picture of the converter and example of the 8.8

[SNOW_QN]

I like the idea of going with the s550 diff. Any particular reason why you switched when you had the Cobra one already? Looking forward to seeing your build progress. My goal is to ls swap a 6 in the future. My plans are more aligned with @RhoadBlock; is going for, but it will be nice to see all out build like this happen.

[SNOW_QN]

Also, what are you doing as far as intake manifold? I see that you test fitted the long block; would an ls1,2,3, or 6 style intake clear the hood? And lastly, what are you looking at for oil pan? F-body?

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by SNOW_QN Also, what are you doing as far as intake manifold? I see that you test fitted the long block; would an ls1,2,3, or 6 style intake clear the hood? And lastly, what are you looking at for oil pan? F-body?

From my river math I think a truck manifold would fit. I’m planing to run a TBSS breadbox intake. Oil pan is TBD because I will need to address the steering rack first.

As for the S550 Rear vs Cobra rear

Here’s the lowdown on why I want this particular rear.

I want to keep IRS. It’s really easy to tell if a car has been Backhalfed with a solid axle.

I want to race in stock suspension races. Grudge/street racers are big on that stuff. That’s my wheel house.

There’s more than 1 type of IRS 8.8

The Cobra 8.8’s are just fine for the job after you upgrade the rear cover mounting point.

1999-some 2000 had a 28 spline Carrier. Weak sauce for pretty much any rear.

03-04 Terminators has a 31 spline carrier. Perfect most most power levels close to 1000hp depending on tire.

You have the iron Lincoln 8.8’s
Explorer IRS 8.8’s which are really big and beefy. But some had two front mounts. Some had one.

15-18 S550 IRS 8.8 (called the Super 8.8. Has a 34 spline carrier. Available in a wide variety of ratios. And a 3.73 Torsen from the Track pack models. Auto cars had aluminum cases. Stick cars had iron. I would stick with iron. All engine choices had an 8.8. It’s been 7’s so I say it’s proven.

[BobtailedSnail]

This 8.8 is huge. This is next to my th400.

[BobtailedSnail]

Engine mounts and solid subframe bushings have arrived.

[SNOW_QN]

How's it going? You starting to work on this a little more now that the weather is getting colder?

Nice breakdown on the 8.8s btw. Didn't know some of that info. Good stuff!

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by SNOW_QN How's it going? You starting to work on this a little more now that the weather is getting colder? Nice breakdown on the 8.8s btw. Didn't know some of that info. Good stuff!

I have just recently started working on the car again, finally have the space to roll it into the shop and get started. As from the beginning, I my goal is to keep the car functioning like it was factory equipped with an LS. That pretty much translates to breaking down the CAN bus protocols. I plan to use Megasquirt pro 3 for this car, so i need to figure out if i can use it as a piggyback or if i will have to build a CANbus emulator to control the MS-CAN and some HS-CAN gateways between the chassis and MS3Pro ecu.

[BobtailedSnail]

Got the speed in the shop finally. This week I will mock up the Mustang K member and see how it all fits up.

[BobtailedSnail]

Got the factory subframe out and dropped the body on the mustang K member. It will need to come back about two more inches to get the wheelbase correct, as well as the k member trimmed to fit inside the frame rails so nothing is hanging lower than the floor. All in all moving in the right direction. I didn’t want to build a k member solely for the fact that I can order tubular parts from a huge selection of vendors. The engine will be mounted to an engine plate so where the k member sits has no relation to the engine.

[Tomas]

I can't really see how all that shit will come together but keep at it brohemian.

[BobtailedSnail]

Stock Mustang K member seemed to put me in the right direction. So I tried a tubular Outlaw style one, definitely moving in the right direction. Minor trimming and channeling on the frame rails and slight modifications to the strut towers and we’ll be well on our way.

[SNOW_QN]

Love it! The difference in bulk between that aftermarket k member and stock is ridiculous.

[BobtailedSnail]

Originally Posted by SNOW_QN Love it! The difference in bulk between that aftermarket k member and stock is ridiculous.

It really is. I think UPR claims it saves 37lbs over the factory K member. I purchased a QA1 member on Friday. I like the way it mounted better than the UPR. The main drop hoop is attached inside of the mounting flange rather than outside. Bringing the overall width down, which is what I want in order to fit inside the factory frame rails, to attain the correct height for the subframe.

[Pitstopdave]

What year mustang k member?