Duramaxed Muscle Car

6600Duramax · 08-17-2008, 11:49 AM

Hi I read about a grand national in diesel power that got a duramax transplanted into it. After reading that article i determined that I would someday do something like that. I read it was actually a regal that got grand national parts to make it look like a GN.

Anyways I had some questions about the swap:

Where is a good place to find a wrecked donor truck to get the motor and trans from??

The car MUST be made by GM although I dont care about division (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, ect.....)

I like the 70's-80's body styling (My friend had an 84 cutlass supreme for example and I like that boxy body style)

HOWEVER I need a car that can handle the weight and torque of the D-max. So I am guessing I need a car that a Big Block came from the factory in (or could at least fit in)

I AM going to strengthen the frame a good deal but I want something I can at least work with.

Also what rear end would handle the torque of the D-max??

Would a D-max fit in the engine compartment of a cutlass?? Could that car even handle all that stress??

Any oher suggestions as to what car to use???

I am very good at wiring and electrical circuit design so that does not pose any problem at all to me.

I was toying with putting a d-max in an old trans am (my friend has an 79TA) But that car doesnt really have a trunk and this will be my daily driver so it needs somewhat of a trunk.

Thanks, Travis

**daddysLBZ** · 08-17-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6600Duramax

Hi I read about a grand national in diesel power that got a duramax transplanted into it. After reading that article i determined that I would someday do something like that. I read it was actually a regal that got grand national parts to make it look like a GN.

Anyways I had some questions about the swap:

Where is a good place to find a wrecked donor truck to get the motor and trans from??

The car MUST be made by GM although I dont care about division (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, ect.....)

I like the 70's-80's body styling (My friend had an 84 cutlass supreme for example and I like that boxy body style)

HOWEVER I need a car that can handle the weight and torque of the D-max. So I am guessing I need a car that a Big Block came from the factory in (or could at least fit in)

I AM going to strengthen the frame a good deal but I want something I can at least work with.

Also what rear end would handle the torque of the D-max??

Would a D-max fit in the engine compartment of a cutlass?? Could that car even handle all that stress??

Any oher suggestions as to what car to use???
.

Thanks, Travis

1st check around for donor/salvage yards and wrecking yards love to sell them cheap after 45 days or when some1 don't pay..No 10 bolt 8and3/4 inch[ring gear size]rear on a G body will do.You'll need at least 12 bolt from a 2500!! I put heavy duty Police caprice springs on my 78 Malibu 2 dr. in anticipation of a BBChev.YOU WILL NEED SPRINGS!!the rear axle is held in place by the 4 link.{factory} I had to beef mine!Added welded xmembers behind trans,then calculating pinion angle properly,I then installed a beefy rear sway bar.

I WOULD: find a ol Caprice wagon,upgrade the rear axle,measure out trans motor mount locations etc.Measure twice,cut once!!That would be the ultimate sleeper!!!!!

6600Duramax · 08-22-2008, 08:44 AM

Ok I was researching and I think I narrowed it down to two or three cars, An old Nova, an Old Grand Am or a GTO. All mid 70's to early 80's.
What do you think about those? Would the D-max fit in the engine compartment??

Thanks

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-22-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6600Duramax

Ok I was researching and I think I narrowed it down to two or three cars, An old Nova, an Old Grand Am or a GTO. All mid 70's to early 80's.
What do you think about those? Would the D-max fit in the engine compartment??

Thanks

I can't quote the year off the top of my head, but I was thinking a monte carlo with the long nose...

**IdahoRob** · 08-22-2008, 10:27 AM

I bought a LBZ engine and trans along with the wiring harness. Just have to check around.

I'd lean towards a full frame car. The torque will twist a uni-body car. Ford 9" should hold the power in a light weight car. Have to decide if you will run the allison or something else. That GN isn't running the allison which frees up some room.

I've been looking at this same project since I have most everything already, but looks like I'm going to install the LBZ dmax in my wife's 2006 3/4 ton Suburban.

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-22-2008, 10:39 AM

aren'y the Montes from the early 70's full frame cars? I do not know toooo much about them, I just thought that they were...
Sorry... My mistake...

6600Duramax · 08-22-2008, 04:26 PM

Ok so can you give me a list of some full frame cars???

Are the older novas or monte carlos full frame???

6600Duramax · 08-22-2008, 04:28 PM

Oh and I am going to run the manual trans that comes behind the D-max from the factory. It is more simple to wire up and I love manual transmissions.

**Hook'em_Horns!** · 08-23-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddydiesel

I can't quote the year off the top of my head, but I was thinking a monte carlo with the long nose...

Probably mid '70s...

I think the Grand Prix was better tho...Acres of Hood up front on both!

ironcrossmike · 08-23-2008, 08:35 AM

Why not put the Dmax in an early 70's Chevy Truck? One of the best looking trucks ever made. IMO