1972 Chevy Nova EFI 6.0 LSX swap 4L60E 12 bolt

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Champaign, Illinois, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Chevrolet
  • Model: Nova
  • Type: Coupe
  • Year: 1972
  • Mileage: 29,000
  • VIN: 1x27d2l161735
  • Color: Black
  • Engine size: 6.0 LQ9
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Black
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1972 Chevrolet Nova Description

This Nova is an incredible car. If you're looking for a concourse show car, this isn't it. If you're looking for a rust-free running, driving, powerful hot-rod that will start whenever you want to go, and take you down the highway at 80mph for hours on end.....then you're in the right place.
This Nova was a 383/powerglide car when I got it. I have since swapped in a fuel injected 6.0 LS engine and 4l60 E transmission. The car runs great, was tuned with HP tuners and makes over 420 rwhp on a Mustang dyno.
I believe the car spent much of its life in California. I base this on the fact that I found a southern California map book in the glove box, the car had the solenoid that was the 72 version of California emissions, and that the underside of the car is nearly mint. There is no rust in the fender lips, rockers, or anywhere else. There aren't any bondo zones on the car. The rear framerails are so clean I actually had a body guy ask if I had replaced them. I have included pics, but Ebay only allows 24. If you're seriously interested, please contact me and I can provide more photos. The interior of the trunk is all there and solid.
The paint on the car is not great. Its an amateur job, however it is very shiny, and presents very well. A 10-footer if you will. My plan was to wrap the car in satin black and make a Death Proof clone. The car was apparently red at one point, and I believe was tan originally. The car has been painted shiny black, jambs, engine compartment and trunk included. Its got rally wheels and worn tires that could stand to be replaced.
The windows roll up and down, the doors and trunk close with that solid "kachunk" that they made when new. The lights and signals work with the exception of the front turn signals, which only need to be reconnected to the chassis harness. I took the car to the spray wash for the pictures, and there was a small amount of water in the trunk afterward, which may mean the trunk seal could use attention. The windshield wipers do work. The glass is good.
The interior is nice. The front seats are buckets that are probably not correct, but do look the part. The rear seat is original and free of tears, but the cushion is a little degraded. I have the seat belts. Door panels and dash pad are very good driver quality. Package tray is decent. Headliner is presentable. There is no carpet in the car. I may include the new carpet kit I bought for the car if the bidding reaches a good price.
The wiring visible in the pictures is for the reverse lights and neutral safety switch, which do work. The other wires are from the EFI harness and are intended for the tach, check engine light and speedometer. The gauges in the car do not work, but the wiring and parts are there. I datalog the car when I'm driving it, so I get all that information through my laptop. There is no radio or glovebox (though both could be installed). The PCM is underneath the dash on the passenger side. The fusebox for the EFI is under the dash in the center, close to the OBD2 port. I have all the pieces not shown for the interior, they are all of good driver quality. I have the cover for the shifter, the shifter was new before going in the car.

I installed a new heater box, heater core, and squirrel cage fan when I did the swap. This is not hooked up, but could be very easily. I will include the laminated color wiring diagram I purchased from Ebay.
The engine:Low mileage LQ9 shortblock from an Escalade with real Z06 243 heads that are unported, but have a valve job. LS6 intake. Custom grind Flowtech Induction camshaft (cam card included).
Transmission:4L60E with 3500 stall lock-up circle D converter.The Swap:All Hooker/Holley swap mounts were used. Hooker motor mounts and transmission crossmember, etc. The car also received new poly body mounts. The Nova has the expensive (but awesome) Holley swap oil pan (part#302-2). It has Hooker Ceramic 1-7/8 coated headers and Hooker's Nova specific exhaust system in 3" stainless (it sounds GREAT).
The efi harness is from BP automotive. it looks good and uses all factory wire colors so you can use a factory manual to troubleshoot it in the event of problems. Injectors are from the LQ9 pickup. It uses a 5 wire MAF. The cold air kit is a modified unit from a 5th gen Camaro. Throttle body is a ported version from a 4th Gen WS6 trans am.
The 6.0 has F body spacing accessories with the Holley alternator/power steering bracket and LS1 water pump. The fans and radiator are from a 2000 Camaro. They work very well.
The fuel tank is a coated stock style replacement tank with an EFI internal pump from Tanks Inc. It has a 255 lph walbro pump. I used a corvette return style fuel pressure regulator. All fuel fittings and line are Fragola -6AN push lock.
The car has a 12 bolt rear end with positrac. It has a highway gear in it, which could stand to be changed for something more aggressive. The cam and converter want more gear. It is very driveable as it is, but would perform better with more gear.
The car was converted from monoleaf to multileaf and the previous owner did not change the leaf spring bracket to the multi leaf style. I have those and will include them with the car as well as some Energy Suspension poly bushings.
The car isn't perfect and it isn't "finished". However, it does run and drive, and if you can do without heat, you could literally daily drive it. I have just under 1000 miles on it since completion.
Minor other quibbles:
The steering is a little loose at times - I have not changed any of the front end componentry in the time I've owned the car. There is minor damage to the stainless around the windshield on the passenger side. I owned the car a month before I noticed.The windows are tinted. Some like this, I don't.There's a minor body wave in the metal between the taillights. I am sure an SS tail panel would cover this nicely.
If you've ever looked into doing an LS swap, you know how time consuming and expensive this is. ALL the work is done, and done correctly. With a little interior finish-out work, this will be a very nice car, and will last a long long time. NO trips to the body shop required. There is no way this car could be reproduced for the reserve price on this auction, unless perhaps you already had the 3rd gen Nova that didn't require any body work.
Ebay only allows me 24 pictures and you know that you can't show a car like this in that few pictures. I have more. If you're serious, please contact me through ebay or Facebook and I can provide more. You can also call me at (217)390-0765 with questions. **Please** only call if you're serious about the car and have the ability to purchase it. The only reason I am selling it is I don't have time for it.
It is a classic muscle car, and its 45 years old. I have tried to describe it to the best of my ability, I urge you to come and check it out in person if you can. It is in my interest to let you know everything I can about the car because I want the buyer to like it as much as I do, and I don't want to sell it twice!!
The car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction if the car sells while the auction is ongoing. As you can see from the pics, it is at a car lot, but it is a private owner consignment sale, so Illinois sales tax is (I think) $25.00 unless the car goes for over $15,000.
Thanks for looking!
Steve