I haven't been good about getting out to work on the car at my dad's house. So after a few months, he eventually got fed up and had it towed to a shop called Lifes Good Racing, where Jeff (55superbeetle) is now helping with the swap.
http://www.lifesgoodracing.com/
If you don't know Jeff, take a minute to read his amazing build thread:
http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=222596
Jeff is an amazing mechanic and fabricator. In a matter of hours, he already has the engine in the car, and a handful of hidden modifications to make it all fit and still look OEM. I really want the final product to look as factory and subtle as possible, even when the hood is popped, and Jeff shares that vision. A few pics:
Engine is now bolted into the car, and now Jeff is working out which sets of brackets we can use with the LS3 water pump to make the alternator and AC compressor fit under the flathood.
A few things had to be done to get it to fit:
The front cross member bolt holes where the engine mounts bolt in had to be slotted a little bit, to let the engine slide away from the steering shaft, resulting in about 1/8" of clearance.
Coil bracket on the driver's side was modified, to allow clearance to the brake booster.
tranny cross member had to be cut and welded, so that the tranny would sit centered. This may have something to do with the 1975 cross member not having the various bolt options that later 240s have.
Hoping to use a stock GM airbox, for maximum OEM-ness. Super quiet muffler, OEM GM computer, functional AC and heat, stock (early) Volvo automatic shifter, and (widened?) steel wheels are part of the plan.
I'll post pics as I have them.
I am so stoked right now.