I have a 53 Buick Super and I'm ready to start working on it but I think i need some help/suggestions. My goal is to have a nice cruising car with decent handling. I'm want to replace the engine with a modern fuel injected Chevy 5.3L, HydroBoost brakes, and A/C. The questions I have are: I notice that some people switch out the frames is there something wrong with the stock X frames? I want to put 4 wheel or at least 2 wheel disk brakes on it. What bolt on options are out there? The rims on the car right now are shot so i'm looking to do the brake conversion as the first restoration step. Thanks I can't wait to start working on it. Here's a pic of the car.
Hi, I have been considering doing the same type of swap on a 52 olds98 (simular cars)I haven't had much response or helpful info on this project. Everyone tells me its do able and will fit the original frame but try to encougrage me to either go back stock or at least same brand. I dont know why this is not an accepted procedure but it truly hasnt been popular on here or other sights. Wished I could help you more but dont know the answers you seek.I have about decided to just repair the original drivetrain and update it.alt,12 volt electronic ign etc.
I would keep the original motor if its in there, but if you really have to swap in a chevy a fuel injected one wouldnt be what i would do. I would convert the motor to carburetor. the reason is those motors you are talking about and the fuel system uses a bunch of electronic sensors that will make things complicated when doing the swap. If you use a new style motor like an LS-1, then i would get rid of the sensors completely and run a carb setup on it. The reson people do subframe swaps and other stuff like that is because performance suspension parts for these cars is basically non existant and the swap enables you to use more modern suspension set ups. Your car would handle fine if you just rebuild the suspension that is there.
Okay, there is a set-up that can convert your front brakes to discs, don't have the company name right now but you may find it at the BCA Website. There is nothing wrong with the Nailhead engine that's in that car...unless it's trashed. They are one of the most dependable & sought after engines on the Planet, and '53 was their "year of origin". Your front suspension can be rebuilt with parts from Kanter or C.A.R.S. and is one solid, strong mutha. Don't make more work for yourself by doing "make work projects" ! From the factory the '53 was one of the best units Buick ever made. Check-out my '53 Special in my Album Section. Yes, A.C. was available on the '53's and with the lightweight of a Vintage Air Unit, the Nailhead you have will pull it just fine if you convert to duals and your carb is a 4bbl. Best of luck...the '53 is a Winner and with minor tweaks can be a great Road Trip Cruiser...without breaking the bank OR overdoing it. JK www.legends.thewwbc.net
I'd love to keep the original engine in the car if I thought that it would be reliable and get good mpg. For the price of rebuilding the old eng/trans I could drop a newer engine in and not have to worry about carburetors, points, generator, etc. Basically I want a modern car with the old look, RestoMod.
This is leington again. Hate to say I told you so but you can see by the answers you have gotten what your up against lol Good luck steve
What you're both up against, is not really understanding what the HAMB is about. It's about traditional cars, doing things the old way. You're more into what many folks here call "street rods", putting modern stuff in an old car. This isn't the place for that. However, if you want to get help and advice about how to fix up other parts of the car, you might ask about that stuff, and just don't mention that you are doing an "off topic" engine/transmisison installation in the car.
You need all the electronics and huge wiring harnesses that go with the engine and transmission. The two work together. You'll go through a lot of bugs before if you ever get it working reliably. The old nailhead will be far more reliable in the long run plus if you have something go wrong on a trip you'll be able to fix it yourself. The computerized monster will leave you stranded and more than likely no garage will want to touch it.
There are shops all over that put LS1 type motors in all kinds of cars, Nissan 240's, opel gt's, Chevy s-10's . Anything, they have the wiring and sensors all figured out and it'd be just as reliable as any modern day car out there. I love the old cars, engines and such but let me ask this. What's the average mileage life of a 50's engine? Today's engines probably do the same mileage in 1 year.
if you wanna put disc brakes up front JAMCO does a kit for your car.I put them in my 53 Buick Special and it fit like a glove.
By the time you succesfully swapped the EFI motor in you will have spent the money it would cost to make the nailhead reliable. If you are gonna have a shop do the swap then you wont have to deal with the PITA firsthand lol. Whatever you decide to do is up to you, but make sure you think it over first. .........BTW the car looks good and have fun with it! And good luck with the project. If you ever want to get rid of that nailhead the guys on here would be all over it.
You may want to do some research on how effectively those 2-1/2" pistoned calipers stop a heavy Buick in comparison to a 2-15/16" unit from 1992-99 1/2 GM trucks (hint: not well).
Oh, any reason? Idk too much about brakes im 17 and still learnin'. And do your kits require any welding? If so ill have to practice some more just bought my first mig/flux a few days ago. I have used them before though and I do pretty good.
Yeah, it's interesting seeing what's ok, and what's not, to discuss here. Try not to take it too seriously.
Unless you are rallying the car cooling slots are mainly for looks, not to mention they are $100 more per rotor. No welding required, but the stock Olds rims will not work - need 72-95 truck rims.
Are there any kits that use 2000 and up camaro or corvette calipers and rotors? I have a 90s truck and the original brakes weren't all that great. I upgraded to a camaro kit and have been happy with it.
realy , if your just going to drive it normaly just rebuild the stock brakes, they will stop on a dime if in good condition. same with the suspension it will work fine those things were one of the best ridding cars made. spend the money you'll save on the interior and other things. oh and that nail head motor will out last you if in good condition, if you want to build a hot rod get an old chevy or ford.
[sarcasm]hooking up a modern 5.3/4l60e setup would be very difficult in this car. you would have to hook up a power, a ground, and a start signal to the computer, and at about a 1/2 inch in diameter, the harness is very huge and hard to hide[/sarcasm] i own a 240sx with a ls2 swap, and chevy v8 pickup, they are simple and great engines for this car. if you were running an open bay car like a roadster or something, id stick with old school, but for a cruiser thats probably gonna have the hood closed most of the time and driving, go for it. like others said though, ls1tech.com is the place for the info you seek.
You'll find the same consensus in every thread on here that has to do with mileage: the best thing you can do is to change the gearing. Overdrives, overdrive automatics, taller rearend gears, etc. Look at it this way. You can get the Nailhead to perform like a newer engine and not have to worry about electronics going 'fzzzzt' or making decisions on their own all of a sudden.
I reckon you should dump that ****ty old nailhead as far underground as you can. Better still, to save you the trouble, you can ship it off to me, and I wil look after it for you. Jeez, I'm a generous guy...
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