66 Corvair V8 walk around

Mid engined transverse ram jet 350

[@63stratoman]

Even Ralph Nader would love this Corvair!

[@caribman10]

Without a doubt the best thought-out Corvair V8 swap I have seen in 40 years. Brilliant desgn and execution. Bravo.

[@user-ti7yt9vj2f]

Couldn't imagine all those parts fitting in a corvair and still look that good, I could only imagine it looking like a rat rod if I had not seen it great job !

[@skylershank9309]

This is so much more than an engine swap. It's a successful exercise of engineering.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

A Corvair converted into a Fiero...

[@gieb6428]

In the late sixties the was a a kit you could buy to swap in a 337 v8

[@kevinrussell5099]

Yes, by Crown Engineering, but that was a relocation of the engine to the back seat and installed in the traditional fore and aft manner instead of transverse like this one.

[@OOICU812]

@@BuzzLOLOLFiero never had a V8.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@OOICU812 - Lots of Fieros have V8s now... it is an easy conversion...

[@olgreywolf9688]

I owned a '65!! First new car I ever owned!! Loved it ... and many times since, have wished I had it back!! Wonderful small car ... was outstanding in heavy snow!! Had traction when others couldn't get out snowplow buried parking places. Being air-cooled turned out to be a great advantage. And, in my opinion was also a very sleek, nice looking car for the time!! Amazing mileage!!

[@skylershank9309]

I had friends who owned these cars. The power of the media dictated and we bought into the lies. Sad because these cars were revolutionary then.

[@johnleavey356]

What was mpg on yours?

[@tomrobards7753]

Yes they were like a 've beetle

[@tomrobards7753]

They would pass up everything in snow

[@mikeroberts5646]

That’s one cool sleeper car,Thanks for showing

[@Motor-City-Mike]

Really nicely done - especially for a home build, puts the Crown conversions to shame.
(Couldn't help but notice the Pantera in the garage!)

[@johnsmith7345]

too bad we couldnt see the Pantera as well

[@terrallputnam7979]

What a fantastic engine bay design! That car is just impressive!

[@jayschuon8330]

Wow!! Fantastic conversion! Really sweet. They are such beautiful cars !

[@kammeres61]

I live in Tucson as well. You've incorporated features of two of my favorite cars - I drove our family 65 Corvair Monza convertible in high school, and owned a 1985 Fiero SE with a V6 and 4-speed for 12 years. The Fiero was bought new and sold in Panama in 1998.

[@kammeres61]

another nice thing about using Fiero drive train is that you don't have issues with loose gear shift linkage, as can happen with Corvair. Fieros use cables for shift linkage, like a bicycle

[@seangelarden9543]

I've owned three the last being a 65 turbo and I loved that you kept the big steering wheel I hate those little foam covered things

[@charlie6629]

Excellent work, great craftsmanship Sir.

[@terrallputnam7979]

That is one Super sharp Corvair! I really like the body style of the later Corvairs.

[@CurtisDrew1]

I owned a 66 2 door Monza hardtop in the 80's, and my plan was to stuff an Olds 3800 cc FE engine and automatic transmission out of a Cutlass in it, but a divorce forced me to sell it...... I had the transverse engine and transmission and wiring in a Cutlass ready to strip out of it for this project. I planned on mounting the radiator just like you did. My Monza was rust free and body perfect. That looks like a sweet ride.

[@freedomtodefend]

Very cool! I thought mine was unique... I gutted the back of my '65 and adapted a Fiero sub frame and rear struts. 4-bolt 1-piece rear main seal roller cam 350 with L99 3.00" stroke crank and 5.94" rods (302 now) with a Getrag 5-speed. I used a Camaro floor pan and firewall, Camaro seats and console. When I bought the car a Crown conversion had been started on it but halted due to lack of parts to complete. I'm 6'4" and that doesn't leave me enough room for a Crown conversion. I got the Fiero idea because of all the V8 Archie parts available and the added leg room with a traverse mounted V8. I do restoration work and discovered in the process that the rocker panel chrome trim is the same part used on a '69 Camaro. I am in the process of grafting a '67 RS grille and I am going to graft either Firebird or GTO slotted tail lights. It also has Camaro SS/Nova hood bezels. I like different as opposed to cookie cutter trendy builds. You have a very nice car. The stress on a convertible would concern me though (the way I like to drive).

[@stephengreen3566]

You did an awesome job on this car! You should be proud.

[@stoveguy2133]

I had a v8 vair. Did the midengine route. Rotate trans 180 deg. V8 in backseat. Super easy install. Had an olds 455 toranado in a Corvair van. Was interesting.

[@edrodrigues3333]

I had a shop teacher in high school that did it your way, tried to get my Dad to swap his Corvair.
That didn’t go over very well.

[@OOICU812]

I like the paint job.

[@heyrod59]

I've seen the coupe versions, but this one is amazing to look at and it must be real fun to drive as well !

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yeah, Corvairs got great looking when assumed the coke-bottle shape...

[@jimburig7064]

I had a couple of Corsa convertibles. This makes me miss them.

[@Mike-rx4in]

That is a pretty sweet rig!

[@PrairieThunder000]

nice clean ride...well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@2006Mercury]

Wow. Somebody's put in the wrench time.

[@JosephPercel]

Must have cost a fortune.

[@donalddodson7365]

Wow! Ralph Nader must be tossing in his grave.😂 Beautiful job modifying the car. Thank you for posting.

[@ryancarroll3961]

I know a guy who put an eldorado engine trans and subframe in the rear of a corvair who was from Springville Alabama
I haven’t see it in years but it was a great job

[@bryanturner683]

Couple of questions. and observations. 1) What is the weight distribution? The Crown kit I had was around 48/52. It seems like this car wont be that close. Radiator in back, front end will be light? Car will likely still handle very well, but perhaps not as well as a crown. 2) Having had a Crown v8 in the past my recollection is that it wasn't more difficult to put the engine in a Convertible (try stuffing a v8 through the door) it was a strength issue? Without the hardtop there is a lot more stress on the Unibody rockers Did you reinforce them?. 3) A significant issue with the Crown conversion was putting that much power through stuff that wasn't designed for it. It was highly recommended that Spyder gears be added to the differential to help strengthen it. Your 350 will likely have 3 times the power of the Fiero. Have you had it tested by a 17 year old driver? I know A 17 year old that drove his mid engine hard enough to to crack the tranny case. (poor Mount design by Crown, my Dad re engineered it I couldn't break it a second time.)
You have done beautiful work, I have a 65 vert thats the same color as yours. Would love to drive yours up next to some snooty guy and his Porche !!!! I used to kill Trans Ams all day long!!

[@DanielinLaTuna]

My friend had a Ford Pinto in which he’d stuffed a ported and polished 289 V-8. The headers made the engine look like a black widow ready to take on all comers.
He used to race 914’s on the road. In the quarter mile he’d leave them in his dust, although they’d eventually catch and pass him.
It was a sleeper, with stock wheels and tires, so no one had a clue what he could do…

[@zerocool9135]

I owned a 65 corvair Corsa conv. Loved it. My first car. Bought in 1967. For $650.

[@darinmiller2405]

Wow that 350 Ram Jet is a very responsive engine with 350 HP

[@bobsmoot8454]

The two major kits were Crown and I think Kelmark(?). A transverse mounted V8 reminds me of the original Lambo Muira . Very cool sled.

[@leegunter5223]

Nice car I'm impressed! Especially with A/C. I need to read up more on the Fiero trans axel. I prefer the 5.3 LS but having the 350 valve covers look much cooler!

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Wow, you’ve done some work . Sounds fine. You did a great job. Bet it’s fun to drive. I use to drag race a Vega. It was very fun with 700hp.

[@timothymoroney3561]

That is the coolest V8 'vair I have ever seen ! Love the preservation of the frunk space . Did you ever calculate the MPGs on this set up ? I imagine she handles like a dream .

[@davidlackovich946]

Very nice conversion! Don't worry about the "grammar majors'" critique..you're UNIQUE..HAHA!

[@philgiglio7922]

Sports Car Graphic built up a V8 corvair with iirc a hewland transaxle and pitted it against a Group 7 full house CaAm car. It beat the all up racer in a track test!!?

[@rodneycody8746]

Handel's like aweems

[@rustyaxelrod]

Nice! I really like it. 👍

[@JB91710]

You shouldn't have any problem selling it! That car looks great!

[@mikedee8876]

never liked Corvairs....but that one, I like....very nicely done

[@Jefferson66019]

Part of me wonders when Leno will call its that unique ! Especially getting a 350 horse GMPP Ramjet in there sideways very nice.

[@jonminnella4157]

Nice build

[@mac4rnr]

I owned a '64 Spyder Monza, ran great!

[@jakerazmataz852]

My brother had a '65 I think back in the 80's. It had dual carbs and was blue printed and balanced. It was dark green and ugly, but it was a sleeper.

[@hugh-iu7vo]

Nice-looking ride

[@ffwest12]

While in High School 1969 a guy that owned a muffler shop built a mid engine corvair. The Engine was mounted behind the seats, in line with the transmission. Not sure what the eng or trans was but he had built the engine. There was no cover built over the engine so it was easy to spot when walking around it. It was a hardtop not the ragtop like yours.

[@bryanturner683]

Excellent design and work. Very unique. Makes me sad though to see this done to a 66 vert. So few made.

[@grandparolie]

Super nice I love it. 💯👍🏼😊

[@carlsapartments8931]

wow, very cool build

[@jerrydc818]

Nice! Now tell me about that Pantera looking car in the garage 😳😉

[@paulgrimm]

Incredible car

[@kathyortiz8774]

Back in the early to mid 70s a Corvair pulled up next to me at a light, and it sounded all wrong. I looked down at it just as the driver reached back to tweak the carburetor in the back seat. What?!? Yes, the back seat area was taken up with a Chevy small block. Very interesting. Joe

[@alext8828]

Nice looking car.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

Nice. Better than my V8 Vair was!

[@aaronmaughan7151]

Like it....

[@kevinjohnston4512]

Love it always wanted one

[@patrickbass3542]

Nice!

[@Hammer1978]

Now if only Chevy made a car like this.

[@davidlampe4153]

Great conversion corvair enjoy!

[@TairnKA]

It would be great if I could find the article about mounting a Tornado drivetrain. "behind" the rear seat of a late model Corvair?

[@jessebrown2100]

... well done ......

[@garylam6233]

Beautiful Corvair I drove a stock 66
That was awfully light on front end
When passing tractor trailers going in opposite direction front end would get squirrelly with you in a heartbeat
With all your weight over the rear wheels I bet you have the same problem unless you addressed the issue .
Nice build though very unique

[@Motor-City-Mike]

Not to but in, but...
On this swap the weight of the engine and transmission is between the front and rear axle - actually putting More downforce on the front end than the stock location.
On the stock car, with the engine behind the rear axle, the weight actually tris to lever the front end up.

[@garylam6233]

@@Motor-City-Mike
Got ya
That makes sense ,
Thanks for replying back ,very nice build I know you are proud of that .
They are scarce as hens teeth especially with a professional touch .
Thanks again

[@privatedata665]

Nice car

[@redsky7527]

Pantera in the garage. 🙂

[@user-sr3jm1je4n]

Hi Cristi Jessy bless you from Canada 🇨🇦 😊 ☺ ❤ 💖 🙏 🇨🇦 😊 ☺ ❤ 💖 🙏

[@rkirschner7175]

Nice job. 👍❤👌

[@ervingoertzen7233]

I like the G body chassis swap for front engine swap

[@anvilsvs]

If you want a front engine Corvair just buy a Camaro. That's what a Camaro is.

[@kevinwest3689]

There was a car exactly like this color motor everything in Riverside Missouri year's ago. Wonder if it's the same one?

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

You had some huge cooling issues.

[@andrewwasson6153]

Do I see a mid-80’s Lamborghini Countach in the garage at around 4:50?

[@jamespell8091]

Cool set up. May I put in two cents please? The radiator has both a sucker and a pusher fan. I'm thinking the air is pushed through the radiator too fast and that the air radiator can't exchange the heat out of the coolant so fast. Perhaps.. that's what I'm thinking. Something to iron out that's all. I do kind of like the limiter though. I had something like that only my setup was insane. It was for the driver's side door...The thing never flew open though. Like you're Corvair.

[@9943garage]

Hello. Nice ride but I’d like to see that Pantera in the garage. Thanks

[@greenNRGinit]

Is this corvair still for sale?

[@scottdavies9336]

Show us the Pantera in the garage please!!!!!!!!!!

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Pretty cool setup, except for having to pop the rear hood open to cool down the engine adequately. Maybe a person could get a second hood to mount a scoop on for cooling.

[@tirebiter1680]

Is the V8 where the rear seat used to be to make it a mid-engine car and no longer a rear engine?
Is this Corvair still "unsafe at any speed" now that it isn't too tail heavy?
Chevrolet should have put these into production to be a competitor for Ford's Pantera.

[@TairnKA]

I've forgotten what the "cocktail shakers" are for?

[@125AXer]

When the 2nd generation Corvair convertible was put into production, some, not all of them had a harmonic vibration which resonated through the body. The band-aid fix was the vibration dampening devices you refer to, one mounted in each corner of the car. GM had halted development of the Corvair, so no money was spent on finding and curing the source of the problem.

[@nojunkwork5735]

It idles but what does it sound like when you smash the go pedal. You may be too old for it, and it may be too fast for you.

[@MrSlim1959]

I wont even ask how many days it takes to change the spark plugs.

[@charliesmorykin38]

You showed everything but the engine so how do I know it has a V8?

[@FACEBOOKS-WBDS]

Ok, your ram air is going the opposite direction then the electric fan is therefore creating hot spots in your radiator

[@exracer2727]

What are the "cocktail shakers" for?

[@dirtboater1]

Vibration dampeners due to convertible body flex.

[@exracer2727]

@@dirtboater1 Thanks

[@jerrys.8926]

I want one.

[@noelobrien7743]

What happened to the road test ?

[@DavidGarcia-qs5ng]

👍

[@tomrobards7753]

Wonder what Ralph Nader would think of it

[@JonBooth-bi8cl]

I can't imagine a person being more boring than this guy . Beauty exercise in creativity on this vehicle . Hats off to the shop who performed the conversion .

[@jamesspalten5977]

My brother is married to a woman that is....

[@Thomas63r2]

Weird. Yes it is different, but as long as you are doing rear seat delete I think it would have been so much better to have done an LS V8 and Porsche G50 transmission. The source of your overheating is the fans.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

What is the function of the “cocktail shakers”?

[@125AXer]

When the 2nd generation Corvair convertible was put into production, *some, not all* of them had a harmonic vibration which resonated through the body. The band-aid fix was the vibration dampening devices you refer to, one mounted in each corner of the car. GM had halted development of the Corvair, so no money was spent on finding and curing the source of the problem.

[@philgiglio7922]

A convertible top should be able to be put up or down without leaving the driver's seat

[@benhur_9377]

❤

[@Dragineez774]

Magnificent, but I'd prefer the original engine and drive train.

[@vargasjohnson540]

I don't understand. The highlight of this car is the V8 engine, and yet it's not even shown?

[@richardstewart429]

Yeah. Click bait. Might be 12 hp B&S.

[@paulstewartcrane]

Looks like a Lambo in that garage too ?

[@CorV-8]

Willing to sell it now and save trouble of listing on bring a trailer?

[@sslarmancuenca]

Sorry no

[@rainbowboa100]

but ya didn't show the motor!

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

Better at least call it a Corfiero with the car probably consisting of more Fiero/aftermarket (chassis ,drive train,wheels,all technical underpinnings) than Corvair parts. No wonder it has cooling problems with the originally front mounted radiator mounted at the back! But what if at full speed the "cooling lever" is pulled? Wouldnt´ that solve the cooling problems permanently? It also would IMO ad to that "open" feeling of a convertible permanently! LOL. PS: Cool hot car, sounds a bit like a smoothie mixer though!

[@bryanturner683]

UH,,,,, Corvair was rear engine air cooled, no radiator.

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

@@bryanturner683 You misunderstood: The CHASSIS of the FIERO that is under this Corvair body shell is constructed so that a mid mounted 4 cylinder "Iron Duke" engine is sufficiently cooled connected to an exposed front mounted radiator. Not only that the now mid mounted V8 needs much more cooling than a 4 cylinder the connected Radiator is suffocating buried in the back of an originally air cooled car (rear mounted fan cooled flat 6),hence no body openings at the front, hence no need for any radiator!

[@bryanturner683]

@@dipling.pitzler7650 Copy, Thanks. My bad, I have been asked several times why Itook the engine out of my car and moved it to the back!. I have owned many corvairs. I currently have a stock twin to his. I had a Crown V8 many years ago, Believe me, just having the radiator in the front is not a guarantee for cooling. The cooling issue so not much when your moving, the original grill in the rear deck is supposedly is placed in a "high" pressure area. Cooling the V8 in my experience was more of an issue when you stop at a light. Im impressed with his Lifting deck lid, I think I would have cut in a smaller one. Still an impressive build. Wondering how long you can feed that much horsepower to Fiero gear????

[@albertwayenberg9140]

Hello, has this been sold? I'm interested.

[@sslarmancuenca]

Will be on bring a trailer in 2-3 weeks

[@CorV-8]

When is going to be listed ?

[@sslarmancuenca]

Will be on bring a trailer in 2-3 weeks

[@Mark7limited]

It’s not one of one if it was not factory

[@chrisbaker2903]

About the only things I don't like about your car is the convertible top and that mickey mouse way of increasing the cooling. I think I'd prefer a regular V8 mounted on the transaxle and have the radiator up front. That's just my opinion. But it regularly gets to 110 degrees, 3 or 4 months of the year where I live and such a marginal cooling system would be unacceptable. You should probably just put hood scoops reminiscent of the ones on some of the early road runners over the louvers on your hood. Get that cool air in all the time.
I suspect your weight distribution is probably to far back to provide good cornering without some serious setup on the suspension and much larger tires on the back. I love the idea of the 5 speed though.
Do you not keep a spare tire in the car? I always moved mine to the front on my 63 Spyder and it helped the cornering a lot. There was a turn between Ventura, CA and Oak View, CA back when I was a teenager and it was called Edison Curve. It had a safety sign to slow to 35 mph before you got to it. I'd taken it several times in 3rd gear, foot flat to the floorboard at 75 mph. Nobody can tell me that Corvairs wouldn't corner. I KNOW they would.

[@johnbecay6887]

too bad the sound is MIA here

[@roywimsett2880]

They were never good in stock form anyway. Hopefully, this made it better ..

[@rosepetaldrone3226]

Ridiculous. Ram air LMAO