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1988 Conquest: 5.3-T56

R-R-Quest

By R-R-Quest,
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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Been around here for nearly two years now, but been working on a couple other projects. Now it’s time to start my build. I recently read on here that there is going to be a National meet next fall, so here I am inspired, motivated and launching my build now in hopes to have it completed before the fall meet.

I bought my 1988 Conquest, Fiji Blue, Black Leather Interior, 5spd almost two years ago for $550 and haven’t touched it since. Oh, I should mention that it is rust free. Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the car. It did not have an engine, and sold the transmission to another member here about a year ago.

I’m going with the K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple, Stupid) approach. I’ve had a ton of concepts of what could be achieved and some cool upgrades that I would like to do. However, in order to get this project finished in time and within budget I will need to remain focused and not adapt the “I might as well do this if I’m gonna’ do that” thought process. The overall strategy is to get a base engine and transmission in, get the car road-worthy, work out any kinks and issues and head out to the National event. Then later go to work on upgrading and modifying the different systems (brakes, suspension, paint & body, etc) as time and budget allows.

Engine:

It will get an LS-based engine; just not sure which one yet as budget will ultimately determine what I can afford. All aluminum would be great in terms of weight, but that would raise the budget. Besides, if I later have the desire to install a power adder (supercharger, turbo, twin-turbo) the cast block, from what I understand, will be stronger.

Transmission:

T56. Is there really any other choice? I could go with a 4l60/80, but what’s the fun in that? I’ve always appreciated the sense of control a manual transmission delivers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that have inspired and motivated me to this point; Everyone here at SQC, my sons Clay and DJ; Both of which are car-nuts too. Clay has a build thread of his ’73 El Camino with a 5.3 over at LS1tech and DJ has a build thread of his ’78 Celica GT over at Classic-Celica.com. Outside the family, motivation has come from a few other Conquest/LS builders such as Convette (has a build thread on here), Boosted88tsi (has a build thread on here), and Matt, whom I believe built the first LS1 Conquest that I know of. Matt is a mechanic that works at a well-known performance shop here in Charlotte, NC. I believe there was another Conquest/LS swap about the same time, but if I recall correctly, it was set up strictly for drag racing. Thanks, all!

Clay’s

http://ls1tech.com/f...no-ls-swap.html

DJ’s

http://www.classic-c...iewtopic&t=2001

Anyhow… enough rambling, let’s get this build started.

-Dan

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R-R-Quest
R-R-Quest

Here's what it looks like under the carpet. Pretty clean. No rust, other than the drain plugs themselves.   http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-67.jpg   http

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Okay, so we'll all seen pics of Conquests and Starions before, but here are mine:

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-2.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-1.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-6.jpg

 

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Nice ride! I plan on a built LS2 in the future. I will be following this as you re planning the exact same setup as I want. Best of luck and can't wait to see it finished.

 

I can't wait until it's finished either! In the third picture above, you can see my Sons 73 El Camino with a 5.3, TH350 and what a blast that car is, I can only imagine what a Conquest would be like with an LS. But, at the same time, I get a lot of enjoyment out of building, modifying and fabricating stuff.

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Thanks for the support and I will definitely be calling on all StarQuesters for help and advice.

So, Yesterday we hooked up a battery, even though there is no engine or transmission, just to see what works and what doesn't work. To our surprise, I believe everything functions! Windows, wipers (front & rear), washers, radio, heater fan, lights (headlights, taillights), seatbelts, etc. The only thing that we could find that didn't work, was the antenna; we could hear the motor, but it would appear the mast is broken off. Haven't looked yet, but is there a replacement mast out there that will work?

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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I'm at the point where it's time to remove some unnecessary wiring. Is the engine harness stand-alone or is it fully integrated into the vehicle harness? I have not looked at it closely, and again, I have zero experience with a running StarQuest.

 

Also, Saturday I had some time to work on the front suspension. Will post some pics when I get the chance.

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BOOSTED88tsi Newbie

BOOSTED88tsi

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its a completely separate harness, it runs down to the passenger side kick panel. I'd recommended keeping the fuel pump test wire, black with white stripe located in the front passenger side near where the air can goes(pretty sure its not even in the engine harness) as you can hook up your power to fuel pump from the LS ecu to that guy. Everything else can go.
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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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We had some awesome weather here in Charlotte this weekend. Unfortunately, I had to work all day Saturday. But, I did get to work on the car for a little while today.

 

Removed the front cross-member so we could flip it around (Left to right - right to left) so that the tie rod ends of the eventual rack and pinion will be on the front side of the cross-member allowing plenty of room for the LS oil pan and headers.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-35.jpg

 

 

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Here it is; removed. Next is a good pressure washing.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-38.jpg

 

 

After pressure washing. Drilled out the spot welds. Cut the engine mount shells off. Some sanding. Then started to put some primer on it.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-39.jpg

 

 

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Oh yeah. Before the previous photo, we welded along the seams between the two sections to add some strength back to it.

 

Here it is all primer before re-install.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-42.jpg

 

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-41.jpg

Edited by R-R-Quest
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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Cleaned up, sanded, and put some primer on the driver side frame-rail where some brake fluid had ate all the paint off. I wonder what the inside of the frame-rail looks like?

 

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/dhollin73/LS%20Conquest/Conquest-43.jpg

 

 

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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We left it primer for now, for protection. We will be removing the entire front end assembly again for new bushings, balljoints, etc., and full engine bay paint treatment in the Spring. I'll have a three-day weekend next week, so expect a lot of progress. (weather pending of course)

Next up will be:

1. Engine wiring harness removal.

2. Complete engine bay and front end removal.

3. Dash, seats, and carpet removal.

4. Might even break out the cutting tools and attack the firewall and transmission tunnel.

 

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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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You cant just flip the x member. The frame rails are not parallel to each other.

 

Seemed to fit pretty good. I keeps the lower control arm mounts/bushings in the same location. However, now that you have me wondering, I'll have to check the measurement charts for the bolt hole placement in the frame rails.

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Convette Newbie

Convette

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Yeah it doesn't work like that. It doesn't keep the location of the control arms. Also they have a degree of angle in them, which will now be backwards. Trust me.. I've done this. The frame rails are wack in this car, you'lln see how much when you get to building motor mounts.

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/johnboy9788/x_zps6bbc092b.jpg

Edited by Convette
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R-R-Quest Newbie

R-R-Quest

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Yeah it doesn't work like that. It doesn't keep the location of the control arms. Also they have a degree of angle in them, which will now be backwards. Trust me.. I've done this. The frame rails are wack in this car, you'lln see how much when you get to building motor mounts.

 

 

 

Thanks for the illustrated explenation, Convette. Can't believe I didn't see that lower control arm bolt/bushing angle before. I suppose it would work as long as I planned on changing the bushings every 100 miles. lol

Anyhow, looks like we'll will be fabbing a cross-member after all.

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