I remember coming home from school in 1965 and seeing a "new" to us 1964 Corvair sitting in the driveway. It was two tone, white top with red on the bottom. Mom had to learn to drive the 4 speed and it was hilarious, gears crunching and lots of laughs. She finally got it though and we kept that car for 4 years. It was truly a dependable and fun little car and watching this just makes me think of those times, but on steroids. Keep up the good work.

awesome!!!!!!!!! I built a 455 with a th425 in a 74 superbeetle and 2 x corvairs. corvair 1 was a 65 was keltic kit a olds 215cid reverse rotation engine in rear and 2nd was a crown kit. with mid engine 400hp smallblock chev.. love your projects., very clean builds..

I like corvar's because they are unique and have potential and especially because it's not just another camaro or mustang. We see plenty of those cars everywhere.

A guy named Bill Porterfield did this in Lansing Michigan in the late seventies early eighties. His company was called Mid T Engineering. He put a 455 Oldsmobile engine tornado transmission in a corvair and also a 1978 Cutlass 442 in the back seat. He's still around he is retired Oldsmobile engineer. He also owned I believe two 1969 Camaro ZL1 s

@JamesFaction

3 жыл бұрын

Whoa cool. I wonder if John has seen this yet

John your freakin awesome, this is the kind of stuff I dream about doing. And here you are doing it.

Looking forward to following along, you do nice work sir.

Awesome... I had Corvairs back in the late 60's... a 64 Spyder and a 65 Corsair... I watched my mechanic friend build 2 Corv8's... one with a 327 and later another width the aluminum Oldsmobile engine... this is an amazing build you are doing...

Great stuff Mr. John! Can’t wait to see the other videos. Loved the Sleeper Bug. I had a ‘63 Bug with 2.1 VW camper engine (flat 4) from a bus. Sure did it purrr-yours ROARS!

Very interesting !! I’ll be following your adventure... Best of luck

I love corvairs! I've owned several 66 corvairs. Subscribed after seeing your bug. Excited for this project! Cheers.

@ashputtel

3 жыл бұрын

Same.

Had a 327/365 hp in a 69 Spyder, was a handful but lots of fun, the drop throttle over-steer was an eye opener to say the least but the thing was not a practical daily driver so out the door it went after a year. Good luck with the transverse engineering, should be fun to watch. Nice shop BTW.

John I am a 72 year hotrod junkie with a home built rod 351c ford and love driving. Looking for something new to build. This inspires me to think about it. Thanks Dustyrhoads

Top class content, John. Thanks so much!

In 1965 I bought Corvair Corsa the top of line model. it had 4 single barrel carbs. I raced it at a !/4 mile strip in Mission B.C. In those days classes were different than now I was put in L stock and really should have been in M stock. I was going against 283s . This was before they had the Christmas tree. A guy with a flag . I was able to beat all others in my group except one with a 283. It got rubber in 3 of the 4 gears. I used have it raved to 6000 rpm and off I went.. It was a great handling car with fully indepdent suspension ala corvette. Then came Nader.

When I was a kid, I bought a ‘68 vair and put a 375 hp 327 from a corvette into the back seat area. I had so much fun working on it. Later I bought a Olds Toronado and planned to install it mid-ship in a corvair too, but circumstances changed and I sold the Toronado off. Great memories though from watching this build.

@JohnReynolds661

Жыл бұрын

Cool, it's nice to hear other ppl that have taken the challenge.

@sandymilne224

Жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 is the Corvair finished? I’ve been looking for the driving videos… Pls send me the links to them if the car is done. Thnx

@JohnReynolds661

Жыл бұрын

@@sandymilne224 no, it’s not done yet. The next video planed is of it running, not driving, but running

@sandymilne224

Жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 👍Looking forward to it!

Love your Corvair John .. intrtigued by rear mounted motors . Your VW is super dope John :)

you have a nice place to do these projects , i think thats the key to a successful build is a well organized area to work in.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

It helps and it didn't get that way by accident.

I’m assuming no one ever said to you “ya can’t do that !” Lol awesome! Can’t wait to watch all these.

Fantastic ! That car will be tons of fun ...

Well, I've finally watched the first video. Excellent.

This man knows his stuff he is a master builder.

Looking forward to seeing the transformation. My father and I had a corvair spider project years ago

would love to be your apprentice for a day. would learn lots! :)

You Are an Ambitious Guy!!!....Good Luck....

Amazing beautiful project clean work with passion. Because I watched previous work. Please organize episodes in Playlist first in top...... Best regards,

@JohnReynolds661

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the heads up, They are better organized now, although the latest video is on top.

@alhamedi66

2 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 Thank you John for your quick reply and interest and patience. I have 64 corvair 500 coupe powerglid I plan to restored. But what you do it's professional engineering costly with huge effort. Not easy well done excellent work. MOT big problem they not accept to cut welding on structure of vehicle. But bring your car after finished it will registr. Thank you to organize episodes but strat from top to down first episode in the top.... 2 3 4

I saw a few front engine Corvairs in the 70s. Built to drag. One had a 327 and one a 427. My dad was building one with a 327 but it never got completed and he sold it.

Beautiful car!!!

This is the right way to swap the V8 into the Corvair.....this is the way the Corvair should have come from the factory!

John...looks to be quite a project.. the transmission might not take much more power so take it NA first time around, looking forward to your video series.thank you

Nice project.

Cool looking car

Cool, I have a 64 Monza all stock and in good condition body with a partial interior restore.

This man is a mad scientist.

awsome!

Can’t wait to see the progression!

The one thing I remember about the Corvair was it was fun .

Hi John, I subscribed to the channel right after you answered my comment about the Beetle. I am very interested in this Corvair build. I’m sure you have watched videos on the LS engines. I don’t think you’re going to need a power adder . These motors love a different camshaft. The bell housing pattern on that engine is typical of all the GM front wheel drive engines over the years.Really looking forward to the videos and pictures.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I try to answer all questions, even the nasty ones, lol. Yes, it would be a more practical to go N/A, but I like to swing for the fence so it gets a turbo, backed by a 1 ton rated 4 speed auto.

You can use a 6T75E 2001 or 02 and up if you convert to the 58x ecm from an 08 including the reluctor wheel. The original LS4 4t65E has more aftermarket performance upgrades that the 4t80. Anyway the 6T70/75E is pretty much free in the world of parts prices.

Most people don’t appreciate the engineering that went into this package Good choice Another guy on KZread modified one into a custom Triumph GT6

that's cool back in the early 70s my uncles friend did something like this but he used an engine and tranny from a 66 Olds Toronado. it was shaky and rattled and very loud lol

A job just getting the powerplant to work. Your eating an elephant one bite at a time. Sometimes you just have to keep moving forward not being sure how it will result. You know what your doing after that cool bug...that was a great vid with Nicole Johnson.

My first car was a '65 Corvair 500 and I have a soft spot for those cars. While I'll be following this project with interest, part of me is saddened to see a really nice and apparently original example of the breed cut up for a hot rod conversion. I far prefer to see cars destined for the scrap heap used for these kinds of projects. That said, good luck with the conversion.

LS4 would work great in my 1972 scout 4x4. I can't get rebuilt 6 motor for it at the LS4 price..cool!

I’ve got a 64 Corvair Monza and an extra Mitsubishi 4G63T so I’m thinking about doing a front engine RWD build. It would be about the equivalent of your VW build as far as power and weight. Should have a little better weight distribution and braking with the engine being up front.

I just finished my V8 MGB GT and in retrospect a hot V6 would have been easier and more effective but I love the V8 sound.

My mom’s favourite car but my dad totalled it on a snowy road north of Montreal.

Okay... so you got a shout out, sort of, from Fanatik Builds... he mentioned the project and I just had to go searching for it, but I gotta think it's THIS build. Looks like quite the ambitious project and I can't wait to work thru your playlist. You've got another subscriber... so in case you want to return the favor to Fanatik Builds... entirely up to you.

@JohnReynolds661

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I sub'd to his channel and will check it out.

I love your sleeper beetle way better .. let me know when you get tired of it 🙃

@mkent92104

3 жыл бұрын

You're not alone!

Well I was thinking along the same lines but decided for a light car like a vair the 4 banger with about 250 hp would be plenty and fit in much better. Like to keep the engine out of the back seat! The LS in my truck has the alternator mounted upper right on front of engine which would work better for your install. My Camaro has the alternator lower right. If you can find a place for the air conditioning compressor I'd go lower right.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

The LS4 has a very compact accessory drive (it's different than a truck or rwd car), which I have to retain because of the dimensions. I could replace the a/c with the alternator but I want a/c this time. There is no other location that's not going to have a bigger compromise, so it's staying in it's stock location.

I remember that those stock Corsair’s were fire hazards in the engine compartment. Cute cars though..

👍👍😎👍👍

I don't know if you follow Nivlac57 on here, but they did an LS4 engine with the same trans in a Mitsu

That's why some people out this in a Fiero.

I gave up trying to find that setup for one of my fieros

Your 1967 Corvair Coupe, has 1965 tail lights and back up lights. 1966 -1969 were different from 1965.

@JohnReynolds661

2 жыл бұрын

Good eye, I like the '65 tail lights best.

@MrBudcrewchief

2 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 oh good. My 1st car was a 65 convertible 110/auto. I learned over the yrs and over the Corvairs I owned, the ID plates and registrations are easily switched. I found your videos very interesting. Subscribed.

over several years my sister and I beat a 62 in to junk, in the early 1970 I saw an early style with an olds tornado drive train at a car show

@gradyhayes8570

3 жыл бұрын

Hey, my cousin put the olds setup on a trike back in the 70's. It was to much.

I would like see someone put a Subaru powertrain in the back of a vw new Beetle. This corvair/air-cooled vw's conversion have been done by others.

Could just use a 4L65 that was built properly. Good for 1000hp. Maybe easier, but I will assume the direction you take is not cause it is easier. Great project!

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

You mean a 4T65 ? Spend some money and they can be built but they're still not as strong as a 4T80

@rguy2684

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 yes, I get that. Thanks. 4t80, 4l80 is a 400 with overdrive. Use Allison clutches in the 4t80, you’ll burn the steels before the clutches.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

I'll make a note of it.

I'm surprised this man hasn't built a flying car maybe he will.

Made a pun on accident 6:00 "the starter has to go on the oil pan"... "well see how that pans out"

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

I like it when my accidental gaffs turn into puns.

i thought the starter was under the intake. i will be watching to see how it goes for you

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

The starter is mounted in the oil pan.

@MadsWorld34

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 leave it to GM next year the going to be WIFI and in the trunk. LOL

Curious why you didn’t use the transverse transmission that came out of the Impala that the engine came out of?

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

The Impala SS 4T65 is barely strong enough to handle a V6. It's not a good option for a 700 horse turbo V8.

@LSR83

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 oh ok I was unaware of that. Loved your VW build and I’ll be checking back to see this build too

The old motor, Anyone out there building a kit airplane?

We'll see how this all pans out, after talking about mounting the starter at the oil pan 😂

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

I have a Moroso pan for the LS4 with the starter mount already.

@darrenswails

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 cool, I was talking about your pun ( intentional or not)

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Well, now I get it, sorry.

@darrenswails

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 👍

Is there a benefit to the transverse mount, or is it just an engineering challenge? Either way, I’m here for it.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

I believer there is. A conventional mid-engine conversion places the engine so far forward that you can rest your elbow on the valve cover from the driver seat. The transverse moves the engine rearward and gives more room inside the car.

@chrisrader8547

3 жыл бұрын

That’s logical, for sure. Looking forward to the project progressing.

do not let that chick that drove the bug drive this one!

@JohnReynolds661

2 жыл бұрын

LOL.

The very interesting video you did with ?Nicole Johnson? brought me here. I remember decades ago, Kelmark Engineering made V-8 conversion kits for Corvairs en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelmark_Engineering

Have you see nvlac doing the LS4 in the Mitsubishi?

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

I don't know of nviac.

John, any illumination on how you can afford this?

@JohnReynolds661

2 жыл бұрын

It starts with the career choice and investments. Pay off everything and don't carry a credit card balance. When it's time to retire, it helps to have no debt including a mortgage payment. Worked for me.

John Lanning...your car?

There was a 455 Tornado in a 69 Corvair in Kansas City back in the early 70s. Much cooler than a crappy ls.

@goodboyringo9716

3 жыл бұрын

Knowing what John did to the VW the Corvair will be sweet.

@XBootlicker

3 жыл бұрын

I think I remember that car. Did he cruise Blue Ridge or out in Independence?

@HrThune

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah Ringo, i could be cool with a subaru engine in the corvair also, but then it’s not transversal anymore...

@felixcollazomustang6687

3 жыл бұрын

I like very much your VW, i am from puero rico, by the 1970, we took a chev 1957 chasis with motor trans, AMD Gear axle. And mount over that chasis a 1962 corvair body, welding, cutting And bolt it was awesone for tose years

Two smaller turbos...similar to Mercedes.....instant torque....prob more than the trans can handle....detune to be safe....poor corvair....finally gonna realize its cahones...😬😏😳

You should’ve just put a Northstar in there with a couple turbos

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

There are a few NorthStar engines conversions but I'm just not a fan of that engine.

What will be the weight difference between these and the originals?

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Just a guess, but it will add at least 100 pounds.

1st of all, I see You rejected the kiss method , is that a correct 67 Vair engine ? nice safety shoes & Chep pallet company will be stopping to see if You have a lease agreement with them ( BLUE PALLET ) At least it's a coupe not a rare 67 4dr or 67 convertible ,I foresee serious depreciation ! so I guess it will be your keeper. Thanks for the video.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Mr. Cox, I assure you that those are OSHA approved safety sandals I am wearing. Not sure what the fuss is about the blue pallet, but you can have it, if you want it. The reason I am doing this project is because I want to make it safe. The best way to do that is cut out all the body structure and add 700 hp.

I saw your Volkswagen Beetle on this other lady site I think her name is Nicole and I seen you with the lift in your garage and I wanted to know what is the height of your garage because I want to get a lift like that for my garage and before I build a garage I need to know the height clearance in order to lift the car and also a truck

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

It's about 12' and the lift barely fits.

B

How does CA handle smog on a car like that?

@solarguy6043

3 жыл бұрын

If it's older than 1974, he gets a free pass I think.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, all my projects are 1974 and older - smog exempt.

@HrThune

3 жыл бұрын

I don’t think it matters, the car has a more environmentally friendly engine now, compared to the original engine.

Please im not on your level ! What about a Whipple looking forward to this build do you have a acc

What I don't get is why ruin what appears to be a nice original Corvair that runs and drives? Why not find a body that's not quite so nice and with no motor and cut it up?

@JohnReynolds661

Жыл бұрын

Ruin? That's subjective. I pay a little more money to get a rust free car in good condition so that I don't have to spend a year just working on the body. Corvairs aren't unicorns, there's plenty of them out there.

You sell engine yet

@JohnReynolds661

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

@als484

2 жыл бұрын

@@JohnReynolds661 thank you

Wow you screwed that car up

🤦‍♂️

Turbos and superchargers?? OMG, how much power do you need in that lightweight little car?? Even our 3.9l Impala police cars, at work, hauled ass!. Leave it alone. it's gonna scare you in stock form. K.I.S.S.

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

LOL, too late.

BUD!

horrible idea

@JohnReynolds661

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, that's why I'm doing it of course.