L83 swap 72 C10

[howell57]

Would like to hear from anyone doing this swap. Bought 2018 L83 with 6speed auto with 2 miles on it for under $5K. Now the money starts going out!!!

[71meangreenc10]

So far,

Pain in the rear.....

Smitty

[f.flujan]

Any updates. Just bought my 2018 l83 6 speed auto. Going into 68

[weq92f]

.
Seen a few of these combo's up for sale with low miles for less than 5k as well but wonder about the aftermarket for swaps.

Just read the L83 has a provision for engine driven HPFP for its direct injection system. That is something eh!

-klb

[howell57]

Just got my wiring harness back. Will start in April putting the engine and trans in.

[cornerstone]

I'm doing this swap also. In regards to the vacuum for brakes, I've seen it done with a tap in the back of the manifold as well as using the belt driven vacuum pump on the engine, both will work. There are a couple threads in the engine and drivetrain LSX swaps section, lots of good info there. Where did you get your harness done Howell57?

[howell57]

Mitch Vannatta swaptimeusa@gmail.com He is also on YouTube under Swaptime. That's all he does now is harnesses and he is good.

[cornerstone]

Thats cool. I think I recommended him to you if my memory serves me correctly. My harness is sitting in a box waiting for me...

[f.flujan]

Got mine for a killer deal. Couldn’t pass it up. One question was, for vacuum did guys just tap the back of the manifold for their brakes and if so did it affect the systems ecm. Please let me what what y’all did for brake booster vacuum. Not trying to go with the hydra assist

[f.flujan]

I too was told about tapping to the rear of the manifold. I just read that it may interfere with the sensors or it messing with the performance of the engine. Sorry guys, I’m very new to this. I would consider doing the lt1 swap just to get the vacuum but would rather completely as stock as possible. I’m going to delete the dod so the vacuum pump will go. My luck it won’t fit so I’m planning for it not fitting lol

[f.flujan]

I’m also using Mitch. Really nice and knowledgeable guy

[f.flujan]

Cornerstone have you dropped ur engine in? If so how did it go and what motor mounts did u use? I’m planning to keep it as simple as possible. I want to use vintage air, I cupped my lca’s and have cpp uppers, rear c-Notch, stock power steering.

[cornerstone]

Yes I have it in the chassis now. The body is off so there was zero difficulty. I started off with some adjustable adapter plates from ICT billet and SBC motor mounts. I didn’t like the setup, it’s been a while but I think the main reason was because I wanted the extra space to run long tube headers plus the adapter plates / sbc mount combo looked hokie to me. I ended up buying weld in mounts off eBay designed for the L83. This allowed me to lower the motor more and set it farther back.
In regard to the Vintage Air system I bought the complete kit with the sanden sd7 compressor and used the KWiK Performance Gen V L83 bracket kit. This setup is really nice. It includes a new power steering pump and a fair price. Wayne, one of the owners of the company I believe, even helped me get my system plumbed and built the PS hoses to fit my truck.
I’ve seen guys make the VA kit work with the GM compressor even though VA says it won’t work, but the placement was so close to the frame rail, I preferred the sanden instead. I’ll load pics in a min.
Brian

[cornerstone]

The cardboard thing is a replica of the motor mount, I needed to make that so I could get the height and shape I wanted.

[f.flujan]

wow. looks good. im not comfortable nor do i feel I can pull fabbing up a motor mount like you. lol i know how to weld but seems very challenging. Looks like ur set up is near identical to mine. (if you make me some that would be awesome lol) Wish you were closer. Headers would be nice. would they fit using ict's billets swap piece and my stock mound or did u just not like the way it looked. my body to is off. Also did you end up using the vacuum pump or did you tap into the manifold. If you tapped in the manifold where did you do it. Sorry my eyes can't see the vacuum pump in the pics

[f.flujan]

made the screen bigger lol. power steering pump hoses still look clean. I was worried how running longer hoses would look.

[f.flujan]

cornerstone what sway bar did u use?stock?

[f.flujan]

sorry bud so many questions? did u swap the oil pan.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by f.flujan

sorry bud so many questions? did u swap the oil pan.

Its all good... I did change from the truck pan to the Holley pan part number 302, It allowed the motor to sit lower in the chassis. I used the CPP sway bars front and rear. Also just to clarify... I didn't fab my motor mounts, I bought them already made, then needed to trim them down to fit for my application. They are only like 80 bucks.

[f.flujan]

Talked to wayne yesterday. really nice guy. More than likely ill go with his setup. no point on moving water pump and alternator if there's no need to. Its affordable and seeing it on your truck (brian, (cornerstone) ) i really liked it. Brian, what headers did you use, where did you tap into to get ur vacuum for your brakes oh and what radiator and how did you handle he steam vent. I feel like im cheating, your doing all the research and development (lol) and im just copying.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by f.flujan

Talked to wayne yesterday. really nice guy. More than likely ill go with his setup. no point on moving water pump and alternator if there's no need to. Its affordable and seeing it on your truck (brian, (cornerstone) ) i really liked it. Brian, what headers did you use, where did you tap into to get ur vacuum for your brakes oh and what radiator and how did you handle he steam vent. I feel like im cheating, your doing all the research and development (lol) and im just copying.

I used speed engineering headers from thier eBay store, and only $300 bucks delivered I think. I still haven’t addressed my brake vacuum needs yet. In regards to the radiator, I’m hoping to use the 2014 Silverado radiator and dual fans that were in the same truck that the engine and transmission came from. It looks about 6 inches wider so I don’t know how that will turn out... I was always taught to work smarter not harder, so take all the best ideas you can find and run with it. I think it’s safe to say nothing on my truck is an original idea from me, but I still love it and can be proud of it.

[f.flujan]

Hey Brian. So I’m gonna purchase the long tube headers from speed, dirty dingo suggest getting the slider mounts vs the static ones due to making room for headers if necessary. You putting those headers in do you think the sliders are necessary?

[Dmarkmc]

f.flugan - good move on the MetalTek mounts. I tried the DD Gliders and they left the motor way too high in the air and at a rediculous angle. I saw your post and have contacted Jaime to get the same mounts. Thanks for posting that! The DD's are going back!

[howell57]

I'm waiting on Jaime Neibarger from Metaltek to start shipping. Getting motor mounts for L83 and trans mount for 6L60.

[Daaaanz67]

Subbed.