81 K5 "Arctic Blaze" H.O. 5.3 / SM465 swap

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

I'm confused....two bungs but on one side...and w/o a cat between them?

The rear bung is going to be for my wide band.

After some tweaking, this is how the exhaust will sit.




Some cheap autozone hangers for now.

[whitels1]

Made some more progress today, decided to work on the fuel pump and wiring.

What I'm using to pull this off.




This is the vetteworks pump ring, I would suggest not using the aircraft bolts supplied with the kit, because the first time you have to change your pump this might happen, only all of them broke! Looks like I'll be removing the ring and installing some different studs.... Fun!


Module assy is plenty tall enough for the stock tank.






Feels like the further I get to the finish line, the longer everything takes!

[whitels1]

Some good progress yesterday, all fuel lines fabbed and installed, oil pressure sending unit in and fuel tank installed. Hooked up my battery and gave it a go, but the starter I had was junk. After a new starter she spun up and produced good oil pressure. I then put fuel in the tank and let it prime, checked for leaks none, then I tried to start her, but no go, I checked everything and it appears I'm barely getting fuel to the rail, when I open the schrader valve just a dribble comes out. Time to troubleshoot and then wrap up the radiator/radiator support.

Tapped an old ls1 oil pressure gauge for 1/8 fitting.


Sender Installed.


Fuel tank ring reinstalled, along with a 90 for the fuel vent, both of them welded in then sealed with gm engine sealer.


Return loop.

[whitels1]

She's alive!

I figured out my fuelling problem, the fuel pump module does not have a regulator build in, so I'm going to have to change up my fuel loop to include a corvette filter, easy stuff so I made due with some electronics cleaner

H.O. 5.3 LSX swap starting for the first time. ...

[whitels1]

Got the fuel issues resolved, added a Corvette filter to set up, had my tuner swing by and do some magic, and she is now running on her own.

H.O LSX 5.3L Idling in my 81 K5 - YouTube

[whitels1]

Finished up a few things and took her for a small road test a few minutes ago. I'm going to let her cool down, check her over and go for a longer road test.

Corvette fuel filter / regulator


Fuel line wrapped with exhaust blanket by the muffler.


Engine bay pass


Engine bay dr


She finally soaked up some sun today!

[79shortbed]

This is beyond awesome man, Great job! Maybe I'll get the courage to do this some day. Keep at it!

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by 79shortbed

This is beyond awesome man, Great job! Maybe I'll get the courage to do this some day. Keep at it!

Thanks and I love you avatar!

I got her out wheelin yesterday for the first time, a nice trail with many obstacles, she ran great, made the swap so worth it! Figured I would post a few vids.

LSX K5 Blazer at Devils Peak 1 (Arctic Blaze) ...

LSX K5 Blazer at Devils Peak 2 (Arctic Blaze) ...

LSX K5 Blazer at Devils Peak 3 (Arctic Blaze) ...

[79shortbed]

Makes me want a 4x4 to go rock crawling!

[MalibuSSwagon]

I like the underhood fuse box, where did you pick that up?

[gringoloco]

Nice work! Glad you finally got her running- makes me wanna get mine going. Are you going back with fender flares?
Posted via Mobile Device

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

I like the underhood fuse box, where did you pick that up?

I had the housing laying around, it used to house an old RV jack control board. I gutted it and added the stuff I wanted.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Nice work! Glad you finally got her running- makes me wanna get mine going. Are you going back with fender flares?
Posted via Mobile Device

No the fender flares are out.

[whitels1]

I was getting tired of taking my laptop with me to monitor my temp, especially when wheelin. So I picked up a 3/8 sender, put my file in the vise, the sender in my drill and took it down until it was the appropriate size for my M12 x 1.5 die. The final product came out good and worked like a charm.







Almost forgot to post up some new wheelin videos from this weekend, 2nd time out since I go her back on the road. It's so much better wheelin with the fuel injection and gobs of power at my disposal. I still need lots of practice not stalling while crawling up obstacles, it's a fine line between not enough throttle to turning into a rock bouncer!

LS powered K5 Blazer crawling 1 - YouTube

LS Powered K5 blazer crawling - YouTube

[gringoloco]

Cool toy! That looks like fun. Almost makes me want a 4wd...
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[whitels1]

It's always nice to get some love http://www.lsxtv.com/videos/car-feat...-5-3l-upgrade/

[JAA]

Seeing this thread makes me really want to do this swap.

Question Dave: What suspension and tire size are you running?

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by JAA

Seeing this thread makes me really want to do this swap.

Question Dave: What suspension and tire size are you running?

3" body, 2-1/2" rancho front springs, 2-1/2" blocks in the rear. 35" tires. The ultimate goal is to loose the body lift, and run 52's and crossover up front with shackle flip out back.

[MTCK]

Nice job on the swap! I really like your fuse / relay enclosure. I want to do something like that in my 77 as I have various fuses and relays all over the engine compartment. It would be nice to clean it up and put them all in one spot and get them out of the weather.

Awesome wheeling vids to - you do not mess around? What are you running for gears and traction adders?
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[whitels1]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Nice job on the swap! I really like your fuse / relay enclosure. I want to do something like that in my 77 as I have various fuses and relays all over the engine compartment. It would be nice to clean it up and put them all in one spot and get them out of the weather.

Awesome wheeling vids to - you do not mess around? What are you running for gears and traction adders?
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks, 3:73 and welded front / rear.

[charlie diaz]

Great write up on the swap!

I hope I don't offend you by asking this, but do you trailer your rig or do you drive it there? I'm asking because I'm curious as to how your "adaptation" to the sm465 is holding up to road use. I know the trail is going to be harder on it in short bursts, but does everything jive at highway speed?

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by charlie diaz

Great write up on the swap!

I hope I don't offend you by asking this, but do you trailer your rig or do you drive it there? I'm asking because I'm curious as to how your "adaptation" to the sm465 is holding up to road use. I know the trail is going to be harder on it in short bursts, but does everything jive at highway speed?

No offence taken, it drives great, I have been doing good on fuel consumption, 70mph @ 2500rpm. The welded rear end makes the tires squeal everywhere but other than that I have no real complaints, except no power mirrors, windows, a/c etc . As far as adaptation to the SM465 were you talking about anything specific? My main purpose for installing the SM465 was to tow trailers, take 100mi trips to the lake, idle around on the rocks in 110degree heat and then make it home w/o worrying about cooking an automatic.

[charlie diaz]

I was talking about the mix of parts you used to make the everything mate up properly. It's awesome guys like you post this information so that the rest of us don't have to spend bookoo dollars on pre-made kits.

Now that I've seen this, I will be taking the 454 out of the CC C30 I just bought and installing a 5.3.

thanks again for the info!

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by charlie diaz

I was talking about the mix of parts you used to make the everything mate up properly. It's awesome guys like you post this information so that the rest of us don't have to spend bookoo dollars on pre-made kits.

Now that I've seen this, I will be taking the 454 out of the CC C30 I just bought and installing a 5.3.

thanks again for the info!

Good luck with the swap!

[x ReAcT x]

I give you props for doing all the wiring yourself. That would drive me nuts, you definitely have a talent. I wish i would have seen your thread before i went and bought the 5.3 Erod package. I do have a question though. I just mounted the engine and transmission and i was gonna bolt the stock manifolds on the engine but the drivers side manifold hits my slave cylinder for the sm465. I see you used the f-body manifolds. Those are camaro manifolds correct? i know thats a silly question but i cant find any online. Did you just go to the junk yard and yank them yourself or buy them online?

[x ReAcT x]

And also do those manifolds clear the slave cylinder? If you have any picks i would definitely appreciate that