Carolina K10, 1979 Reg cab short bed.

[1963c-10]

Any updates Austin?

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Just wanted to jump in here and give you my thoughts... Spoke with you on IG...

I highly recommend you pull the motor down and gap the top ring to 0.028" if you are planning on adding some boost to it, otherwise around 12-15lbs it will blow the top ring land off. While you are in there check the bearings and clean it up. Most will be fine on the inside, but it is nice insurance to know, and it will live without machining it.
The bottom end will handle the power, the weakest link is the rods, but 600hp is realistic. Mine is making 450hp/500lb/ft to one wheel right now fuel limited.

I do plan on gapping the top ring. As of now I will be throwing this motor in and running it for now while building and gathering the turbo setup. I"m down both trucks right now and I want to get the K10 daily driver status so I can button up and finish the blue truck.

Originally Posted by Captkaos

If you can swing it, get a 4L80E, eventually you will toast a stock TH350, the NP205 won't care... A 4L60E will break also unless you have some really good parts, as in most peoples Level 6 stuff.

I have decided on going with the 4l80e transmission and will be looking for one once I get this 4l60e back into my daily driver. As for the tcase, im looking for an NP241 from the "V" trucks (88-91)

Originally Posted by Captkaos

You need the straightest path for the fuel lines and I would run 3/8" both directions otherwise your pump will be limited. I recommend removing all the stock metal fuel lines and either running straight 3/8" tube or braided hose. You are going to need 87 sending units for the electric pumps. I don't know where you are planning on putting the turbo's, but plan ahead for the drain/return. I recommend welding an AN fitting into the timing cover or oilpan.

I definitely want the braided hose, I haven't decided whether or not to go that route before the turbos though...

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Good luck, you will love it.

I can't wait! Everyone is saying I'll be happy with the stock 5.3 setup (and I will), but I know I'll be SUPER happy with the TT setup!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Any updates Austin?

Yes I do!




So the past few days I've been going to job interviews (between jobs as of a week ago) and have been waiting on the transmission for my daily driver (which I picked up today)

While I was waiting I figured I would try my hand at some welding... These welds look like something a blind kid with no hands could do





I'm still learning. At this point I feel like a majority of the problems I'm having are the machines fault and a little bit is my fault. Later this year I'll be picking up a better machine.

Here's the tranny for the '96 Z71. So beautiful!!





So I'll be dropping this in either tomorrow or Sunday, and once I start getting some steady paychecks I'll have the K10 on the road. I'm aiming for a mid April to early May finishing point.

[rusty76]

Hope you find a job soon. These old trucks like money.....lol.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Hope you find a job soon. These old trucks like money.....lol.

Thanks and yes they do! Shouldn't be long now, should be hired up within the next week or so. So ready for beach weather and this 5.3 swap.

[rusty76]

Me toooooooo. I went to Roaring Gap wensday and there was close to four inches of snow on the ground. Had to dig out the walk boards to get into the house I was working on. And it was cold up there. Man I'm ready for a warm up.! I'm ready to hit Kure Beach. Maybe take a fishin rod and just chill on the pier.

[1963c-10]

Welds don't look bad Austin....will come with practice. Trans looks great and congrats on the new job!!!!!

[TheBlueBomber]

So I think I've found a transfer case a few hours away. Contacted the seller but no response so I left a message. Won't be until next week before I could go out and get it.


Thinking of just ordering a transmission through Monster transmissions... I'd plan on rebuilding it come turbo time so I might as well get it done now and not have to worry about it later.

[TheBlueBomber]

Just got off of the phone with the owner and he's going to double check if it's splined for a 4l60e or 4l80e. Most likely I'll end up picking it up either way.

[tinydb84]

Keep practicing with the welds. Its hard for them to look nice when you are using flux core. Clean all your metal before you weld and they will look better.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Keep practicing with the welds. Its hard for them to look nice when you are using flux core. Clean all your metal before you weld and they will look better.

Next time I go out there I'll try that and see if that makes a difference.


So next Friday I will be going to pick up the transfer case... it's setup for a 4l60e/700r4 so I will have to change the input shaft.

The ball has started rolling once again!!!!

[tinydb84]

When you get the chance read this thread. Lots of good tips for improving the look of the weld (yes strength is more important): http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?30845-Mig-like-Tig

Your making good progress! Keep it up

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

When you get the chance read this thread. Lots of good tips for improving the look of the weld (yes strength is more important): http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?30845-Mig-like-Tig

Your making good progress! Keep it up

Thanks for the link, any help is greatly appreciated especially for improving my welds.




Drove two and a half hours out to Newport, North Carolina to pick this bad boy up... It's an NP241C out of a 1989 K5 Blazer. The T-case had been sitting out of the truck and in the rain for a while so I will be going through this case. I will need to re-spline the input shaft for the 4l80e and install the slip yoke eliminator.


Also I won't have to go through the trouble of building the wiring harness/fabbing up an electronic speedometer. Has the hook up for cable driven speedo. Will be looking for a tach cluster as the build gets a little bit further ahead.

[1963c-10]

Any updates Austin?

[TheBlueBomber]

None so far on the k10. I've been buttoning up the Z71 lately. Have a few things left on that and I'll be able to focus 100% of my project time/budget on the k10. I should be making a thread on the z71 soon. Recently picked up a set of 2014 wheels and tires for next to nothing.

[Gmc-76]

Just read through this whole thread, love the k10 to say the least. My dad used to have one just like it but black, lots of memories. Z71 is badass too dude! Also I follow you on instagram so I can see the truck more often.

[NastyBuzzard]

We are doing some similar stuff!! What headers/manifolds you plan on using? What motor mounts as well? I too live in the carolinas! Just South Carolina!!

I am swapping ls setup into 87 GMC V1500 LWB. However, I got an almost complete 2001 ext cab silverado 4x4 so I am swapping almost everything off it. The entire wiring harness, engine, trans, fuel tank, rear end, radiator, gauge cluster, steering column and front seats.

I am currently having some trans issues with the 4L60E and I am in the teardown (of the 2001) stage and labeling wiring as well as gathering parts. I can't afford too much down time on my 87 b/c it is my only truck. Plus the 87 has a rebuilt 350tbi/700r4 combo with less than 8k miles on it, I just want to go LS!!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Gmc-76

Just read through this whole thread, love the k10 to say the least. My dad used to have one just like it but black, lots of memories. Z71 is badass too dude! Also I follow you on instagram so I can see the truck more often.

Thanks Andrew. I've made some awesome memories with it in the short time that I've had it as well. This body style is just an awesome and fun pick up.

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

We are doing some similar stuff!! What headers/manifolds you plan on using? What motor mounts as well? I too live in the carolinas! Just South Carolina!!

I am swapping ls setup into 87 GMC V1500 LWB. However, I got an almost complete 2001 ext cab silverado 4x4 so I am swapping almost everything off it. The entire wiring harness, engine, trans, fuel tank, rear end, radiator, gauge cluster, steering column and front seats.

I am currently having some trans issues with the 4L60E and I am in the teardown (of the 2001) stage and labeling wiring as well as gathering parts. I can't afford too much down time on my 87 b/c it is my only truck. Plus the 87 has a rebuilt 350tbi/700r4 combo with less than 8k miles on it, I just want to go LS!!

I plan on going with some $30 adapter plates for the motor mounts. As for the headers I'll end up using the stock ones for now. The cool thing about the LS is I can flip the manifolds upside down and use them for the turbo setup if I wanted to.

Does that 2001 truck have rear disc brakes?

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I plan on going with some $30 adapter plates for the motor mounts. As for the headers I'll end up using the stock ones for now. The cool thing about the LS is I can flip the manifolds upside down and use them for the turbo setup if I wanted to.

Does that 2001 truck have rear disc brakes?

$30 adapter plates? Where are you finding them that cheap? I have heard that stock manifolds need the frame touched up a bit on passenger side.

Yes the 2001 does have stock rear disc brakes with 1 piston calipers. I plan to take the brake master cylinder and distribution block off the 2001 as well. I am not sure if the booster off the 01 will work on my truck though. I am trying to do as much research as I can. I know the 01 rearend is about 1" or 2" wider than my 87 but that is fine with me!

[1963c-10]

Nice job Austin...looking good!!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

$30 adapter plates? Where are you finding them that cheap? I have heard that stock manifolds need the frame touched up a bit on passenger side

Ebay is where I found the plates. Just ordered them and they came to $30.80. http://m.ebay.com/itm/271431960026

I've seen where some people have had frame trouble with the manifolds and where others have not. Guess it's depending on the type of mount you use. I'll throw the dart at the board blindfolded on this issue and hope I hit it. Haha

[NastyBuzzard]

I'm excited to see how it goes! What is your plans for a/c?

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

I'm excited to see how it goes! What is your plans for a/c?

Delete haha!! The truck didn't have factory air but between the floor vents, the wing windows, side windows, and sliding back glass I get a good amount of air flow. If my next truck comes with the A/C option I'll definitely run it.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Delete haha!! The truck didn't have factory air but between the floor vents, the wing windows, side windows, and sliding back glass I get a good amount of air flow. If my next truck comes with the A/C option I'll definitely run it.

HAha I feel the same way. My truck is factory a/c but I never use it, even in hot muggy sc I never use it. I don't use it in any of my vehicles when it is just me and they all have ac. However, when my wife rides and my 4month old we have to use it. So, I'd like to keep the option to do A/c later on.

I checked codes on my setup last night in the 01 chassis still. I had codes:


P0133 - 02 sensor

P0332 - knock sensor on Bank #2 is generating a low output voltage

P0785 - 3-2 Shift Solenoid Circuit Electrical


So it looks like I have some stuff to replace before I finish disassembling everything. I want it to run perfect on the 01 chassis before I do my swap that way if I have a problem, its wiring!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

So it looks like I have some stuff to replace before I finish disassembling everything. I want it to run perfect on the 01 chassis before I do my swap that way if I have a problem, its wiring!

Makes sense! It'll be a lot easier to diagnose the real gremlins.


Got the adapter plates for the motor mounts. Now it's down to getting a trans so I can get this engine out of my garage and in the truck!