New guy with a 5.3/4l60e 81 c10 56k maybe

[BaddBusa2005]

Good to be here guys. I just recently converted my truck to an lsX style engine and have ben makin progress since. I have a 3600 stall and 224/228 cam for it. It started as a 305/th350 truck when I was 16. Being 22, and just now getting to do what i want to it since my other cars are put up. What do you guys think?

Here it is with some nasty wheels, It now has the 15x8 truck ralleye's with 295/50's al the way around.




Blah out with the tired ol' 305, should be bronzed.



Ohhh so pretty kinda...



SInce i have done the swap it has been dyno tuned on a mustang dyno at 250hp and 265 tq to the tire, and it has received a 3.73 gear with a auburn posi. It runs incredable and is very reliable. I recommend it to anyone.

[boxrodz]

Looking good, Badd...

Care to share some details on your swap like what did you use for the motor mounts, manifolds, wiring harness? Did you have to swap out the oil pan and rad as well?

Anyway, good job.

[bluex]

Details.....

I want to put a 6.0L in mine.

[Slonaker]

That top pic looks familiar. Haven't you posted here before?

That engine looks good in there.

Slonaker

[swb85]

Do you have the room for longtubes? I'm sure there's got to be clearance issues, but you'd pick up over 30rwhp/30rwtq with a decent set of longtubes, especially with that cam. I'll bet she sounds good too!

[Ric83]

Good job bro. Looks like some nice progres. So, can we have some details... details... details!!


BTW - Welcome!!

[Captkaos]

Welcome BaddBusa2005!

Originally Posted by bluex

Details.....

I want to put a 6.0L in mine.

I am putting a 6.0L in mine right now.
I got the engine mounts from Early Classic. I should have it test fitted hopefully by the weekend to run the fuel lines to it..

[bluex]

Sounds cool, you need to do a how-to thread. I have to build a garage before I can start working on mine.

[Captkaos]

I should be dumping info in this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...09#post1648509

[N2TRUX]

Cool! That should make a huge difference in performance. It looks like I waited to long to finish up my Blazer. When I bought it no one had an LS1 in a 73-87 truck. Now they are everywhere.

[bigblock73]

Looks awesome badd, I love it.

I agree with the rest, tell us more about the swap, what was involved, and how difficult it was (or wasn't).

Welcome to the board too.

[TEAM THC]

Very Cool. More Info Please...

[BaddBusa2005]

Sorry it has been a few days guys. If I miss any details that you want/need to know ask me.

The engine is a 2003 5.3, it has the inlet and outlet fuel rail(easier to make up a fuel system for). So I bought the 87 fi sending unit an put a walbro 255 with it and then used a 4th gen f-body style fuel filter. All of the fuel system is stainless with the factory style quick connect fittings(makes for a factory look). As far as mounting that thing in there I used the Street and Performance sbc-ls1 conversion mounts. There were no clearance issues with the engine fitting, the transmission though is a different story. First of all the trans I assume is bigger bodied than the th350. It is close inside the trans tunnel, but workable. Also I had to move the trans crossmember bacl about 2 inches. No big deal I just used the factory one, but when this 4l60e goes. It will get a t56 and a tubular trans crossmember.

As for exhaust manifolds, I work at Tennessee Auto, we deal with 4th gen fbodies and a few ls1 conversions, so I had a few different manifolds to try. The truck manis. will not work, vette manis. dont, and 98-99 fbodies dont. The only ones i could get to fit were the 00-02 fbody manifolds. On the pass. side I had to grind a raised spot on the manifold.

The wiring is just the truck harness that has been converted to "street rod" style 4 wire hook up Dana at LT1 Wiring. He is an awesome guy and I definately recommend him.

Im sorry guys this isnt very well prepared so bare with me. I have been trying to get a write up done, but the truck still isnt done, done yet. No I didnt studder, it just not totally finished yet. It is done enough to drive.

I will also have a way easier/cheaper rear disc brake setup done soon to. 11" rear brakes anyone?

[BaddBusa2005]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

That top pic looks familiar. Haven't you posted here before?

That engine looks good in there.

Slonaker

I poseted in on chevytalk a while back

[84 400]

nice work man that is soo cool
wish i had that. i bet it is sooo smooth
good job

[boxrodz]

Thanks for the details, Badd.

Do you have a single or duel fuel tank set-up? And, are you using a single fuel rail or a duel rail that have an inlet and a return line? If I remember correctly, that is the recommended set-up. Pics of the 'stock-looking' fuel plumbing from the tank(s) to the fuel rail(s) would be cool.

So, I take it you didn't have any problems with the 'truck-version' oil pan and the front crossmember. ... or, any other clearance issues especially like having to relocate the A/C since you're not running one. I though maybe a cross flowing rad with a stream line port was needed.

Oh, and one other thing. What's you're plans for the instrument gauges?

Looking forward to your write-up....

Reliability, Performance and Fuel Efficiency...

[BaddBusa2005]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

Thanks for the details, Badd.

Do you have a single or duel fuel tank set-up? And, are you using a single fuel rail or a duel rail that have an inlet and a return line? If I remember correctly, that is the recommended set-up. Pics of the 'stock-looking' fuel plumbing from the tank(s) to the fuel rail(s) would be cool.

So, I take it you didn't have any problems with the 'truck-version' oil pan and the front crossmember. ... or, any other clearance issues especially like having to relocate the A/C since you're not running one. I though maybe a cross flowing rad with a stream line port was needed.

Oh, and one other thing. What's you're plans for the instrument gauges?

Looking forward to your write-up....

Reliability, Performance and Fuel Efficiency...

Boxrodz,

I only have a single tank setup. Also the fuel rail is the dual setup, with an inlet and a return. When I have it apart putting the cam in, I will get some pics of the lines.

The oil pan actually worked out real good. I wanted to keep it for the extra capacity. It hangs bellow the k-member about an 1 and a half. Not bad, but if you were to drastically lower the truck, you might want to run an F-body pan.

The a/c is a work in progress. I hope to have it done soon(before the heat comes). I will be using a vintage smoothed firewall kit with the electronic baffles, and a Sanden sd105 compressor. The radiator is the stock radiator for the 81. As far as I know the stock 81 radiator is cross flow, I have used a vertical flow one also on a 1953 International Harvester ls1 swap(http://www.tennesseeauto.com/19inpi.html) and it worked fine. Some people say that you need a "reverse flow" radiator, but the ls1 isnt reverse flow. Also some useless knowledge the reverse flow lt1 radiator and ls1 radiator hose locations are the same, just the hoses are reversed on the engine.

I had intentions on using a Covan guage set, but I am leaning towards the Dakota Digital.

Thanks for the positive feedback guys.

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by BaddBusa2005

Boxrodz,

I only have a single tank setup. Also the fuel rail is the dual setup, with an inlet and a return. When I have it apart putting the cam in, I will get some pics of the lines.

The oil pan actually worked out real good. I wanted to keep it for the extra capacity. It hangs bellow the k-member about an 1 and a half. Not bad, but if you were to drastically lower the truck, you might want to run an F-body pan.

The a/c is a work in progress. I hope to have it done soon(before the heat comes). I will be using a vintage smoothed firewall kit with the electronic baffles, and a Sanden sd105 compressor. The radiator is the stock radiator for the 81. As far as I know the stock 81 radiator is cross flow, I have used a vertical flow one also on a 1953 International Harvester ls1 swap(http://www.tennesseeauto.com/19inpi.html) and it worked fine. Some people say that you need a "reverse flow" radiator, but the ls1 isnt reverse flow. Also some useless knowledge the reverse flow lt1 radiator and ls1 radiator hose locations are the same, just the hoses are reversed on the engine.

Thanks for the clarification and the additional information. The A/C setup should look nice when you get it done. I also wouldn't think that you wouldn't need a 'reverse flow' radiator. But, I was wondering 'bout the steam line coming off the heads?.

That '53 International is cool. If I'm not mistaken, I think I came across the site 'bout a year ago. Is it finished? Dig the LS1 headers and 'valve covers'.

Home Depot Hope ?????? Hmmmmm ??????

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by BaddBusa2005

Boxrodz,
.
.
.
I had intentions on using a Covan guage set, but I am leaning towards the Dakota Digital.

Thanks for the positive feedback guys.

Should look good, Badd.

Gotta keep us updated until the write-up's complete.

[78chevstepside]

I have the 5.3 in my 02 silverado. really like it after almost 5 years( hated the dakota i had after a week) decent power and great mileage . some of these motors have piston slap issues. I dont have this issue.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by BaddBusa2005

I had intentions on using a Covan guage set, but I am leaning towards the Dakota Digital.

The manifold info you posted was what I needed to know. I am either going to get those or get some headers. I just put the motor/trans in the frame yesterday.

I sell the Dakota guages, so if you are looking for some let me know. I have them for $511 + shipping.

[BaddBusa2005]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

The manifold info you posted was what I needed to know. I am either going to get those or get some headers. I just put the motor/trans in the frame yesterday.

I sell the Dakota guages, so if you are looking for some let me know. I have them for $511 + shipping.

well my my, that is cheap. Anyone that has looked into them knows that is cheap. After the cam, stall, and street and performance headers. I will be getting back with you. I can get you these manifolds if you are interested also.


Ryan

[Captkaos]

Just let me know or just order them online at 73-87chevytrucks.com. I sell all of Dakota's products with the same amount of savings....

I have a line on some free ones, but if they don't work out I will let you know.

[boxrodz]

Chris,

Your 6L LS post with pics looks is really cool. You're making good progress.

BTW, I visited Early Classic, but did not see their Gen III motor mount offering for 73-87s, (only the 63-72s)???

[BaddBusa2005]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

Chris,

Your 6L LS post with pics looks is really cool. You're making good progress.

BTW, I visited Early Classic, but did not see their Gen III motor mount offering for 73-87s, (only the 63-72s)???

looking good, i need to get my shop done so I can tear my truck down that far. I cant wait. I didnt know there was so much out for these trucks. The single side window conversion sent me over the top. I will be buying the kit at the end of april.