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

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

After some tweaking, this is how the exhaust will sit.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6496.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6486.jpg

Some cheap autozone hangers for now.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6487.jpg

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

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

What I'm using to pull this off.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6497.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6503.jpg

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....:metal: Fun!
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6510.jpg

Module assy is plenty tall enough for the stock tank.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6509.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6507.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6516.jpg

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

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

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.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6538.jpg

Sender Installed.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6539.jpg

Fuel tank ring reinstalled, along with a 90 for the fuel vent, both of them welded in then sealed with gm engine sealer.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6536.jpg

Return loop.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6545.jpg

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

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 :)

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

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.

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

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
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6554.jpg

Fuel line wrapped with exhaust blanket by the muffler.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6559.jpg

Engine bay pass
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6567.jpg

Engine bay dr
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6568.jpg

She finally soaked up some sun today!
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q.../IMG_6570a.jpg

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

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

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

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.

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

Makes me want a 4x4 to go rock crawling!

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

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

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

Nice work! Glad you finally got her running- makes me wanna get mine going. Are you going back with fender flares?
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Re: 81 K5 "Arctic Blaze" H.O. 5.3 / SM465 swap
 

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.

No the fender flares are out.

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

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.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6625.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6626.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...1/IMG_6627.jpg

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!

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

Cool toy! That looks like fun. Almost makes me want a 4wd...
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Re: 81 K5 "Arctic Blaze" H.O. 5.3 / SM465 swap
 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Thanks, 3:73 and welded front / rear.

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

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?

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

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 :lol:. 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.

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

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!

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

Good luck with the swap!

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

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?

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

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