Re: First time swap started
 

Oh absolutely! I just havent ordered my MPVI2 yet. The TC is also not unlocking on braking appropriately because I haven't wired in my 4 pin brake switch.

Re: First time swap started
 

Driveshaft ordered. Called a local shop and they quoted me the same amount (after shipping) but would be re-using my old yoke. Driveshaft Specialists of Texas would be all new parts. Went with the 5" aluminum.

New transmission pan, gasket, filter installed. Note to anyone using an aftermarket deep pan with the 'bump' in the corner, you need the ACDelco 24208576 filter, NOT the ACDelco TF337 that a parts lookup will give you. That filter does not have the corner shape to work with the pan.

New Russel 640520 -6AN to 1/4 NPSM fittings in the transmission, with 90 degree -6AN fittings with braided PTFE hose. In retrospect, 45 degree would probably fit better, but it's what I had.

https://i.imgur.com/lzoja6p.jpg?1

Russel 640330 -6AN to 1/2x20 inverted flare fittings in the radiator for the hoses. I ran the top (return) hose intentionally longer than it needs to be since I want to add an auxiliary cooler at some point and want to make sure it can fit around the front of the AC condensor.

https://i.imgur.com/XFM6WAu.jpg?1

Ended up picking up some Evil Energy branded PTFE hose and fittings off amazon since I ran out of the Hot Rod Fuel Hose stuff. Seems to be equal quality for a little less money.

Also pictured is the 5/8 to 5/16 adapter I mentioned in my last post. No clamps on it yet, just mocking up the steam port line.

Re: First time swap started
 

Anybody got some exhaust clips? I have no idea what kind of mufflers to run. I used to be a flowmaster guy 20 years ago but I'm looking at Magnaflow, Gibson, and Porter so far. I plan on having cats installed as well.

Re: First time swap started
 

First fire today! WOOOOO!

Got a fuel leak on the top of the tank! BOOOO (of course it's there, couldn't be anywhere else, right?)

Got my cooling fans mounted up... I had a set of 93 firebird fans and shroud and had a lead on some aftermarket shrouds that would work, but the further along I'm getting the cheaper I'm getting.

https://i.imgur.com/s7sX3WU.jpg?3

So I went to Lowes and picked up two pieces of 36" 3/4x3/4 angle, and made an elevated lower bracket, since the shroud was 3" too small.

https://i.imgur.com/6WRLjwN.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/wlTT1Zj.jpg?1

Then simply drilled some holes in the second piece to secure the top.

https://i.imgur.com/XFiHBHa.jpg?1

Seems to hold pretty secure for now, until someday when I want a proper setup.

Topped off some fluids, cycled the key a few times to allow the pump to prime properly, and cranked. It fired so quick it actually spooked me, haha! Let it run for a few seconds (still just have open manifolds) and shut it down to check for leaks. I'm getting some light fuel spray at the top of the tank, so I wonder if the compression -6AN fittings didn't seal properly. Guess the tank's coming down again.

Also, the fuel sender doesn't seem to be operating. I put in about 4 gallons in a 20 gallon tank and it's still reading E. So gotta chase that issue. Right now the back tires are up on ramps, and the front down, so maybe the fuel is all just sitting in the front. Hope that's all it is.

I'm happy to report that the stock 2001 oil pressure sensor seems to work just fine wired to my 85 cluster. Was low for the first second then jumped to about 50psi.

Re: First time swap started
 

Tank's out again, I *think* I have the compression fitting tightened enough to not leak anymore. But I still don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from it. Haven't put the tank back in yet.

Also discovered a new leak - I had put new waterpump gaskets on but not a new thermostat o-ring... so guess what I need now? Yep. So that will get done this week. Luckily I had only put a gallon of coolant in the system before seeing the slow drip. So any loss should be minimal.

Saturday hit the junkyard. Scored an engine cover:
https://i.imgur.com/oXKob9z.jpg?1

An evap/charcoal canister from a '98 Silverado:
https://i.imgur.com/WKmFQvH.jpg?1
Reason being, I want to keep a canister to keep fuel odors down, but my original was a complicated 5-port can that had vacuum lines running everywhere. This one is easy. One line to tank, one to the evap line on the manifold, and the Air tube solenoid which doesn't even need to be hooked up cause all it does is 'close' when the PCM does a pressure check... which is disabled on mine anyway.

And the cluster out of the same truck.
https://i.imgur.com/Qz7Di9a.jpg?1

Probably won't end up using it but was trying to see what it would take to adapt the speedo electronics like ls1nova did. If I can find the right cluster, I don't think it would be too hard at all. The problem with this one is the fact that the odometer is separate from the speedo, so there's no way to fit them together under the 85 gauge face. If the damn faces weren't so big, I'd try to cut them out with scissors to cover the old faces and just relocated the odometer somewhere else. But not a big loss, this was just for educational purposes.


Tried to get a AC/compressor but it was on an 03 2500 series and the damn motor mounts were in the way, and I only had limited tools on me. Kind of broke my heart, the complete 6.0 sitting there minus the intake just waiting for someone to snag it out and rebuild. 4WD 4L80e sitting in there too, not that I need one of those.

Re: First time swap started
 

Probably a little late to help you... this is my slapped together exhaust (first time building an exhaust like this where I had to bend and weld tubes) - but here's mine for now. Cheap 28" long glasspacks for the time being. Probably slightly leaky.

https://youtu.be/kUoSWj7fvXo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWyB34SdS9U


Exiting under the cab... unbearable inside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIYlBSADm3A

Re: First time swap started
 

I dig the old school glasspack sound. Little loud for what I'm going for, haha.

I have an appt to drop it off at a local shop the week of July 9th, right now planning on magnaflows unless I hear something between now and then that I gotta have.

Re: First time swap started
 

Not sure if anyone would find this helpful, but I've been trying to maintain a google sheets list of parts purchased, with prices, part numbers and links.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

Re: First time swap started
 

Another junkyard run. Picked up a transmission cooler:
https://i.imgur.com/vYTHeXO.jpg?1

And found a cluster from a 95 S10. Taking inspiration from LS1NOVA's idea.
https://i.imgur.com/Ce8XRdh.jpg?2

Took out the trip meter since my face plate doesn't have the holes for it. Also adjusted the odometer to match the one coming out of the truck. Since it has the extra 100k digit, I also moved the numbers over slightly to better align with the hole in the speedo face.
https://i.imgur.com/oEwN0lG.jpg?2

Marked the section of the plastic I wanted to keep, and cut it out using a dremel.
https://i.imgur.com/6eCCnEf.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/e2Zsd49.jpg?1

Drilled two holes in the plastic to allow the original screws to be used, but also added some hot glue to the back for good measure.
https://i.imgur.com/9LYxesr.jpg?1

Needed to cut a rather large hole to allow room for the unit. I'll have to come up with a solution for the bulb holes/locations. Also needed to notch quite a bit into the light passage for the high beams. But I tried to close it off some with electrical tape before installing the speedo.
https://i.imgur.com/uQXFjGE.jpg?1

Gauge re-mounted. I had to cut the stems off the 95 needle and glue it to the back of the 85 needle to mount on the gauge motor.
https://i.imgur.com/UBjJdiw.jpg?1

Gauges will be direct wired since the printed circuit no longer fits.
https://i.imgur.com/3LggTlN.jpg?2

I also used the temp gauge from the 95, since I've heard that in a swap the factory temps are often off by quite a bit. I screwed that one up a little, I got some glue on the face and the stuff I used to clean it off was a little too strong and started taking the paint off... oops. Learning experience.

Re: First time swap started
 

I am curious to hear the sound you get from your Magnaflows if that's what you go with. I just picked up a pair of Borla mufflers for mine and I should hopefully (fingers crossed) fire my engine for the first time in about a week. I built the exhaust out of 2.5 inch stainless tube by myself so hopefully its decent. If you ask why I picked the Borlas I have no good answer. I was on Speedway Motors looking for stainless steel mufflers that would fit in the space I was working with and they do.

Re: First time swap started
 

I'll get a sound clip up once it's done. Had to postpone my appt unfortunately, still waiting on my driveshaft. I called the shop to ask what they wanted to do and they basically didn't really want to have to push the truck around on the lot in 90+ degree weather :lol: Can't say I blame them.

Re: First time swap started
 

Cluster updates.

Got the whole thing wired, looks like a bit of a rats nest unfortunately, could have done better with cleaning up how it all connects.
https://i.imgur.com/ZejXLYY.jpg?2

I purchased some molex connectors off of amazon to make the cluster easily removeable.
https://i.imgur.com/OhmIC4d.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/0LDHyNN.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/Q2yPwTk.jpg?1

Havent tested the speedo yet, but the whole thing powers up and all needles reset to 0, so far so good.
https://i.imgur.com/xaCXFLI.jpg?1

I'm actually thinking of pulling it again to put LED bulbs in there while I'm spending the time on it.

Re: First time swap started
 

trybal,
very nice.. you have moved really fast on this... nice job! I am just starting to get a handle on my wiring. I thank you for your reply on my trans linkage question. I appreciate you taking time to share your build. nice job!! :metal:

Re: First time swap started
 

Guess I'm a little late but thought I would chime in anyway.
I wanted to keep my original metal radiator so I had a local radiator shop clean and test my 85. They also handled changing the heater hose port to a steam line port. Best $100 I spent. No issues what so ever. cools no problem and the steam line worked great. Just had to fill the upper hose the first time and all went well.

Re: First time swap started
 

I’m having my doubts about the little reducer working for me long term. It seems to drip a little even with the clamp cranked down, so I’ll need to do something else like this.

Re: First time swap started
 

I like the conversion the radiator shop did. Looks factory and does the job.

Re: First time swap started
 

Got my new driveshaft delivered... and the rear u joint doesn’t fit. Uuuuuugggh. Mistakes happen, but I’m still bummed cause now I need to get it swapped out or figure out how to do it myself.

Re: First time swap started
 

Got the correct u-joint and the new driveshaft installed! 5" Aluminum goodness.

https://i.imgur.com/GwhKfHU.jpg?1

Getting dropped off for exhaust this week.

Re: First time swap started
 

Exhaust shop has the truck this morning.

Plans:

2-1/2" stainless duals with H pipe
Dual Cats (we have visual emissions inspection here in PA)
Dual Magnaflows
Exit behind rear tires

I'm so excited... getting close to having a driver again.

Re: First time swap started
 

Lots of great info. Working on my first swap, have to post photos

Re: First time swap started
 

Good luck with your exhaust! I hope it sounds good and runs even better!

Re: First time swap started
 

You could also get a cluster from a 90 or 91 suburban, I think they had an electric speedo from gm. Your idea looks like it worked out great though.

Re: First time swap started
 

The biggest problem is that everyone knows so they cost a premium when you can find them. I figured I’d take a shot on a $20 junk cluster.

Still don’t know if it actually works, with open manifolds I haven’t driven it more than a few feet around my driveway. We’ll find out when it’s back from exhaust.

Re: First time swap started
 

Not sure if I'm too late for your exhaust decision, but Jegs has their own brand of mufflers that sound really good and only cost about $30. We have a project truck that we're building in my shop ('52 International with a 2017 Coyote motor) that we used the Jegs mufflers and they sound amazing!

Re: First time swap started
 

Finally got the truck back from exhaust. I’ll need to get a video walk around. Pretty happy with the sound, it’s very quiet at idle but once you drive it has a nice deep rumble.

There is one thing I’m a bit... off about, I asked for an h-pipe crossover and they added it... before the cats. I’ve always seen the crossovers after the cats so I’m not sure how I feel about it.

On some other notes, drove it for the first time to get it home. Great power, smooth acceleration. Love it.

Unfortunately almost none of my gauges work, lol. So I need to figure out why no temp output and why my speedo project was a total fail. At least the gas gauge works.

Getting home I’ve discovered a transmission tailshaft drip, looks like my rear main seal is leaking, and I think I need a new radiator cap. Lol. Well something to work on this winter.