TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

[TR65]

6.0 LS2 and T56 6 speed swap. 1965 C10 short fleet BBW. Truck was bought new by my dad. He gave it to me a few years ago. Spent most of its life in a garage. Very good condition. The suspension is completely rebuilt, 4 wheel disk brake conversion, rebuilt 12 bolt rear with Eaton posi-traction, front sway bar. Rebuilt bed and under-bed gas tank with internal fuel injection pump.

The truck is to drive and use as a truck.

My overall direction is to keep the truck very much as it could have looked in 1965 with stock stance and update the electrical and mechanical systems to as modern a level as I can. Make as few alterations to the original truck parts as possible. Keep all the original parts.

Engine Swap OBJECTIVES:

• Good highway cruising. The 283 with 3 speed and 3.73 rear gears is not good for 70 mph highway cruising. Engine runs way too fast, likes to overheat, poor gas mileage.

• +20 mpg on average commute to work. I had an LS2 in a 2003 Vette and it averaged around 23 mpg on the commute.

• Clean running, low emissions. Use full 2005 level emissions systems except the fuel vapor recovery system.

• Use all the available electronic and mechanical systems possible that were on the 2005 engine: cruise control, drive by wire, power steering, hydraulic clutch, air conditioning, electric fans, OBDII gage info, etc.

• Keep all the original gages operational.

I did a lot of pre work before I took the truck off the road, end of August 2009. Here are some threads on that:

• Classic air cleaner for LSx motor
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=412824

• Hydraulic clutch conversion
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300087

• Electronic dash panel
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=360205

• Power steering conversion
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374519

• T56 Shifter location change
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300892

• Hood spring removal and install
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378660

• Fly by wire gas pedal
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300335

• Cruise control stalk
o http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324015

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[68GMCCustom]

very nice install. I really like the little led panel.

[TR65]

fryer1979 Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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Took a little bit to read through all the info you had posted on there, but I gotta say that you've got one very nice pickup there. Congrats on the successful engine instal, and the very nice job of doing it. I'll bet she's a real cherry out on the road. Looking forward to followinga long with the AC install.

Thanks Fryer. I follow your build closely. I got the same inspiration as Alan gives from some guys at work. Just do somthing on the project every day no matter how small and it will get finished.

WELD4DAYS Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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Amazing job! You are awesome.

Thanks. From your handle maybe I could have gotten some welding advice. What I mostly learned to do is sharpen tungsten.

shortbed70 Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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Nice skills man congrats BUT... wheres the video

Thanks shortbed. I guess I will have to borrow a video camera...

68GMCCustom Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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very nice install. I really like the little led panel.

Thanks 68. Yea I like gages and lights.

TR

[fryer1979]

Originally Posted by TR65

Thanks Fryer. I follow your build closely. I got the same inspiration as Alan gives from some guys at work. Just do somthing on the project every day no matter how small and it will get finished.

Well thank you. I'm afraid though that for the first time around my build is going to be pretty boring compared to yours. Not much in the way of cashflow to play with newer air/fuel technology, so I will most likely be rolling on a basic carbed setup (at least I am working with an Olds engine). But I will keep that thread going as my first assembly will not be the last time the truck gets torn apart. One bolt at a time, she'll get there. Thanks again for sharing all of the photos and information on your build, someday I hope to be able to use it to help me figure out my own messes.

[BigJoe29]

i cannot say how happy i am to find this site. your write ups have to be some of the best i've seen anywhere. thank you very much. this was SO helpfull.

[TR65]

Thanks BigJoe,

I appreciate the kind words. This is a great site. Members just help and encourage each other. What could be better than that.

Good luck,

TR

[NCD1966]

nice build. everything looks top notch!

[structures]

Hey TR can't believe i missed this thread! Must've been because it was posted during the summer months. Thanks for the info. I went to greenville once for a couple of days. What a nice place. Love that pedestrian bridge, impressive.

[TR65]

NCD1966 Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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nice build. everything looks top notch! NCD1966 Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

Thanks NCD

structures Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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Hey TR can't believe i missed this thread! Must've been because it was posted during the summer months. Thanks for the info. I went to greenville once for a couple of days. What a nice place. Love that pedestrian bridge, impressive.

Thanks Structures, Nice work on your cab. I am thankful I didn't have to do any patch panels. If you come this way again let me know and we will go for a ride.

TR

[DPowers]

Amazing- sharp truck.

[Gordonr1973]

This is an AWESOME truck....but is there a video??

I'm doing a LS swap into an '87 square body...but I found another low milage LQ9 at a local wreckers that I'm thinking about picking up and saving for my grandpa's old '66 if I can ever convince my uncle to sell it to me....

[SkullCandy]

Nice pick-up! Have any videos of it?

[TR65]

Thanks men,

No videos. I got the AC condenser installed this weekend and she is back on the road again. Some plumbing to the compressor and she will be ready to charge the system.

TR

[Alan's Classic]

Awesome write up with documentation and pics. As well as the attention to detail in your workmanship. I'm speechless.

[TR65]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Awesome write up with documentation and pics. As well as the attention to detail in your workmanship. I'm speechless.

Thanks Alan, I check your build every day. I can't tell you how much I have learned from it.

shrunken66stroker Re: TR65 LS2 T56 Engine Swap 65 C10

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Great Job TR. I'm doing almost the same swap except I'm building the ls2 from the block up and using a tko 500 or the Tremec RS 500. What a great write up and perfect timing for me. Thanks. I'll keep watching for the AC install.

Thanks Stroker, I follow your build as well, awesome work. The LS2 will be worth it. Driving the old truck now is a real pleasure. 400 horses and a six speed can't be beat.

TR

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by TR65

Thanks Alan, I check your build every day. I can't tell you how much I have learned from it.

TR

Thanks TR, your craftsmanship is outstanding.

[shrunken66stroker]

Great Job TR. I'm doing almost the same swap except I'm building the ls2 from the block up and using a tko 500 or the Tremec RS 500. What a great write up and perfect timing for me. Thanks. I'll keep watching for the AC install.

[shenk10]

Thank you very much for the info. I bought engine adapters to make the engine fit, but I think the shells I have are wrong and the engine is off about 3/4" so I have to talk to the company. But from my mock up it seems that the power steering might hit the frame rail, so I might have to do something like this. The reseivor looks good and pretty much matches everything in your engine bay, so I might have to look into something like that. I didn't think the wheels would make as much difference as they did but now I'm a firm believer that wheels can make almost anything look good. haha

I also really like how you kept everything stock. I think I might do some little modifications like shave the seam on the back of the cab and add a rollpan instead of rear bumper but other than that I want to keep it stock looking. Great Build.

Thanks,
Jordan

[66BowTieBoy]

Mr. TR,

I've been a member of this board for twenty-two months and don't know how I've missed your project. But, today I stumbled across it and it has left me almost speechless. On a daily basis I have to applaud the talent, skill and inovation I see from many of the folks who share their labor of love on this site. But in my mind, when I google 'Super Sleeper' what I see is your pickup truck. The way you have incorporated the latest technology while retaining that 'nothing special, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' look is priceless. You are without a doubt the 'Mr. Miyagi' of Hot Rodding and I bow to the master... In fact, after review of page #1, I wanted to go outside, dig a giant hole, throw all my tools in it, push my C10 in and cover it with a new vegetable garden. Only problem is it's about 11 degrees outside and the ground is frozen, so I'm just go'na hang around and hope some of the talent here might rub off.

Keep them photos coming...!
Danny

[TR65]

Originally Posted by 66BowTieBoy

Mr. TR,

I've been a member of this board for twenty-two months and don't know how I've missed your project. But, today I stumbled across it and it has left me almost speechless. On a daily basis I have to applaud the talent, skill and inovation I see from many of the folks who share their labor of love on this site. But in my mind, when I google 'Super Sleeper' what I see is your pickup truck. The way you have incorporated the latest technology while retaining that 'nothing special, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' look is priceless. You are without a doubt the 'Mr. Miyagi' of Hot Rodding and I bow to the master... In fact, after review of page #1, I wanted to go outside, dig a giant hole, throw all my tools in it, push my C10 in and cover it with a new vegetable garden. Only problem is it's about 11 degrees outside and the ground is frozen, so I'm just go'na hang around and hope some of the talent here might rub off.

Keep them photos coming...!
Danny

Danny,

Now I'm speechless. Thanks for the kind words.

I really love driving the truck. It has been dead reliable since July when I got it running. It really surprises people leaving a stop light and it loves cruising at 75 mph.

TR