My 54 Chevy 5.3 Turbo w/ C4 axles.....

[mavdog32]

Ok well I figured I would finally post up a build thread so here it goes.

Thread title pretty much lays out what is gonna happen with this build but in detail it is gonna be:

Suspension: C4 axles from an 85 vette, Dana 44 rear mounted up with Flat Outs Engineering kits. Trying not to C channel the frame so I will mock up the suspension and see where it sits then go from there. Still not sure if I am gonna run coil overs or air shocks. Running black torq thrusts in the 18" variety.

Driveline:
-Motor: 5.3 GM LS motor, iron block, all Callies forged internals, GM 317 heads CNC ported by Advanced Induction to 226CC intakes and 72 CC combustion chamber. Manley race valves, dual springs, titanium retainers, etc..( http://advancedinduction.com/LSX/AiL...cGMLS2Head.php ), Precision 76MM turbo,
- Trans: 4L60E, billet input and output, all the good stuff inside

Body: All original for the most part. Probably going to shave drip rails, add power windows and locks, and a stereo that will be as hidden as possible. Havent decided on gauges yet. Making some trick mods to the bed you all will see later, also planning on frenching headlights.

Paint: Planning on gunmetal and hot rod blacking all the chrome, grill, and trim. Gonna run custom Torq Thrusts powder coated black, they actually come that way!

Anyways thats the gist so yea here are some pics of the limited progress I have!

As I got it, minus some paint and filler

Me dreaming, I tend to do this a lot lol

Inside

Minus the front clip

The garbage that the previous owner attempted and fail at, thats a "Z" in the frame right behind the cab

Found a bed here locally for pretty cheap

Trans, untouched as of right now

New frame picked up last weekend in Albuquerque\

Layout for the shortening project on the long bed frame



My Rear end and heads will be here this week, Ill take some pics when they get here. Just found out today my junk yard block is cracked, the guy at the yard is giving me another block though so its cool!

[mavdog32]

Oh yea and im gonna run the progressive crossmember along with their plating kit, I am gonna dimple die holes in the boxing plates though
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[mavdog32]

Got my glass pulled out of the cab last night and started knocking out the rivets for stuff I dont need any moreon the frame. Needless to say I am going to buy an air hammer today after work. Both to chisel them off after cutting them and to press the rest of the thing out! I am gonna mark the other side of the frame tonight and hopefully make my cuts to shorten the frame. wish me luck lol.


Side note:

1. What are guys doing to fill the middle seam on the hood. I cant imagine fille rwould work well as I know the seam flexes but I also heard something about the metal being to soft to weld together without cracking. so yea.... what are people doing?

2. Anyone shaving their drip rails?? Im on the line, not sure if I wanna do it or not and cant really tell if it would be worth the trouble.

[mknittle]

I like the drip rails. but then I like the door handles and cowel vents too. but am a big fan of one piece door windows and pull down door handles.
however the drip rails on these trucks are likely the easist to remove/replace. of anything I can think of.
Looks like a real nice truck to start with. and getting better!

[Kabwe]

Shave them drip rails it gives the truck a smoother look. I say cut it up and make it yours.

Your smooth hood


Your drip rails courtesy of nsanehotrods check out his build page he does great work. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=432617

[mavdog32]

Yea I saw the article on that first one in this months Custom Classic Trucks, VERY NICE truck man! Ill check out that site here shortly thanks for the link. BTW I love your build @kabwe read through the whole thread today.....Great work!

[Rods57]

Oh man watch out, you start reading the articles and listening to the guys on this forum and the next thing you know you have a saws-all in your hand its its in pieces... Its a beautiful thing. Truck looks good, cant wit to see more...

[mavdog32]

Got my rear end today. Dana 44 out of a c4 vette. Still sitting in my driveway waiting for my heads!


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[mavdog32]

And the heads got here!!

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[mavdog32]

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[mavdog32]

Ok got the frame shortened and the body moved over. The body....yea its heavy as ****! I need to get the bed in its final spot but i think I am going to take another inch out of the frame to pull the bed in a little closer. Ill take pics once its welded all the way up

[nebdrummer]

Nice! another turbo A/D guy. I'm doing a 6.0 and s475 turbo.

I like the project and what you have in mind. What are the power goals? pump gas/e85?

Sticking with the fuel injection and all of the computer stuff?

[nebdrummer]

Also, I was extremely on the edge as well about doing my drip rails being I'm completely going through the pickup for the 2nd time, but I got to looking, and there is a retarded amount of work to do. Once the rails are shaved off, the gaps are horrible. Now to keep the gap and the portion between the window and the door gap proportional, you have to add the metal to the cab part of the door gap. It just didnt sound to appealing to me. I just wanna do some burnouts!

[mavdog32]

You know I though about doing the 6.0 but I already had the 5.3 from a Jeep build that took a different route so yea.

I am sticking with fuel injection and running an AEM computer. The power goal for the engine on pump gas is around 10PSI and they are estimating 600HP. If I switch fuels to solve detonation then I am hoping I can run 15PSI and around 750-800HP. The builder says he sees these 5.3's put up massive numbers on stock bottom ends. He said my daily driver boost numbers should hold up for a long time with the forged internals. Good, cause this will see probably 98% cruiser/dd duties.

As for the rails I am still not sure, on my 54 cab it looks like the cab is whole underneath and the drip rail are spot welded on. I have an assembly manual, I need to just take the time and look it up.

And now, Im gonna check out your build lol

[mavdog32]

OK so I have decided that if I go the turbo route, I will never finish this vehicle! Too much money and too much work! So I have changed my plans up. I also found that the 5.3 block I have has a crack near the rear main so i will not be using it. It will be a backup motor for the rock crawler lol. I am gonna stroke a 6.0 and use those heads I have to get me right in the 10.5:1 range and run it N/A at least for now. If I change it down the road I will just add a pro charger or something.


I am at a standstill right now with frame work because I cant find a freakin set of running boards. So if anyone has a set or knows someone who has a set of running boards please let me know. I dont want to go new, call me weird I just wanna keep it all original metal!

[nebdrummer]

You can do a boosted ls for cheap. Have you been over looking at
theturboforums.com? That and ls1tech. Mplenty of info on them.
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[mavdog32]

Ill check out that site but I think I will build the motor now and then throw some boost at it later in one form or another be it turbo or supercharger. That 5.3 was shaping up to be around 13k by time it was all said and done. I can get the 6.0 up and running for about 5k then I can finish the rest of the truck!

[Stephanie]

Liking your build so far We need more photos though! Good luck with finding those running boards! I think they are just as hard as finding a bench seat, which I am trying to do :P

[mavdog32]

Sadly this thread is pretty current! I promise to keep it updated as I go though! I'm pretty sure I know a guy who has a bench seat if you want me to hit him up.
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[Midgets50]

you still looking for running boards?

[skymangs]

Love the build, cant wait to see it take shape

[mavdog32]

I did find running boards, good looking out.

Suppose I'll post an update. I haven't gotten much done lately as I have been working on a side project. Side project is almost done though so I should be able to focus on the truck again. I have however bought the metal I need to channel the frame and almost have enough saved to buy all the frame plating, crossmember And C4 front bracketry. I also sourced a front end from a c4. They offered it up in exchange for my straight axle with disk brakes!!
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[Chevette]

Originally Posted by mavdog32

I did find running boards, good looking out.

Suppose I'll post an update. I haven't gotten much done lately as I have been working on a side project. Side project is almost done though so I should be able to focus on the truck again. I have however bought the metal I need to channel the frame and almost have enough saved to buy all the frame plating, crossmember And C4 front bracketry. I also sourced a front end from a c4. They offered it up in exchange for my straight axle with disk brakes!!
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Deal!

[duwem]

Sounds like a good plan.

I saw you said your using Progressive. I got their boxing plates, but went with Flat out engineering front and rear kits for the suspension. Uses the stock C4 steering rack and stock frame rails in the rear. Progressive requires a different rack and cutting the whole back frame off as they say the width is wrong???

I have a 6.0L to go in my truck some day. I have owned a 99 and 02 Silverado both with 5.3L's and they move pretty good, in a lighter truck with a few engine hop up parts a 5.3 should do QUITE well, even without a turbo, and you can always add one in the future.

[mavdog32]

I'm using the flat out kit for the front suspension. I will be building the rear setup myself. The progressive parts will be the plates and crossmember.
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