LSx Swap '69 C10 Build

[RocketChevy56]

Hey there guys/gals!! been a long time since I've frequented these pages, but its also been a while since I've worked on my 69 swb too! Well finally i'm in somewhat of a level ground financially and I feel I owe it to my truck to show her some lovin for her patience with me the last couple years.

So anyway, I've got a built 355ci sbc in the truck and a 700R4. I've driven the truck everywhere and even DD'd it for a while but i lost oil pressure and more or less blew up all the money I had sunk into the motor.....And so it sat..... Until a CL ad caught my eye. 2003 5.3L with 100k, harness, front acc. and ecu for CHEEEEEEAAAAPPP. Like any good gearhead, I bought it with no rhyme or reason other than to get a deal. Then the obvious hit me and so it begins....

The motor is a clean drop out 5.3L out of a flex fuel suburban. 100k on the clock. The owner had an "oiling problem." his dummy light kept coming on while driving, but no ticking or smoke. A shop put a new oil pump on it but nothing changed, and for some reason a new oil pan as well?? I've checked the bearings and all are perfect. The only thing I found a bit funny was a rtv covered o ring on the pickup which I'm assuming was an issue. feel free to chime in and let me know what your thoughts are on that...

I've decided to keep the 700R4 so I bought a Gm spacer and the longer bolts needed to space the trans accordingly. I bought a set of Edelbrock ceramic coated shortys that will suffice until I can work a set of long tubes in there.The mounts are the tubular swap mount perches from CPP with Poly mounts.

I've started digging through the harness and cleaning it up. I can't bring myself to buy the swap harnesses for $500-800 when I am pretty confident I can make the free one work just as well if not better.

Anyways, thats where I'm at and will post pics as soon as I start getting stuff done. Any and all input and Ideas are welcome, Thanks for all the upcoming support and advice!!!

[67cheby]

Looking forward to it ! I will watch you i am fixing to do the same thing !

[RocketChevy56]

Thanks! I'll be sure to iron out the details in hopes of making it easier for you!!

The parts are relatively cheap I've noticed and readily available. I've scrolled through a few ls build threads and am pretty confident about the mating of the new and old and am also looking forward to seeing what comes out of this soon to be chaos!!

I tore into the wiring last night and shaved some weight out of the harness....silly emissions stuff!! Since this is a DBW harness AND Flex fuel I have a few extra plugs that gotta go.

[1967wannabe]

Oil pick-up tube o-ring leakage is a fairly common problem on these engines, obviously causes the pump to suck a little air instead of all oil. We've fixed a few of them here at the shop.

[RocketChevy56]

Glad to hear that. I took a half ass gamble that the o ring was the problem but its $2.25 insurance and piece of mind since everything else is new. Should I port the oil pump since I'm here? Not sure of the differences it will make.

Ordered some goodies!! Kinda got carried away but thats ok. The truck is a Pro-Street'ish style, so being quick is sorta required... and since I can't seem to leave crap alone, it may as well be in the name of speed!!

- Valvetrain is the name of the game today:
- Ed Curtis custom ground cam 224/228 on a 110lsa
- Comp Cams Billet adj Timing gears and single roller LS2 chain
- Brian Tooley Racing Platinum .660 double springs with Titanium Retainers
- Brian Tooley Racing Chromemoly pushrods 7.4"

[RocketChevy56]

been non stop on the harness and I've got most of it done. I got a chance to test fit it on the intake. still need to wire it for DBC but the sensors and such are on the ls1 throttle body I have on it.

Crap removed (save some weight!!)


Cleaned up the stock LS1 TB


Test fit onto the intake

[RocketChevy56]

Got very little done this weekend. Finished shaving the emblems and trim holes. Got my best friend to take care of the blocking and paint work for me. So the front fenders are over there now.



ordered a tandem billet Wilwood master cylinder, should be in tomorrow maybe? No intention of running power brakes, maybe hydraulic assist one day. Haven't found too much info on the wilwood m/c's on our trucks so I'll do my best to document everything for the next guy.

[RWB-713]

Originally Posted by RocketChevy56

The only thing I found a bit funny was a rtv covered o ring on the pickup which I'm assuming was an issue. feel free to chime in and let me know what your thoughts are on that...

I see it's already been covered, but i'll confirm as well. That O-Ring is vital, and use the GM part to replace it too.I learned that the hard way. But no damage to the motor at all, changed the oil pump @ 140,000, messed up and used a "close enough" O-ring, truck has goofy oil pressure readings, dry started once in a while (hear the lifters tapping), but not bad. Finally pulled it back apart around 220,000, used the correct O-ring this time. Works & sounds like new still, truck currrently has 370,000 on the odo ('01 Silv 1500)

[RocketChevy56]

Thanks for the info!! I was actually debating on going to gm for the part. It was piece of mind to get a gm part but I was going to be lazy and throw one in with my next Rock Auto order. I'll go to my local stealership and pick one up. THe last thing I need is an iffy oil pressure reading. thanks for the heads up!! good looking build you got goin btw. Checked out your build thread.


I want parts!!!!!!
Hope for me some boxes on my porch when I get home!!!!!!!!

[RocketChevy56]

Had Summit boxes all over the front porch last night!! So exciting!! All my AN hoses (-6an and -8an). Got plenty of both as I'm still not sure where I'm going to be putting the cell :-/



The master cylinder I've had my eye on for a long time is finally mine!!!!


gonna be the weekend before I can mess with the master cylinder on the truck and hopefully get it fitted properly. After the craziness subsides after the holidays, I'll get the motor sat into the truck and roll it into the garage at my house instead of the shop, since I can't always get out there. Maybe that will yield more productivity :-)

[Benlugchev]

Nice start man...looks good.. Ill be doing an lq4 swap into my 71' after the holidays.

[mooseknuckles]

nice start!...keep the parts rollin in....lol

[RocketChevy56]

Thanks guys. Workin on getting as many parts here as possible whether I'm ready for those parts or not. I promise I'll be gettin to the good stuff soon. Not the best time of year to be doing this, but I'm getting the best Christmas presents ever!!!! PARTS!!!

Been working the package delivery guys ragged the last 2 months, not too many deliveries left for phase 1 of this project lol The truck will be on the road and get all the bugs worked out before phase 2 begins

[rhd_c10]

i love it when the wife ask "what you want for christmas"....i always say dont worry bout it.. ill buy me something and put your name on it..

[RocketChevy56]

HAHA! Haven't done that yet, but my best friend did give me a "Coupon" for "free whatever head gaskets" I want and a guarantee'd cheap trip to the machine shop. What more could you ask for?

[RocketChevy56]

Well silence isn't golden, and no news isn't always good news. I'm now playing the hurry up and wait game. I sent off my long block to the machinist to replace the bearings and rod bolts and have it fluxed and cleaned. By the time I get it back, I will be able to just drop it in and the fun should begin!

On a note in the more positive direction, I'm picking up my Edelbrock Pro Flo intake this weekend. Thank you Wasted Income for the awesome parts!! More to come soon I hope!!!!