1970 GMC LQ4/4L80E by Roz

[Roz]

First off, this is one of my very first posts on the forum. I am mesmerized at the amount of information on this site and how eager everyone is to assist! I look forward to my stay here. I hope in due to time, I'll be able to contribute as I learn about these trucks.

I purchased my 1970 GMC 1500 about a month ago. I knew from the get-go it would have a late model engine swapped into it. I've had countless LS powered vehicles in the past, the latest being a "cam-only" C5 Z06. The best I can tell, the truck has been restored at some point, but it isn't a show-truck, it's a great cruiser. Speaking of which, I drove it 2.5 hours home the day I bought it!

The plan is to swap a LQ4/4L80E into the GMC. I'm aiming to have the truck to the point where I can drive it anywhere at anytime. Last weekend, I picked up a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD that a tree fell on. The Sierra currently runs/drives and has lots of good donor parts for the swap! The original plan was to use as much of the Sierra's AC components as possible, but it looks like most of it will be useless at this point. I also intend to use the hydroboost and any other odds/ends I can retrofit.

As of today, I've only began ordering/gathering parts for the swap. The donor truck is a 4x4, so I have the parts to convert the tailshaft and extension housing. I just ordered Dirty Dingo slider mounts and a stand-alone harness from Texas Speed as well as Doug Thorley 1-5/8" headers. I've got the majority of the parts for the fuel system also. As a bonus, I'm going to go ahead and order a 224R cam and probably swap the hideous truck intake to either the Holley hi-rise or the Edlebrock Pro Flo.

Hopefully, by next spring, I'll have the truck's engine fully swapped with functioning AC as well as have it 5-lug swapped and a set of wheels on it.

For those of you that are interested, stay tuned. The main purpose of the thread is for a place for me to gather my thoughts and track my progress as well as hopefully get a little input along the way. In the up-coming weeks, I'll begin the swap with the intention of getting the basic swap under my belt. I'd like to have the truck back on the road running and driving by Thanksgiving. Then I can begin the tedious process of getting all the gauges to work, figure out the AC.

Pics of the truck for reference:







The donor truck

[rwade]

Solid start, I'll be watching this one

Wade

[Roz]

08/20/14

Well, I am getting closer, yet I feel so far away from being ready for teardown. I have the majority of the parts I need associated with the swap. Obviously, with having the donor-truck, I have a good bulk of the things I need. Besides, I'm enjoying driving the truck too much to take it off the road! It will still be a couple months before I am ready

One of the things I am learning rather quickly is this isn't going to be a cheap endeavor. I had a gut feeling this would nickel-and-dime me. The reason is mainly due to my OCD. Short of rebuilding the engine/trans, I've also collected parts to freshen up the engine (belts, tensioners, spark plugs, plug-wires, t-stat, radiator hoses, trans filter/gasket etc). I figure I may as well do all that stuff before the engine is installed. Truth be told, I could have gone WITHOUT all the maintenance and tune-up items but I am my own worst enemy sometimes.

Another big chuck of the swap is dedicated to the cam/intake/torque converter. If it weren't for that, I think I'd be ready for tear-down. I still have to order those items. I'm just waiting for more monies!

Again, for those interested, please review the attached pdf file outlining most everything I have done to this point. There's still several things left to buy, ugh! Currently, the list is semi-complete. I imagine the list will grown once tear-down is commenced! Those of you that have done a similar swap before, PLEASE feel free to critique!! (Please )

Little-by-little, I will get there!

[rwade]

I think we all understand the "OCD" part. I'm not familiar with the intake you selected, but noticed you noted it was for looks, and I agree the car (LS-1) intakes look better, but you'll loose a little bit of tourque. FYI

Wade

[Roz]

Originally Posted by rwade

I think we all understand the "OCD" part. I'm not familiar with the intake you selected, but noticed you noted it was for looks, and I agree the car (LS-1) intakes look better, but you'll loose a little bit of tourque. FYI

Wade

I was concerned with the loss of torque. I'm sticking with 1-5/8" headers, and 2.5" exhaust to hopefully keep my loss at a minimum. I also intend to keep the throttle body inlet small or stock, even.

Unfortunately, that intake requires several dollars in supporting mods. A new throttle-body, fuel-rails, injectors and adaptors for the injector pig-tails. But the aesthetic end result will be BEAUTIFUL!

Here is a pic the intake.

[SuperC10Tex]

Good looking 4-eyed !!!!!!!

[Roz]

Originally Posted by SuperC10Tex

Good looking 4-eyed !!!!!!!

Thank you sir! I LOVE the GMC styling. Most that see it prefer the Chevrolet. Who wants to be like everyone else?

[rwade]

I agree the end result will look very nice, and also on one mod requires "support". Lol! I ran stock intake/throttle body and 2 1/2" exhaust and Sanderson 1 5/8" headers and a similar cam. You should be good on that

Wade

[knomadd]

Nice plan and a good looking truck to start with. I'll be following along.

[Roz]

Originally Posted by knomadd

Nice plan and a good looking truck to start with. I'll be following along.

Thank you! I really hope it all comes out how I have it envisioned in my pea-brain. One of the hardest things I've learned over the years. . .

Plan your build, then build you plan.

I've done so many projects in the past that were "on-the-fly" and without much forethought, only to have the end result compromised.

[slowcpe]

Very nice start. I'm right along side with you on the build. I've about thrown my last dollar at this 250 when I have a LQ4/4L80e sitting on a pallet in the garage. Just starting my research on what parts to buy so I can begin tear down real soon.

I've been leaning towards the Holley Intake took, mainly for looks, but afraid it wont perform well.

Looking forward to your progress.

[Roz]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Very nice start. I'm right along side with you on the build. I've about thrown my last dollar at this 250 when I have a LQ4/4L80e sitting on a pallet in the garage. Just starting my research on what parts to buy so I can begin tear down real soon.

I've been leaning towards the Holley Intake took, mainly for looks, but afraid it wont perform well.

Looking forward to your progress.

Thanks, and best of luck in your build! I wish I had some advice for you.

I probably won't make a final decision on the intake until AFTER the truck is running and driving. It'll be easy enough to replace in the truck if I decide to make the transition. The cam/converter are much easier to do outside of the truck.

[slowcpe]

I've been reading combos a little here and there thinking it was a little ways down the road. However it appears as soon as I fix something on the truck, something else breaks. I'm tired of band-aiding a setup I don't like.

I was originally thinking of going L92 top-end, 243s, or even TSPs As-Cast heads but short-term budget is not going to allow for that kind of build at this time. I currently have the 6.0 and a TSP Torquer V3 cam and going to try and maximize that combo without breaking the bank. At least it ought to sound good!

You going to do anything with the heads other than valve-train?

[Roz]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

I've been reading combos a little here and there thinking it was a little ways down the road. However it appears as soon as I fix something on the truck, something else breaks. I'm tired of band-aiding a setup I don't like.

I was originally thinking of going L92 top-end, 243s, or even TSPs As-Cast heads but short-term budget is not going to allow for that kind of build at this time. I currently have the 6.0 and a TSP Torquer V3 cam and going to try and maximize that combo without breaking the bank. At least it ought to sound good!

You going to do anything with the heads other than valve-train?

The plan is to leave the heads alone and solely upgrade the valvetrain. Sadly, the cam-swap is solely for audible attitude. The increase in power from it is just a plus. I had thought if I come across a set of clean/used 243s I may stick them on there whenever I do the intake swap.

I'm going to see how cam-only treats me first. I'm hoping for a street cruiser/head turner that will be able to hold it's own if it has to.

It sounds like you're on the right track though!