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

[mavdog32]

I only took out four inches as a starting point, I have since removed about another two inches to get the brackets for the running board to match up to the running board itself. I have as of yet to put the bed back on to check the length and see if I need to take more length out when I channel the frame. So as of right now I have not taken 9 inches out from behind the bed, only about 6.5". I will have a lot of movement on this by the end of the month as my wife is on my a55 to get the truck back down to one side of the garage.
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[panelrodder81]

Subscribed so I look forward to seeing the progress.

I only ask because I am replacing the frame under my 1/2 short bed panel truck and will have to cut down a long bed, GMC 1/2 ton bed, frame. The research I did said it was 9.25" inches longer than a short bed and when I measured my old frame to the new frame I got that exact measurement. When I saw your measurement I got really nervous. Especially nervous when I was planning to start the cutting on it last night! All I managed to get done though was move the frame to my dad's shop and get the extra crossmember of the long bed cut out before calling it a night.

Good luck and I will continue to watch your build.

-Panelrodder

[mavdog32]

Ok so a few things changed. I ended up putting the 5.3 in my jeep and it runs awesome! It was a need at the time, my LT1 was puking its guts into the oil pan lol.

I bought a 6.0 and had the machine shop do its thing. Ended up having to buy new pistons. Got all the other necessary rebuild stuff and will work on the at soon as I get springs/retainers/etc... for the heads. I also bought a cam from vincihighperformace.com. They have a good reputation for some really nice LS grinds. I figure with the cam and heads and a tune i will make 450 ish but we will see. I also got the front end done and threw the whole shabang together for giggles. Oh and I also found a five window cab, only problem is its a 52....oh well. Mutt vehicle it is!



I am gonna spend the next few weeks getting the back end done. I am moving to North Carolina and have to get this moving on its own power in order to ship it. Fingers crossed!

[mavdog32]

Oh and I got the front half of the frame boxed in. Ill take pics when I blow the truck apart again.

[STOCKISH]

Come on Bro, NC is pretty cool. Where are you moving too?

[mavdog32]

Im gonna be somewhere in the vass/southern pines/aberdeen area. Need to sell my house here before I can start looking there. Im not baller enough to own two houses, and I refuse to rent. I think I am gonna haul the Jeep and Truck out in Sept, Im waiting on a quote though

[STOCKISH]

Any progress on the truck/move?

[nebdrummer]

I have a set of stock lq4 pistons and rods I'd sell to ya for $100 or so. Unless ya already got your new pistons. Looking forward to the progress. Good luck with the move!

[mavdog32]

Dang, I dont know why I didnt see these responses, I could have used those rods and pistons. Oh well! Thanks for the offer. I have not sold my house yet but it is on the morket which was apparently all it took to get my a55 in gear. I got a bit done over the past week or two. I will say, hacking off the back of your frame is ummm scary!

[mavdog32]

Hopefully I will get the rear end mounted this weekend and the fuel system and motor/trans mounted by the next.

I will be moving out to Carolina in the beginning of Dec. if anyone has a temp home for the 54 until i get into a house that would be AMAZING! Otherwise its gonna sit under a tarp on my trailer for a while

[mavdog32]

Oh and i priced out a gallon of Stealth gray metallic (a chevrolet color) and it was $850 a gallon. Sooo i need to pick another color

[nebdrummer]

Lookin good! Also, if you're pricing out solvent paint at one gallon, that would make two gallons sprayable. That does seem a bit high for just color. Call around to a few different auto body stores. It should be from 400-600 max for solvents a gallon. I'm using waterborne on all mine because it's available and I can pay as I go, and I have around 3k in just materials of sealer, base, and clear only. And that's at cost. So it does get pricey! Good luck with the move!

[mavdog32]

OK move part 1 is done. We sold our house and moved into a vacant house my mom has here in the springs. Getting the chassis into a rolling state was intense but it rolled out of one garage on its own and into the other.

My plan for the next two months while I am waiting on the final move to North Carolina is to finish the frame. This means I need to final weld in the front x-member/run brake lines/ run fuel lines and mount the tank. Then I bought a frame coating kit that I will apply before I leave.

I am trying to figure out headers for the motor right now because its...well...tight in there. I did a couple searches on here and the best I could find was to grab a set of Trailblazer SS manifolds but I am having a hell of a time finding them. So if anyone else has some suggestions on what would work, please...fill me in.

Ill post some pics in a week or two once I have more progress to report.

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by mavdog32

OK move part 1 is done. We sold our house and moved into a vacant house my mom has here in the springs. Getting the chassis into a rolling state was intense but it rolled out of one garage on its own and into the other.

My plan for the next two months while I am waiting on the final move to North Carolina is to finish the frame. This means I need to final weld in the front x-member/run brake lines/ run fuel lines and mount the tank. Then I bought a frame coating kit that I will apply before I leave.

I am trying to figure out headers for the motor right now because its...well...tight in there. I did a couple searches on here and the best I could find was to grab a set of Trailblazer SS manifolds but I am having a hell of a time finding them. So if anyone else has some suggestions on what would work, please...fill me in.

Ill post some pics in a week or two once I have more progress to report.

Early c5 manifolds work perfect. I paid $75 for mine.

[MIKESAD50]

I have a set of Factory Manifolds that came off my LS3 crate motor, never been run. if they will work or you need a picture let me know

[mavdog32]

Oh really? I think measurements would be the most helpful, primarily just need to know how far outside of the block it is and whether it dumps to the center or the rear. What are you asking for them? I need to get this motor fired in the next 2 months so I can move across freakin country. It was a freakin PITA to move without power lol

[MIKESAD50]

they are rear dump, I will get a picture of them for you.

[MIKESAD50]

here is a few pictures one is with the installed on the engine before removal for the headers.
If you want them make me a offer and I will also get a quote on shipping

[mavdog32]

I honestly have no idea what a fair offer on these are? I paid 30 bucks for a set of truck manifolds so based on that I figure these are worth more so may 60 or 70 bucks? Feel free to tell me if I am way off here and take no offense at my ignorance of their worth!

[MIKESAD50]

i'll take 60+shipping, I can get them out on Saturday.
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. work has been calling.

[mavdog32]

Sounds good to me! If you can take paypal, send me your account info and ill drop the money asap.

[MIKESAD50]

Alittle late today. But monday i will get them packed up and sent out. Pm me your shipping addreess.

[mavdog32]

[mavdog32]

Few updates, not much movement. New job has me insanely busy. Gonne dedicate a lot of time in March to try and get the rolling chassis done and the motor running.

[STOCKISH]

You in NC yet or still in Colorado?