72 suburban build

[sambob2285]

i got a 72 suburban about a year ago and put an old 350 in it because the motor that was in it was knocking. well i knew i wanted to do a 5.3 swap. i got the motor and have been collecting parts and doing the rework on the wiring harness. i also have collected all the parts to put the burban on air ride. i got the E level control kit, building my own valve set up and compressors and tanks.

[sambob2285]

[sambob2285]

this is the motor and the burb getting ready to pull the old motor. i will take more pictures along the way.

[mcbassin]

Looks like a very good start. I like your plans, I'm going to follow along.

[sambob2285]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks like a very good start. I like your plans, I'm going to follow along.

Thanks bud I can't wait to start this. I'm still having trouble getting this jerry guy to give me the pedal and controller I payed for. I did find a place that has one if this guy jips me. I got a starter from c and c here on 23. Hopefully get an alternator from them too just need to know what amps I have. I have received a lot of my other parts headers, motor mounts, outboard fuel pump, etc. I also ordered all my bag parts. E level controller 2600 bags 8 1/4" valves duel compressor packs extra air tank. Will post some pics soon.

[sambob2285]

This is the wiring rework.

This is the guage cluster I scored for 195 shipped. It's an LMC digital. Mine is in blue not read though.

bags and headers and other parts under

One of the air tanks. Not sure where I'm going to be able to fit this beast.

[mcbassin]

Killer progress on your harness! Lot of nice parts too!

[sambob2285]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Killer progress on your harness! Lot of nice parts too!

Thank you!! I may need some help if you wouldn't mind. I should have labeled all the connectors be for I started. I'm not sure exactly where they all go.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by sambob2285

Thank you!! I may need some help if you wouldn't mind. I should have labeled all the connectors be for I started. I'm not sure exactly where they all go.

No problem. If I can help you just give me a yell. The nice thing about these the connectors usually only fit in one location.....if you force some of the little ones might fit.

[sambob2285]

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[sambob2285]

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[sambob2285]

I finally have had some time to work on this poor burban. Got the front clip off. I'm wanting to pull the motor next. Hoping I can get the motor and trans pulled this weekend.
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[invicta455]

nice start

[sambob2285]

Originally Posted by invicta455

nice start

Thank you. I'm so stoked to get this 5.3 and air ride on this thing.
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[mcbassin]

Nice progress Sam.

[sambob2285]

last friday i got some time to work on the suburban. was able to get the motor and trans out with in about an hour and a half i was pretty stoked! i made a HUGE mess but sometimes ya just gotta do it. the power steering fluid and trans fluid was the biggest part of it.


i also got to work on my wiring, a great friend and i took it to the motor and made it all match up and thenwe got it routed a way i like and now it is set up with the loom cover and all. i think it turned out decent, still need to finish the LT1swap.com fuse block and wiring but thats it.


i painted the motor chevy orange, waiting on a new waterpump and still need an alternator. i think im going to buy a bigger amp alternator for running my sound system when i get to that point. im thinking 300 amp, found one for 250.



started to work on the gas pedal set up for the drive by wire motor. im so stoked too because this will give me the cruise i want to have on this suburban. something i found on this site that i will share when i get to that point in making it work.

[bowtieguy79]

Nice work, similar build to mine

[Advanced Design]

Love the updates and am tagging along too.

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the engine and power plant swap. Looks like you have your wiring in good shape too.
What is the plan for a your fuse box? I can't remember what you said you were using.

[sambob2285]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Nice work, similar build to mine

thanks bud im so stoked about this suburban hope mine looks like yours one day.

i have been reading your thread and you have an amazing burban!

[sambob2285]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice progress on the engine and power plant swap. Looks like you have your wiring in good shape too.
What is the plan for a your fuse box? I can't remember what you said you were using.

im using Lt1swap.com's guide to get the fuse block set up. im not to good with electrical issues so i have to really follow along to get it right. if you have a better option and can help i would owe you big time. but thats up to you.
thank you all for the moral support.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by sambob2285

thanks bud im so stoked about this suburban hope mine looks like yours one day.

i have been reading your thread and you have an amazing burban!

Thanks for the compliment. From what I can tell, our burbs started life as Twins, at least for colors. Keep it up man! Its going to be killer when done!

Shout if you have questions on your LS swap. I also use the LT1swap.com. He has been a great resource for us LS swappers who do it on the cheap!

[sambob2285]

Have been working on the suburban pretty hard lately and finally have some good things to show for progress. I have figured out a bunch of things I was worried about. The first is the gas pedal. I put the electronic pedal up there and sure enough the S bend was in the wrong direction. So I cut it off and turned it back around. Was able to use the main bottom hole in the fire wall to the bottom hole in the pedal bracket. Then just had to drill one more for the top hole.



Not the best pictures but I'll take some with it mounted.

The fuel system was my next project. Got the fuel pump mounted and the return system set up with all the fittings. The tank already had an extra line back in so I just reused it. This is all on the back frame rail to the tank.




The shifter was my next issue. But I lucked out and most of the stuff lined up and I modified my orginal shifter bracket to weld to the shifter on the 4l60e. Had to bend and cut some but it worked great.




The power steering pump and gear box was next. Used orginal lines. But I was going to have to chase down a fitting that would make the connection from my line to the new pump. Then my axing dad tells me I should just change out the main fitting in the pump. Sure enough with a little work the fitting came out of thw pump and the old pump supplied the new one and it was finished.


Got all the front accessories on and belts. Headers are on with one pain. Had a bolt stuck in the back hole on the drivers side thay we had to drill out and tap. But all is well now. Got the trans cooler lines routed how I liked them. Got the wiring through the fire wall and plugged in.


Got the ac compressor on and in place With clearance. I did have to clearance the mounting bracket for the motor mount plates but I don't have a picture of that.


The wiring finally got finished with my amazing wife's help. Fuse block done. OBD2 done.


Wires for the guage cluster


Then after fighting with this thing for a weekend I finally found I had some bad grounds but then Tuesday evening I got to do this.

[Advanced Design]

Really nice progress! Great update.

[bowtieguy79]

Just watched your start up! Love the "YES" at the end. Such a great feeling isn't it!