72 C20 LS Swap/Build

[DM72C20]

Hi,

New to this forum thing still. I have learned so much from reading other build threads and thought I would post my progress on my LS swap into my C20. I've been working on it at my dad's place where he has a great big garage full of tools.

I wanted to do the swap since the 350/350 combo (not original - PO changed it out already) I had was getting really terrible mileage and lacked power. The donor truck is a 2009 Silverado with a 4.8 and 4L60E.

My truck is used for work and for fun driving like on road trips. I'm after the better mileage, more power, ease of starting and reliability from the swap. Not really concerned with upgrading much beyond stock.

I'm on a budget as well so am inclined to fabricate and/or reuse things that will work rather than buy new. I'll try to use part numbers, sources and cost in Canadian dollars for reference.

Where I'm at for costs, March 2, 2020:

2009 Silverado donor truck $800
Motor Mounts, Prothane 7509, $118
Motor mount adapters, ICT 551628, $56
Transmission mount, Energy Suspension 3.1108g $38
Exhaust manifolds and gaskets, GM Parts Direct, 2006-2009 TBSS, 12600527, 12600526, 2pcs. 12617944, $247
Driveshaft, local shop, reused 09 yoke, $300
Fuel tank, Brothers Trucks, BSGT069, $217
Sending unit, Brothers Trucks, STK72SU, $39

Total $1815 CDN

[DM72C20]

Some pics.

Me looking proud with my donor truck.

Taking out the old 350.

No engine.

4.8 pulled from 09.

350 vs 4.8

[DM72C20]

Some more pics.

09 wiring.

Test fitting the 4.8.

Passenger side with TBSS manifold test fit. Made in China.

Driver side with TBSS manifold test fit. Made in Canada. Weird but that's ok.

Shifter linkage from a 80's or 90's? Jimmy that my dad had kicking around. Made a bracket that bolts through the frame to hold the Jimmy bracket. Also ended up making a nylon bushing to adapt to the 72 rod. Works!

[DM72C20]

More pics.

Gas tank is out. 72 Blazer tank ordered from Brothers.

09 gas pedal in place. My dad did some welding and put in rivet nuts to bolt it in place.

Driveshaft is in. 09 yoke was used by the driveshaft shop.

Had to cut away some material at the bottom of this crossmember. The truck had a two piece shaft previously. We lifted up the back end of the truck to take all the weight off the wheels and there was around 1/8" of clearance for the shaft. At ride height it's around 3/4".

09 fuel pump module. Planning to use this in the 72 Blazer tank along these lines: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...maro-tank.html

[notsolo]

Looking good, Tanks for posting the basic cost of parts etc. You got a smokin deal on the donor truck. I would suggest you change brake pedal to 1 from a car that has pedal left of center.

[MDPotter]

That is a smokin deal on that donor! This is a good example of a budget-minded swap that will give you a solid running truck.

[DM72C20]

Yeah, very happy with the donor price. My dad scours kijiji (Canadian craigslist equivalent) daily.

The brake pedal offset would give more room for my size 13 work boots? Seems like a good idea.

[jjzepplin]

I am about to do the same thing so I will be watching. I am a very cheap minded guy. I cannot bring myself to buy the Dirty Dingo mounts. How are the ICT working out?

[DM72C20]

The ICT adapters bolted up without any issues. I have the engine as far back as it can go ie. the forward most set of holes in the adapters. This coincided with a set of holes in the frame so that the transmission crossmember slid forward or maybe it was back and bolted right in with no drilling.

The motor mount bolts required a washer or two under the heads in two of the holes as there was block casting that they would have ran into and not seated fully.

[jjzepplin]

Thank you! Do you plan on AC?

[DM72C20]

AC wouldn't fit in the stock location and my truck didn't have it so I'm just going to pass. I can always try to add it later on, but it's not a big priority - summer is short in Toronto!

[jjzepplin]

That's what I figured. Kinda like Winter in Tampa. I don't need a heater.

[DM72C20]

What are you swapping into?

Not much to report until I get the gas tank in.

[DM72C20]

More parts on the way. Ordered some from Rock Auto. Some on ebay. Nicopp fuel/brake line from Walmart... All prices CAD $

2 rolls CNC-625 Nicopp 3/8" fuel/brake/trans line 25', $145
5 NUTS - Lower Transmission Cooler Line - GENUINE GM 10269715, $31
4 Oil line cooler connector, Dorman 800732, $27
4' Gates 27349 high pressure fuel hose, $16
2' Gates 27059 transmission hose, $6
Gates 355230 1972 C20 power steering pressure hose, $17

So running total as of March 10 is $2057 CDN. I haven't included shipping costs in some of these things while others were free.

[jjzepplin]

I am getting ready to swap a 5.7 LS1 and 6 speed T56 into a 72 2WD Blazer. Stole everything I could from the doner before selling the carcass before I had to move. I wish I could have stole more. I will try to document everything in my thread. So far I have $700 in the motor and trans harness and computer. It was in a running car I bought. I drove it around for a while then had to move so I parted it out. I bought the motor mounts you specified from ICT. $34.99 with free shipping. They look nice.

[rodstored-72]

nice progress, have you connected the tac wires yet? I am in the middle of swapping a 4.8/4L60E into my '86 square. any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated

[DM72C20]

Thanks! Have not got to any wiring yet.

Things are a bit on pause while the virus takes over the world. I had ordered my gas tank through Brothers and it is in the US while I am in Canada unable to cross the border. Handful of other small parts are also there.

[Nick2x2x]

Originally Posted by DM72C20

More pics.

Gas tank is out. 72 Blazer tank ordered from Brothers.

09 gas pedal in place. My dad did some welding and put in rivet nuts to bolt it in place.

Driveshaft is in. 09 yoke was used by the driveshaft shop.

Had to cut away some material at the bottom of this crossmember. The truck had a two piece shaft previously. We lifted up the back end of the truck to take all the weight off the wheels and there was around 1/8" of clearance for the shaft. At ride height it's around 3/4".

09 fuel pump module. Planning to use this in the 72 Blazer tank along these lines: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...maro-tank.html

What is the drive shaft out of? Im looking for one to swap out my 2 piece for my ls swap on a 70 C10

[DM72C20]

The driveshaft was custom made, and re-used the yoke from the 09 driveshaft. The 09 shaft was aluminum, maybe 5" diameter and apparently could not be re-worked so a new steel one was made instead. It was $300 CAD.

[DM72C20]

Minor updates to the build.

I had planned to get my radiator modified to use for the swap by changing an inlet size and adding a steam port. The shop I took it to tested it and it was leaking all over the place, so there is no sense in trying to repair it. Looking at potentially ordering a rad and fans from a 2011 Camaro which are close in size and would run around $520CDN delivered to Canada. Cold Case was recommended but that would be upwards of $800CDN before shipping. Cost and reliability are the key issues for me - I don't care what it looks like so long as it keeps the engine cool and running.

My gas tank has been stranded in Buffalo since the lockdown began with no end in sight to the border closure. Hopefully I am able to get it shipped across the border at some point to keep things moving. I will be installing the 09 fuel pump module in a 72 tank under the bed.

We started a bit of wiring. Removed the pins related to AC since I am not running it. Keeping the stock 09 fuel pump, evap canister, o2 sensors and cats, so things are fairly stock and very little to remove.

I'm thinking I might go with HPtuners to be able to remove VATS and then potentially play around with tuning stuff. I'm pretty savvy at computer stuff but have no experience with tuning yet. Hopefully it's fun to mess around with.

Any opinions on this stuff is appreciated.

[gmc684x4]

You can order a tank through nappa
Nice start on your truck

[DM72C20]

Ordered some more parts. I decided to go with a 2002 Camaro rad and fan. Both new are just shy of $400 CAD.

The gas tank is now on hand as well.

I have to order the S-10 number template for the speedometer as I have that on hand now too.

Still might get HPtuners to do the vats and tuning stuff.

Should be able to get the project moving forward again!

[jjzepplin]

I haven't got it hooked up yet but I am going with the 1999 Trans Am radiator and fans as well as the Condenser. I am trying to figure out how to keep them in the mounts on the radiator though. Seems a large bump may send them skyward and out of the clips that hold them. I am using the stock harness for the TA for relays etc. Seems we both are on the same path.

[DM72C20]

Updating the costs so far:

2009 Silverado donor truck $800
Motor Mounts, Prothane 7509, $118
Motor mount adapters, ICT 551628, $56
Transmission mount, Energy Suspension 3.1108g $38
Exhaust manifolds and gaskets, GM Parts Direct, 2006-2009 TBSS, 12600527, 12600526, 2pcs. 12617944, $247
Driveshaft, local shop, reused 09 yoke, $300
Fuel tank, Brothers Trucks, BSGT069, $217
Sending unit, Brothers Trucks, STK72SU, $39
S10 gauge cluster, 1996, $35
2002 Camaro radiator, local shop, Spectra CU1485, $220
2002 Camaro fans, Amazon.ca, Dorman 620-634, $173
Oil cooler line connector, Rock Auto, Dorman 800732, $27
Fuel line hose, Rock Auto, Gates 27349, $16
Transmission/oil cooler hose, Rock Auto, Gates 27059, $6
Power steering pressure hose, Rock Auto, Gates 355230, $17


Total $2309 CDN

Sold $1125 worth of parts from the 09 donor along with the old 350/350, so net cost is $1184 CDN thus far.

[TA_C10]

Nice work so far. Subbed. Question, is there a special reason you decided to go with the fuel pump assembly from following thread and the brothers tank?

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...maro-tank.html

.