need help for planned conversion 5.3/4L60E in 72 burb

[jmmm229]

Im sure this topic has been beat to death, but I am really close to doing this, and need all the help I can get before I dive in. I will be buying an entire truck. Looking at an 05 hard rollover. 55k miles. Plans are for engine, trans, rear end assy, fuel system, a/c compressor and p/s pump, and all electronics necessary. Possibly the rack and pinion if its feasible. has rear air so id like to keep it. is a brake system conversion feasible?
Any...and I mean any info will be greatly appreciated! I just got this bad boy torn apart, i'll post some pics soon. 72 model with original paint and not one single rust bubble! ANYWHERE! 104k miles and it spent the first part of its life as an ambulance. the 350 jumped time in 1994 and has been sitting ever since

[Hart_Rod]

I didn't go quite that far, but you can check out my thread on my 69 Burb build:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387

[boostat4500]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the LSx swap. For the sake of not writing an entire "how to" post, what are some specific questions you have about the swap? Glad to help....

[jmmm229]

i wouldnt know where to begin...there are so many questions to ask as far as shortcuts and heads up on things to look for and avoid.
i mean...just a few are...
original tank fitted with new pump and such or new tank?
rack and pinion ease for swap
wiring!! ha!
speedo and gauges
cooling
a/c
and on and on......

[boostat4500]

Here's what I did with those subjects:
-Stock tank with an in-tank pump and aeromotive regulator.
-Stock modified engine harness.
-Stock 4 core radiator, works awesome.
-A/C, stock compressor off a 99' Camaro, universal condensor and drier, Vintage air Magnum IV universal box.
-As for mounting the motor, I made my own crossmember and will be making my own headers. The tranny is the stock x-member with a custom mount welded on.
I have no idea on the rack and pinion.
Interior wise, I'm using a universal 21 circuit fuse block and harness. My gauges are Dolphin brand electric, but plan to change to Aurora Custom gauges.
Hope this helps.

[jmmm229]

thanks for the info. today i just found an 02 silverado with a 100k 5.3 and 4l60 hit hard in the rear. 1700 bucks. 6.0 liters are waaaay too expensive here cuz they got real popular for hot rods lately....or else id go with the 6.0. but the way i figure...the 5.3 is almost 300 horses...plenty more than the stock 350. especially after some mild upgrades. i think im giving up on the rack and pinion deal cuz after measurements and comparisons, it just doesnt look worth the work. does anyone know of an inexpensive disc brake conversion for the rear of a 72 burb? 1/2 ton 2wd. im not subscribed, but need to look for a few pieces. how/ where?

[1sik7t2]

will i'm puttin in a 6.0 (lq4) out of a 3500 van (wish it was ls1 or better but oh well) in my 72 "dirty burb" $ 1500.00 for engine and 4l80e tranny junk yard the wire harness and fuel systems are by far the hardest for me (feel like i jumped in the bering sea( deadlest catch quote) lets put it this way....wish i had just rebuilt my 402 bb BUT when(&if) it's ever done it will be bada$$$ I had a member here that (WAS) helping me cause i needed it & he dropped me like it's hot never to be seen again.... MAKE damn sure you have tons of funds & friends that KNOW what they are doing, not just talk just my experience talkn GOOD LUCK

[boostat4500]

1sik7t2: what are you stuck on/need help with?

[1sik7t2]

hey boostat my problem has been the brain mostly it was re-configured all the emissions crap taken off i'm the 3rd owner of it 1st to actually use it there is pigtail plugs on the engine that have nothing from the harness to go to it and wires from the brain that the labels fell off of where do they go??? & the engine fuel rail has only a feed from the gas pump no return It's 05 lq4 i'm told i can switch out the rails with a silverado that has the return and regulator??? not sure i've talked to a mechanic @ the chevy dealer i'm gonna be showing him some pictures hope he can help if you have input, bring it i need TONS of help thx

[boostat4500]

Ok, easy enough. 1st for the fuel rail. The rail on my motor only has the inlet as well. I actually switched over to that style to clean it up and ease of installation. I just mounted an Aeromotive regulator back at the tank so the return line is only about a foot long. I'll post a pic for you tonight.
Post some pics of the plugs on the engine that have nothing attached and I can identify them. When you say wire from the brain, do you mean bare wires coming out of the plug for the PCM (brain)? If so, what pin (ie, red plug #12), do they go into, I should be able to identify those too. If you want I can email you all the pin-out locations for the PCM.

[1sik7t2]

sounds great but i forgot to tell you i'm using a 98 burb tank with fuel pump in the tank i already cut the fuel line fittings (no returning it now) so i have to go with a return line can those fuel rails be switched from the feed only to the feed & return with regulator??? looks like it to me but... i'm again not sure and the wires are actually coming out of the fat bulk of wires that are from the brain red about 12/14 guage?? again, not sure but i'm running dual electric fans could it be for those??? i appreciate this ....... as far as pictures, this program won't let me load any ( don't even know how my avatar got on) i have build pics and stuff to load but........ thx again

[boostat4500]

Here's the picture. The line coming out of the bottom is the return. I am also using a stock late model sending unit to house the pump, it's just not attached to the sending units lines. You can barely see it the picture on the top of the tank. Or you could attach to the lines coming off the sending unit, that's actually what I did at first. It's nice being able to adjust the fuel pressure with an aftermarket reg. As for the wires, without knowing what pins they go to on the PCM, I can't say what they might be for. If you can, pull the harness wrap off and trace it.

[1sik7t2]

ya i'll try peeling back the harness wrap i'll let u know what pin #'s it comes out @ i'm taking pictures to the chevy mechanic today, see if he can help point me in the right direction on the fuel rails you have been very helpful thx again i'll be back to you soon

[jmmm229]

what pump did you find that fit in the stock sending unit?!?

[jmmm229]

nevermind, sorry, just re read the post. did you have to use the top out of the late model tank? more info on a/c would be very helpful. mine has factory rear air, and everything is there. should i use everything thats there, and just use the late model compressor? is that possible and/or feasible? will it be better to have a larger compressor? is there one? please help. man i wish the 6.0 wasnt so pricey here, but the 5.3 will work for me just fine. did you have to cut on the floor, frame, or anything but the tranny x member or motor mounts? did the factory booster/ master cyl interfere?did you say you used the original radiator? hoses on the correct positions? and condenser?
sooooo many questions... man its great to have a forum and guys to help! here are some pics of the burb. it has begun disassembly. actually the truck was 98% complete before i started. still looking for a left tail light bucket tho.

[jmmm229]

well sorry. i cant post pics. i get a message that says a security token is missing

[1sik7t2]

hey jmmm the motor mounts, tranny crossmember all different the guy that WAS HELPING me ordered them not sure where from booster is still in should work fine using same radiator different hoses ac and all components all removed because of the bodydrop shaved the firewall boostat:: the wires we were talking about(thought they were for the fans) still not sure they do not go to the pcm just into the wrap and....not sure yet my mechanic said remove the fuel rails exchange for the 03 model feed and return with regulator so need to find that cheap somewhere thx boys

[boostat4500]

So they don't go to the PCM? If that's the case, I would just get them out of the loom and forget them. Were probably for something smog related.
Yes, I used the stock original (a new one at least) 4 core radiator. My first one sprung a leak, and even when only half full, it kept the motor cool. I made my own upper radiator hose but I think a stock one from a late model truck will also work. The condensor I'm using is just a universal deal.

[1sik7t2]

the late model hoses diffently work (upper 1 anyways) not so much the lower
the fuel rails exchange thing should work fine found an "03 rail from a tahoe on ebay 10 bucks with feed/return and pressure regulator should just snap right in if you would give me your email address i could send you some pictures of the pcm and other wires and maybe you could help me even more THATS AWESOME thx again dave

Originally Posted by boostat4500

So they don't go to the PCM? If that's the case, I would just get them out of the loom and forget them. Were probably for something smog related.
Yes, I used the stock original (a new one at least) 4 core radiator. My first one sprung a leak, and even when only half full, it kept the motor cool. I made my own upper radiator hose but I think a stock one from a late model truck will also work. The condensor I'm using is just a universal deal.