Papas 71

[Shon]

Finally got the truck up and going and is now in DD status.
Started out with 1971 Chevy Pickup LWB that was my wife's G-fathers he bought new. We have owned it for probably 10yrs and it is reliable with 109k miles on it right now. When my camaro was down (alot) this truck was my DD. It had a 350/TH350 set up that worked. It could sit for months and fire right up but thought it was time to start hauling my own car to/from track so I began looking for a 6.0/4l80 set up and found this for $2k and its an LQ4 with 16k miles on the whole set up. Funny, while this was going on, I sold the Z28 and replaced it with a CTSV so now I guess the Caddy will just be a nice day driver....

Old 350 on the hook


Brother (-T- on here) guiding new motor/trans in


motor in and DD mode




After some time with steel wool on the rims we now look like this


and the one wheel peel!!!


I have some engine covers going on soon plus a set of speakers and amp.

Brake booster will be added soon since the manual brakes are a bit anemic (sp) with the new power and the idiot drivers around here.

last fill up it got 16.5MPGs. I am still working on the tune so it might get a little bit more.

*link in sig has some more pix*

[chevy88]

What were you getting for mpg before with the old motor? Also nice job on the rims, what kind are they?

[Shon]

MPG wise with the Qjet/350/350 and 3.09 gears it got 13 MPGs back and forth to work (16miles one way). If I used "georgia overdrive" (ie putting it in N going down hill) and sometimes cutting it off while idling I got it to 15.

15x8 front rims and 15x10 rears.

I know it needs new lower ball joints but waiting to decide if I am going to lower it and how (springs or bags) before fixing them. So the alignment afterwards might help reduce some resistance. And on the lowering, not wanting to go too low b/c the pan does hang about 2" below crossmember and I am not changing the pan.

I am running speed density at the moment and might put a MAF inline to see if that will help up the MPGs but it shouldnt but I want to see. The MAF that was on this van motor is little and long and does not fit the way I want the intake tract but I have a 'normal' one that I might hook up and see if it makes any difference.

I might be lugging the motor with the 3.09s so I am also going to work on the TC lock up/release points to see if that helps. Brother also has the same set up but with 3.73s, we will get his going and compare MPGs with his to also see if gearing might offer some help.

Looking around on the net and locals, the 6.0s get about 13-15 around town so this one seems to be inline, was hoping I was lighter and therefore pick up some but it may not matter.

This tank I am running with tailgate down to see if that helps...

[LOW DOUGH]

what year van is the motor from?

It look really nice in there and the wheels look good too. You did a nice job.

I really want to do this to mine.

[Shon]

2006 Express Van.
Swap was easy, plenty of room for everything!!

[Rokcrln]

I know with my 93 LT1 in LowBuk I get 15-17 with 3.41RP and that puts me at 2200 rpm at 70 mph. That is with Painless's computer and harness and it runs a bit rich so their is more to be had but you have to spend another $750 to get their software to unlock the ECU so I am going to leave it as is. Also I am not easy on this truck at all so if I was maybe 18 or so. I am hopping for 20ish with my 5.3L in the 72 Tahoe with 3.41's.

Very clean instal and a great looking sleeper!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Shon]

Sent yo ua PM Rokcrin.

But my FIL's 5.3 Z71 ECSB truck gets nearly 20 and got 15 pulling my car. I have considered pulling this 6.0 in favor of a 5.3/4l60 combo just for the mileage but probably will just ride out....

[Puropedo]

Really neat conversion. Were you able to re-use your mechanical gauges? Do you have to use the oxygen sensors for the engine to run properly?

[Shon]

I am using the O2s and things are great.
I am using all my mech gauges, I have the Cable X box to run the stock speedo/odo

[Shon]

Added engine covers this weekend

[killer71]

Nice driver ya got there...you'll love the fi.

[6D8_C10]

Originally Posted by Shon

Added engine covers this weekend

Nice engine covers. what vehicle did you get those from?

Are you going to do a write up?
I am interested to know everything you needed (parts) and any mods that needed to be done.
I just bought my 5.7L out of a silverado. I will try to install it after the holidays.

[Shon]

engine covers I bought new. I can get more.

there is a little write up in my sig link, if you have more questions I can help you. I have done a few of these.....

What year is that 5.7 from? b/c if it is a 5.7 then it is not the same as these 4.8/5.3/6.0/LS1/6/2/7/9.
It would be the old vortec set up that is more related to the SBC than the Gen 3 or 4.

[6D8_C10]

Originally Posted by Shon

engine covers I bought new. I can get more.

there is a little write up in my sig link, if you have more questions I can help you. I have done a few of these.....

What year is that 5.7 from? b/c if it is a 5.7 then it is not the same as these 4.8/5.3/6.0/LS1/6/2/7/9.
It would be the old vortec set up that is more related to the SBC than the Gen 3 or 4.

Crap, I meant I had a 5.3L Vortec from a '99 Silverado

[LEEVON]

Did you use the MAF? If so where did you put it? I like the air filter, just trying to figure out how it fits. Nice conversion.

[Shon]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Did you use the MAF? If so where did you put it? I like the air filter, just trying to figure out how it fits. Nice conversion.

I am in Speed Density, ie no MAF. I am just using it for it the IAT right now till I put in a seperate IAT. its laying on the passenger side fender at the battery.

The MAF that came with the motor is a LONG 'bosch' style and did not fit the way I wanted things to run. but I have since aquired a 'shorter' maf that I am going to see about putting in there just to see if I can eek out more MPGs, not supposed to since the VE tables are -/+3 in all cells but got some 'trix' I want to try.....

[rob32472]

If you dont mind me asking...... how much are the engine covers?

[Shon]

Originally Posted by rob32472

If you dont mind me asking...... how much are the engine covers?

Those are $130 plus shipping ($20 probably).

Let me rephrase that, if I was to provide them it would be $150 shipped.
if you go to the dealer and pick them up I do not know how much they are.

Part numbers
12597908 Left Cover
12574573 Right Cover
12598332 Center cover