build it in the A:: mint 69 lwb LS swap

[lowlyfec10]

hello all. been a member for a little bit, but no build thread since i wasnt really doing much to my c10 at the moment. bought the truck for $850 last november. turns out, it is an atlanta built truck.....and hasnt left GA since. it had a "rebuilt" 350 that ran, but had top end noise....so i yanked it out and threw in another 350 from an ex co-worker for $200. got it running, drove it a few times...started noticing some smoking once it was warmed up some months later. MEH.

I was hoping to get it bagged 1st THEN do the LS swap....but oh well lol. all i have done to the truck outside of the other 350 and tune-up bits to get it runnin nice and smooth....was rebuild the LCAs with moog parts, cut front springs 1.5 coils, add jeep TJ rear springs, rebuild LH door hinges and add dakota door seals.

on to the good stuff, sold the 350/th400 drivetrain for $800. picked up a 04 silverado 2500 6.0l/4l80e 2wd drivetrain complete with harness, all accessories (only missing the TB) ecm, gas pedal and whatever else i want from the truck......for $1000.

enough of the novel writing......here's a few pix



front clip removed



how i want her to sit


out with the old


Costs:::::::
(-) $1000 for 2004 6.0 lq4/4l80e fully dressed exc throttle body
(+) FREE c6 corvette exhaust manifolds...sold for $60
(-) $290 for cpp stands, mounts and sliders
(+) $25 for one ramhorn manifold sold
(+) $80 for 72 throttle cable conversion
(-) $1 for heat shrink (was $6 but thanks for o'smileys $5 reward ^_^)
(-) $28 for wire terminals and relay stuff
(-) $38 for rolls of gxl wiring to finish harness
(+) sold stock truck manifolds for $50
(-) $28 for ES poly trans mount
(-) 170 for used ls1 f-body oil pan setup
(+) Xmas gift was OEM oil pan gasket/rear main seal/rear cover gasket/dipstick o-ring
(+) FREE bosch oil filter
(-) $4 for new trans input shaft seal
(+) free ls1 dipstick and tube
(-) $92 cpp trans member w/ free poly mount
(+) $40 factory v8 engine stands
(+) $20 lq4 dipstick and tube
(-) $65 for stock ls2 internals and repairable heads
(+) $120 for ls2 crankshaft
(-) $50 for LSA exhaust manifolds
(-) $108 for Russell -6an fittings for fuel setup
(-) $40 for wix corvette fuel filter
(-) $10 for coolant temp sensor adapter being used for steam vent
(-) $49 for banjo style trans cooler -6an fittings
(-) $12 autometer 2268 fitting for oil psi hookup
(-) $66 new 89-90 wrangler fuel tank
(-) $112 walbro 450lph fuel pump
(-) $53 88 blazer (fullsize) sending unit
(-) $20 new oem tailhousing o-ring, seal, and 2 bellhousing bolt/studs (pn 15724226)
(-) $25 3/8" hardline for fuel system
(+) $40 comp springs/pushrods
(-) $100 for ls3 manifolds and cats
(+) $170 for ls3 manifolds and lq4 a/c compressor
(+) $60 for ls2 cam/chain/sprocket
(-) $70 for hartrod's dbw pedal bracket
(-) $60 kugel trans shift linkage kit
(-) $14 for 25pk of packard 56 terminals
(-) $88 billet hd carrier bearing
(-) $11 russell tube nuts and sleeves for fuel line
(-) $13 mini ANL fuse holder
(-) $205 cpp slip shaft
(-) $75 lt1swap pcm reprogram
(-) $114 spicer 3-3-5571x slip yoke and 5-460x u-joint
(-) $72 for green high hump cover
(-) $204 for intellitronix digital gauge setup
(-) $70 for 2 ntk 21549 upstream o2 sensors
(-) $86 for russell 6an twist lok hose, 640830/640820 for fuel pump fittings, 660353 union
(+) $180 for damaged 243 heads
(-) $80 for 317 heads, truck intake and manifolds
(-) $43 D850A brake switch and Dayco rad hoses (72023/71989)
(-) $13 autometer 2277 adapter
(-) $12 mr.gasket 2486 dust caps
(-) $11 7/16-20 bulge acorn lug nuts



(-) $69 for way2lo2 2" drop blocks
(-) $39 for 2" wheel spacers
(-) $675 for transport 22" steelies
(-) $220 for satin white powdercoat
(-) $270 for good used 265/35 tires installed
(-) $85 for new pads, RF caliper, some tools to do the rotor install

[Xeen]

It looks like you are ready to rock and roll.
Having been down this road myself I have a few recommendations that will smooth out your LS swap considerably, trust me you are going to want to take my advise to avoid some nasty pitfalls.
After going through a nightmare installing my engine trying to find exhaust manifolds/headers that would clear the stock style cathedral engine stands and trying to leave the A/C compressor in the stock location I learned a ton and here are the results.

CPP sheetmetal engine stands with poly mounts are known to clear Camaro and TBSS exhaust manifolds and 90% of all headers.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-66-68-6...item417bd53146

Use the CPP stock location LS adapter plates part# LS1-KS.
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...e_Upgrades.htm

If you plan to keep the A/C it needs to be relocated to the top passenger side with the Holley LS Truck A/C compressor relocation kit.
https://www.holley.com/

This will get you moving quickly and efficiently towards completing the swap, don't balk at the cost of this stuff trust me when I say it's worth every penny and then some.
If you have any questions you can PM me any time, and take the time to read my build starting at post # 271 on page 11 and read all of my entries from there forward and you will see that I learned this from the school of hard knocks, I wish I knew then what I know now.

[lowlyfec10]

thanks a bunch Brian...i am allowing and considering all advice/tips/constructive criticism lol. i already have DD mounts for 73+ trucks shipped and en route so i will be needing same year towers and mounts now. according to others using this setup have had no real issues with stock truck manifolds but i have corvette manifolds which i hope allow more clearance.

[lowlyfec10]

but my next question is.....are 72 towers the same-----or can they be used with 73+ sliders and mounts? or do i need 73+ specifically? i know they look the same but havent confirmed or found info as to any real differences

[flashed]

Nice truck ,welcome from the north.

[mcbassin]

Awesome project. Love the plans for the new motor and tranny! subscribed

[GAc10boy]

I'm in from good ol Marietta. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

[Xeen]

The stock 73+ engine stands and mounts will raise the engine 1" requiring you to use the high hump transmission cover.
The stock 67-72 engine stands are completely different and are a cathedral style and interfere with all LS exhaust manifolds and 99% of all headers and are a nightmare so forget about it.
There is nothing stopping you from returning the Dirty Dingo LS adapters, when you are retrofitting you have to be flexible because if you start down the wrong path it will cost you a lot more than returning 1 part for a refund.
Parts like these have a tendency to get scratched up during install which means you won't be able to return them as new for a refund if it doesn't work.

[lowlyfec10]

yeah im not worried bout returning any new parts i buy......just that the few swap threads i have read did not mention having any cab clearance issues 0.o

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by lowlyfec10

yeah im not worried bout returning any new parts i buy......just that the few swap threads i have read did not mention having any cab clearance issues 0.o

It's because you have a 4L80E.
The 4L60E doesn't have that problem.

[lowlyfec10]

AHH i see. makes sense.......since most ive seen have used the 60e. -___- meh. does that setup clear with stock vette manifolds?

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by lowlyfec10

AHH i see. makes sense.......since most ive seen have used the 60e. -___- meh. does that setup clear with stock vette manifolds?

Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has tried, they all use what is recommended which is the Camaro or TBBS exhaust manifolds, most people don't have corvette exhaust manifolds just laying around.
I guess you will find out when you try it.
If they don't fit you can just sell the Corvette exhaust manifolds and buy the TBSS exhaust manifolds.

[lowlyfec10]

yeah, i got the vette manifolds free and i think i have a friend that will give me some fbody manifolds. pretty much what i was aiming for was....clearance with stock manifolds and hoping to not have to cut my DS from my th400.

[Xeen]

To shorten and balance a DS is about $75 so it's not the end of the world and the closer the engine is to the firewall the better for handling anyway, but you won't know how that is all going to shake out until you try it.
You don't have to have this done in a week do you?

[lowlyfec10]

you're right. not majorly concerned if i have to shorten the DS but would have been a plus if i didnt have to. lol. trying to do this with budget in mind.....and that budget being as cheap as possible.

[mcbassin]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The stock 73+ engine stands and mounts will raise the engine 1" requiring you to use the high hump transmission cover.

Hey Brian, Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the 4L80E require a high hump anyway?

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Hey Brian, Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the 4L80E require a high hump anyway?

I'm pretty sure you can get away with the low hump with the CPP sheetmetal engine stands as long as you don't do a body drop.
If you put the engine super close to the firewall you might have to trim the firewall/tunnel flange that's it.
If not though installing a high hump is cake.

[lowlyfec10]

well the truck will be bagged to lay frame after the swap is finished....might be somethin to look into anyways lol

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by lowlyfec10

well the truck will be bagged to lay frame after the swap is finished....might be somethin to look into anyways lol

Oh I didn't know that, I read you wanted to bag it but I didn't know you wanted to lay frame.
That's a whole other animal right there.

[lowlyfec10]

oh yeah............

and a big shout out to BRIAN for being a new friendy of mine that is helping me with input/advice along the way!

found an older pic showing the whole truck


and last night....

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by lowlyfec10

oh yeah............

and a big shout out to BRIAN for being a new friend of mine that is helping me with input/advice along the way!

No problem, I'm happy to help.
I literally laughed out loud when I saw the picture of you doing the Captain Morgan that was good.

[lowlyfec10]

lol yeah man....that poor taco....was a somewhat sketch 15 mile drive home. its lowered a good bit, but the extra weight from the motor n trans had it making weird noises when turning left, accelerating fast, or hitting dips/bumps...my guess is the driveshaft was bottoming out into the transmission...... 0.o but we made it!

[flashed]

The cargo in back of that truck looks like fun ,and explain the Captain Morgan thing to a dummy .

[mcbassin]

I literally laughed out loud when I saw the picture of you doing the Captain Morgan that was good.

X2

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by flashed

Explain the Captain Morgan thing to a dummy.

It's an advertising campaign for Captain Morgan rum.