72 GMC Short Step Build

[Z10]

Here's a pic of the diff cover, where you can see, where the level of the ATF was. Also kept the gears clean. Nothing else seems to be damaged.

[Z10]

Axle Flange Drill Fixture

One of the issues that we uncovered with the Boss 338 wheels we're using is that the mounting flanges are so thick that only 5 or 6 threads are being contacted by the lug nuts. So, Car Boss went on a search to find replacement lugs that would be longer, and came up goose eggs. Seems like the only ones that he could locate where the same length as what we have. Longer replacements were sourced but the diameter was slightly larger. This would require enlarging the lug holes in the axle flange to accommodate the new larger diameter lugs.

So, leave it to Car Boss to build a "Axle Flange Drill Fixture" to hold the axle secure while enlarging the holes. Here are some pics of his handy work.

Continued:

[Z10]

[9teen69]

Super cool as always!

[Advanced Design]

Nice work on the template. I am being a little slow on understanding how the template will be used. Looks like the hole dimensions and location from the axle flange are being transferred to the template. Then, will the template be used on another axle flange to locate the holes for the larger diameter axle studs?
Thanks.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Nice work on the template. I am being a little slow on understanding how the template will be used. Looks like the hole dimensions and location from the axle flange are being transferred to the template. Then, will the template be used on another axle flange to locate the holes for the larger diameter axle studs?
Thanks.

AD, it's really a fixture to hold the axle flange securely when enlarging the existing holes. I'm sure Car Boss will jump in and give a better explanation.

[Z10]

Lowering Blocks

Here's a couple of pics of the 2" lowering blocks that we installed. Surprisingly the Ubolt nuts were pretty easy to remove. A little touch of a torch and we managed to extract the bolts.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Z10

AD, it's really a fixture to hold the axle flange securely when enlarging the existing holes. I'm sure Car Boss will jump in and give a better explanation.

Ok thanks, that makes sense. Good idea, he does nice work.

[Z10]

First glimpse of the Wilwoods

Car Boss mounted the caliper brackets on the rear axle and we now have the start of some new rear brakes. Look carefully and you'll see some new brake line brackets on top of the axle tubes.

[OutlawDrifter]

great thread! your first tpi setup brought me here, then i ended up having to read through everything!

16.5mpg seems low with that tuned port setup. maybe i missed it, but what gearing do you have in the rearend? when my 1991 z28 was still L98 tpi powered, it would easily pull down 25-27mpg on the highway with a 3.23 gear and 25.7" tire.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

great thread! your first tpi setup brought me here, then i ended up having to read through everything!

16.5mpg seems low with that tuned port setup. maybe i missed it, but what gearing do you have in the rearend? when my 1991 z28 was still L98 tpi powered, it would easily pull down 25-27mpg on the highway with a 3.23 gear and 25.7" tire.

Thanks OD,
The fuel trims have been seriously dialed in by Double E. Could probably lean out cruise fuel, but not a good idea running cats. The rear is a 3.73 and the rear tire height a shade less than 30". But probably the biggest factor holding milage back now is this thing has the aero of a brick, no wait, a brick may have better aero. lol And then theirs the rolling resistance and it weighs more than a Camaro.

Would I like to break into the 20's? Yes I would, but moving from 10mpg to 16.5mpg is a big improvement in my wallet.

[OutlawDrifter]

are you guys tuning with ebl flash or similar? i assume your using a speed density 90-92 factory ecu. i'm planning on building a new family truckster in the near future, and i was going to go ls, but after seeing the first tpi, i got nostalgic pains for a long runner sbc!

[Z10]

[QUOTE=OutlawDrifter;7241770]are you guys tuning with ebl flash or similar? i assume your using a speed density 90-92 factory ecu. i'm planning on building a new family truckster in the near future, and i was going to go ls, but after seeing the first tpi, i got nostalgic pains for a long runner sbc![/QUOTE

OD,
I'll have Double E, respond to the tune. I understand the LS/SBC quandary. It probably would have been the trendy thing to do to install an LS. (which I think are great engines, I have an LS7), but we decided to move the clock up about 10 or 12 years and ask ourselves, what would GM do if they were building a new C10? So,a warmed up TPI setup, with 700R4, factory cruise, etc was the direction we choose. And, I think a TPI looks better than an LS. Different strokes.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Z10

(which I think are great engines...). And, I think a TPI looks better than an LS.

agreed on both statements. the tpi has a better torque curve through the bottom and mid-range also!

[jmking9]

Such a nice truck, and getting better! Im watching to see how your wilwood kits goes on. Is it the "Pro 1" kit from Travis? Im ordering that kit and a wilwood MC/ prop valve combo from them as soon as I make up my mind between red or black calipers. Have you had a chance to look through the kit to see if it looks like there will be anything else needed to finish the job?

[Z10]

Originally Posted by jmking9

Such a nice truck, and getting better! Im watching to see how your wilwood kits goes on. Is it the "Pro 1" kit from Travis? Im ordering that kit and a wilwood MC/ prop valve combo from them as soon as I make up my mind between red or black calipers. Have you had a chance to look through the kit to see if it looks like there will be anything else needed to finish the job?

Thanks. Yes it's a Pro 1 kit from Travis. I'm using a MC from CPP, and I'm hoping the second one doesn't leak. Also using a Wilwood Prop Valve. Kit looks complete so far.

[Z10]

Custom Wheel Spacers

After I mounted the Boss 338 wheels and new tires, I started getting a small amount of rubbing on the inner wheel well. So, without consulting Car Boss, I decided that a thin wheel spacer would fix the problem. So off to eBay I go and secure some generic Chinese wheel spacers. If you've been following this build you know that this was a mistake and Car Boss was not going to have it. So, while I was away on business this week, he took care of it. Now I have some very nice custom made spacers that no one will ever see.

[Z10]

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Z10

Plumbing the AC & Heater hoses

AC & heater hoses are coming along. We are not using the hoses that came with the Vintage Air kit, but instead fitting and routing them custom lines.

I bought a vintage air kit here on the forum that was from someone else's "stillborn" project. It did not include hoses and vintage air tells me the kit is obsolete, so I will have to make up my own hoses. Do you still have the hoses that came with your kit? I am using the compressor that came with the kit (sanden, I believe).

[Z10]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

I bought a vintage air kit here on the forum that was from someone else's "stillborn" project. It did not include hoses and vintage air tells me the kit is obsolete, so I will have to make up my own hoses. Do you still have the hoses that came with your kit? I am using the compressor that came with the kit (sanden, I believe).

WideSide,
Sorry, I don't have the hoses or the Sanden compressor, sold it already.

[diceman50]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

are you guys tuning with ebl flash or similar? i assume your using a speed density 90-92 factory ecu. i'm planning on building a new family truckster in the near future, and i was going to go ls, but after seeing the first tpi, i got nostalgic pains for a long runner sbc!

I'll jump in here because Double E doesn't do forums. He actually wrote his own tuning and data logging software. Besides manipulating the tune he can also modify or write new code.

On my truck he wrote custom code to allow the ECM to control my Gear Vendors overdrive unit as well as the diesel glow plugs we are using for intake manifold heat.

The ECM we are using on Z10's truck is indeed a speed density unit. I think it is a 7730.

Car Boss

[diceman50]

Originally Posted by diceman50

I'll jump in here because Double E doesn't do forums. He actually wrote his own tuning and data logging software. Besides manipulating the tune he can also modify or write new code.

On my truck he wrote custom code to allow the ECM to control my Gear Vendors overdrive unit as well as the diesel glow plugs we are using for intake manifold heat.

The ECM we are using on Z10's truck is indeed a speed density unit. I think it is a 7730.

Car Boss

P.S. The operating system is $8d.

[OutlawDrifter]

Car Boss, thanks for sharing! I appreciate it.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by diceman50

I'll jump in here because Double E doesn't do forums. He actually wrote his own tuning and data logging software. Besides manipulating the tune he can also modify or write new code.

On my truck he wrote custom code to allow the ECM to control my Gear Vendors overdrive unit as well as the diesel glow plugs we are using for intake manifold heat.

The ECM we are using on Z10's truck is indeed a speed density unit. I think it is a 7730.

Car Boss

You guys are a great team! It is good to have talented friends.

[mcbassin]

I like this Car boss fellow...