79 GMC Sierra LWB 6.0L swap

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

man, i've been looking over your pictures and have a few questions?

1st can we see more?

but seriously, is that a custom piece of chrome that runs on the back side of the cab? and what did you do to that floor in the #12 post? i know you said it was lowered... but i'd like some details because that looks really good with those seats! looks factory....

and btw what mounts are you going with for the ls??

Dennis the cab chrome is from LMC truck. The floor is the brain child of the guy (Max Craft) who did my paint and body. He is truly an artist. He positioned the seats and cut slots in the floor pan. positioned 4" channel to the right height and welded it in with sheet metal around it to close it off. He drilled holes on the channel and welded in studs to bolt them down. The seats are from a 2001 Sierra.

As for what engine mounts, I'm not sure any suggestions? I am in the planning stage now. still collecting parts. So I need all the help I can get on who to do the wiring harness, ECM re-flash, engine mounts, trans mount, Do i need a new trans crossmember or can I relocate? So all who have gone before me, lets here what you used..... Thanks in advance!!!!

[menace121978]

sure is a beauty... i love to hear stories like this. nothing more special than something that was bought new years ago and passed down through the family.

as for the mounts, i was going to go with BRP http://www.brphotrods.com/Truck%20LS1.html but they cant garantee that the stock a/c will work in the stock location. still reasearching this...

[mcbassin]

This is a nice looking project! I will tuned in to watch this one.

[Jonboy]

Well, I think you did your dad proud. The colors really look good together. From the first pics, it almost looked like a white diamond in the middle, it was hard to tell. The truck really turned out sharp.

For the PCM and wiring, you might try Jesse at wait4me, or Brendan at LT1swap.com

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

sure is a beauty... i love to hear stories like this. nothing more special than something that was bought new years ago and passed down through the family.

as for the mounts, i was going to go with BRP http://www.brphotrods.com/Truck%20LS1.html but they cant garantee that the stock a/c will work in the stock location. still reasearching this...

Dennis: BPR is local for me I live in the Atlanta area. I called Phil the owner and he is a restorer. He has done alot of these LS conversions. I think you have to move the AC pump that is why I am still looking. The problem is the rear of the compressor hitting the crossmember the side rails will clear. I am looking into moving the engine forward 1". Have you heard about this. Also BRP's kit includes a new trans crossmember and I was told just move the stock one. Any input on this?

[menace121978]

you can just move the tranny cross member instead of buying another.

i talked to Jeff over their yesterday and he wants me to send him an a/c compressor with factory lines to try and mount it to their test engine/truck. the only reason i'd go with their kit is if i didnt have to get a top mount a/c compressor and bracket. that would make up the price difference in the plates vs. brp's kit. i heard if you move the motor forward an inch you will have problems with finding headers/manifolds to fit and the trucks weight balance will be off or something like that.(?)

[menace121978]

maybe you'd have better luck with those guys at brp. they honestly pissed me off the other day wanting me to ship out my own compressor on my own dime and not guarantee their kit and headers will work.

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

maybe you'd have better luck with those guys at brp. they honestly pissed me off the other day wanting me to ship out my own compressor on my own dime and not guarantee their kit and headers will work.

I will call Phil and take him my AC compressor and when I get an answer I will post and let you know. Good to know about the trans crossmember I need to save money were ever I can. I like BPR's headers. Very nice looking......

[68Timber]

Subscribing...

[smokedat]

when you do a swap you will always run into clearance problems, you will need an A/C relocator to top passenger. I have seen some notch the frame to clear the AC but i wouldn't recommend that. You can use the same trans crossmember.

[nlped]

Another cool swap!

[Shon]

I am enjoying my 6.0 in the 71!

[Dads79GMC]

79gmc5.3

Great truck. We have a lot in common. My Dad, a Korean and Vietnam Vet, purchased his 79 Heavy Half GMC brand new and he gave it to me before he died in 2001. He ordered it just the way he wanted it: Oyster colored high-back buckets/headline/door panels etc (must have been a 70s thing), power everything, 2WD and two-tone blue. You can see a bit of it in the avatar.

I'm in the middle of totally going through it right now. At some point I need to start a build post.

Did you have to find another grille or is that the original? I know mine is bit different.

Again, great truck. I'm inspired again.

Mike

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

79gmc5.3

Great truck. We have a lot in common. My Dad, a Korean and Vietnam Vet, purchased his 79 Heavy Half GMC brand new and he gave it to me before he died in 2001. He ordered it just the way he wanted it: Oyster colored high-back buckets/headline/door panels etc (must have been a 70s thing), power everything, 2WD and two-tone blue. You can see a bit of it in the avatar.

I'm in the middle of totally going through it right now. At some point I need to start a build post.

Did you have to find another grille or is that the original? I know mine is bit different.

Again, great truck. I'm inspired again.

Mike

The grill in most of the pics is a 79 chevy from GM Goodmart because I could not find a new GMC Grill for that year. And the GMC grill in the front pic is the original I cleaned real well painted the whole thing black, taped off what I wanted to keep black and sprayed a silver/pewter and used a torch red for the GMC letters. And cleared the whole thing. Turned out much better than I thought it would.

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by Shon

I am enjoying my 6.0 in the 71!

Shon: I just looked at your web site, great looking truck and that 6.0L looks like the truck came with it. My goal for my truck has always been make it look bone stock on the outside but all the things like engine,trans,and inside creature comforts update with late model stuff. I hope with all the good info in these threads I will not have to many problems. Again I think your truck looks great.

[Shon]

Originally Posted by 79gmc5.3

Shon: I just looked at your web site, great looking truck and that 6.0L looks like the truck came with it. My goal for my truck has always been make it look bone stock on the outside but all the things like engine,trans,and inside creature comforts update with late model stuff. I hope with all the good info in these threads I will not have to many problems. Again I think your truck looks great.

THANKS!!!! That has been my goal too.

[79gmc5.3]

I wanted to take a look on the inside to make sure everything is OK. Wire brushed the heads and top of pistons. Have a few days off, will be putting it back together.

[mcbassin]

Your motor looks good! Couple of questions, Just curious, with it being low mileage, what made you want to pull the top end? How much did you spend on the gasket sets and bolts? Since you are already this far, check your knock sensor wire harness under that valley cover. Good looking build!

[BIG10]

I think I've said this before, but dang I love your truck.

[menace121978]

X2 on the knock sensor harness. i gotta get one myself... if i remember right its only 38 dollars from GM

[menace121978]

the drive by wire is a cleaner install and only requires 4 wires to be hooked up for cruise control because its all controlled by the computer.

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

the drive by wire is a cleaner install and only requires 4 wires to be hooked up for cruise control because its all controlled by the computer.

Thank God for all the wisdom on this board. See I knew if I ask the question I would get a wealth of knowledge. You guys are the best, thanks Dennis and Cline

[menace121978]

anytime buddy! btw, have ya had a chance to go by BRP?

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

anytime buddy! btw, have ya had a chance to go by BRP?

Now that Christmas is over I will try to get over there this week. I am off Friday thats when I plan to go. BullDawgMuscleCars is also local for me I want to go by and see his build. He thinks that their kit will set the motor and trans high enough to get the a/c in the stock location. Thats what Phil at BRP told me also. But I would like to see before I spend the money.

[menace121978]

your the man! thank you... i feel the same way. its piece of mind before dropping 1k on the mounts and headers