Lss3

[69cunningham]

There's been quite a bit of activity on the truck, but none of the tasks have been completed. I bought a bunch of parts and it seems that at least one key part needed for each task has been back ordered. This weekend I should be showing my modified trailing arm cross member with it's exhaust cut outs. I was in the machine shop at work making the reinforcement tubes.

[69cunningham]

I’ve had the LS3 for almost 4 years. To insure it stays in good condition, oil has been squirted into the cylinders and oil passages. I also turn the crank periodically. Last weekend I made a makeshift pre-luber out of a garden sprayer. This forces oil into the oil system. The oil port has M 16X1.5 threads. I bought a PN ATM-2268 from Summit racing.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 69cunningham

I’ve had the LS3 for almost 4 years. To insure it stays in good condition, oil has been squirted into the cylinders and oil passages. I also turn the crank periodically. Last weekend I made a makeshift pre-luber out of a garden sprayer. This forces oil into the oil system. The oil port has M 16X1.5 threads. I bought a PN ATM-2268 from Summit racing.

How cool is that! Very innovative idea

[69cunningham]

This weekend I modified the trailing arm cross member for the exhaust to pass through. Like other forum members, I used a piece of plywood to center a 4” hole saw. The sleeve used to reinforce the cross member is a pipe coupling with the correct outside diameter. It was cut in half then the threads machined out on a lathe. The finished inside diameter is 3.5”. This should be OK for 2.5” exhaust. It was difficult to weld the parts together since it was not in a comfortable position.
I finally found a high hump trans tunnel without any holes. I bought it on Ebay and it should be here sometime next week.

[69cunningham]

Here's a few more pictures:

[Rusbuilt]

Looking good!

[69cunningham]

The exhaust system is going to use 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds and 2 ½” stainless steel tubing. A 3/8” thick flange (1472S from Vibrant Performance) is used to connect the two. To properly align the tubing to the manifold, the tubing needs to extend past the flange and into the manifold. Unfortunately, the recess in the manifold is a little less than the 2 1/2” needed. I used the flange as a guide to bore the recess with a hole saw. Tape was wrapped around the saw to accurately center the saw.

[69cunningham]

I just got my high hump transmission cover. I spent a couple of hour scraping off decades of grease and dirt. It’s in good condition. I hope to get it fitted this weekend.

The original low hump has my cutout for two different shifters for the old Muncie. The first one required a large hole while the second was much smaller so I welded back to original cutout. Now I can cut out the whole mess.

[Rusbuilt]

Nice!

[69cunningham]

Today was the day to cut the big hole. My first picture shows the impressions in the floor. I cut inside the depression to retail some stiffness to the floor.

I ran into a clearance issue at the back of the trans. I ended up cutting a little more of the floors it would fit. There will need to be something added to the trans cover also.

[69cunningham]

There’s lots of room toward the front. The back wouldn't have been a problem if I would have the engine positioned where the ECE mounts wanted it.

[boynton]

Love the build. I am embarking on the same project right now but with a LY6/6L90. I am going to go with a high hump as well. I need to put a full floor pan in my cab...what cooling system are you going with?

[69cunningham]

I'm leaning toward a vintage air system, but it will be a while before I know for sure.

[mcbassin]

Very nice progress on your truck. Looking good.

[69cunningham]

The Hidden Hitch from CPP (6772HTH-K) finally showed up after being back ordered for over a month and a half. It is only roughly position today. The biggest task way moving the chassis away from my garage door so the hitch would fit. I hope it is far enough away to also allow the bumper to also fit with the door shut.
I was happy to see that there were no clearance issues between the hitch and tank.

[Rusbuilt]

Looking good sir!

[trkfrk]

Transmission sits in there nice. Have you determined which hydraulic clutch master cylinder your going to use?

[69cunningham]

I'm using a Hydromax hydraulic thrown out bearing from American Powertrain. I don't know what master cylinder to use.

[69cunningham]

After looking at the trans position for a while, I decided to move it forward an inch. This means it it 1” back from the stock ECE mount position. This would have prevented the need for that ugly notch in the floor. It does still require a little extra clearance in the transmission cover. I made the piece out of a piece of 2” exhaust U-bend.

[69cunningham]

My Hotchkis rear sway bar (22390R) showed up today. I’m sure glad it’s going on with the bed off. The instructions make it look hard, but this was easy so far. Tomorrow I’ll get the trailing arm connections done.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice project, love the motor

[69cunningham]

I decided to weld the spacer to the trailing arm reinforcement plate. Aligning the plates was much easier than I thought. The trailing arms have a 3/8” hole in the correct place. I only had to bore it out to ½”.

[69cunningham]

I installed the Aeromotive fuel filter (AEI-12308) and modified the license plate frame for the hidden hitch.

[69cunningham]

I’ve been building a shift lever. I started with ¾” steel rod, 17” long. It’s been tapered down to ½”on a lathe, flats and holes milled to mount to the trans. Next came heating and bending it toward the driver about 3” and back 4”. It just clears the seat when it is all the way up. This was done so my wife can drive the truck. All the pictures were taken with trans in 2nd gear. It is very comfortable for me to shift with the seat all the way back. I plan to have the stick chromed.

[mcbassin]

Killer work on the shifter rod! I hope to put the exact same engine/tranny setup in my Camaro.