Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info

[menace121978]

that should be your sig.

where's the new pics of all the wiring tucked away in looms? i need my fix!!

and those last pics look like alot had to be notched out of that frame. it does look like he reinforced it unless im seeing things. just by the way our frame is prone to crack by the steering box i'd be hesitant on cutting that much out. heck i dont even want to notch mine in the rear!

another thing is i'm not sure how much pressure that idler arm shaft takes but i'm pretty sure the bolts were only 3/8" but i'll have to double check that... i'm just suprised there isnt a kit or something that adapts to the compressor to point the hoses straight up.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by menace121978

that should be your sig.

where's the new pics of all the wiring tucked away in looms? i need my fix!!

Tonight!!

and those last pics look like alot had to be notched out of that frame. it does look like he reinforced it unless im seeing things. just by the way our frame is prone to crack by the steering box i'd be hesitant on cutting that much out. heck i dont even want to notch mine in the rear!

I can't tell, but I'm not seeing anything that would make me think it's reinforced in any way.

another thing is i'm not sure how much pressure that idler arm shaft takes but i'm pretty sure the bolts were only 3/8" but i'll have to double check that... i'm just suprised there isnt a kit or something that adapts to the compressor to point the hoses straight up.

As a whole, a lot, right at that part of the frame. The steering gear and the idler arm take a pounding when you hit a bump, pot hole, curb, high speed cornering, etc. There is a ton of lateral force being put on those spots. Go out in your garage and imagine kicking one of your front tires as hard as you can in front of the spindle, and picture where all that force is being transferred to.

There are adapters, but they are worse than the OEM hoses. First there is o-ring the block that mounts to the compressor. THEN the hose fitting screws into that block. So by the time you add those two pieces, the 90° bend doesn't occur for a good 2.5" to 3" away from the compressor. That puts them well beyond the top frame rail.

Compressor adapters:



And the 90° fittings:



You would think someone like Street & Performance should be making a "pancake style" block with threaded fittings coming off the side instead of the top. THAT would solve everything!

I'm going to try and fit that thing in there again. I think I can clearance the back side of the bracket enough to make room for the trans cooler lines. I gotta make this work! I know I can!

I wish I had a spare frame and a block to play with........

[glock35ipsc]

That would be GREAT! If and when possible, I would like to see the adapter at least held into place too. Thanks!!!!

[Codys87]

Heres the pics of my a/c compressor, but I haven't gotten the adapter yet. Honestly didn't know if it would work until I found your thread and found the link to the adapters on here. I have about 2 inches of clearance from the a/c compressor to the frame so I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. I am using the brp motor mount conversion kit though. But it looks like we both may have about the same clearance.



Let me know what you think. I was going to order the adapter tonight.

[glock35ipsc]

I'm bbq'ing right now, but that looks like it will definitely work!!! I'll be back later on.

Thanks!!!!!

[glock35ipsc]

With that flat adapter pointing back, 90* fittings will point them up with little if any interference with the frame.

You say it bolted right up to the AC bracket?

Dude, I think you just solved a major problem for all of us here!!!!

[Codys87]

Cool I was hoping I could help out with all the help I have gotten from everyon else. Yeah the compressor bolted right up. I've been piecing my motor together and when I got the compressor I didn't even realize I didn't get the one that comes on the 5.3's until I already had the motor in and was comparing the setup to my avalanche!!!

[glock35ipsc]

It looks like the flash washed it out, but is there a part number on the compressor? And you know for sure it is off a 96? This is fantastic, with that flat block and 90* fittings I can't see anywhere this would cause a problem.

Do you have a build thread on here?

Thanks again!!!

[nlped]

Dumb question, but is that a much different compressor, or is the motor just sitting higher in the frame? I was looking at your pic, Bob, from post #522 vs. Codys87's and it kinda looks like the motor sits a bit higher. Don't blast me if I am wrong

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by nlped

Dumb question, but is that a much different compressor, or is the motor just sitting higher in the frame? I was looking at your pic, Bob, from post #522 vs. Codys87's and it kinda looks like the motor sits a bit higher. Don't blast me if I am wrong

I think you are right, the upper compressor bolt on his looks to be above the frame rail, where I had to angle mine to clear the rail to get the bolt in the hole.

BUT..... and this is a big but , the manifold on the 96 compressor is flat and exits to the rear, whereas the 06 compressor exits up at about a 45* angle. With the flat manifold block of the 96, a pair of 90* fittings could be ran straight up.

[menace121978]

whoa, i'm i reading this right???

a compressor off a '96 gen II small block bolts right up to the ls motor and clears the frame rails?

how is the compressor quality compare to the newer style?

[glock35ipsc]

Well, anything is better than the ones like I have.

[glock35ipsc]

Then again.....

Compare the height of my heater hoses above the frame (barely seen in the top of the pic) to Cody's.

Cody, if you would please, could you measure from the top of your frame to the bottom of the heater hoses? I'll measure mine here in a little bit.

[joe231]

looks pretty close by eyeballing it....

[Codys87]

Measuring from the top of the frame rail to the bottom of the heater hose is right at 2 1/2 inches. But I am using a different motor mount set up too.

Give me a day and let me check out and make sure this compressor is the exact same as the 96. Problem with mine is that when I was cleaning it the part number from the sticker rubbed off!!! unless there is another spot on the compressor I could check for a part # I need to go to the parts store and compare some stuff. This compressor looks just like the compressor on my dads 96 Silverado, but with no part # I don't want anyone else to go out and buy one until I'm for sure.

[Driveway Dreams]

Wow, this is really turning into an educational experience for all. Bob, you my friend should get an award for build thread of the year.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Wow, this is really turning into an educational experience for all. Bob, you my friend should get an award for build thread of the year.

Thanks dude! I'm blown away that it's at almost 700 posts in just two months! And there's not really that much BS'ing going on. But there has been a TON of great LS swap info brought out in this thread. It will definitely make to task of drawing up a 73-87 LS swap guide a whole lot easier!

[Codys87]

Let me just start off by saying that your build is awesome! It looks so neat and like it came from the factory that way. Very nice!

And after searching like crazy because I don't want to disappoint, I finally found the compressor that I have. It's not a 96 style after all, because one bracket mount is different, but it actually came on the 99-02 5.3.
Two part numbers I found are:
Delphi - cs20010
Delco - 1520413

Also if your heater hoses are 1.5 from the frame rail that would mean you should have a little more room to put the adapter in, right?

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Codys87

Delphi - cs20010
Delco - 1520413

Looks like if one were to use this compressor, price-wise it would be better to find a junk yard one. The Delco part goes for $360 (with core) at Rockauto.com, and the Delphi number is $286 (no core).

With that in mind, I think I am going to stay with the Kwik Performance high mount ($342 for brackets and compressor). On my truck, I still have issues with the tranny cooler lines between the block and AC bracket. Had I known this sooner, I could have cut the cooler lines back near the trans and ran braided line all the way up and routed them under the engine stands. If a person is just starting their swap, and not as far along as I am, this style of compressor would definitely be the ticket though!

Of course, I don't plan on installing the AC until spring, so I might have a wild hair by then to re-do the tranny lines and install this one in the stock location! With me, you never know!

[tvblazer78]

What a cool pic. Looks sweet from the top..

[glock35ipsc]

Mine is right at 1.5", so you are an inch higher. I still think it might work. But I'm not going to worry about AC until spring, so we have some time to figure it out. Or at least, I do.

OK, Dennis is in need of a pic fix, so here we go:

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Don't forget that upper radiator hose clamp at the radiator is not in place.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Mine is right at 1.5", so you are an inch higher. I still think it might work. But I'm not going to worry about AC until spring, so we have some time to figure it out. Or at least, I do.

If you used the taller mounts Cody used do you think the air intake tube would clear the top of the fan shroud?

Would the mechanical fan blade clear the top of the shroud if the engine was an inch higher or would you have to raise the shroud?

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Don't forget that upper radiator hose clamp at the radiator is not in place.

It's just mocked up for the photo op. I still have to put the fan on.

Originally Posted by 68 TT

If you used the taller mounts Cody used do you think the air intake tube would clear the top of the fan shroud?

Probably would, but then again, this is only temporary. I plan on making a 4" tube that runs over to the drivers side, then turning slightly towards the radiator support. I just happen to have this old intake setup in one of my sheds, so it got used just to get me going and to put the $$$ in other places.

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Would the mechanical fan blade clear the top of the shroud if the engine was an inch higher or would you have to raise the shroud?

I don't think an inch would matter too much. This setup just happens to almost perfectly centered the fan in the shroud. But this too is only temporary. The 06 truck electric fans are waaay too wide for the stock 85 radiator, so this is just to get me running and on the road. Later I'll build a custom shroud with a couple e-fans in it.

So in a few months the clutch fan, shroud and stock intake tube will all be bye-bye.

[nlped]

Lookin' Good Mr. Kotter!!!