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

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by texasfunk

truck is looking good! love red trucks, wanted mine red but dont want to change interior! i myself got a burb parts truck and they come in handy haha keep up the great work!

LOL, I hear ya! I've always been a blue guy and had grand ideas of changing this one too. Once I got it in my head EXACTLY what I would need to do, the red started growing on me! Actually, now I can't wait until it's gets repainted in red.

Originally Posted by JohnC

Cool! That's a nice thing about having a parts vehicle readily available!

No lie! That door had me frustrated after rebuilding the hinges, but changing that pin made a huge difference. I'll tweak the thing once I get that alignment toll next week. Should be like butter then.

Originally Posted by menace121978

right on bob! im glad you got that door all figured out. probably feels like a new one and no wind noise too!!

The kids and I took it out for a test drive after I did all that, and it was nice and quite. I can hear the radio on low now!

Originally Posted by SBTork

That and the 4L80e and 14 bolt rear axle that came in a 1500HD both take a lot of power to turn. I'd run a built 4L60e or 4L65e. They're not as bullit proof but built right they can be strong. Something to consider.

Congrats on the progress, it's going to be a nice truck.

Thanks! The engine will be basically stock.... for now, but the tranny I am getting is their 4L60E "performance" build. Future plans for the engine call for a cam and head swap, an LS-1 intake/injectors/fuel rail, and a mild stall converter to match the cam. I'll probably change all the front accessory brackets out then too, out of necessity. As I understand it, the LS-1 intake puts the throttle body too low to clear the trucks tall-sitting accessories.

[JohnC]

Where did you find the tool? It looks like a cool little thing to have.

[glock35ipsc]

It is from Eastwood, but I got it from their eBay store. It was a little cheaper there at $27.

[glock35ipsc]

This morning, my son and I went to the shop and tinkered for a bit.

I got the rear end pulled out of the burb. This rear has 3.42's and will work beautifully with the 5.3/4L60E combo. I need to get axle seals and bearings, and a pan gasket. Then when the time comes, I'll swap the backing plates off of Fred onto this rearend.

Also got both rear wheel well lower rear pieces of sheet metal cut out. This body is very solid, so these saved my about $80 in patch panels. I'll weld these in this winter while the bed is off doing the engine swap.

[glock35ipsc]

Just fueled up both tanks. Got 14.7 mpg on the tank that was used to go to Denver and back. Not bad considering about 140 of the 177 miles on that tank were above 75 mph.

The other tank is just back and forth to work (almost 40 miles round trip) and running around town. That tank yielded 15.65 mpg!!

I plan on taking the top of the fuel pressure regulator off soon and do the quarter trick; that is, putting a quarter or similar sized washer under the FPR spring. That is usually good for a .5 to 1.0 psi increase.

[JohnC]

Those are pretty nice mpg!

[menace121978]

X2 on the milage!!

kind of a question out of left field bob...

how do you tune the 5.3 after you get it installed and then after you start modding it?

[JohnC]

Don't mean to butt in here, but you have more options with the computer. There are companies that can do just about whatever you want with these computers. Put it on a chip, plug it in, and boom instant hp gain. I know it won't work as much for you out in CA, but they can also go in and take out all the extra emissions stuff that you don't need, and sensors that you won't use too. This is mainly more off of what I have read so far. I'm still in the research stages of this setup as well. So I'm curious to see someone's swap, and their results.

[glock35ipsc]

John pretty much nailed it. The tune is all in the computer. Along with removing emissions items, they can adjust for tire size and gear changes, shift points, air/fuel ratios, timing.... more than I can type out.

For mine, I am getting one of my ECM's programmed and tuned by Jesse at Wait4meperformance. Jesse has done many tunes for me and some of my friends in the past and has always done me good. This one will get me on the road and moving.

After I have all the bugs worked out of it, I will grab another ECM that I have and take it to one of the local shops that has a chassis dyno and tune the snot out of it. This way I can make a pull on the dyno, we can then change xxxxx in the settings, and make another dyno pull until we squeeze all we can out of it.

[menace121978]

gotcha! now if you dont mind me asking how much is the initial tune?

[glock35ipsc]

For Jesse to rework the harness and do the tune will be $360. If you rework your own harness and send him your ECM, I think the tune will only be $75 or $85 then.

I have no idea how much the dyno tuning will cost though. For all I know, Jesse's tune may be staying in there for a long time!

[bigbadjohn84]

I hear that man! Im thinking of the same concept with my 83. actually a 4.8, 5.3, or a 6.0. really I guess bang for the buck 6.0 would be nasty in these trucks with them being lighter. mileage wouldnt be too bad. but a 5.3 is more readily availiable it seems.. keep on

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

For Jesse to rework the harness and do the tune will be $360. If you rework your own harness and send him your ECM, I think the tune will only be $75 or $85 then.

I have no idea how much the dyno tuning will cost though. For all I know, Jesse's tune may be staying in there for a long time!

dang thats not bad at all. what do you mean rework the harness? splice into my factory one or just get the donors wiring ready for plug and play?

the dyno tune on the goat was $450 if i remember right. kinda pricey concidering how bad i still get heat soak...

sorry for all the ???'s buddy... right in the middle of your thread and all...

[glock35ipsc]

No worries here, I like getting the info out!

By reworking, I mean to make the engine harness a stand-alone harness. It will have like 4-5 connections that I will need to make to the truck for it to work.

[bigbadjohn84]

bad thread jacker you! lol

[glock35ipsc]

[menace121978]

thread jack finished...


unless i can think of another question! oh yea 2 more, so for the fuel lines just use fuel injection hose and clamps, acdelco "in take" pump and sending unit w/ a high pressure switching valve? will i need the corvette fuel filter to regulate the pressure also?

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by menace121978

so for the fuel lines just use fuel injection hose and clamps,

I haven't looked to see what the OEM fuel line sizes are on the truck right now, but I will either run hard line from the filter/reg up to the fuel rails, or stainless braided. I just don't feel good about running the regular soft FI hose all the way. But definitely FI line to make connections with the smooth stainless FI clamps.

acdelco "in take" pump and sending unit w/ a high pressure switching valve?

Yup. In fact, when I'm done typing this post, I'll go copy a PM I sent to AceX with parts and part numbers for the fuel system parts with dual tanks.

will i need the corvette fuel filter to regulate the pressure also?

You will if your engine uses a returnless fuel system. That's easy to tell.... if the fuel rail has two lines together pointing to the rear, one is a return, so no Vette filter/reg. If there is only one line on the rail, then yes you will. A returnless is preferred, at least for me. Only 1 line to run instead of 2. Less hassle, and less $$$.

[menace121978]

Bob, you are the man! thank you!!!

[JohnC]

Great info man! Now I'm wishing I would have gone the LSX way on mine this time. Oh well defintately the next truck!!!!


Won't be real soon though. Don't think my wife will be so forgiving on the next one!!!

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Should be like butter then.

Can you say..... "like butta??!!"

I got the door alignment tool today. Ran to the shop like a little kid when I got home to try it. Stuck it on the truck, use my long Snap-On 1/2" ratchet, and gave it a good firm pull up. Took it off and..... butta!

Take two fingers and give it a fling, and it shuts tight!

Saweet!!!!!!!

[JohnC]

That's pretty cool. I'll have to get me one of those!

When I go to get one what do I look for? Butter Tool, or Butta Tool?

[tvblazer78]

That is very cool Bob!! So are you going to sell that tool now. Hint Hint for half price, it has been used.

[JohnC]

[Jonboy]

Glad that worked, Bob. Now swap the engine already!