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06-10-2014, 08:07 AM | #1 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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06-10-2014, 08:20 AM | #2 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
Shouldn't need adjustable mounts then. I say if you can make your own, why not? Or use the diy4x plates. I heard nothing but good things about diy4x, I plan on using their flip kit.
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06-10-2014, 08:22 AM | #3 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I can I just don't want to get to the point of having it ready to go in and something be wrong and have to express ship something...
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06-10-2014, 10:18 AM | #4 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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06-11-2014, 08:09 AM | #5 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
So I also plan to paint as much of the frame as I can while I have the bed and front clip off.
What do you guys recommend for chassis paint/rust preventor? I've seen people use rust bullet, eastwood, and por15. I remember doing my buddy's 77 chevy shortbed with a summit house brand chassis paint kit and it turned out nice. I looked for that summit kit and found one that says it covers 80 sq ft and is just a quart. Is that enough? |
06-12-2014, 06:59 PM | #6 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
Bad news today.. Like motivation killing bad news.
Tank won't fit. Even if I cut the ribs under the bed and slide it back it still would hang way to low below the body line. Now its like I have no clue what to do. I want to use the 01 donors wiring. So I will some how have to integrate it into working both tanks, the selector switch, and selector valve.. How do I do that? Also I know the fuel gauge signal is different my 87 is 0-120 ohm and the newer vehicles are 90-240 ohm. I want to use the 01 cluster in my 87 like I showed before... but how??? Also to use the tbi tanks I will need the higher flowing pumps, ( ep381?? ), a buddy said I could possible use the sender from a vortec truck which would provide the correct ohm signal. Possible??? Any ideas? Also for the selector switch, I am using a pollock one now that I replaced last year, got it from autozone. Do I need one stronger for the added pressure? Also I have no idea which an fittings or what to order, I know I will need high pressure fuel line and the smooth clamps. Help? I just feel really freaking bummed right now. I was banking on that tank fitting. I guess I am an idiot... Any ideas if a s10 tank or something would? Any ideas at all? I am reaching out. Also is it possible to buy a 20 gal tank and just use it instead of the duals? Last edited by NastyBuzzard; 06-12-2014 at 07:08 PM. |
06-12-2014, 10:32 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
This is just my $.02, so take it for what it is worth. Swapping all of that stuff over to the '87 is pretty ambitious. I personally like the original stuff better; it is what makes a square a square to me. I understand reusing the factory harness and all. That is one area of my swap I bit the bullet and bought a stand alone harness. plastic connectors that have been subject to 15 years of heat cycles are bound to be weak, and I didn't want to deal with the hassles. You can use the dual tanks you have, just upgrade the pumps and the switching valve, and you should be golden. IIRC, you already have the electric cluster. That will read the VSS output from the later model PCM- another problem solved. The 4L60E and 700R4 should be the same length, so use your transfer case as a starting point for the mounts and work your way forward.
This is just how I would do it- your mileage may vary.
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06-12-2014, 10:46 PM | #8 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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Thing is, the wiring from the 87 is from 1987. It needs to be replaced. My power windows are so slow even with new motors, my headlights and brake lights are so dim and they have new bulbs. It just not like a newer vehicle where everything is run off relays and receives the full voltage it needs. On the 87 the voltage drops so much before it gets to where it needs to be. I was in the process of swapping it all to relays until I got the LS donor and I was like hey! 2 birds, one stone! I love squarebody's but I am all about integrating the old with the new. I think this looks awesome! I just am trying to make the truck as efficient and dependable as possible. |
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06-13-2014, 12:15 AM | #9 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I agree with Jonboy, upgrade the tanks with new pumps and focus your energy on a different battle. I'm not even sure that you need to change the switching valve as you already have fuel injection. Check out the thread by Gordonr1973 called "The Ayatollah of Rusty Hole'a 1987 SWB 6.0 4L80E" for some inspiration. He's running a 6.0L and has the factory dual tank set up. Lot's of great stuff on his build. Lots of information on this site you just have to dig a little.
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06-13-2014, 02:24 AM | #10 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
This is the same stuff i have been saying from the get go. THere is probably every bit of 100 LS swaps on this site alone. I bet about 2 of them have been as ambitious as yours. And i bet it took them more than a couple years to complete them. Im not saying yours is the same, but we have LS swaps in everything from a 48 chevy pickup to a 90 suburban on this site. And most of them just did a stand alone engine/trans harness and got the truck up and running over a few months.
I dont know how much you have lurked around here, but how many half finished projects have you seen for sale because they lost motivation half way through? Do you think you have more motivation than they did when they started? Cause i bet you dont. Ambitious projects are always started with good intentions, but people leave out the detail work involved with building a fully custom truck. Its not a winter project. Its a couple year or more commitment with LONG stints of no reward/payoff and only the blood sweat and tears to break you down. Its TOUGH! I guess what im saying is take a really good hard inside look and decide if you want to work on the truck for the next couple years with no payoff in between other than the fun of working on it, or do you want to drive it before the summer is over? There is also nothing that says you have to do it all in one shot. You can fairly easily get the truck up and running and then fart around with the gauge/dash setup. Hell you could even get a whole junkyard dash setup and put it all together in your living room in the cold winter months and then come spring time, do the dash swap on the truck that you now have thousands of miles of enjoyment in. I say, just get it running and driving as quick and easy as possible, and then have several isolated projects after that. Its a way higher chance of success that way.
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06-13-2014, 07:45 AM | #11 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I have read the ayatollah thread as well as a bunch others, freds, silvers and so on.
My thing is I want to run the wiring setup from the 01. I want to do it so I can use the 01 cluster and so on. Y5 I can't see how you project this to take years? The way I planned to do it was the simplest way possible. Pull 87 wiring, install 01 wiring and splice in 87 headlight sockets, bed wiring, door wiring, et cetera. Using the 01 wiring prevents me from having to initially send off the PCM to get modded which saves $100s of dollars as well as sending off the wiring harness to be converted to stand alone which is more $100s of dollars. I just didn't want to go standalone b/c I want as many benifits from the newer setup as possible. I don't know if you have ever seen where people switch everything to relay power on these truck but it improves power windows and headlights/tail lights. I want the 01 cluster b/c it is more informative, more accurate and would look neat in there, same for the steering column. Currently my only hurdle is the fuel setup and it is only a hurdle b/c mostly of the signal outputs for fuel gauge. I mean I could always mount a seperate fuel gauge that reads the old style 0-120ohms but I'd prefer it all to work like it should. My motivation is high, mostly because I love working on this truck. Will I ever sell it? NO!! It has way too much sentimental value. Which is why it will get finished, this truck and me have been through hell together and at my brokest moments I have never considered selling it. I have stopped all projects to work on getting this truck done like I want. I am just trying to gather all the parts necessary so when I decide it is time to yank the 350 tbi/700r4 setup, I will be ready. That is where I need help, making sure I have the correct parts I need. I don't want to spend time and money to do this one way to get it going just to have to go back and spend more time and money getting it like I want. Also, if you check out Captain Americas build 68 shortbed/fleetside, he is doing something very similar and already has it driveable. Also I have seen a few people swap 73-87 bodys onto the newer style frames and utilize the newer style wiring/fuel setup and it works excellent. Unfortunately for me none of them have done in depth build threads and most have just paid to get it done. |
06-13-2014, 08:09 AM | #12 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
Looks overwhelming to say the least. I have taken on some of these type of projects back in the day. I used to be full of energy too If you're up for the challenge go for it.
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06-13-2014, 08:15 AM | #13 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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I really enjoy doing all this, it never seems like work to me. I mean I guess I could be inside watching tv but I like to get stuff done! I am thinking that if I cant find a sending unit to fit into the 87 tanks that will give me the 90-240 ohm reading that I may just put in a 90 ohm resistor between the pump assy and the gauge, that way it will atleast be somewhat correct when I am on an empty tank. I've been consulting the electrical engineer in my dept at work. My friend is still convinced that I can use a combination of the 87 sending unit and one from a 96 or so Vortec truck. Still have to investigate that. Once I get it figured out what sending unit I need I will be ordering a butt load of parts!!! Sending units, pumps, AN fittings (which I have no clue which ones I need), dirty dingos, high pressure line and anything else I can think of. I still need to finish cleaning engine, installing shift kit in trans and all. I want to make sure I have as much as I need and as much as I can get done before yanking the heart out of the 87! Also trying to decide whether to order a 20 gal tank and just use it and eliminate the two 16 gal tanks. I think the 20 gal tank would be sufficient especially if I am able to pump out 20mpg out of this swap!! Also got to figure out a way to use the pressure switch and get tank sealed and run a non vented cap. |
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06-13-2014, 09:59 AM | #14 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
You could run a rear mounted Blazer tank also. Since you have a longbed, the 20 gallon tanks will work.
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06-13-2014, 10:01 AM | #15 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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20 gal seems like best bet. So I need to buy a 20 gal baffled tank with new sender, modify that sender for the 90-240 ohms and install the higher pressure pump.... Sound right? My thing is I know jack about what an fittings to buy and all that jazz.. Idk if running high pressure fuel line with smooth clamps will be strong enough. |
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06-13-2014, 10:30 AM | #16 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
That sounds like a plan. I ran fuel injection hose with FI clamps on mine. Granted, it hasn't run yet, but I think it should work.
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06-14-2014, 05:53 PM | #17 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I looked some more at the D.S. frame rail for running fuel line... It is basically bare and empty.. It is real tempting. However, I would like the fuel to be on the p.s. that way it can level out my 190 lb ass in the drivers seat lol. I don't want it to lean
I did some cleaning today though. Before: After: Doesn't look too terrible... I mean it did have close to 150k on it. Run her till she goes then swapping in something bigger I did find this tho... Apparrently it was already sheared and just hangin in there... The rear ones seem to have already been broken too? How the hell to get out. Aluminum scares me. oh well... Whats this for? Also it isn't perfectly clean.. What do yall use for paint? I mostly use duplicoler or rustoleum brands. Also opinion on painting trans? My plan is just to pretty much paint the block black.. Cant decide what I want to do about timing cover, oil pan, valve covers, and accessory brackets.. Do yall paint them, they dont seem to clean up easy and just oxidize like a few months down the road. Also... What you think, should I replace water pump? It was working fine, they are just expensive!! Considering what I am used to paying for one for a sbc. |
06-15-2014, 02:46 AM | #18 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I've read that people use the screw on EFI fittings to adapt the truck senders to AN. Something like this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-644120 |
06-15-2014, 09:04 AM | #19 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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06-16-2014, 02:54 AM | #20 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
-6 AN is the norm to switch to for both supply and return. Are there fittings on the ends of you hard lines? If so, there are adapters. If not, I believe you can use the fittings I linked you.
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06-16-2014, 07:33 AM | #21 | |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
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The 87 has dual saddle bag tanks. For some reason they ran hard line on it all the way to the selector valve then about a 1' 1/2 of rubber hose to the passenger tank then from selector valve there is some rubber hose that goes back into hardline which follows a crossmember over to the d.s. then rubber hose connects to the d.s. tank. I am thinking with the combination of the fuel lines I have I may not need AN fittings. I think I can use a combination of them by cutting the lines and connecting with high pressure FI hose w/ smooth clams. Although I may be wrong. If I do need AN fittings to connect to the 87 sending units... I don't know which ones I would need... That would be nice to atleast have ones to connect to them so If I can find out which ones I need I would like to buy them atleast. Still trying to figure out a way to combine the 87 sender with the 01 sender so my fuel level signals will be right. I think I also got to find a way to do pressure sensor and low fuel light and all. I'm still troubleshooting. Also I did get the block painted, my plan is to paint the ACC brackets cast aluminum finish as well as oil pan and transmission. |
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06-17-2014, 08:22 AM | #22 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
So I think I figured out how I am going to run fuel system. I am going to combine the 87 with the 01 using a inverted flare coupler. Doing this way I won't need any AN fittings for now. I will use high pressure FI hose w/ smooth clamps to connect to the 87 sender and everything else will be hard line. When I go back and swap in the 20 gal tank I plan to get a blazer sending unit and use AN fittings & steel braided hoses then. Unless anyone has some blazer lines laying around they wanna send me.
I just need to find a decent tubing flare tool that can double flare the lines. Trying to find one on Amazon but they all seem to have nasty reviews. What do yall use? |
06-27-2014, 12:24 AM | #23 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
Well at least you got another trans already!
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06-27-2014, 07:38 AM | #24 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
I do? I have the 700r4 that is built but I will need to use this 4L60E. Currently talking with two builders. One guy says he could use my rebuild kit I already have and get it done for $600 and all that is left to purchase is a new torque converter and a new seperator plate (mine is rough).
I still have to ride down to the other builders shop for him to look at what I have for him to give me a quote. Still need to find decent replacement torque converter bolts and exhaust manifold bolts. Got a bunch of parts and tools on the way though. I am also still trying to source some LS1 fbody exhaust manifolds w/ flanges but can't find any at a reasonable price! I watch LS1tech everyday and ebay. |
06-28-2014, 05:10 AM | #25 |
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Re: 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build
They are little pricey (worth it to me) but ARP should have the bolts you are looking for.
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