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

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Thanks Kenny, I appreciate it! I can honestly say that I probably won't ever do another SBC in anything ever again. The economy, the power and responsiveness, infinite tunability and the cool factor of these are just over the top!

I'm seriously looking at doing a 6.0 with L92 heads on it instead of building a new big block as I had planned for my 78 K20 after driving a friends new Escalade. All I can say is wow. Those new cylinder heads make a huge difference over the cathedral port heads on the 5.3 & 6.0 engines I have owned.

I can get the whole 6.0 engine and the new L92 heads for right about what a better set of aluminum cylinder heads cost for the big block. It is definitely getting EFI so that will add quite a bit to the big block expense. Add in the massive weight savings of the LSx engines over the big block and it is a no contest decision.

I will probably do a stock 6.0 / 4L80E swap to get it on the road then upgrade the heads, cam & intake later on.

Maybe in a few years there will be a more L92 & LS3 engines around used so getting the all aluminum 6.2 with the better heads already on it will be easier and less expensive.

[glock35ipsc]

I was planning on a newer truck next year as a road trip/camper pulling truck. I was initially thinking about another 02-ish 1500HD or 2500 crew cab. But the more I think about it, I think I would like to find another 3+3, make it a short bed, 03 and ^ seats front and rear, and put a 6.0/4L80E in it.

[djracer]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I was planning on a newer truck next year as a road trip/camper pulling truck. I was initially thinking about another 02-ish 1500HD or 2500 crew cab. But the more I think about it, I think I would like to find another 3+3, make it a short bed, 03 and ^ seats front and rear, and put a 6.0/4L80E in it.

That sounds sweet have you seen Joe's red one?

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by djracer

That sounds sweet have you seen Joe's red one?

Yes, and I consider it total inspiration!

I had one back in the late 80's.....it was a 78 if I remember correctly. It had a stock rebuilt 400/TH350 and was what I used to tow my Monza drag car to Bandimere for a couple of years.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I was planning on a newer truck next year as a road trip/camper pulling truck. I was initially thinking about another 02-ish 1500HD or 2500 crew cab. But the more I think about it, I think I would like to find another 3+3, make it a short bed, 03 and ^ seats front and rear, and put a 6.0/4L80E in it.

That would be awesome!!!!

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I was planning on a newer truck next year as a road trip/camper pulling truck. I was initially thinking about another 02-ish 1500HD or 2500 crew cab. But the more I think about it, I think I would like to find another 3+3, make it a short bed, 03 and ^ seats front and rear, and put a 6.0/4L80E in it.

Bob you are killing me!!! I'm struggling with my first LS swap and you are planning another one Sounds really cool though! Just make sure you start another thread with lots of pics Your threads always have a lot of good info.

[JohnC]

X2

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I was planning on a newer truck next year as a road trip/camper pulling truck. I was initially thinking about another 02-ish 1500HD or 2500 crew cab. But the more I think about it, I think I would like to find another 3+3, make it a short bed, 03 and ^ seats front and rear, and put a 6.0/4L80E in it.

Look for a wrecked 3/4-ton Suburban and you will have the whole package to transplant drivetrain to interior.

This one is close to what you want and comes with nice wheels and what looks like a DVD system too. There would be lots left over to part out and recover some of the initial cost.

http://www.spaldings.com/rebuildersn...?Stock_23=RV06

I keep hoping my wife will total the Tahoe so I can buy it back from the insurance company and transplant all the parts into my 67 C-10.

[menace121978]

that would be slick. have them both red with the newer style grille like Fred!!

[djracer]

I hear Joe wants to sell my old dually suburban it was stolen and lost its big block, 700r4 and cowl hood. This could make another awesome project.







It needs a complete interior and paint repair it was driven under a fence when they stole it. I'm sure he would make you a deal!

[Thealien]

That is where I bought my engine from, decent people to deal with.

[glock35ipsc]

I have a year or so to think about, so we'll see where my mind wanders!

As for Fred, I FINALLY got around to installing the Vette servo in the trans today. WOW, what a huge difference that $25 part makes! Before it was the normal stock-ish slide from 1-2 and 2-3. Now it barks the "tire" going 1-2, and 2-3 is VERY firm.

After the install, I went for a test drive. I was very happy until I realized it wasn't going into 4th. At all. So I had to run it back in, wait for it to cool and pull the servo out again. I found out that when I reassembled the servo I had a slight bind on the pin. Once I found that, got everything lined back up, I reinstalled it and went for another drive. NOW I have 4th! Phew!!

This is one mod that is worth every penny of the $25 some-odd dollars it cost. It literally takes 15 minutes to do. The hardest part is getting the cover back on far enough to get the c-clip back in. I struggled with it for a little bit, then broke out the porta-power hydraulic ram kit. Hooked up the duck-bills, put a block in the frame, and gently pushed the cover in with the ram until I could get the o-ring on. If I had a stronger helper than my son around, I probably could have got it with someone pulling on a pry bar and me putting the clip in.

If you can do it before installing the trans, do it then!

[JohnC]

Sweet!

[Driveway Dreams]

Woooo, tire barking? Cool.

[menace121978]

awesome! i wonder if its the same for the 80e??

[79gmc5.3]

Hey I have not installed my 4l60E yet, where does it go? Do you have pics? Come on Bob, act like you have posted before! We need pics!!!!

[nlped]

That's cool, and good to know...I will be doing that prior to installation

[glock35ipsc]

LOL, my camera and trans fluid doesn't mix well! Here is a great write-up with pics.

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98029

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

LOL, my camera and trans fluid doesn't mix well! Here is a great write-up with pics.

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98029

Thanks Bob you are awesome! Will be doing this before I install my trans. You are a great source of info. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.

[glock35ipsc]

I think we may have a solution to the A/C issue. It looks like Big Port Jimmy 6 has struck gold!!!!!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382076

[bigarmzz]

darn it bob!...i've spent literally the whole afternoon ready this thread

now i'm gettin the fever i even called specialized parts planet dot com and talked to "larry"...looks like they got a 5.3 set up, all i need tranny and all for 2200 shipped...(curse this thread anyways)

it really does look like i just got freds' twin

[STOCKISH]

Do it Bigarmzz, plenty enough info and help around here to get it going. Thats a beautiful truck by the way.

[bigarmzz]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Do it Bigarmzz, plenty enough info and help around here to get it going. Thats a beautiful truck by the way.

i'm thinking seriously about it josh...so seriously that i just put up my softail for sale

[STOCKISH]

Originally Posted by bigarmzz

i'm thinking seriously about it josh...so seriously that i just put up my softail for sale

It's a great fit. Got the engine and trans installed today. Need to make a custom trans crossmember so I can square everything up and then put all the accessories back on.

[menace121978]

Larrys who;s been taking care of me over there. great guy! threw in a returnless fuel rail w/ new injectors and numerous misc. parts that ive asked for!