1971 Stepside LS Build

[1971Stepside]

I originally posted this rant in the General Discussion forum, but decided to delete it from there and just put it within my build thread.

Cliff Notes Version:

Ordered my Cold Case radiator on Jan 7th from Summit. Arrived on the 10th. Looked great, nice fans, lifetime warranty. All for $550!! Supposed to be a direct fit. It wasn't, not even close. I made it work because it looked good and it was only $550.

When I went to hook up the upper hose I discovered it was too close to the steam port and it wouldn't allow me to put a hose clamp on. Rather than rig up some adapter I decided to call them.

When I called they quickly admitted it was a problem that they knew about and expected a new corrected batch to be ready by the end of January. I sent mine back to them and waited.

Feb 27th it finally showed up! Weeks later. I was patient, but glad that it finally arrived. Opened the box to find that this radiator had no trans cooler. Wrong radiator. I emailed them last night and here was the response:

That is the new style we switched to. I guess this was the first batch to do so.
All the LS radiators have been in transition mode and we have been removing the trans coolers from them since most LS cars are using, and we suggest using external units.
I didn't know about this obviously or I could have said something.

Anyways, that is how they are being done now so it's up to you if you'd like to keep it and run the external for max cooling or you can return it through Summit which I believe you originally got from?

Seriously? After all the back and forth I was never told that the new production run wouldn't have the trans cooler. Very disappointed to say the least.

Cold Case is simply trying to sell a one size fits all radiator for our trucks, Chevelle's, Camaro's, etc.

Called Summit and they are willing to take it all back, so that is what is going to happen. Now to begin shopping for another radiator. R n D is out. Cold Case is out. I really hate to pay a grand for the Entropy, but I may have to.

[beaterku]

That stinks buddy.

PS, the entropy is a work of art. It was a tough pill to swallow but I think it was worth it.

[TA_C10]

I hate to hear that about the radiator. I ended up going with an eBay setup. It looks good out of the box, but haven't installed it yet. I may set it up this weekend just to see how it mocks up.

Supposed to be a direct fit, fans pull 3800cfm, under $500, we shall see.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/67-68-69-70...EAAOSwlndZJXTJ

[MDPotter]

That sucks man! I was planning on buying a Cold Case for the fact that they offer LS swap radiators with trans coolers for a reasonable price, but I guess I won't now! Let us know what you end up with.

[evanhall19]

Me and my Dad did a LS swap on our 71, but a few years before that, i surprised my dad with a new Aluminum 3 or 4 core Radiator (dont remember which lol) that I got Brand new at Radiator Depot in Tulsa for 300 bucks, amazing deal, really well made. It has a threaded hole just above the lower hose on the passenger side, which we used for the steam port. and has built in trans cooler. If u want some pics i think i have some on our build page.

[meenaggie]

I tried a Griffin for my LS swap in my 68 C-10 and was extremely disappointed with fit. After struggling to make it work, I switched to an Entropy and was extremely happy with fit and performance. Paid more but would of rather just done it once. Entropy has the tabs on top that are designed to work with the factory upper mounting brackets.

[FarmYard]

I too almost bought a cold case. Thanks for the heads up. I decided to build my own fan shroud and put 2 electric fans on it.

[1971Stepside]

Thank for the input everyone. I will be ordering an Entropy as soon as I get my credit back from Summit and sell a few parts from the garage I don't need to fund this. Uncle Sam has to get paid this month, so my truck budget is slim

[duke_lbz]

Cant go wrong with entropy very pleased with mine

[1971Stepside]

Kinda looks like she has on glasses While waiting on the radiator I decided to work on body panel fitment some more. Picked up this driver quality grill surround for testing purposes.

[TA_C10]

That front end almost gives a old school Dodge Charger look.

[1971Stepside]

FINALLY! I met the UPS guy at his truck

I have a radiator and I must say that the Entropy was worth the wait. This thing fits really well and was clearly well thought out for our trucks and the LSX swap. Should have just started with this like my gut told me to, but I was being tight. Hope to have it all buttoned up by Sunday....

I don't like the factory radiator hold downs, but the panel I made for that Cold Case will not work on the Entropy. Back to the drawing board on that.

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

FINALLY! I met the UPS guy at his truck

I have a radiator and I must say that the Entropy was worth the wait. This thing fits really well and was clearly well thought out for our trucks and the LSX swap. Should have just started with this like my gut told me to, but I was being tight. Hope to have it all buttoned up by Sunday....

I don't like the factory radiator hold downs, but the panel I made for that Cold Case will not work on the Entropy. Back to the drawing board on that.

Looking good! My UPS guy knows my name he's delivered so many parts haha

[TA_C10]

That sucka lookin gooood

And those factory rad hold downs don't look too bad all cleaned up like that. Maybe you just have champagne taste for this baby I know I do, unfortunately I only have a craft budget...

What are your plans for headlight bulbs?

[1971Stepside]

Looking good! My UPS guy knows my name he's delivered so many parts haha

Mine asked what I was building that needed three radiators!! LOL I had to tell him the whole story at that point.

That sucka lookin gooood

And those factory rad hold downs don't look too bad all cleaned up like that. Maybe you just have champagne taste for this baby I know I do, unfortunately I only have a craft budget...

What are your plans for headlight bulbs?

Thanks. I've been watching your build too. Lots of metal work going on.

As for headlights I'm thinking simple ones like the LMC 36-0281 sytle. Have a ways to go before I am buying headlights though. Next step is new door hinges and hood hinges so I can get all panels to fit before pulling it all apart for body work/paint. One day I think I'm close and the next I'm frustrated how slow it is.

[1971Stepside]

Try to insert a video of the intial fire up of the engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKK5rqpVuxU

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Try to insert a video of the intial fire up of the engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKK5rqpVuxU

I'm so jealous now. Idle settled down nicely.

[derotoreut]

I've been keeping an eye on your build. Nice job and looking good. Any progress is some progress. Hard to keep motivated some times I know. Now that your engine fired up is a huge milestone. Keep plugging and you'll get there. I think the thing for me is I have to set goals on my end result or I'll never get there. My build could go on like owning a house... Constant work that never ends.

On another subject I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my AC mount and compressor for my 5.3 LM7. I was planning to use Vintage Air's truck adapter bracket made by Kwik because it allows me to use the SD-709 compressor. According to VA they found that the SD-508 compressors in this configuration had an odd sounding harmonic hum to it. I see you went with the Dirty Dingo AC mount that uses the SD-508 compressor. That setup looks really nice. Hopefully you have no weird humming noise from the compressor. VA said no problem with performance, just the weird hum to it. Keep that in mind when you get to that point and let me know how it works out (if you remember). Good luck.

[1971Stepside]

On another subject I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my AC mount and compressor for my 5.3 LM7. I was planning to use Vintage Air's truck adapter bracket made by Kwik because it allows me to use the SD-709 compressor. According to VA they found that the SD-508 compressors in this configuration had an odd sounding harmonic hum to it. I see you went with the Dirty Dingo AC mount that uses the SD-508 compressor. That setup looks really nice. Hopefully you have no weird humming noise from the compressor. VA said no problem with performance, just the weird hum to it. Keep that in mind when you get to that point and let me know how it works out (if you remember). Good luck.

That is actually the 709 compressor. Ordered it from Summit. Had a VA part number as that is what VA recommended to me. It fits the DD brackets. I made more than one call to DD and VA before I ordered, but it all works fine so far.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

That is actually the 709 compressor. Ordered it from Summit. Had a VA part number as that is what VA recommended to me. It fits the DD brackets. I made more than one call to DD and VA before I ordered, but it all works fine so far.

Oh nice! Now I may have to consider those DD brackets. Do you have the DD part number? Did they include tensioner?

[1971Stepside]

Oh nice! Now I may have to consider those DD brackets. Do you have the DD part number? Did they include tensioner?

I went with the Dingo's because they were one of the few kits that had everything, looked nice, and was priced right. The part I ordered was the LS Sanden 508 A/C Bracket Assembly (DD-LS-SANDEN-AC-TR) = $249.99. The 709 bolted right in.

[1971Stepside]

Was able to get a test gauge on the fuel pressure last night. Perfect 58 psi. I already love this engine. It fires right off and settles into a really nice lope idle. Gonna hate putting exhaust and mufflers on it

[TA_C10]

Would you mind sharing all part numbers for your VA setup? I'm ordering mine next month. Also do you know where the VA documents are in their site that shows the measurements from frame rail to compressor so I can measure my empty space to see if the lower brackets is going to work?

Thanks!

[1971Stepside]

I have just purchased the Evaporator Kit and compressor so far. I have the condenser kit in my cart at Summit, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. You can get all the VA items thru Summit and not pay shipping.

I ordered VA part #754170 (evaporator) and #04709-VMA709 (compressor). Need #021567 (condenser) and #11086 (trinary switch) for electric fans.

1-800-862-6658 and ask for Roy. He was very helpful at VA and knew our trucks. He will be able to get the details you need.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Was able to get a test gauge on the fuel pressure last night. Perfect 58 psi. I already love this engine. It fires right off and settles into a really nice lope idle. Gonna hate putting exhaust and mufflers on it

LOL, sounds like cut outs need to be budgeted, before completing the exhaust system!!! That's the future plan for my stuff!!!