78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..

[COS399]

Good to know, thanks for that information. Blazer is looking Sweet!

[phillipm]

Still plugging away on making some changes. Picked up a new steering wheel online and had it wrapped in the same vinyl as the seats. I've also been working on wiring up our center console. Things like USB chargers, cigarette charger, heated seat controls and XM tuner. So many circuits that I've added this little box under the seat with a fuse panel in it. It's powered up on a relay and pulls power from my 10g amp circuit that's already under there.

[phillipm]

I was finally able to finish wiring the center console. Basically the entire thing powers up with the key on. This way the heated seats and the XM don't stay on all the time. I used a 15 pin Molex plug to make the connection between the truck and the console. This way I can remove the unit with only fishing out the audio and XM antenna cables. I could do a plug for the audio but the XM would be more work. So.. I didn't spend much time on that.







Next since I was back into the dash I decided to hook up and run the mic for the hands free audio that the Retrosound Radio is capable of.. I ran it up the a-pillar.



We've been also still fighting a shake in the rear of the truck. After going through 4 different drums and still not getting one that doesn't vibrate it was time to bust out the antiques..



Every one of the drums was off the chart.



Here is a 50 gram weight placed to static balance it.



Next we just need to braze on some ballast weight and should be good to go!

[TooTall]

time for a disk swap !

[phillipm]

You know, I probably would, however with the rear wheels reversed I just don't see how I have the diameter. The drums BARLEY fit as it is..

[Malamute]

I haven't been in here for a while, looking good!

[phillipm]

Wanted to update everyone on the drum. After numerous "that won't work" and side eye looks the drum is fixed! We used a buddies old bubble balancer and simply cut a piece of steel to weight it properly. I then used silicon bronze TIG rod and TIG brazed the weight on. Was super simple. We slapped it back on the truck and took it for a ride. It was so smooth Dad and I decided to do a 30 mile loop to just enjoy it for a few minutes. I can't say how great it is to have this thing finally riding smoothly.

[phillipm]

We decided to add a rear sway bar to the truck. We don't have many miles on it yet but could already tell that it needed one. So we picked up a Helwig rear bar (#7806) meant for lowered C/10s. The bar installed with no real issue. I had to drill a hole in the frame on each side for the end links, but other than that it bolted right on.

[phillipm]

Well we just got back from HP Tuners EFI training in Vegas over the weekend. The Blazer performed fairly well, however we've got a laundry list of small things that need to be fixed. The class was 2 days of HP Tuners LS tuning training plus we were able to tune the Blazer on the Dyno. Truck made 291HP at the wheels and 318 torque. I thought that was pretty respectable through the big 6L90e trans. We also averaged about 18mpg on the highway with it. Was hoping for more but I'll keep working on it.

Here are a couple shots from the weekend.







Then we decided to do some good ol tailgating at the hotel afterwards.





All in all pretty happy. Look out for future upgrades and changes.

[OutlawDrifter]

That 6 speed is like a tank tranny, not too bad.

[TooTall]

what gear did you dyno in?

Save a shot of the dyno graph?

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by TooTall

what gear did you dyno in?

Save a shot of the dyno graph?

4th gear I believe. I do. I'll need to pull it out of my stuff when I get back to the shop.
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[mcmlxix]

When I get my 72 Blazer (2005 LQ9/4L80e) back I'll need help with tuning it... I'll ask then....

[DrppdBlazr]

Very Cool detailed build

[phillipm]

I thought I'd update you guys some more...

After our trip to Vegas we were redoing an El Camino for a friend/customer. So, the Blazer has been on the back burner.. However, we started in on replacing the wing window seals as well as fixing the window sweeps as they kept coming loose from the door panel. Ended up riveting them on to the panel.





We also ordered a Vintage Air Gen IV evaporator kit to replace the factory parts. If we truly want to use this truck, the A/C needs some major improvements!

[phillipm]

Got some more parts pulled off the truck in preparation for installing the Vintage Air kit. Sure wish we'd of just bit the bullet the first time and I could have done all this firewall work with the engine out of the truck.. Oh well..

[OutlawDrifter]

That's just how it seems to work out!

[mcmlxix]

You make disassembly of the front end seen so effortless....

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

You make disassembly of the front end seen so effortless....

Ha!! Well coming off is always easy! We actually needed to re-adjust the passenger door forward too so that's also part of why we've taken the fender and hood off.

I got my inline AC bulkhead today from Vintage Air as we're not going t be using the cover panel they give you. It's not really up to the look that we're going for. So the next project is to get that mounted and figure out how the lines will work under the dash.
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[phillipm]

Got a little bit more done on the Blazer. We got the evaporator mocked up inside the truck and cut in the Vintage Air bulkhead. I also used the cover they give you and started cutting it up to fill the holes left from the stock system. In addition, got all the new AC fittings on order so once those come in I can start laying out the new hoses.

[68Timber]

Someone here once posted Vintage Air is far superior to the factory system, so I'm curious how you like it. The Blazers and Burbs have so much more interior to cool.

[phillipm]

We've used Vintage Air in at least 5 vehicles that I can remember. I can attest to the fact they are definitely far superior. How can they not be? 40+ years of advanced cooling techniques and materials under their belt vs the original engineers at the time. The kit we've got in our 65 Cutlass will straight freeze your family jewels off in anything 115 and under outside. You've got to definitely use the right components under the hood with the biggest condenser you can physically fit and everything hooked up properly. Fill it with the right amount of 134a and go on your way..

[phillipm]

Just a small update. We got the firewall welded up and sprayed with primer. Just needed to putty some more pin holes and such, then we'll be ready for final block sand and black paint. Hoping to have it sprayed this weekend so we can start going back together next week.

[mcnally351]

This build is unbelievable! Love it. Great work

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by mcnally351

This build is unbelievable! Love it. Great work

Thx McNally. Appreciate that!
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