Project Underfunded / next phase - LSx carb'd to LSx efi

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks! Its been more about function then form.... but one day I'll get to wheels, interior, body work/mods and finally paint. Long term project tho...it's not going anywhere. I've dubbed it my grandson's truck and he's just turned 2. So he's got at least 16 more years (unless I make him wait 4 more years till a college graduation)...and so do I!


Had d-shaft issues. Waiting on replacement 1350/1310 u-joint for the d-shaft and some pinion angle some shims to come in, to put it back on the road.
Still trying to dial in the tune...and have dash apart installing gauges. Then its off to the dragstrip to see what it'll do!

[eagleuh1]

How'd you get 57 degree IAT's in July in Texas on the HpTuners screen.?

[68GMCCustom]

never noticed that. good question!

had some issues at one time with a MAF I bought...had to replace it with another as it was either registering IAT's as low or swing to the 300's.

[JNJchev77]

What CAI are you using? Is that an ebay set up with a K&N filter?

Great looking ride!!!

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks. The CAI is a hodge podge of pieces of a Spectre system for '99-06 trucks. I just cut it up, added a piece....and even changed the end filter from the one seen in the pic.

[JNJchev77]

Thanks 68!

[68GMCCustom]

Things on the truck have been going slow...but I've made a little progress. I got the new-"new" drive shaft in and the fit is about perfect. Got in some pinion angle shims for our trucks and thought I might have to use both 3.5* and 2.5*...for a total of 6*. Well as usual my figures were off...and it looks like the 3.5* is all I really needed. I really like this company though....spent like $41 or so and they sent me a catalog and more importantly a cap! Anyway, took out a 1/2" plate and put in the 3.5* shims for a net of about + .25" height difference.





Anyway...that buttons up the rear for now (planning on a Dana60 or 14bolt) so I'm back on the EFI. Unfortunately I can't just fire it up and get back to resolving tune issues, because I ripped out the dash cluster to clean it up a bit and swap out the gauges/cluster = more wiring. What a pain...



anyway...the gauges don't fit like I thought they would. So in the interest of getting it back together and on the road...I installed them the quickest way for now and will revisit them later. Seems like the trucks theme...get it to a certain level for now so I can move on, and I'll revisit it later.

with fingerprints and all...

[JNJchev77]

I think the gauges look just fine

[gringoloco]

I like that setup. Have you seen my Autometer install? I used the arctic white version of those gauges and they fit behind the cluster- gives it a more 'factory' look
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[68GMCCustom]

Well the pinion angle was still off... enough at 90-100mph to shake the turn down pipe completely off the left muffler. now they don't match.
I think I need a new "magnetic angle locator". Finally put the trans back to where it was originally, and used just the 3.5* shims w/o the 1/2" drop plates. So its the trans angle is back to where it started and with the rear shims it feels a lot better.

gauges are in....not all working tho.


So......after completing the rear end adjustment yesterday, I loaded a fresh tune (my tuner sent to me yesterday) today for the ecm/tcm via hptuners. I am so glad I bought this program so all I have to do is take a scan or two, and send them to my tuner via email, who after reviewing them creates and sends me a new file with tune adjustments. I'm on re-tune 4...plus the original...so you can see that doing ecm tunes via USPS or even UPS/FedEx/etc would be time consuming and begin to get costly. You just can't beat being able to get a new tune file and installing it yourself.
So.............. I was on another "short" shakedown run and OMG!!!...I think he has the WOT part of the tune nailed or pretty darn close! It sure got my attention when I gave it the boot and let it go...it kicked the truck sideways enough that I had to get out of it. I think its even pulling harder now then it did with the carb setup!

If I don't break something on test runs around the house...I'll take it to the track this weekend...with the GoPro and the camera...to record some of the action!

[85burb]

Gauges look sweet. Happy to hear you are getting the efi worked out. Cant wait for some sweet videos!

[gringoloco]

Nice! A little cool air might be doing you some good, too. Ready for some action vids!
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[mcbassin]

Really nice look gauge setup you have.
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[BigDan3131]

I notice it more and more but everyone seems to leave the air filter inside the engine compartment. My boss recent moved his to allow air from in front of the core support in to his engine and he dropped the air temps by 60 degrees. So if you do that you to can gain more by another tune.

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks guys. No doubt cooler air is good. According to hptuners my IAT is staying below 120* or so...but could be much cooler. My plan is to extend the intake down into the void between core support and bottom front of inner fender....then cut a hole in front of it.

Just noticed the GoPro camera was on yesterday...gonna see if it caught anything good! Otherwise....I do plan on taking it to the track. D-shaft vibration seems gone so I'm ready for some high speed runs.

[68GMCCustom]

Well...out of over 2 hours of video....much of which was after I pulled back into the garage and the camera was still in place and running...I got a few interesting seconds of video. Its short and sure sounds sweet so turn it up!!!


http://www.youtube.com/embed/BkpCYMiU6-c

[68GMCCustom]

Been busy with other stuff. Feel like I'll never get it to the track this year...but working on little things here and there. If I could find my missing 3"-5" of vacuum and get the tune dialed in....everything else would icing. Truck feels strong at WOT...maybe enough for 12's...surely low 13's if not.


What my Interceptor is currently set to display:


how its mounted...just have to replace a vent and it was never there.


obdII port moved inside cab (data cable cut/wires lengthened/pairs joined-soldered/individually wrapped, etc) :


oh...and recently realized my throttle body is ported

[Shooters_7]

Just got done reading and love the build! Damn you've spent some cash on your truck! How difficult was the HP tuners to figure out, as here soon I'll need to get mine running?

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks...and yes spent too much so I don't tally my receipts...they just go into a file.

I actually bought hptuners (two programs) partially so that my tuner could send me new tunes via email and I could install them with the hptuners Editor. Makes updates faster and easier to deal with plus I'm learning. I use the hptuners Scanner program to log some miles at different rpms/etc which I save to a file and send to my tuner. He looks the scans over and send me new tunes with things updated which I load with the Editor. I'm learning thru this process, and there are decent tutorials on the web. I've made one tune myself...which was to change the idle table and turn on a feature.

Just checked your build.....looks like your burnin' thru some coin there yourself!

[Shooters_7]

Cash is over rated! I want to do power tour in June and can't do that without a truck. I have a 66 thats a daily but want an LS job complete. I just got out of company command in the Army and now have the time to work on this truck! Command sucked every last minute out of me.

[68GMCCustom]

Thank you for your service sir! And I agree...I'd rather have the things that the cash buys...vs hoarding my cash and not spending it...no fun there.

Well we'll have to hook up on Power Tour. I have been saying I was going on it for the past 2-3 years...and with the '13 route I'll be really ticked if I miss it again. In fact....I'd still go, just take the TBSS instead which would be OK...just not as much fun as the truck which should be dialed in by then...even if its still sporting its old paint.

[68GMCCustom]

Well...moved a few things to a nearby storage with the truck this weekend. I seemed to hear a noise that I felt like could be vacuum leak related. I've checked the plugs, I've sprayed carb cleaner, swapped throttle bodies...and can't find a leak. So, I bought a new L92 style efi intake and gaskets from rockauto that'll be here in a few days. Hopefully after installation...it'll have a few more inches of vacuum...and the power brakes will begin working properly again! If not...I don't have a clue whats going on.

remeasured yoke and pinion angles and I was way off on the transmission end. After doing some shimming upward of the trans angle I've found I've run out of room to go up. its as close (maybe too close) to the cab as it can go w/o hitting. Guess I had less room to spare with this 4L80e and a low trans tunnel cover then I thought...and if I have to go up any more I'll be looking for a high hump tunnel cover.


also contemplating some up coming purchases. Looking at the Procar Rally 1000 seats, unless someone sells me on Corbeau.









then there's that new rear axle and new wheels/tires....rack and pinion...

[68GMCCustom]

AAAAaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh &^&$^$^$%#$%$@%#$!!!!!!
I give up.....I think I need professional help!

[effects66]

Where did you run your transmission cooler lines to? The radiator or a separate trans cooler?

[68GMCCustom]

they go to the radiator trans cooler, then out to a small cooler in front of the radiator, then back to the trans. I haven't verified trans temps yet tho... I have a gauge and a scan tool...just need to get it done.