1950 Chevy Truck LS Conversion

[pst496]

So a little background first. I have a 1950 5 window 3100 that is currently running on a stock chassis with ibeam front suspension with disk brake conversion and leaf spring rear with a 10 bolt posi. Engine is a 400 sbc with aluminum heads, 3 2bbl's and a NV3500 5 speed.

The plan for the winter is this. I have purchased another frame and will be installing a TCI mustang II front IFS and a 4bar or trailing arm suspension in the back. I plan to reuse the 10bolt. Engine will change as well to a 5.3 LS based truck motor with the 4L60 auto that I pulled from a 2003 2wd Chevy 1500.

Current progress is the frame is stripped, the motor has been purchased and the wiring harness has been shipped out to get redone and the computer reflashed. I am working through several details and I would like some opinions from some of the other guys that have done this swap.

Current hang up is the fuel system configuration. I plan to use a stock fuel pump assembly without the evap system from a same year 2500 series truck. This will have to be mated to a fuel tank. I was thinking about getting a 87 blazer tank and completing the modifications. Any thoughts? I am wondering if any modifications will have to be made to the fuel pump assembly. I am wondering how well it will tuck up under the frame rails.

[Bubba54]

Welcome to the site. If you go to the forum jump, you will find a section Titled LSX swaps. There is allot of info in that area. I’m sure others will chime in soon with some advice. Nice to see another member from the St. Charles, MO. Area.

Good luck with the build.
Shawn

[pst496]

Bubba, thanks for the suggestion a will look for that.

[Root2812]

I'm in the early stages of putting a 5.3 in my 1950 3100. As of now I know you will need to get exhaust manifolds and oil pan from either a Camaro or Corvette. The truck exhaust doesn't clear the frame rails and the truck oil pan will hit your IFS cross member. Other than that I know that the stock AC compressor location won't work and I have read that the power steering pulley can hit the inner fender.

I have got that from my research so far. My 5.3 is stilling on a stand in my garage right now. I have gotten the intake and exhaust off of a Z06 corvette but that's it so far.

[pst496]

Thanks Root. I knew about the AC compressor and thought I would address that when I go to mock it up. I thought I would be OK with the pan but it soulds like I will have to get a new one. The exhaust manifolds are one i did not consider yet. I was hoping not to have to replace those. The PS I measured and I think I am ok but if not, I can always make some fender modifications. That helps a lot

[Firstgenfan]

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[G&R's57GMC]

Check out http://www.Speedwaymotors.com for manifolds & http://www.Sandersonheaders.com for headers.

[not2oldchevy]

I used early c5 ex manifolds on my AD and they work perfect.

[pst496]

Man, where do you guys find this Corvette stuff......for cheap. Yes the manifolds are something i aill need to work on. I looked at some of the LS info on this forum and found some stuff but not a lot of how to yet. Looks like people are using every gas tank imaginable - which is good, means almost anything will work. I was wonder ing if anyone used the blazer tank specifically and are they happy with the outcome.

update - stripping the frame uncovered some rust issues - large holes - to be addressed. I'll start taking pics and posting them

[not2oldchevy]

I used a 93 2wheel drive s10 blazer tank , worked real good. Used the pump out of a 03 avalanche that I bought wrecked to get the drivetrain out of.

[not2oldchevy]

2door not 2wd

[pst496]

Not2oldchevy, keep talken. you have pics. show me how close to the rearend it is. show me how far down it hangs. show me the mods you did to mate the pump to the tank. did you use a pump with the evap system or without

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by pst496

Not2oldchevy, keep talken. you have pics. show me how close to the rearend it is. show me how far down it hangs. show me the mods you did to mate the pump to the tank. did you use a pump with the evap system or without

To old and dumb to know how to put a pic on here. I moved the rear crossmember to the rear of the frame, tank is 6or8 inches behind the rearend.I have a rollpan and you can't really see the tank. The pump fit the tank with no mods, it does not reach the bottom so you don't get about the last 3 gallons,did not use the the evap system.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by pst496

So a little background first. I have a 1950 5 window 3100 that is currently running on a stock chassis with ibeam front suspension with disk brake conversion and leaf spring rear with a 10 bolt posi. Engine is a 400 sbc with aluminum heads, 3 2bbl's and a NV3500 5 speed.

The plan for the winter is this. I have purchased another frame and will be installing a TCI mustang II front IFS and a 4bar or trailing arm suspension in the back. I plan to reuse the 10bolt. Engine will change as well to a 5.3 LS based truck motor with the 4L60 auto that I pulled from a 2003 2wd Chevy 1500.

Current progress is the frame is stripped, the motor has been purchased and the wiring harness has been shipped out to get redone and the computer reflashed. I am working through several details and I would like some opinions from some of the other guys that have done this swap.

Current hang up is the fuel system configuration. I plan to use a stock fuel pump assembly without the evap system from a same year 2500 series truck. This will have to be mated to a fuel tank. I was thinking about getting a 87 blazer tank and completing the modifications. Any thoughts? I am wondering if any modifications will have to be made to the fuel pump assembly. I am wondering how well it will tuck up under the frame rails.

I am in the process of a very similar build, check out my thread. Let me know if you have any questions. Ed

[pst496]

Etrone, you are right, yours is very simular. I really like how the camaro tank fits te space. I will be using a stock intank pump so i will have to modify the tank no matter what. you are using a tanks inc pump or an inline pump. is that because you did not want to modify te tank?

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by pst496

Etrone, you are right, yours is very simular. I really like how the camaro tank fits te space. I will be using a stock intank pump so i will have to modify the tank no matter what. you are using a tanks inc pump or an inline pump. is that because you did not want to modify te tank?

The Camaro tank fits really nice, I actually had it laying around for another project. Im putting an LS3 in my 67 Camaro too and had this tank and an TANKS inc insert to use and decided to see if it would work on the truck and it fit great so I decided to use it. I havent decided if I'm going to use the in tank pump or an inline LS kit I got from Speedway. I am leaning toward the inline because I already have it and the TANKS pump is 255lph and I dont really need that big for a stock 5.3. I will use it on the Camaro. If i didnt have the inline I would prob order another TANKS inc insert with a smaller pump, really nice set up and easy to install.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by pst496

Etrone, you are right, yours is very simular. I really like how the camaro tank fits te space. I will be using a stock intank pump so i will have to modify the tank no matter what. you are using a tanks inc pump or an inline pump. is that because you did not want to modify te tank?

Another option is ordering a fuel injected tank from Ricks Camaros, it has the in tank pump and sending unit already installed in a 67 camaro tank.

[Angryman117]

I am also working on a similar swap. Just about have all the frame engine stuff done. Still need to work on brakes, fuel system, steering, and shorten my driveshaft. Then all body work and wiring from there. Also check out the LSX swap part of the forum, lots of good info there!

[Geoff240ti]

I'm a bit late on this one.. I'm converting a 53 1300 to 6.2 LS/4l60.

I bought my C5 stainless vette manifolds off evilbay due to this thread and another I found.

I like the idea of a 67 camaro tank. I ordered a spectra fuel tank for my 66 chevelle (also swapping to LS) and you can order it with a pump for EFI. Rock Auto also sells the same EFI tank for the 67 camaro, I think I'm going to give that a try.

I'm running stock frame with a weld-on IFS.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by Geoff240ti

I'm a bit late on this one.. I'm converting a 53 1300 to 6.2 LS/4l60.

I bought my C5 stainless vette manifolds off evilbay due to this thread and another I found.

I like the idea of a 67 camaro tank. I ordered a spectra fuel tank for my 66 chevelle (also swapping to LS) and you can order it with a pump for EFI. Rock Auto also sells the same EFI tank for the 67 camaro, I think I'm going to give that a try.

I'm running stock frame with a weld-on IFS.

Please share some photos and details. You could start a build thread on your truck too so we can follow along and learn from you. I also am doing the weld in IFS so I'll have plenty of questions for you.

Welcome to the board

[Geoff240ti]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Please share some photos and details. You could start a build thread on your truck too so we can follow along and learn from you. I also am doing the weld in IFS so I'll have plenty of questions for you.

Welcome to the board

I think I will start a build thread.. Wasn't sure which forum I'd settle into for this truck but this seems to be the place since I'm not going original!

I bought the truck from one of the nicest car guys I have ever met as a unfinished rolling chassis. He had the truck for 34 years, finished the original resto 28 years ago and preserved it ever since. In the last 5 years he added IFS and stripped the interior and engine to go modern.

The truck is in my hands now, so I can't advise much on the IFS other than what I see. I'll be sure to post pictures of its current state and all the things I do to make it my driver.