Another cruiser gets a vortec (1 Viewer)

[rover67]

same thing we talked about. I also got my hands on the Helms manuals, and a Tech II scanner, so i am gonna get at it tonight.

Oh, and sorry for muddying up the thread with talk of codes n such, don't mean to detract from th etrue reason for it I just realized there's a lot of my talking on here..

 

[iaintscared1969]

That's cool somewhere in the world someone will go I got that same problem and it will all be related to a good looking engine

 

[Dirty Toad]

OK,now I am scared

How long does this sort of project take you (iaintscared1969) to complete? I am figuring that it will take me 5 times as long being that I have never done this before...and I am sure that I will have to do a few parts of the job at least twice.

I would like to ba able to do it in less than a month. Between October 20th and November 25th. I need to have her off-road ready for Thanksgiving in MOAB!!! If it is going to take me longer than that I will put it off until I get back from Moab, but it sure would be nice to show off the new good in front of my Heep buddies.

 

[iaintscared1969]

Possible...

You have to have all your parts on hand and also be ready to rock on it. I get a lot of delays due to work and family, and occasional parts issues, but if I could get a solid 2-3weeks I could have it start to finish as you see it on the thread. You can do it!! Pull the trigger and run with it!!

 

[Dirty Toad]

You have to have all your parts on hand and also be ready to rock on it. I get a lot of delays due to work and family, and occasional parts issues, but if I could get a solid 2-3weeks I could have it start to finish as you see it on the thread. You can do it!! Pull the trigger and run with it!!

If it would take you 2-3 weeks with all the right stuff, it will take me at least 6-8 weeks. It is not that I suck at this, I just kind of suck at this. I have 2 kids (4 and 1 year old) so I will never get the chance to really hammer on it for more than a few hours at a time. If I were really lucky I could go at it from 8 to 12, and then again from 1:30 to 4. And that is assuming that the wife will take care of both kids and the dogs, and not ask me for help. And that is a big assumption.

So it would appear that I am going to be doing this as a Christmas present for the family.

 

[rover67]

It took me about 3 weeks from start to more or less finish. I did a lot of stuff that took a while myself too, like the exhaust.... and i had to run and buy lots of little things. Like Iantscared says, if you get it all lined up it will take less time. I did stuff like get rearends rebuilt, and rebuild driveshafts, and replace heater core, and paint stuff all at the same time i did the swap, so if you do that beforehand/dont need it it will take less time. I say go for it. Work on it while she's asleep

 

[MANUCHAO]

I too say go for it.
I got no kids (but work with kids).
Started my swap sometime in April.
Im no where near close to finish.
Half of the time Im guessing and/or bugging Randy and Peter about everything I dont know.
Yes, get all your parts first and dont do the tear down until you are ready to.
I try to work on mine as much as I can which only amounts to hrs a week.
But life is good !!!

Good luck !!

 

[iaintscared1969]

Fuel lines and start of harness

Sorry guys here are some more pics the fuel lines are done. Just need 2 connectors. The 20 ft of line was exactly enough. Also the harness is almost set and cleaned up. I haven't mounted the ECU yet. I have to secure the harness under the truck first. Just have to have my muffler guy check to make sure I don't put anything in the way.

 

[iaintscared1969]

The harness going in.

Here's the harness starting up and going in. More tomorrow...

 

[iaintscared1969]

And Gas A lot... I have 2 kids, a dog, a wife, 12-14 hour a day job and a wife, (that really understands that this is a labor of love) and I always have to run to the store So GET R DONE

 

[iaintscared1969]

ECU mouont and DS harness

OK here is how I ran the ECU. It will be mounted under the back seat. The harness length for this is 6.5 ft from the rear of the engine. For those who order an FIS harness. The hole is 2 1/4 in. and make sure you put a grommet over that. I just need to secure the harness under the truck and I will be good to go.

 

[iaintscared1969]

Final pic of the ECU location and the harness for the D.S that has the diagnostic and fuse block. All of the pigtails for the Tach, A/C, Brake switch, and speedo are ran through here.

 

[gswest]

Looking good bro! I'm at the Fire house today, so I'll be looking in when time permits. Nice work on the fuel lines and harness.

 

[iaintscared1969]

OK the harness is in. Need to make 2 connections and then guess what?...The tranny has the wrong pin connectors for the controller! STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!! Now I have to get the correct connector and repin it. My bag I should have told Jeff what controller I had. But no big deal.

 

[iaintscared1969]

The screw up

Here is the pin connector that I messed up on. Different tranny controllers on different models of GM trucks. Watch out for this.:whoops:

 

[iaintscared1969]

Oh and thanks Scott... I have to get the drivelines on Monday and the radiator is ready. Just need to pick them up and then finish off the little stuff. I still need to pick up a couple items I will get with you on those. Don't work to hard today. Hope it is slow all day

 

[iaintscared1969]

Before and after engine bay

Just for kicks.\

 

[MANUCHAO]

WOW Randy.. that's a lot of pics
Thanks for the heads up on the wrong conectors....
I'll be giving FIS a call really soon.
I get where the fuel pump goes what's that other item on top of the fire wall?
That engine bay looks soo empty now..
Scott, guess now yah going to have to fill all the empty spots with goodies eh !!

Double battery set up, Air compressor, Air tank...bla bla bla bla bla bla bla...

Awesome looking work on the harness it looks clean !!!

 

[iaintscared1969]

Hey Frank, What are you working on today? The thing on the firewall is a fuel pressure regulator with a built in return. You will have to have this. Any engine after 03 will need it since it has a returnless fuel system. It will maintain the 62 psi you require and gives you a return line to the tank. And yes he has alot of room for added on goodies. If you look all the wiring is inside the fender well. Have you ordered your harness yet?

 

[gswest]

I see lot's of possibilities for all that space, but no immediate $$$ plans. I'll just have to live with the wide open engine bay for a while. But,,,,,, it does make it easier to see the motor, which is nice!