Builds Another Texas LS1 Swap (14 Viewers)

[warpdriv]

If you ain't got that beeeatch running and driving it daily, ya ain't no bidness getting in a hurry for decals.........

Oh, yea!!! I've been driving around for over a month now. Since I started working from home, I just do not get out much. I talked to the AC people and they said since the AC compressor is from a truck, it is a fixed type. So I do not need to buy a new one. BUT they did not have hose fittings so I'm off to the salvage yard to pick up some parts.

It runs really good. The computer says I'm getting 16mpg. Not bad for around town. You'll see it at ICBM.

 

[guthriealexander]

Ive seen the beast running its a beautiful sight and sound.

 

[misaelmelchor]

please post videos... how much total did you spend on this swap

 

[warpdriv]

I'll try to get a vid. So far I'm about $6300. I still have some loose ends to finish up which will push it close to $7k.

 

[kling-on]

My wagons ready for tomorrow is yours ... Let's wheel .... The bunny trails

 

[warpdriv]

Bring in the tuner

I found a tuner off the EFILive.com site and he came out to my house. His name is Lorenz and his site is lsxpowertuning.com. I wanted him to help me diagnose my throttle position problem, change my idle to 750, and tweak anything else he sees. Cool guy and very helpful. We talked about a lot of things which he took the time to explain them.

We took the vin from the computer and traced down the correct part numbers with the help of chevy dealer. My throttle body and TAC module were the correct part numbers.

What he observed was the pedal and the throttle body was a 1:1 for up to 40% of the pedal travel. After that the ratio would change to when the pedal is half way down, the TB is seeing 100%. One of the things that is making suspect the pedal is when we had the motor off and the key on, the pedal was reading 100% with about 2 inches left to push down. I'm going to the salvage yard to get a pedal. I saw an 06 truck when I was getting my shifter parts out of a trailblazer. He also loaded up a tune that gave me 25 - 30 more HP over stock. So according to wiki.com that means I should be running anywhere between 300-335hp.

Today I also got a couple more things done. I dropped off my front DS to get it built. I also stopped by Austin Rebuilders to get my AC lines made. The guy there asked if I wanted to have them check out the compressor for $25. Good thing I did because it was froze up. I would of hated to get it all together and find that out.

.

 

[mmw68]

He also loaded up a tune that gave me 25 - 30 more HP over stock.

Like you needed any more HP!

 

[rockrod]

I found a tuner off the EFILive.com site and he came out to my house. His name is Lorenz and his site is lsxpowertuning.com. I wanted him to help me diagnose my throttle position problem, change my idle to 750, and tweak anything else he sees. Cool guy and very helpful. We talked about a lot of things which he took the time to explain them.

We took the vin from the computer and traced down the correct part numbers with the help of chevy dealer. My throttle body and TAC module were the correct part numbers.

What he observed was the pedal and the throttle body was a 1:1 for up to 40% of the pedal travel. After that the ratio would change to when the pedal is half way down, the TB is seeing 100%. One of the things that is making suspect the pedal is when we had the motor off and the key on, the pedal was reading 100% with about 2 inches left to push down. I'm going to the salvage yard to get a pedal. I saw an 06 truck when I was getting my shifter parts out of a trailblazer. He also loaded up a tune that gave me 25 - 30 more HP over stock. So according to wiki.com that means I should be running anywhere between 300-335hp.

Today I also got a couple more things done. I dropped off my front DS to get it built. I also stopped by Austin Rebuilders to get my AC lines made. The guy there asked if I wanted to have them check out the compressor for $25. Good thing I did because it was froze up. I would of hated to get it all together and find that out.

.

I have been reading through the various vortec swaps and saw that you went with a 5.3l engine. How do you like it? do you find it to provide enough power for an average 80? the reason I ask is because I am making my plans and want to be sure I chose the right motor. It seems like the 5.3l motors all had the 4L60e and the 6.0 motors had the 4L80. i would bet off the line acceleration would be very similar when comparing the two combos, but the 6.0l would out run the 5.3l once the trucks were running down the highway. I am leaning towards the 5.3l for cost reasons, but I feel the 6.0l would be the better choice because it offers more power.

 

[warpdriv]

Hi rockrod,

I love this engine. It is a far improvement from the original. Power is subjective to what you want. This is a heavy vehicle. At 300hp, it is 25% more powerful. It's drivability is great and when stabbed, it will go. But the old saying goes, there no replacement for displacement. Having an extra .7 liters on hand would always be a plus. It depends what you want in a vehicle. I think about if I had to do it over again would I? Yes, I would.

 

[Rebel Lady]

Subscribed
You did excellent jon on yoyr toy with sawp 5.3L Vortec.
Did your toy lift up or stock? Did vortec oil pan touch on front driveshaft?
pls pic where driveshaft and oil pan.

 

[warpdriv]

Got the new 2in front driveshaft today. Its puuurrrty!

RL, I do not have a lift kit. As you can see I had to get a new DS made.

 

[warpdriv]

Just bolted in the DS. I have some clearance problems by the bell housing. lots of room between the DS and oil pan. I'm going to try to reposition the engine higher and to the drivers side. If that does not work, a lift kit will needed.

I also ordered the liner paint. I went with POR-15 hardnose dark gray for the sides and hood and then the whitecote for the top. $181

 

[rockrod]

I am paying close attention to this thread. The DS issue is apparently a big deal. Hopefully I have enough lift to get around it and still keep my DC front shaft. Would shifting the whole engine/trans/transfer case over to the driver's side help with the clearance?

BTW, how does it cool with the stock radiator? Any issues?

 

[warpdriv]

I am paying close attention to this thread. The DS issue is apparently a big deal. Hopefully I have enough lift to get around it and still keep my DC front shaft. Would shifting the whole engine/trans/transfer case over to the driver's side help with the clearance?

BTW, how does it cool with the stock radiator? Any issues?

By moving the engine over, it will not only increase the gap, but also the curve of the bell housing will give it more gap. Note, I do not have any lift. I'm trying to figure out if a 2.5in lift will be enough, if needed.

Cools great. I was in traffic back in August on a newly asfault road. Ambient temp was 107 and intake temp was 112. It never went over 203. I am running a Mark VII 2 speed electric fan.

 

[Texican]

asfault road.


.

Whose phalt is your spelling?

 

[davegonz]

By moving the engine over, it will not only increase the gap, but also the curve of the bell housing will give it more gap. Note, I do not have any lift. I'm trying to figure out if a 2.5in lift will be enough, if needed.

Cools great. I was in traffic back in August on a newly asfault road. Ambient temp was 107 and intake temp was 112. It never went over 203. I am running a Mark VII 2 speed electric fan.

Take some pics of the interference. The lift will probably do it. You know you want to

 

[warpdriv]

The lift will probably do it. You know you want to

Hell yea!

 

[warpdriv]

Rolled on some POR15 Hardnose paint.

 

[mmw68]

Look great!

 

[lenross1]

Rolled on some POR15 Hardnose paint.

What color did ya roll on?

POR15 has a texture to it?