Builds LS80 Build by Back Bay Customs (1 Viewer)

[cruiserhound]

@White Stripe
Im pretty excited about the L33! Its the truck engine but is the all aluminum 5.3L. It used cylinder heads closely related to the LS2 and LS6. It came with flat-top pistons for increased compression, and has a unique camshaft. 310hp and 335ft/lbs.

 

[cruiserhound]

It's been a few weeks since my last post but lots of progress has been made. A lot of peripheral items have been sourced and fitted, fuel lines, radiator, fan, hoses, etc. Also some wiring going on and interior pedal and dash work. Stainless exhaust is being built. I picked up the OEM drive shafts from Williams Bros. today. The shafts were straightened, balanced and painted. Since it was there I had them install four new OEM universal joints that I had squirreled away. More pics to come as the fitting stage is continues.

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[Str8Razor]

Good looking build, look forward to seeing it come together... collecting parts for mine now...

 

[cruiserhound]

This is the front exhaust section that joins the Hooker LS manifolds into a single 3" tube.

 

[baldilocks]

There is some very impressive work going on in this thread.

 

[Hamachi]

More progress on the LS80 build! @Notch fabbed some nice meaty motor mounts. The passenger side mount is substantially bigger than the driver side due to the offset motor position. These custom mounts will mate with the original GM rubber bushings which work really well isolating the frame from engine vibrations.


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For perspective, close up of the mount in hand:
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Nice looking mounts!

 

[daytonadogie]

Could you post pics on how you modified the oil pickup ? Also, did you need to modify the transmission filter to clear the indent on the pan? You have mad fab skills! Thanks for the build thread...

 

[steven17]

The transmission pan was notched to clear the drive shaft at full compression:
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I have a 6.0L and 4l80E, i need to get around to doing this. It does clear with any normal flexing or stresses but i'm not sure that the D.S. won't contact the pan in the event of a hard shock...

 

[cruiserhound]

@steven17 Im curious, what is your current clearance between DS and Transmission pan? Ive read where a lot of people install a lift to gain space but Im not sure about that. What was your strategy?

 

[cruiserhound]

Could you post pics on how you modified the oil pickup ? Also, did you need to modify the transmission filter to clear the indent on the pan? You have mad fab skills! Thanks for the build thread...

I'll tag the builder @Notch and maybe he'll see it and better answer your questions. And yes, I agree, he has mad skills. You're welcome for the thread.

 

[artech]

I hope you are doing some serious rustproofing underneath to protect your investment!

Kudos to Notch; he is a fabrication maestro!

 

[steven17]

@steven17 Im curious, what is your current clearance between DS and Transmission pan? Ive read where a lot of people install a lift to gain space but Im not sure about that. What was your strategy?

I am currently driving it with no lift and it doesn't touch. I am not sure that it wouldn't hit if jarred in the wrong direction though. At the closest with passenger wheel stuffed to full flex, there is <1/4" to the tranny pan. When i welded the motor mounts up i put the engine to the farthest driverside as possible, the 6L/4l80 fits with no lift.

 

[cruiserhound]

The holidays are finally over and it is time to keep you all apprised of the latest upgrades to my LC build. The guys at Back Bay Customs have been busy with many customer builds. The quality of work and the complexity/high-end builds they do are amazing. The last month or so they have been busy doing some of the less glamorous but no-less-important aspects of the build. Fuel lines, brake lines, stainless heater tubes, cooling system, engine cover, gas pedal, wiring harnesses and such. It's getting very close to firing this LS up. Pics for your viewing pleasure:

 

[cruiserhound]

Recent video posted to Back Bay Customs facebook page (follow the link below):

We're digging into the details on this LS swapped Land Cruiser! We don't just get the engine installed, running and ship it out. The functionality & style of our projects is what sets them apart from other shops' work. On this 80 series we are showing off our skills with functional and beautiful stainless steel exhaust, heater tubes and brake lines. The engine bay will be tidy and easy to work on. Whether our customer is 100 miles into the wilderness or showing off his V8 power plant at a gas station, this custom setup will deliver reliable performance and lots of smiles!



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[cruiserhound]

The exhaust system is looking sharp! The free flow in-take and unrestricted exhaust will really aid in making as much power as possible from this stock L33. Emissions will flow through Hooker manifolds to 2.5" and 3" tubing from Vericious Motorsports, 3" Varex adjustable muffler and 3" Magnaflow rear. Vericious V-band clamps and flex joints.

 

[cruiserhound]

There's a lot of custom work involved with this cooling system. When it's complete I will better show how @Notch designed it.

 

[sxp]

I've been following this on BBC/Notch's Instagram account. Very cool project.

 

[cruiserhound]

The build is on schedule. It should be any day now that we turn the key. The guys at the shop have been plugging away, focusing on the myriad details that need to be addressed. It seems this part of the build is the most tedious and least exciting in some ways. However....the attention to detail and the little surprises that @Notch and his crew incorporate into the build is what sets them apart. I'm not sure if I mentioned before but the engine and all the peripheral components were installed. Transmission lines, cooling lines, electrical harnesses, battery components, radiator, air intake, etc. were all fabricated and installed, only to be removed again to be prepped and painted. While everything was disassembled, areas of the engine bay and frame were sanded down to bare metal and resprayed. My engine bay is ridiculous. If you looked at my Cruiser and it's weathered shell you'd have no idea of the craftsmanship that lies beneath the hood. What's that saying? It's not what's on the outside that counts....

 

[cruiserhound]

Last week we started the LS80 and man does it sound great. Small details are still being ferreted out, mainly the Toyota tachometer communicating with the GM. Some other wiring work and the LS tuner guy has been dialing her in as well. I'll dare say it's one of the cleanest looking LS swaps around.

 

[thatcabledude]

Last week we started the LS80 and man does it sound great. Small details are still being ferreted out, mainly the Toyota tachometer communicating with the GM. Some other wiring work and the LS tuner guy has been dialing her in as well. I'll dare say it's one of the cleanest looking LS swaps around.
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I’ve been dying to see what the engine cover was going to look like. I could tell something was brewing in earlier posts.

That bay looks CLEAN! (pun intended)