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75 K-5 5.3 LS transplant [with pics]

Yes Dean, It's been on and still running.
I suppose I've slacked off my duties here to inform the readers of the progress.
Well, the engine fired up and ran ok so I had it towed to the muffler shop to put a 3" single and a Magnaflow installed.
All the while this thing is just not running right. It's having trouble running when it's cold, has a stumble when you take off from a green light, shifting is scweeshy in third and forth.
I kinda knew going into this project that I would have to find someone versed in tuning one of these, so the search went on.
It took a few days to find someone who had the software and time to do it. Most of these guys were booked for a while.
I found this guy http://www.socaltuning.com/ he was close to the house and in about a hour/2 on the Dyno, the truck is running great and shifting right.:D

He also pointed out the problem that I was having, which was the ECM program. This guy said it was all screwed up. It wasn't just one little glitch, it was many things.
Now that's something I paid $200 for Howell Injection to reprogram in the First place. So I e-mailed a letter of complaint to them and I'm still waiting for a response:rolleyes:.
Now, before I can go out and test it off road,I need to do something about the engine crossmember. It sits right against the oil pan.
 
here is a dyno pic i tried to get video but brain farted it so this is all i got.


SSPX0163.jpg
 
I know there are some differences in the engine bay, frame, and crossmember between our trucks but I thought there was enough similarities that some of you may be interested.

I just finished my 5.3/4L60/NP205 swap in my stock height 1972 Jimmy. I and a good welder I know fabricated my engine crossmember which was real tight with the front differential to crossmember clearance. Going with the NP205 also added to my swap costs as I had to change the output shaft. May as well add the beast sunshell and new clutches while I was in there.

Here is the engine sitting in my Jimmy

IMG_0011-1.jpg


Here is a link to some of my build (the rest can be found in links in my signature)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=395640

Here is an information thread I wrote with links to builds, information, parts sources etc. I hope somebody finds it usefull. Feel free to copy it, link it, ignore it??

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=377348

Good luck with your swap.

Here is a picture of a crossmember offered by pacific fabrication for the 69-72 trucks. It may be usefull for the later years or they may even have a different one?

12-7-09_001-1.jpg


I now have about 1000 miles on the swap and am very happy with the results.
 
buefchris said:
Yes Dean, It's been on and still running.

He also pointed out the problem that I was having, which was the ECM program. This guy said it was all screwed up. It wasn't just one little glitch, it was many things.
Now that's something I paid $200 for Howell Injection to reprogram in the First place. So I e-mailed a letter of complaint to them and I'm still waiting for a response:rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

typically the ecms are sent out with a basic tune to get the engine running. most all require additional dyno tuning to get them right. having it custom tuned to your truck is so much better than a generic tune. now your fuel and ignition profiles are optimized for your drivetrain.

nice project, i am planning on doing the same with my 79 blazer. my buddy bruce over at CBM talked me into a 6.0 with some basic mods to get even more torque outa it. i hope to start that project next year.
 
I hear you on the basic tune to get it running but for a stock 5.3 the tune should be dead on because Chevy already did all the work. The only things Howell should have changed where the security features and make sure it programed for the right tranny combo and a 4x so the speedo reads right in 4 lo.The fuel curves where so lean it pinged the timing curves had 0* spots in it the shift points had huge delays and would not even lock up the converter properly. The truck with Howell's tune was just about underivable and tuned to the point where engine damage would have occurred if it was continued to be driven. The first pass on the dyno netted 8 hp YES 8 it was so lean and off they could not even do a pull on it had to shut it down immediately. The fan turn on temp was set 280* the list goes on and on with the Howell tune but this was just a couple of the issues.
 
Sounds like the shop did good work for you. I might be interested in sending my tbi 383 down to them to work some magic. Can you give me some idea of what they charged you?
 
i asked the same question, but apparently TBI equipment is too old school, so they won't tune that.
 
From what I've heard about OBD1 stock GM ecm's is that even if you burn a custom chip for it, you can only get a little performance out of those TBI and L-98 TPI units.Too big of a cam, and the computer won't correct for the lack of vacuum and it'll die at a intersection.
Unless you throw down some bucks for a more advanced aftermarket ecm. And they are not cheap.
I been down that road years ago and that's what steered me away from those.
Plus, I own a TBI powered truck with a chip and it's a underpowered pig.
LS baby! these engines are becoming so cheap and avalable, and can achive so much more power by the touch of a key on a laptop.
 
As to your question of price, the guy is a independant company so you pay him seperate from the shop.
He was $450 and the shop wants $200 for the use of the Dyno and a helper.
 
The obd1 tbi's are certainly not the best platform to use for "performance" orientated motors. My 383 runs really well with VERY mild tuning (really I bought one chip from brian at TBI chips) and while it runs pretty good I just think it could be better. The 383 I have isnt crazy but Im happy with the power, deifnitely much more than stock. I have world products torquer 2 heads, a comp computer firendly cam, and the holley tbi. That 383 has been runnning for some time with no issues *knocks on wood* and runs just fine, no stalling, no weird idle fluctuations. Just seems to run a little rich on the low end, thats why I know some data logging would help it run perfect.

Your truck came out really nice! I like that setup. What version ls did you use? I dont know how much difference there is between them to be honest (truck, camaro, etc.). Do you know of anyone who makes a stand alone harness that deletes the transmission shifting? You will probably need some sort of vss sensor I would assume. I have a th400 with a full manual valve body, the truck only will see trails.

Have you looked into those hot cams? I would assume by the lope they wouldnt be good for a truck but holy smokes those engines sound REALLY healthy with a gm hot cam in it.
 
I used the OBD2 out of a 2000 siverado because it came with the engine.
You might want to try http://www.turbocity.com/ but, you better hurry cause I've head they are getting out of the TBI biz. I wonder why?:rolleyes:
http://www.blowerdriveservice.com/ is another good sorce and HMS which is right next door to BDS.
Eclipse injection is up on Whittier blvd. that guy can stear you in a right direction.
 
Awesome swap. Now that my Jimmy is going to DD service. I'm thinking I might go this route. Is there any way that you could do a total cost or like a cost breakout?(engine trans, 500. Tuning. 650. So on an so forth)??

I'd be mch appreciated
 
Thanks for the help, I will look into that. Where do you normally wheel? Im trying to finish up my blazer. Just need to add my shocks on all four corners and a front driveshaft and Ill be pretty good to go.
 
Smokinthehippies said:
Awesome swap. Now that my Jimmy is going to DD service. I'm thinking I might go this route. Is there any way that you could do a total cost or like a cost breakout?(engine trans, 500. Tuning. 650. So on an so forth)??

I'd be mch appreciated
Click to expand...

I'll roughly break it down but it may vary from one person to another.
  1. engine trans and computer$1200
  2. trans rebuild $1100
  3. aftermarket harness and reprogram $850
  4. water pump,starter,alt,fuel reg,belt,t-stat $380
  5. Camaro exh manifolds...freebie
  6. 241 and crossmember plus adapter $400
  7. engine adapters $95
  8. new drivlines $500
  9. countless hose fittings $450
  10. new tank and sending unit plus pump $500
  11. tuning to fix Howell's reprogaming f-k up $650
As of this list, I'm only up to $5355.
I'm not including the wireing, exhaust, regearing,sye kit and rebuild for t-case, oilcoolers, adapters,etc.
Anyone who says they can install a LS for less than $1500 would have to of stole the whole truck to start with.
 
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