New Member...5.3L Vortec K5 project

[E-Rok]

Hey guys I'm new here and its my 1st post. I recently picked up a 1985 Blazer from a friend of my dads for free, with a blown 305 in it. Clean body, good tires, so me and my dad figured perfect LSx canidate. Pricewise the 5.3L/4L60E seems like my best bet, shopping for them right now, still have some prepping to do in the meantime. Interior wasnt too bad rustwise considering all the foam under the carpet was soaked when I removed it. Body itself has minimal rust.

When I got her:

Stripped interior:

rust

more rust

tired 305

well prepared

I plan on spraying bedline in the interior and fabricating some sheetmetal doorpanels.

 

[vortec]

there are a few threads about similar swaps right now. i think what it comes down to is that it will take a lot of effort, some fab work, plenty of wiring and a whole lot of patience. that said, it's a cool way to go.

btw, that k5 looks pretty nice outside. 33s and a body lift? if so, toss the lift and go with a mild suspension lift. my 2 cents.

the inside looks a little too familiar. my 82 was a similar mess when i started gutting it.

good luck

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

Looks like a good start, could you possibly do me a favor, could you take a pic of how the nerfs mount, I have a pair, but I have no idea how they are supposed to mount, its driving me crazy.

 

[smalltowncowboy]

nice start for free, exhaust tips look kinda funny though lol.

 

[dremu]

Looks like a good start, could you possibly do me a favor, could you take a pic of how the nerfs mount, I have a pair, but I have no idea how they are supposed to mount, its driving me crazy.

Assuming those are the Smittybilt nerfs, IRC, one end goes onto a body mount at a weird angle ... carp, don't remember where the other goes. I took mine off of my 'wheeler when I put in custom 2x6 rockers, but I claim I'm gonna put the nerfs onto my CUCV.

-- A

 

[Russell]

Actually, a 5.3L swap is getting really cheap and easy these days. Literally a 6 - 7 wire hookup using the factory wiring harness, figuring out gauges (easy using a 90 - 91 electric speedo with a DRAC), figuring your fuel system, and exhaust. You can bolt an NP208 straight onto the back of the 4l60e, and just get your shafts lengthened / shortened as required.

Check out www.ls1tech.com, and www.ls1truck.com for some great swap info

I'm personally working on a 6.0L / NV4500 / NP241 swap on my truck

 

[E-Rok]

Looks like a good start, could you possibly do me a favor, could you take a pic of how the nerfs mount, I have a pair, but I have no idea how they are supposed to mount, its driving me crazy.

Im sorry I dont know what you mean..... the back has what looks like 2" blocks and the front doesnt have block so maybe lift springs I'm really not sure. Im pretty new to K5's, my dad is old school SBC, I've onles really messed with imports (dont hate on the Civic beater in the background), but looking to make a nice offroad rig. I *might* use the 700r4 depending on funds, I know Ill have to get longer bolts for the flexplate and do some wiring for the lockup so we'll see. Any imput/suggestions are appreciated

 

[E-Rok]

nice start for free, exhaust tips look kinda funny though lol.

Ill be fabricating an all new exhaust with turndowns behind the axle

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

I mean the smittybuilt nerfs, the side step bars on the side of the truck.

 

[E-Rok]

I mean the smittybuilt nerfs, the side step bars on the side of the truck.

oh, I think they are welded on, but they are coming off anyways