1969 Chevy Stepside Restoration/Build up

[chevy71c10]

WOW!! Thats one sharp looking setup. I know you can't wait to get it installed. Awesome.

Justin

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by chevy71c10

WOW!! Thats one sharp looking setup. I know you can't wait to get it installed. Awesome.

Justin

Thanks, your right I can't wait to get it in, but I want the 5.3L to sell first.

[matthew20061]

The 5.3L is out of the truck! Came out really easy!

[matthew20061]

What do you guys think of these valve covers?



I'm liking the ones that say GM Peformance Parts LSX (even though it's not the LSX block its still LS based)

I ended up ordering the GM Performance Parts LSX valve covers!!! Can't wait to get them in!

[mcbassin]

I like the chevy one at the bottom. Nice job pulling the engine.

[matthew20061]

The new Circle-D Stall converter came in the mail yesterday so I installed it into the trans and started putting the new 6.0L in!





Engine is all bolted up the the transmission bellhousing and I got the converter bolted up to the flex plate! Then I started on the motor mounts and got one side in but somehow the other side stripped out even though it was a new mount when I put in the 5.3L??? So I had to go buy a new motor mount. I'm going to lift the motor up and slip in the new one today and hopefully get some more stuff hooked up!

[71cadc10]

Very sweet on the new engine combo.....didn't see if you mentioned it, how much cam you stick in the 6.0L ?
you doing relocate on the coil packs with those covers, where to? I'd like to hide mine inside the firewall but not sure how that would look

[mcbassin]

Looks like a super clean install,,sorry to hear you had the stripped mount.

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by 71cadc10

Very sweet on the new engine combo.....didn't see if you mentioned it, how much cam you stick in the 6.0L ?
you doing relocate on the coil packs with those covers, where to? I'd like to hide mine inside the firewall but not sure how that would look

The Cam is a Comp Cam 223/231 duration with .610/.617 lift on a 112 LSA it's suppose to work very good with these L92 heads and make great power!
~As for the coil packs.... that's yet to be determined any ideas? I was thinking of mounting them down in the frame rails and then building a spark plug wire set and nicely running them to each plug. But I'm not sure yet.

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks like a super clean install,,sorry to hear you had the stripped mount.

Thanks, lol at least the new motor mount at car quest was only $7.99 haha!

[71cadc10]

Originally Posted by matthew20061

The Cam is a Comp Cam 223/231 duration with .610/.617 lift on a 112 LSA it's suppose to work very good with these L92 heads and make great power!
~As for the coil packs.... that's yet to be determined any ideas? I was thinking of mounting them down in the frame rails and then building a spark plug wire set and nicely running them to each plug. But I'm not sure yet.

very good....I've installed that cam on a 114LSA in a ported/milled L92 headed 6.0 GTO and it made 472rwhp (6spd manual)
also in a G8 GT it made 420rwhp thru the 6spd auto and untouched heads

coils in the frame rails would probably be decent...behind the firewall with some slots to bring them thru....on the inner fenders, lots of options

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by 71cadc10

very good....I've installed that cam on a 114LSA in a ported/milled L92 headed 6.0 GTO and it made 472rwhp (6spd manual)
also in a G8 GT it made 420rwhp thru the 6spd auto and untouched heads

coils in the frame rails would probably be decent...behind the firewall with some slots to bring them thru....on the inner fenders, lots of options

That's great to hear!!! I've seen some info on it with these setups on LS1tech and that's what sold me on it is great dyno numbers and all around power!

........................

FIRST TEST START!!!
Everything sounded good, I need, new plugs and wires. The problem is I need one of those special custom make your own plug wire kit that will work with LS engines. So I can mount the coils down in the frame rails hidden away and run the wires back up to the plugs. Anyways here's some pics of it after I had just started putting the intake back on. I also got many harness modifications done and cleaned up a lot more wiring.





I've got a video of the first start up I'll post that later.

[matthew20061]

Video is up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXnMUGjGg8w

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by matthew20061

Video is up!

Wow! that was a fast swap out! I'm very impressed

[matthew20061]

I built my own custom throttle bracket out of some nice steel and painted it to match. The LS3 intake didn't have anyway to mount one so it's mounted to the top (5th) bolt of the throttle body that is not used. Works great!

[killer71]

lookin good!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by matthew20061

I built my own custom throttle bracket out of some nice steel and painted it to match. The LS3 intake didn't have anyway to mount one so it's mounted to the top (5th) bolt of the throttle body that is not used. Works great!

This is a great idea! Hope you made a sketch, in case I need to steal the idea Can't wait to see the dyno numbers on this beast! Any luck finding the ls wire kit?

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

This is a great idea! Hope you made a sketch, in case I need to steal the idea Can't wait to see the dyno numbers on this beast! Any luck finding the ls wire kit?

Well I did find the correct make your own MSD Ignition LS1 type wire kit. But $137 was a little pricey for me, so I found that 96-99 5.7L Vortec plug wires will work (sort of) in the LS1 coils. The boots are a bit on the small side but otherwise they fit alright. I will probably buy the MSD kit eventully because these are a bit on the short side but priced right at $29.99 at el cheapo auto. Anyway's the MSD Wire part number is: MSD Ignition 32079. If you want I could scan in the blue print thing I used to cut it out.

[matthew20061]

- - - - - - - - UPDATE!!!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lots of new parts!!! Got the GMPP Valve Covers!!, Harmonic Balencer, New HB Bolt, 96-99 Vortec Plug Wires, New ACdelco Irridum Plugs at .040, 2 Gallons of Antifreeze and some ATF.

-Relocated the coils to the frame rails on either side of the engine, back. Ran the 96-99 Vortec truck wires that I got from the cheap parts store for 29.99. Somehow they work fine with the LS1 coils, I'll buy the MSD Universal wire kit (32079) later. It was a trick using the 90 degree plug boots with the headers, but with carefull routing and zip ties it worked out.

-Installed the new GM Peformance Parts LSX Valve Covers, they even came with new chrome bolts and chome oil fill cap which was super nice. They really set off the engine!!!

-Installed the new Crank Pulley/Harmonic Balencer and new bolt.

-Reinstalled radiator and antifreeze.

-Installed new Polished Stainless Steel Radiator cover, looks really good I never had anything to cover the radiator before and it looked really bad.

> Finally I got to test start it again and let it run for a bit although it was a bit late...so I only ran it for a couple minutes but everything sounded great and the sqeel and clicking was non existent... I'll get a video up when I start it up again tomorrow.











Things I need to do is buy a proper cold air intake pipe of some kind and get a new upper radiator hose so I can run the intake over to the drivers side, maybe use some type of aftermarket air box or open filter.

[mcbassin]

Man that new bling looks great on there! You know you're going to have get some pics of where and how you mounted the coilpacks. I like how you knocked this install out. I remember when I was full of Pi** and vinegar(smile).

[matthew20061]

Well after restoring my truck it never had the correct "vehicle information sheet" that goes in the glove box that lists the options the truck originally came with. Since my original was long gone I ordered a new one from LMC but it comes as just a sticker. This is a problem, I used some handy photoshop tricks and tapped the new sheet to a piece of printer paper and printed all of the options I wanted to list and my VIN. These are the results:

Sheet:

Finished Product! I found some special fonts that look completely original!

[mcbassin]

I love the new SPID sheet! It turned out great and I love how you put all the actual options on there.

[seldomseen65]

Matthew; classic parts and lmc have a new clear lens now for the inside cab light ,,check it out when you get a chance

[spike38]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I love the new SPID sheet! It turned out great and I love how you put all the actual options on there.

Very nice added touch!

Spike

[Pop's C-10]

nice work