71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

So its time to start a build thread for my 71' custom LWB///

Craigslist find about 2 months ago... $2900.00 I went and picked her up in Maryland

PO had put a 350ci with NP833 trans. (leaking all sorts of fluids)

Very very minimal rust..passenger side inner fender is only spot I could find more than just surface rust.

PO had painted it about 8 years ago. (im not crazy about the color and body work done) but it will due for now.

Plans are to go the ls engine route with muncie transmission. 4/6 lowering kit. 15X12 wheels on the rear with some nice looking tires. (haven't decided on the combo yet) 2 tone paint job in the future. In the end looking to have a decent street/strip hotrod on my hands.

I will try to take as many photos as possible. What goods a build thread with out photos.

The day I brought her home to New England
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMG_2632.jpg
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***My first mod*** (best one to date) upgraded the power steering gear box to a 84-87 style with the metric o-ring fittings. This was a very easy job cost me $55 bucks to do and was worth every penny of it. Steering and handling is 100x tighter than before.

I Bought a PS gear box ($50) from local yard with o-ring supply hose and o-ring type PS pump insert fitting. Bought a o-ring 16mm fitting to barbed hose end from carquest (you can see the PN in the photo)

The rest was a piece of cake and a direct bolt on modification.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps59576498.jpg
Out with the old in with the new
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Is a brand new 84-87 gearbox better then a brand new 68-72 gearbox?
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

No it wasnt brand new. Got it from a local junk yard. I put it in the parts washer and then painted it to look nice.

Yes the 84-87 gearbox has much tighter ratio than the 68-72 year. At least for me..the 68-72 steering was very soft and sloppy. Now it is tight and more responsive.

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Oh ok cool I was planning on getting a new gearbox for my 67 and if a 84-87 gear box is better then I'm going to go on ahead and get that. So I just need a new hose, and that 16mm fitting?
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Yes, buy a gear box from 85' -87' to be safe. These have metric o-ring fittings (supply and return). Make sure to get the supply (pressure side) line with the gear box. Also depending on what year power steering pump you have, you will need the o-ring type insert (fitting that screws into the back of the power steering pump) then the fitting on the hose will thread into that. Then your pressure side should be good to go with o-rings on both ends. For the return side. Go to carquest and get part number from the picture above (16mm o-ring fitting to hose end with 90 degree bend) and a new piece of hose and clamps (hose about 15" long). I reused the rag joint on the 84' and up box, it was in good shape. Have fun.

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Today I picked up an LS based engine from the local junkyard. It is a 2005 6.0L LQ4 with 150K miles for $700. (Note*2005 and 2006 GM LQ4's engines have stronger and beefier rods than the older years)

Awhile back I bought a custom made LS stand alone wiring harness and ECU for $200.

Looking forward to doing this LSx swap. Going to start cleaning the engine and components in next few days, and figure out what Im going to do for a transmission. Then hopefully tear into this swap.

I havent decided if im going turbo or N/A with this engine. Any Suggestions?


http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7ff61c4.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

**MOD 2** Engine swap

Got the garage cleaned and some new electrical outlets installed. Pulled the truck in this weekend. Started the engine swap. Pulling the old leaky SBC and replacing it with a 2005 LQ4 GM 6.0L from a local junkyard. I plan to go though the top end of the 6.0L before installing it. Cam for now and mabe a turbo are in the future plans for it. Just gotta see what my tranny guy says my muncie will handle for horsepower?

Pulled the passenger fender, grill, and radiator radiator support.

Plan is to high pressure power-wash the frame, front end parts & fire wall and clean them up really well. Paint the firewall black base coat clear coat and other parts use a chassis paint or POR15.

In the end im looking for a real clean looking engine bay. (although I am really leaning on keeping the heat)

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psff4dface.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Looking forward to the progress !

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Pulled the drivers side inner fender and fender off. Then yanked the engine/trans out. Came out real pretty easy. I did notice that my transmission cross member is different than what I was expecting vs the cross member toward the rear of the tranny. The transmission cross member support gets bolted to the belhousing? Is this common. Looks like Ill have to reuse this steel cross member when I put my muncie in. Anyone see any issues with this.

Going to clean everything with the powerwasher this week, then start to prep the firewall for paint

Here are some photos

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps86d806a8.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Got the font end, frame and fire wall power washed this weekend. Tow'd it down to my my works shop to use the 3000psi power washer. Cut the paint and grease real nice.

Also started stripping the new engine down, going to start cleaning it up and paint it. Ordered a cam, intake, and throttle body.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psf1d1dce1.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Looking good! Great pictures and detail of your build so far.

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Looks like you're off to a good start....I'll be following along!

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Very nice find and like where your going with it
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Started on the chassis and firewall this weekend.

Sanded firewall and chassis down, Primed with self etching primer and sprayed POR15 gloss black on the chassis. I think the chassis looks pretty good with just one coat of POR15.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...pse42ab71b.jpg
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[IMG]http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psca222b50.jpg[/IMG]

Victor Jr. Intake, Elbow and 92mm TB came in today as well. I got a Good deal on the setup, Thanks to the ls1tech classifieds section.
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4a0ad417.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Have you thought about keeping the NP833? I have one behind a cammed 5.3L, haven't run it yet though. They can be built to handle a few ponies, plus you get overdrive.

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

I cant really find anyone that will rebuild my NP833. Who built yours? (tranny guys around here dont even want it as a core?) From everything Ive read and heard.. I'm feeling pretty good about using the Muncie M22 at this point.

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Having a good week so far. Sold the carb 350 that came in the truck to a local guy. Sold some other misc parts that came with the truck. The extra cash is helping fund the new build. Still have all the turbo parts to order yet.

Custom Cam and springs from ISKY came in this week. All new GM gaskets ordered. Seimans deka 80lb injectors are ordered. Got the 6.0L block striped down and all cleaned up. Hopefully ill be putting the engine together this weekend. Should look pretty classy with the victor jr sitting on top.
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5dd49012.jpg
Before
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1c434eb5.jpg
After
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psf3c52b01.jpg


Also got the firewall painted. It didnt come out as good as I had hoped but I didnt put much time into prepping it either. Well see how I feel after assembling the engine. I might reprep the firewall and repaint?
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Well started working on the 317 casting heads. Pulled them apart using the "Time Saver" spring removal tool (my uncle sells this tool as a kit. see photo below. PM me if interested in buying one). The Spring and valve removal only took about 5 minutes with the tool. My uncle designed The tool to work with the engine still in the vehicle. I stuck the heads and valves in the parts washer and then glass-beaded them. They are coming out pretty nice. Still need to do a valve job and start putting the engine back together.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5928f776.jpg
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Also decided to go with the Mojave heater. So I got some sheet metal and started to shave out the firewall holes today aswell.
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psb08ae55d.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

nice progress, that spring tool is pretty cool !

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

few more photos from today. Worked the passenger side. Got it primed and ready to block down. Hopefully ill get to the drivers side this week and then base coat clear coat next weekend.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7833e475.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Looks great :)


Rob

Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Thanks for all the positive feedback. Finally finished painting the firewall, thanks to my cousin who came over and sprayed it for me. Basecoat clear coat. It came out so much better than I had expected. Looks awesome in person, hard to get a good photo inside. Painted my M22 muncie aswell.

Now its onto the mechanical work. Turbo BW S475 and Tial wastegate should be here this week. Gotta put the engine back together and start mocking everything up.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7c6bc6c.jpg
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Got a good jump on the engine today. Pulled the pan and found everything to look pretty clean there. Installed new oil pan gasket and buttoned up the bottom end. Slide the Isky 218/218 112LSA cam in and put new timing chain on. Sprayed the engine gloss black. Cleaned up the casting lines in the 317 heads. All thats left is some more cleaning on the heads and valve job to finish up the top end assembly.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...psd8da70f5.jpg
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My BorgWarner S400-75 came in this week. Its the T6 1.10 A/R 83mm exhaust wheel version. Hoping it will give me fairly quick spool time. Im running the same turbo in the T4 version in my Daily Driver and love it. Im pretty excited to start another custom turbo fabrication soon.
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Update: Valve job is competed, the heads are all cleaned up ready to be installed. I Cleaned up the pistons and block deck. Installed the lifters, ARP Head Studs, new GM MLS head gaskets, and got one head installed this weekend. I should get other head on this week. Hopefully set the engine next weekend and work on making some motor mounts.
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I have the sach1050 flywheel already. Does Anyone know a good clutch that is rated to 800+Hp that mates to this flywheel?

Ordered some Granny Smith Apple Green and a clear coat powder. Tried it out on my bell-housing. It came out awesome. Planning on doing my intake manifold and aluminum 90 in this granny smith same green.
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Mocked up the fuel rails and injectors, then I Started to build the aluminum brackets to mount the fuel rails to the victor jr.
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Re: 71lsx-LWB**Build Thread**
 

Sweet truck Brother Looks like a Good Clean Start Keep up the Great work !