My 5.3L into an 85 GMC swb 2wd swap

LOL, yeah, it's getting long! But there is a ton of good info in that thread.

The pedal was cake! I used one of the bottom holes from the original pedal, and only had to add one hole up top, then I re-used the bolts that held the factory pedal on. I then cut both pedals off and welded the 85's pedal on to the 06's pedal. Looks factory, and feels just right on my foot.

I'll post pics here too for those that didn't see it on 67-72chevytrucks.com.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...c/P1010226.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...c/P1010227.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...c/P1010228.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...c/P1010233.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...c/P1010234.jpg

Thanks... Looks awesome, and doesnt look as bad as I had pictured in my mind. It looks like it came that way from the factory. Very nice. I know the guys on the other site are loving this build too. Have you ran in on E85 yet. I wont be running mine on E85 i've never seen a gas station here with it.

I'm reading the build thread. I'm trying to decide what to do for a/c, headers and wire harness still. I think I'll just notch the frame a little bit and run fbody headers. Your engine bay looks amazing you should do this for a living.

Haven't started it yet. Thought I was going to last night, but I think the injectors are stuck. I'm relaxing with my kiddos tonight, and will give it another go in the morning.

I'm going to drive it for a while before I try the E85, but I'll definitely be doing that. Right now E85 is $1.88 and 85 octane is $2.45. I know two people that use E85 regularly and they both have experienced only 1-2 mpg loss versus 85 octane. If nothing else, I think it will be worth the looks I get when an old 1985 pickup pulls up to an E85 pump! :D

Haha yeah no doubt. probably the same looks that'd you would get at a diesel pump lol. I'm thinking I'll either run a air intake to the driver side or pull a battery tray out of a diesel thats on the driver side to allow a bit more room. but it looks like you had just enough for both.

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Originally Posted by lowchevytrucks8503

I'm reading the build thread. I'm trying to decide what to do for a/c, headers and wire harness still. I think I'll just notch the frame a little bit and run fbody headers. Your engine bay looks amazing you should do this for a living.

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Using the 5.3's own AC compressor is possible, but you will need to notch the frame and do a little boxing work. We determined also that a 99-02 truck compressor with a flat manifold will work too with no frame notching.

I used the truck manifolds with only a little notching on the passenger side. I opted not to use f-body manifolds because, well.... they are ugly compared to the truck manifolds. At least the truck manifolds are a mirror image from side to side. Plus I plan on having the coated at JetHot, that should look sweet.

After doing this, I realize that I could have done the harness myself, it's really straight forward. On the other hand, I am glad I had someone else do the first one so I could see first hand what is done. The next ones will be done by me. I had Hannah and Jesse at Wait4Me Performance rework the harness and do the initial "canned tune", that was $360 including return shipping.

Thanks for the good words! But I don't think I have the patience to do these for a living. But if time wasn't an issue, I wouldn't mind doing a couple of these on the side. :beerchug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lowchevytrucks8503

Haha yeah no doubt. probably the same looks that'd you would get at a diesel pump lol. I'm thinking I'll either run a air intake to the driver side or pull a battery tray out of a diesel thats on the driver side to allow a bit more room. but it looks like you had just enough for both.

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I only used the OEM tube because I had it. It saves me money for now. But I do plan on running it to the drivers side too. In the spring, I will:

* Ditch the OEM intake setup and building one to the drivers side,
* Ditch the mechanical fan/shroud and install e-fans
* I forgot to mention that i will use AC brackets from KWiK Performance, Inc. - Home to mount the AC high on the passenger side, and a Sanderson compressor.

I want to do the swap for all the same reasons you did. But my goal is to pick on some vettes...I'm hoping I will eventually be able to do just that. I want to see the looks on some of my buddies faces after my $1200 truck kills there $40+ C6 vettes

For now I want to squeeze out the best possible mileage I can. It'll still be fun to drive though! And in the mean time, I will be looking for an LQ9 for the "future". :D

I wish my truck was as clean as yours from the get go. I have alot of work to do. I wanted to do all original chrome and everything but its way overpriced for aftermarket stuff imo. Alot of it is no where close to original. I believe I'll end up shaving everything except door handles and locks. then 20/22 coys. with black paint thats the plan anyway