4.3 to Turbo 5.3 Build
05-26-2016, 02:25 AM
#12
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Thought I'd post a small update...
The original 5.3 that was swapped in had massive blow-by and was swapped for another hi mileage shortblock with a LS1 camshaft from my dad's C5, LS1/LS6 MLS head gaskets, and ARP bolts.
This setup made 276whp with a slipping 4l60e. There was more left in it, but I was fighting a exhaust leak that was throwing my widebands off.
-4l80e is now swapped in
-3.90's and TrueTrac are in
-truck now sits on factory GMC Texas edition 20's
In the mail...
-ON3 front mount kit (have been waiting over a month now)
-DJM 4/6
-caltracs for flip kit
-Energy Suspension (great guys) full bushing kit
-Energy Suspension end links
-all new steering parts less the rack
Truck is sitting on my lift now with the front suspension and exhaust system stripped clean waiting on the new parts!
Pictures to come.
The original 5.3 that was swapped in had massive blow-by and was swapped for another hi mileage shortblock with a LS1 camshaft from my dad's C5, LS1/LS6 MLS head gaskets, and ARP bolts.
This setup made 276whp with a slipping 4l60e. There was more left in it, but I was fighting a exhaust leak that was throwing my widebands off.
-4l80e is now swapped in
-3.90's and TrueTrac are in
-truck now sits on factory GMC Texas edition 20's
In the mail...
-ON3 front mount kit (have been waiting over a month now)
-DJM 4/6
-caltracs for flip kit
-Energy Suspension (great guys) full bushing kit
-Energy Suspension end links
-all new steering parts less the rack
Truck is sitting on my lift now with the front suspension and exhaust system stripped clean waiting on the new parts!
Pictures to come.
Last edited by slvrram; 05-26-2016 at 03:28 AM.
05-26-2016, 03:14 AM
#14
On The Tree
Thread Starter
4l80e going in and new D/S. We chopped and lengthened the factory 4l60 cross-member with some flat stock and used a Nelson Performance harness.
Things to note:
1.One tab had to be cut off the 80e bellhousing to get it to clear the longtubes (ive heard this is normal and does not look to harm anything)
2.Use a flat 80e flexplate with crank spacer and longer crank bolts
3.You will need a new dipstick tube. the 60e one will fool you into thinking it's going to work. The last two inches of it are not the correct angle and did not work for me. The 60e dipstick will work in the 80e tube, but does not give the positive lock feel anymore.
4.A segment swap does have to be done to the tune.
Things to note:
1.One tab had to be cut off the 80e bellhousing to get it to clear the longtubes (ive heard this is normal and does not look to harm anything)
2.Use a flat 80e flexplate with crank spacer and longer crank bolts
3.You will need a new dipstick tube. the 60e one will fool you into thinking it's going to work. The last two inches of it are not the correct angle and did not work for me. The 60e dipstick will work in the 80e tube, but does not give the positive lock feel anymore.
4.A segment swap does have to be done to the tune.
06-02-2016, 11:30 AM
#16
On The Tree
Thread Starter
A little update... Last week all the suspension parts came in.
-Full DJM 4/6 kit with new 4" drop lower control arms and rear flip kit.
-DJM CalMax shocks front and rear. Will get replace with something adjustable at some point.
-CalTracs
-new inner/outer tie rods
-Energy Suspension poly sway bar kit with end links. Can't say enough good about these guys... were too good to me during my Lightning build for The Texas Mile.
Front end is completely done and wheels are back on so we could see the stance. The 31" Eagle/GMC 20" stocker combo is on it's way out and will be replaced shortly with 16x8 Cragar Soft 8's with radial fronts and 28" Hoosiers for the rear.
Rear is completely disassembled and the new solid aluminum bushings are pressed in the leaf springs (what an ordeal to get the old ones out). Front CalTrac mounts are on as well. I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep my 2" shackles and net more of a 7" drop or go back to stock height ones. Will probably do the former and see if the Hoosiers will clear first. I'm not really interested in that "Cali lean" so we will just have to see how it plays out.
One other thing to note; The truck has the Chevy lean which I compensated for with GM's state of the art 1/2" plate, but obviously that won't work now with the flip kit. I'm torn between placing it on the other side or just seeing how it sits without. Any input would be welcome.
Some awful shop shots. It was afternoonish and the Houston sun was at full strength....
-Full DJM 4/6 kit with new 4" drop lower control arms and rear flip kit.
-DJM CalMax shocks front and rear. Will get replace with something adjustable at some point.
-CalTracs
-new inner/outer tie rods
-Energy Suspension poly sway bar kit with end links. Can't say enough good about these guys... were too good to me during my Lightning build for The Texas Mile.
Front end is completely done and wheels are back on so we could see the stance. The 31" Eagle/GMC 20" stocker combo is on it's way out and will be replaced shortly with 16x8 Cragar Soft 8's with radial fronts and 28" Hoosiers for the rear.
Rear is completely disassembled and the new solid aluminum bushings are pressed in the leaf springs (what an ordeal to get the old ones out). Front CalTrac mounts are on as well. I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep my 2" shackles and net more of a 7" drop or go back to stock height ones. Will probably do the former and see if the Hoosiers will clear first. I'm not really interested in that "Cali lean" so we will just have to see how it plays out.
One other thing to note; The truck has the Chevy lean which I compensated for with GM's state of the art 1/2" plate, but obviously that won't work now with the flip kit. I'm torn between placing it on the other side or just seeing how it sits without. Any input would be welcome.
Some awful shop shots. It was afternoonish and the Houston sun was at full strength....
06-02-2016, 11:34 AM
#17
On The Tree
Thread Starter
How the front sits now. I apologize for the multiple posts... if I don't caption each set of photos as a new post, and load the image as a file attachment, my "websense" blocks the image.
06-02-2016, 03:17 PM
#19
06-02-2016, 03:26 PM
#20
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Thank you Trey. Which tires? The ones mounted currently are factory sized GMC 20" 275/55r20. For the new set, I'm leaning towards the Hoosier 28x10 slick. Front I'm undecided yet. Something like a 235/60r16 maybe. Would work out to be a 27.1" tall tire. They will be mounted on 16x8" wheels.