cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

I've owned this truck for almost 2 years, bought it April 2012. It came with a 4.8l/4l60e and my original intention was to use it as my daily and something that could haul more than my Bravada that it replaced.

Plans/current progress:
LQ4 iron block
Forged stroker crank shaft (bought from LS1tech)
CNC Bridgeway H-beam rods (bought fro LS1tech)
Wiseco -20cc pistons
Completely stock, unrebuilt 317 heads with upgraded valve springs
Comp Cams 224/228/112* .534/.537 lift
New oil pump and timing set
ARP head studs and rod bolts
LS9 head gaskets
4l80e, 300M input shaft and HD-2 reprogramming kit
Used PTE 88mm MFS turbo, less than 1 hour of use after manufacturer rebuild
Trick Turbo stainless manifold

Power goal is at least 700hp at the wheels.

The engine is already built and installed, put around 3,000 miles on it summer 2013. Transmission is built and ready for install.

Here's the first picture of when I got the truck home


It's was work truck with the only option's being the V8 and power windows/locks. I have added an overhead console with homeliink, carpeting and an actual center console. I had the cluster rebuilt to be a clone of the Denali cluster with a trans temp gauge added. Like almost all of these trucks, a few of the gauges didn't work when I got it.


Lowering it was the first thing on the list. I did a 4/6 DJM drop with lower control arms for the front and a flip kit in the rear with notch. I fought rusty bolts way too much. I really hate living in MN some times...



I had a set of LTZ 20's waiting to go on it.



Then color matched handles.


Up until this point the 4.8 was working just fine for me, but shortly after going to Powercruise in Brainerd, MN, I needed more. I watched craigslist for a while and found this LQ4 mostly complete for $600. July 2013.


I also grabbed this 30k mile 4l80e from a friend for $600.


Drove the truck all winter with Blizzaks. It was unstoppable! 2wd with a G80.




When I tore down the LQ4, all I was going to was freshen it up with rings and bearings and put it back together. Well, that turned into a "might as well" snowball. While I'm this far, I might as well do this... and that... it wasn't long before I was shopping for all forged parts . Build it once was my thinking.


I had the block baked and honed. Machinest said the cylinders were only .001" worn. Not bad for 225k miles.

cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

A few months later I finally had all the parts gathered to start assembly. April 2013.

Fitting the rings. I think I set end gap to ~.024





The only clearancing I had to do for the stoker crank was space the windage tray up and pound it with the hammer in a few key places.


Then on to the heads. I disassembled them and scrubbed them in the parts washer. All I did to them upgrade wise was change out the springs. Otherwise they are unmodified in any way, although I think they were done some time before I got the engine because of a warranty plug installed on the ends.




All done.




I started the swap on May 24, 2013.


4.8 coming out.



I was only trying to pull the engine by itself but the dowel pins to the transmission were so stuck I had to put the belhousing bolts back in and pull it all as one unit. We were surprised it came out that way by only removing the elec cooling fans.


402 mated up with 4l60


Going in. Pulled the 4.8 on May 24 and took a day off to go dirt biking and had the 402 running on May 29.

cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

I drove the truck for about a week and quickly noticed an oil leak at the back of the crank, possible rear main seal? Went to a friend's house to pull the trans on his lift.


Then we noticed something odd, a hole in the back of the crankshaft that I never noticed. We went and got a frost plug from the store and closed it up.


After that, it was all good. I continued playing with the truck all summer and put around 3,000 miles on it through the 4l60 and stock 4.8 exhaust. I worked on tuning it myself with HPtuners and still think I have a lot to go. That stuff is confusing. I mostly had idle problems, very lopy while it's warming up. Not cam lope, like throttle blade lope. So I just dealt with it until it was time to part it again in December.

Random pics throughout the summer.



I painted the grille, still need to do the mesh black.


Then it was finally 4l80 build time. I got the TCI 300M input shaft and Transgo HD-2 kit.





I got a converter from Circle D, 2b stall speed around 3,200rpm.



I did the transmission in the basement, but it's too heavy to carry up the stairs and there's too much snow to drive the truck around to the door. So I used my vintage John Deere to pull it up around the house!


In early January 2014 I finally brought everything over to my parent's house where I'm working on the next stage of the build. My dad has a new garage addition that needs to be broken in. Heated floor and all the space I need is going to spoil me.


I got the turbo last week. PTE 88mm MFS that was rebuilt by Precision with under an hour of use. I got it from a local reputable shop that used it on their RX7 drag car with a 5.3 running 8.4 second 1/4's.

cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

I still have a lot of fine details to figure out, like the fuel system, piping, fittings etc. I basically have all the major parts done for now and need to start focusing on how to tie it all together.

The last post is where I am at right now in the build. I am just starting to pull the 4l60 out and 4l80 in. Then from there I hope to do the fuel system next. I will be converting to a return setup. Power goal is 7-800 to the wheels, I think it should be doable...

silverado.408

iTrader: (1)

Wow sick truck. I like how even though its lowered you still use it as a truck.

oakley6575

iTrader: (5)

Nice truck man. What kind of fuel are you going to run and how much boost do you plan on running?

bmd_CL

iTrader: (2)

Very good looking truck man, very nicely done. Ready to see it finished. What do you drive when you tear your truck down if you dont mind me asking

cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. Everyone around here likes to make fun of my lowered vehicles, but it sure feels good to prove them wrong. I have an Airlift kit welded in behind the axle, and the notch is also welded all around.

Thank you. 91 octane, possibly E85. We'll see what it's going to take to handle the E85 when it comes time. I'm open to fuel system recommendations.

Thanks, no problem.

This winter I am driving a 1986 Civic Si which me and my brother each put in $50 for. So 100 bucks and we drove it home. We only intended on parting it out since we each have other '86 Hondas, but figured since it's still a driving car, might as well keep it going. 360,000 miles strong, plexiglass rear window, no rear interior (which works well for hauling truck parts).


I also have a 1986 CRX Si from California that I drive every day to work and back, pretty clean, 41 mpg is nothing to complain about. Summer only car. This is the best picture I have of it, guess I haven't taken many. I am also into RC planes, it barely fit in the back of it.


I have my orange Blazer that I drive a bit in the summer, road trip to out of state shows with my friends. That thing gets 25mpg with the V8, blows me away. I bagged it myself in 2007, painted in 2008 and V8 swap in 2011.


Annnd an '01 GSXR 600.


I'd love to answer any questions about either of them.

Ok, onto today's update. Not much happened. The transmission is almost ready to come out. I spent the day pulling the drive shaft, Y pipe and trans cross member. Progress goes slow when I am doing it all solo. But all I have left is the bellhousing bolts and cooler lines to disconnect. I got held up by the transmission adapter not fitting my floor jack so I have to bring another jack over.



The dust is piling up

69Camaro427

I like it, I surprised it drove so well in the snow being that low. Figure it would turn into snow plow and get stuck!

cpolaris502

iTrader: (1)

Me too, I couldn't believe it did so well in the snow. Only had to be pulled one time which was when the white enclosed trailer was attached. I was at a friend's house further north and they got around 6-8" overnight and the driveway was uphill to the street.

Small update, transmission is out as of 3/8/14.

4l60 on top and 4l80 on bottom


Tonight I picked up a set of return fuel rails from a friend and also an 80e harness. I just asked him for the pigtail for the addition speed sensor and he just gave me the whole harness, complete up to the computer, lol. I just need to pull my two wires out of the bundle.