PROJECTS GALLERY Vehicle builds | Engine Swaps | Conversions | Installation write ups |

The dreaded LS SWAP thread...dont hate me now!!! 454SS inside..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-27-2014, 04:49 PM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
BigBlock90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Denton, NC
Posts: 564
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
Default The dreaded LS SWAP thread...dont hate me now!!! 454SS inside..

ive had fun with the 461BBC for a while now and have became bored with it. it made 441rwhp/530rwtq on that carbed motor but just wasnt enough. i then added a nitrous kit to it and it pulled 601rwhp/695rwtq on the 175 jets but that too got aggrivating real fast with filling bottles so often.

on to NOW.... i have researched the LS motors and all these turbo swaps for a good while on here now, SO THANKS TO ALL YOU GUYS FOR SPENDING MY MONEY!! after seeing in real time the power those lil engines make then i knew i was hooked.

i took a 2003 Tahoe 4.8 engine, added a z06 vette cam, pac1218 springs, new head gaskets, arp head studs, a Fast lsxrt 102mm truck intake, holley fuel rails, 80lb injectors, snow performance stage 2 meth kit, all stainless braided -an fuel lines and fittings, a vette regulator/filter combo set for 58psi, aeromotive 340 pump in the tank, and bolted everything up to my 4l80e and billet 3400 converter. all exhaust will be 4" back to axle.

the turbo is a Borg Warner Bullseye S480 with race cover. 44mm wastegate and a 50mm blow off valve. im in process of building a 6.0 to swap in later, hence the reason for such a turbo right now.

i used the stock overflow jug as my methanol tank and installed a nice polished billet catch can beside the battery for the radiator.

i bought the aluminum bracket kit from LSBrackets.com to keep my air conditioning and the same serpintine belt runs it all.

i used a PSI wiring harness for the engine. just 4 wires to hook up and she fired on the first hit.

i installed a massive high output 2 speed electric fan and wired it on twin relays for my ecm to control the fan speeds when running normal vs turning the ac on. i mounted my intercooler between radiator and fan. the truck setting around idling never even gets any temperature hardly with the massive radiator from the big block.

on to the purty stuff!!

the engine ready to install...


the engine setting in its new home...
Name:  20140630_212457_resized_zps178b1205.jpg
Views: 1164
Size:  233.2 KB

intercooler mounted...
Name:  20140722_194642_resized_zps29d94efc.jpg
Views: 455
Size:  191.7 KB

the wastegate and dump tube mounted...
Name:  20140723_184140_resized_zps1f7b0926.jpg
Views: 446
Size:  223.3 KB

the intake..
Name:  20140719_151439_resized_zps1477e8b7.jpg
Views: 428
Size:  161.1 KB

and how it sets finished up... the down pipe isnt installed in this pic but you get the point!!
Name:  20140726_231914_resized_zps344fcf59.jpg
Views: 859
Size:  234.1 KB

the truck that its in....
Name:  20140531_090509_resized_zps486fd640.jpg
Views: 721
Size:  254.9 KB

i will update thread as soon as we get it tuned on the dyno in the next week or so and i'll be sure and bring a video aswell :-)

thanks for looking,
Jamie
Old 07-27-2014, 04:59 PM
  #2  
Admin
iTrader: (22)
 
03sierraslt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western PA
Posts: 19,004
Received 216 Likes on 172 Posts
Default

Nice, curious to see how it does for ya.
Old 07-27-2014, 05:15 PM
  #3  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (38)
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: cedar bluff,alabama
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Awesome build !!!! Got any pics of your hot pipes?? I'm also wondering how the vette filter/ regulator is going to work out.
Old 07-27-2014, 05:24 PM
  #4  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
BigBlock90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Denton, NC
Posts: 564
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1969x11
Awesome build !!!! Got any pics of your hot pipes?? I'm also wondering how the vette filter/ regulator is going to work out.
i have taken a few shots of the hot pipes. i will post them up in a bit. i used 2 passenger side manifolds and cut the front and rear out of the one i used on the driver side and used 2.5" v-bands and welded them on.

ive seen several guys around here running the vette regulator filter assymbly on boosted trucks and cars with good results, but have had a few tell me to run the aeromotive 13301 vaccum referenced regulator that i have setn on the work bench...haha. i will see how it does first and then switch out if i need too. im not shooting for a huge horsepower truck. just a nice cruiser for some weekend fun.

Jamie

Last edited by BigBlock90; 07-27-2014 at 06:15 PM.
Old 07-27-2014, 06:08 PM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (38)
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: cedar bluff,alabama
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Sounds like you've got your $hit together. I have always wanted one of these trucks...with an LS swap. Get out there and find the limits of that 4.8 LOL .
Old 07-28-2014, 12:15 AM
  #6  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,662
Received 39 Likes on 31 Posts
Default

You have committed a sin. Clean install but you have ruined the truck in my eyes. If something came with a rat motor in it.........it should have a rat motor in it. But hey, thats what this hobby is all about. Rant over.
Old 07-28-2014, 04:57 AM
  #7  
11 sec. Truck Mod
iTrader: (12)
 
TIM Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: OH IO :(
Posts: 9,736
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

This is sick !! One of my fav body styles with boosted LS powah , I want !!
Nice clean install , I like the turbo mounted on driver side , nice job .


Originally Posted by Blown06
You have committed a sin. Clean install but you have ruined the truck in my eyes. If something came with a rat motor in it.........it should have a rat motor in it. But hey, thats what this hobby is all about. Rant over.
I disagree , as long as he keeps the original BBC in the corner if the garage it can always be put back in . Might as well make it run as good as it looks IMO .
Old 07-28-2014, 08:33 AM
  #8  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
BigBlock90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Denton, NC
Posts: 564
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
You have committed a sin. Clean install but you have ruined the truck in my eyes. If something came with a rat motor in it.........it should have a rat motor in it. But hey, thats what this hobby is all about. Rant over.
i hung a rod through the stock block many years ago and then built a .030 461 for it with aluminum heads and lots of goodie's and threw a carb on it. ive just grown tired of the gas sucking big motor so i pulled it an sat it on a crate for safe keeping just in case :-)

Originally Posted by TIM Z
This is sick !! One of my fav body styles with boosted LS powah , I want !!
Nice clean install , I like the turbo mounted on driver side , nice job .



I disagree , as long as he keeps the original BBC in the corner if the garage it can always be put back in . Might as well make it run as good as it looks IMO .
thank you, i cant wait to tune it and see what happens.
Old 07-28-2014, 09:29 AM
  #9  
Ph.D. in HUBRIS
iTrader: (10)
 
custm2500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

I don't see that intercooler being very effective. I know with trans coolers they rate them at how efficient they are in front and behind of the radiator such as the one I just installed on our automatic semi. I think it was like 40% if behind the radiator. I don't know if there is any data about intercoolers?
Old 07-28-2014, 06:40 PM
  #10  
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
 
operatorfailure's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by BigBlock90
i have taken a few shots of the hot pipes. i will post them up in a bit. i used 2 passenger side manifolds and cut the front and rear out of the one i used on the driver side and used 2.5" v-bands and welded them on.*
I have been thinking about doing this same thing, like a homemade log manifold on my 68 c-10. I would love to see pictures of the manifold if you could.


Quick Reply: The dreaded LS SWAP thread...dont hate me now!!! 454SS inside..



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:41 AM.