Condenser does not have to be removed. Although I recommend pulling the radiator, it isn't that hard and gives you much more room to work.

 

Update:

Been a long while since I've been on here to update the thread and since then there has been a few different parts gathered as well as some changes in the original plans.

First things first, I finally got some new tread on my black LTZ's and got them back on the truck, looks much better than the stockers and should hold me off until I get a set of racestars for the truck.









I really like the way the truck looks now, next on the exterior will be getting my roll pan and new front bumper painted and but on.

Now for some real updates; I was having a tough time deciding which traction bars to go with, between caltracs and assassin bars. I wasn't a fan of the metal bushing used for the leafs springs that came with the caltracs. I talked to multiple people and everyone had equally good things to say about both, so it was pretty much just personal preference. So.... I went with the assassin bars, and after 10 WEEKS, they finally showed up at my door. But it was worth the wait, directions provided in the box to help with install (if it already isn't simple enough) they seem to be very quailty made, and I look forward to putting them to the test in the spring. Don't have any poictures of them but if anyone really wants some, let me know and I can send you some.

Next on the list was getting the gauges all lined out to read everything going on with the truck and I can say I am very pleased with my purchase. I went with a set of Speedhut gauges, Air/Fuel Wideband, as well as Fuel Pressure gauge. I was able to customize the gauges any way I want, so I chose all digital gauges and made them so they all glow white at night. The Speedhut wideband runs off of Innovate's wideband controller, so along with those gauges I picked up an Innovate LC-2 wideband controller.








I'll get some pictures up when everything is installed, I purchased a 3 gauge pillar pod for these gauges so I'll have two gauges in the pillar pod and my trans temp gauge in my cubby hole gauge mount.

Also got rid of the filler neck on the valve cover, just because I think it looks a lot cleaner.





Now for the big final update, the big change that is going to take place,


Nitrous! It's no turbo, but it will for sure do for now! Due to being in school and only working when I'm home and can I'm trying to go fast on somewhat of a budget. But really just looking forward to seeing what the truck can do on Nitrous, I would like to get a low 12- mid/high 11 out of it once I get a tranny and stall under it on 150 shot. Which I think are very realistic goals, and still plan on it being a daily driven truck.

Along with the nitrous kit I have purchased everything needed to go along with it, bottle pressure gauge, and bottler heater. I went with the Nitrous Outlet bottle heater, I like how I can just set the bottle on it and don't have to wrap the bottle, just think it looks cleaner than the other heaters I can across.



I haven't ordered a purge kit and not sure I'm going to, I know some people like them to clear the line right before they run, but I've also read it's more or less for people looking to get that extra 10th of a second or less off of the line, now not saying that's 100% true, but as of right now I don't plan on using a purge kit.

That's pretty much all the updates I have as of now, I also have a trucool 40K, and a set of 4.11's to install in the rear, which are 3.73's now, so I'm considering jumping up to a 4.30, because I don't think it'd be much of a difference in the 3.73's and 4.11's.

Next thing on the list is to do the 80e swap and get a stall, I'm planning to have a 80e built so I won't have to worry much about it and getting a nice convertor so I can spray off the line which should help drop my 1/4 mile time, rather than spraying when the truck reaches the 3k mark out of the hole.

Thanks for looking - Kyle

 

Your truck is looking really good, a huge improvement over when you first got it. Do you have any video of how that cam sounds?

 

Truck looks really clean man!

1) Gears: Just make sure you do the math for engine RPM at highway speeds with the 80e swap and choice of gears (4.11 or 4.30), and make sure you can live. I think you'll still notice a difference even going 3.73 to 4.11.
2) I think your truck should have an high 11 sec pass in it on a 150 shot but you'll need to figure out how to hook! I have a friend with a 4.8l rcsb, 100 shot, v6 trailblazer converter, 60e, cam, LTs, and 4.56 gears - he went 12.2sec with a 1.6x 60ft on hoosier 28x10.5 slicks. Knowing that, I think a high 11 is definitely possible in your 5.3l.
3) Not sure if you've addressed it or not, but you may want to make sure your fuel system (pump and injectors) can support a 150 shot.

I understand how slow builds can be! Its worth it in the end! (ps there is never an 'end')

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely have to look into the gearing, I've read up on it some but not as much as I need to. Lol

As for traction I plan on flipping and clamping my overloads and using the assassin bars along with the 29x12.5 slicks I have, hopefully that'll be decent. If not I plan on relocating the shocks and redoing the rear end this upcoming Summer.

I haven't really looked into fuel as much as I need to either. I plan to just eventually go with a walbro 250 or 450 in the tank to help out, and probably some 60-80lbs injectors. Which I think should be plenty. Also was throwing around the idea of a stand alone system, but we'll see what I decide on in the future. Lol

 

For anybody wanting any pictures of Assassin Bars..











Also got my 80e crossmember in from Dirt Track Racer, very nice piece.

 

Well, long story short I decided I wasn't going to waste my time building a truck that wouldn't be what I wanted it to be in the end. So sold all the nitrous parts and pieces, and now begins the turbo build.

Parts list of everything I currently have:

- KB hot side
- On3 76mm turbo
- 50mm JGS wastegate
- 50mm BOV
- 1000cc injectors, should flow around 104lbs/hr at base fuel pressure
- Treadstone Intercooler
- Going to fab up my own intercooler pipes to the hot and cold side.
- Gadgetized 2.5 bar MAP Sensor
- IAT sensor



KB's hot side parts have arrived!






Log manifold is very nice.

On3 76mm turbo










Some recent pictures of the truck for those interested.






Only things I have left to get:

- Fuel Pump
- New plugs and wires

I hope to have everything up and running within the month. Summer break is just beginning, which means works, which in turn leads to money for the truck. Plan to get it tuned on 7psi and hope to make 450rwhp. Once I find a decent 80e to build and then a convertor, I'll turn it up to around 12psi and see what it can do. Would really like a mid 11 sec pass. Goal is 600rwhp.

Thanks - Kyle

 

This is going to be great. Truck looks amazing, in for progress

 

What brand injectors are those?

 

Bosch