Orion22x

Well now that i'm nearing the end of this build ( or getting it drive-able, it's never done)
I decided to finally start a build thread, to hopefully maybe inspire someone or answer questions as best possible.
I had quite a bit of stuff on the shelf, from a previous swap, like the engine, wiring, turbo, and otther things

Here's a rundown/parts list:
Gen iv 5.3
Jegs cam 228°/230° .585" lift
PAC 1218 Valve Springs
Siemens deka 80lb injectors
On3 76mm turbo
Modified Truck manifold on the passenger side
LS4 manifold on the drivers side
LS1 intake
LS1 accessories
Dirty Dingo PS relocation bracket
Dirty Dingo Low mount AC kit
4L80e with HD2 shift kit
Circle D 278mm DD converter 3000-3200 Stall
Custom GM style one piece driveshaft 1350 U joints
Drift Motion Diff Adapter
Stock GM engine harness and ECU
Walbro 450 LPH


When I first purchased it. Found on craigslist for about $1200 with 258k miles. I fell in love with the color.
It needs paint and body work, but i'm ok with that.
was listed as running, but when I got there the battery was dead.
So we jump started it and the engine was knocking pretty bad, but in the end I was able to talk her down to $700!
Got the clean title in hand, called the tow truck, and off it went to it's new home.





Got it home, threw a new battery in it and took it around the block, just to confirm the transmission was slipping, which was a short drive. So pull everything out!





So in the mean time, I started sourcing parts I still needed. Picked up a blown 4L80e to have rebuilt



Took it to the shop and started disassembling. Found fried clutches, burnt steels, from worn bushings.








On to other things! Then dent in the drivers rear quarter was bugging me, so I borrowed a port-a-power
And tried to pushing it out best as possible. I'll come back to this when I start doing the body work and paint.
But good enough for now.






Wish I would of got more pictures of the fuel pump install.
Basically I used the stock GS feed and made it the return, and added a -6an fitting for feed straight from the pump
Removed the stock regulator and used the stock jet pump for now, ill get a SARD jet pump soon.

Orion22x

I started to slack on pictures at this point. But I finished rebuilding the motor and
decided to make my own swap mounts, I couldn't justify spending that kind of money
for some aluminum ones. So I made my own out of about $40 worth of steel.
Got the engine and transmission sitting where I wanted it then went to town on the car,
making brackets, seeing where i could fit stuff like the ECU and FPR.










The 4l80e was a TIGHT fit around the pan and frame rails, which doesn't leave a lot for electrical.
So busted out the hammer and started swinging haha. Also decided to run the transmission harness
through the interior, behind the duct work and tucked away.





Then was the wiring to the chassis which wasn't as hard as i thought it'd be.
Was able to keep most of the factory features working like, tach, speed, check engine light.
Still working on getting the Temp gauge and gear indicator to work, but for now I can just stream that
info from the OBDII port. For the other gauges I wanted, like oil pressure, AFR, and boost, I removed
the center ashtray under the radio and molded in a plastic sheet and painted it as close to original as possible.

Butt connectors were temporary, switched to weatherpack connectors





Yes i need a new shift ****

Now the fun part of trying to get a turbo and the exhaust to fit with out too much hacking haha
Couldn't wait much longer to start it for the first time either.

Orion22x

Coming together now. Getting the intercooler and piping in.




This is pretty much where i'm at with it for now. It's running and driving. Working out little bugs that pop up with every swap.
Next is to get some custom ac lines made before next summer, finish the exhaust, connect the downpipe to the factory mufflers
and install a boost actuated cutout.
Then I'll do emissions, get tags and drive it.

bloodMoney

This is awesome.

Can I ask why you decided to go with a 4L80 instead of a manual trans?

Orion22x

I wanted the auto for daily driving and 1/4 mile. They're very robust even in stock form and I already had a harness and computer that would work with it.

Kris9884

iTrader: (7)

Quite the find for $700 and in SBM too, great work man! Sub'd for sure.

bigghopper

iTrader: (1)

How is that turbo on that setup? It’s the same one I’ve ran for the last year on my GTE setup. This winter I am swapping in an LS and wanted to use that turbo but I’m concerned it might be too small. Also what ecu are you using to manage the tranny?

tiguy99

Any updates??!!!
Whatever happened to this one?

Ay-nako

iTrader: (25)

Wow, bump - what happened to this, what a build.