I'm calling her Mia

[AmericanMuscle]

so i'm finally starting on my poor truck, i'll be porting up my progess and upgrades from now untill sometime next month when I hope i'm done.

current stuff that I have or is on the way here and will be done by the time its running.

built 4l60e
2003 5.3
tsp 220/220 .581/.581 112
prc stage one 243 heads with prc double springs
ls2 timing chain
hardened pushrods
yella terra roller rockers
jaareds cooling setup
ported ls6 oil pump
b&m trans cooler
and i'm trying my damndest to get a set of longtubes stuffed in before it gets put back togather.

things I want to get in but aren't a priority right now.
blazer tank
blazer front brakes and spindles
ford 8.8 with 3.55s and posi
4 cyl gage cluster(7k tach)
ratchet shifter

I got the truck half done, but i'll be tearing everything apartto install engine mods, headers, and rework the engine mounts. the truck had a stock engine and the tranny had been built by a local shop to take 500hp. the truck was originally meant to get a turbo and the owner ran out of time and intrest.

anyways, on to the pics.
the truck




blazer tank and dual piston calipers

roller rockers and ported ls6 oil pump

heads, going to the shop this week to get milled and have the springs installed

cooling setup

misc parts


and lastly the stuff I got done tonight, removed hood, core support, bumper, and accessories. tomorrow i'll be swapping out wheels and tires, pulling the cam, timing set, balancer, and I might throw on my new mirrors. I'll be pulling the engine out sometime this week when i grap my engine stand and borrow my buddies cherry picker.
carnage

[AmericanMuscle]

oh and I forgot to add, this is the reason my truck hadn't been started on.



the two big reasons are right there. I got the firebird for the wife just before i picked up my truck which took some of my budget. The blazer is my daily right now and needs alot of attention. the house is my newest money pit and has taken more time then planning my wife and my wedding. but at least now that were moved in I have my garage.

[denali_on_26's]

congrats man....


nice blazer....

[rellik_jre]

Very Nice!

[zx9rgreen]

Quote: Originally Posted by AmericanMuscle

things I want to get in but aren't a priority right now.

4 cyl gage cluster(7k tach)

I have a couple 4cyl clusters from different years, I'll see if i have one for your year truck if you are interested

$25 shipped

[Kampz69]

nice man, good luck! that radiator package from Jared looks awesome.

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by zx9rgreen

I have a couple 4cyl clusters from different years, I'll see if i have one for your year truck if you are interested

$25 shipped

if you have one from a 2000 or a year that will work with it i'll take it.

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by denali_on_26's

congrats man....


nice blazer....

dont make fun

it will be nicer in a week or so when I get the roll pan and step shavers on. the heater core decided to start leaking last week so I have to swap that out.

[denali_on_26's]

Quote: Originally Posted by AmericanMuscle

dont make fun

it will be nicer in a week or so when I get the roll pan and step shavers on. the heater core decided to start leaking last week so I have to swap that out.

not making fun... that is what 'm building my self...

make sure you post the pics of the blazer too

[rellik_jre]

Quote: Originally Posted by denali_on_26's

not making fun... that is what 'm building my self...

make sure you post the pics of the blazer too

Yes post pics of the Blazer!

[willzdada]

Quote: Originally Posted by zx9rgreen

I have a couple 4cyl clusters from different years, I'll see if i have one for your year truck if you are interested

$25 shipped

hey do you still have those clusters? looking for a '01 with a tach.

[BlkS10Kid2002]

Project looks awesome... wanna sell that flex a lite???

[NateZQ8]

Nice, she should be a good runner too from that build sheet can't go wrong with 243's and a nice cam for the cubes your running.........i wanna hear it!!!

Nate

[jnoehl]

nice man, pretty sweet lookin house too! congrats on everything there!

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlkS10Kid2002

Project looks awesome... wanna sell that flex a lite???

they are new and came with the truck to fit the 4.3 radiator, but in az i've seen this setup get too hot.
anyways, make me an offer I might part with them and at the rate i'm going i might need the cash.

[AmericanMuscle]

update for the day

went and got an engine stand. it looks like i'll be doing more on this thing then I wanted to. but i'll explain that later.

swapped out my rims and tires, I originally picked these up for my blazer but never installed them because i picked up this project. they are the same dimentions as the zq8 rims.



and lastly the progress I made on the engine bay. I decided against pulling the cam first because since I was removing the heads anyways and didn't want to try and turn the engine untill I made sure there was nothing in the cylinders that would scratch the walls.


the first head I pulled off made me pretty happy, the walls looked good and the pistons besides having the normal carbon buildup looked to be in great shape. when I pulled off the other head I found that moisture had found its way into 3 out of the 4 cylenders and one of them looks to have had some standing water in it for a while. I'll clean it up more tomorrow and check the actual damage, but it looks like i may be building an iron block ls1.

this might work out for the better if I have the funds for it, because I was planning on building a forged 5.7 to drop in sometime in her future, but i was kinda looking forward to running the little 5.3 for a while. maybe when i clean her up it will only need to be honed out and get a new set of rings, but i'm not counting on it.

[denali_on_26's]

man i hope it works for you.... that would save some time but more importantly money

[AmericanMuscle]

so i tried to clean up the walls tonight, didn't work out as well as i hoped.
good side

bad side

the reason i need another short block


so here are my options,
1) find a 5.3 or ls1 shortblock in good condition.
2) tear this down the rest of the way and see if it can be bored to a 5.7 and get forged pistons and rods and make a mild 5.7 that can handle ALOT of n20.

I'm leaning toward the forged setup, but I got my cam to work with a 5.3, and the 5.3 would be far cheaper to get and build then the forged 5.7 and would get back togather faster, and would still be able to take a 100+ shot.

i'm trying to get the engine pulled tomorrow or at least in the next few days, the notch need to be cleaned up, the ac box needs to be patched, i want to build a bracket to relocate the coils. and just clean up the engine bay.
should have some time this weekend.

[NateZQ8]

um.........yeah........that ones not just gonna buff out!!

Im thinking for all your troubles and machine work in boring, finding a bottom end, you would be money and time ahead in getting another 5.3 short block, maybe an Al one??? How about getting a 4.8 short block and swapping out your crank. That way you would have the 4.8's flat top pistons and bump the comp a bit......although those look like flat tops in the above pic

[NateZQ8]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__5-3-chevy-engine-47-000-miles-from-2003-silverado_W0QQitemZ110291391275QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q2 0AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q 20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?ha sh=item110291391275&_trkparms=72%3A543|39%3A1|65%3 A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245
that one is in CALI!!!!

[AmericanMuscle]

yes it is in fact flat top pistons, which probably means it was a 4.8, there are 5.3's for sale in tucson and pheonix all the time, so i'll try to find one of those. long blocks go for around 500 wil less then 30k.

[556mm]

i like the cut of your jib sir.

[denali_on_26's]

were do you live??...
i will help you find one but i live in MISSISSIPPI

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote:

i like the cut of your jib sir.

what??

Quote:

were do you live??...
i will help you find one but i live in MISSISSIPPI

tucson az, there are usually ones in pheonix that are decently priced, but any help would be great.

[denali_on_26's]

just found a long block 5.3L for $400
with all the accessories and wiring harness(not 100%) and computer
needs cleaning and valve covers....

no clue on mileage

[NateZQ8]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowcherrydime

i like the cut of your jib sir.

I think its a sailing term, he means he likes the truck!

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by denali_on_26's

just found a long block 5.3L for $400
with all the accessories and wiring harness(not 100%) and computer
needs cleaning and valve covers....

no clue on mileage

i found 2 long blocks close to me with low mileage
iron block is 650 with 29,000
aluminum is 750 with 25,000


I think i'm goint to tear this block down still, the pistons didn't seem to have any rust so if possible i might swap them out into a 5.3 so I wont have to deck my heads.

[AmericanMuscle]

got this little beauty in yesterday tsp220 .581/.581 on a 112lsa, should make the idle nice and lopey. the engine will growl and talk shit for me at stoplights:devil:


I'm on my way up to phx tomorrow to look at a few different engines, I should have 4-5 to pick from that are all $500 or lower except for one aluminum block 5.3, mileage ranges from 25,000-49,000. I sold one of my mountain bikes so I shouldn't have any extra money out of pocket. now I just have to get rid of an old rifle I have, and some leftover ar15 carbine parts. but I was planning on getting rid of those anyways.
anyways, i'll post pics up tomorrow of whatever i come home with.

[NateZQ8]

At least you won't have any out of pocket.......love the pics

[denali_on_26's]

Quote: Originally Posted by AmericanMuscle

I'm on my way up to phx tomorrow to look at a few different engines, I should have 4-5 to pick from that are all $500 or lower except for one aluminum block 5.3, mileage ranges from 25,000-49,000. I sold one of my mountain bikes so I shouldn't have any extra money out of pocket. now I just have to get rid of an old rifle I have, and some leftover ar15 carbine parts. but I was planning on getting rid of those anyways.
anyways, i'll post pics up tomorrow of whatever i come home with.

me like, me want one

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by denali_on_26's

me like, me want one

My buddy is putting one togather for me when he gets back from africa(marine corps), I brought him back a rifle from afghanistan. but i have a few extra custom butstocks i aquired that I'm not going to use on my little rifle.

[lilsonoma]

Good to see this thing getting up on it's feet. You will, without a doubt, need more cubic inches to take advantage of that camshaft fully. I think I mentioned this to you already, that the cam is much too big for a 4.8L and is just over what I like to see in a 5.3L. Honestly it's still on the big side for a 6.0L but it would be matched well in a 6.0L inside a lightweight S10. I hope you don't mind a weak 5.3L down low because there will be little power to be had before 3400.

Let me know if I can be of help. I'll check back from time to time.

[AmericanMuscle]

So I went up to phoenix today to help a friend move and look for a 5.3 short/long block and found myself a new engine for Mia.

05 iron block has 25,000 on the clock



dished pistons, it's not a 4.8!!


and all the cylinders look good this time!


had some help with the build today,


but the block doesn't say 5.3 for some reason...


should have all the help i want from now on, the sad part is everyone who wants to help is learning too. so I have a ton of people and no expertise.


also the guy I got the truck from e-mailed me back and offered to help with the expence of getting the new block. I had a great day today!

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by lilsonoma

Good to see this thing getting up on it's feet. You will, without a doubt, need more cubic inches to take advantage of that camshaft fully. I think I mentioned this to you already, that the cam is much too big for a 4.8L and is just over what I like to see in a 5.3L. Honestly it's still on the big side for a 6.0L but it would be matched well in a 6.0L inside a lightweight S10. I hope you don't mind a weak 5.3L down low because there will be little power to be had before 3400.

Let me know if I can be of help. I'll check back from time to time.

I have heard a ton of good things about this cam for the 5.3 cam. i don't mind not having a ton of tq at low rpms because the truck is small, I'm not going to haul more then fits in the bed, and if i'm getting on it the rpms will be above 3,000 rpms.

but check out my last post and you'll be happy with the cams new home

ps, i will be picking your brain now and again here and on performance trucks.

[denali_on_26's]

6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0

Ftw!!!!!!!!!!

[AmericanMuscle]

I also saw this guy on my way home, its an electic s10 running 10.9s....

http://www.currenteliminator.net/S10.htm

[NateZQ8]

OOOOH yeah!!!

This is going to be a totally different beast. Those 243's are going to love the extra displacement.....keeping the port velocity up, plus that cam should still be a decent match for the 6.0, although you REALLLY are going to want Jerad's Long tubes now!! GREAT, just GREAT!

Nater

[Yogi]

Congrats on the 6.0!

Looks like that rust was a blessing in disguise!

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by NateZQ8

OOOOH yeah!!!

This is going to be a totally different beast. Those 243's are going to love the extra displacement.....keeping the port velocity up, plus that cam should still be a decent match for the 6.0, although you REALLLY are going to want Jerad's Long tubes now!! GREAT, just GREAT!

Nater

when someone, anyone comes out with a good set of headers for these i will get them. I talked to another company making some mid lengths and long tubes for this swap, but they are designed for the old body style. I don't think that should matter, but they will be test fitting a few trucks to make sure it fits in with the ac.

Quote:

YogiCongrats on the 6.0!

Looks like that rust was a blessing in disguise!

it sure does, if the previouse owner will help me out with something then I might break even.

[AmericanMuscle]

not too much to update, tore down the 6.0 all the way, and pulled the wiring harness from the 4.8. had some down time at work so i cleaned up the valley cover.



do you guys think I should polish it or leave it brushed? My plan was to polish it, but when I started to clean it up I tried brushing it and liked the look. i'll be doing the timing cover and valve covers too, along with whatever else I get the time to do.

does anyone know the best way to seal raw aluminum?

[NateZQ8]

I have sealed aluminum gun recievers with a high temp clear engine coating ( i think it was duplicolor or something like that. Put it in the oven when the wife wasn't looking and it looked really nice


Nate

[Kampz69]

^ Lol

[NateZQ8]

It worked, they were just 10/22's, but I wanted that "stainless" look and I had a few of the black ones so I got out the paint stripper, the dremel, 3 hours later........"stainless brushed".........and the wife never knew.......!!!!

Nate

[AmericanMuscle]

^LOL^

but really should I leave them brushed or try to polish them? i'll try to hunt down that stuff to clear them.

[NateZQ8]

I liked the brushed........simple, its easier to keep looking nice without polishing them all the time. Unless you are going to smooth the valve covers down all the way..........never saw that on a newer LSx, I bet it would look nice

[AmericanMuscle]

^ should be doing that in the next few days, but i think i'll brush those too.

[Yogi]

Valley cover doesn't matter. The intake covers it up so you can't see it. Nice work though!

[AmericanMuscle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

Valley cover doesn't matter. The intake covers it up so you can't see it. Nice work though!

it was more of a test to see if I liked it.

[AmericanMuscle]

update:
been busy all weekend, but i got a little time to work on Mia.
finally got the cab lifted and the engine and tranny out.


now I have to try and clean all this up


I'm going to redo the notch and engine mounts. I don't like these at all.





cleaned up the timing chain cover, this thing was a whore. but I like how it turned out. and its going to be the hardest one to clean up.


I picked up a set of stripes this weekend


so now after I did all my work and progress i'm going to have me some of this.


tomorrow I'll be pulling the pan on the tranny, cleaning and repainting the new block, and whatever else I get around too. the valve covers should be shaved and brushed this coming week sometime.

[extremetoy]

what did you use to clean that, it turned out awesome