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2003 Blazer X - Build Thread

8070 Views 105 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  SSandfish, 
SSandfish
Well… I figured I should just start a build thread. These updates will go in waves as I move into new phases of the build
process. I am on the computer all day for my job and I don't spend a lot of time online for these types of updates. I am doing all of the downstream work in preparation for the engine swap. I am building this the right way from the start.

Thanks,
Tim

The Ride: 2003 Blazer X. Purchased in April 2019 w/57k miles. Original owner, California car with absolutely ZERO rust
issues or modifications. All maintenance records since new. Dealer maintained (for what that is worth). I searched for
one for a while and this was my final choice. It is in beautiful shape!

The Plans: Turn this into a 530hp LS3 powered brute that I can drive anywhere I want with no worries. Car shows, drag
races, autocross, liquor store, etc. Whatever…

Summary: This is my hotrod project. Some people dump a ton of $ into a classic ride, but this is my money pit. Yes, I
will have WAY more into it than it will be worth, but I don’t care and there are no plans on selling this. Before my mom
passed, I told her that if she left me any money that I was just going to blow it on a car. Well… This is my build, but she
helped me to make it happen. Thanks mom!

Work to Date. I have done 100% of this myself (with some friends for the heavy stuff!). It is SO nice to work with all new
parts on a car that is very clean! No rust, no frozen bolts, etc.

FRONT SUSPENSION: Installed 8/2019
  • Belltech 2102 Drop Spindles
  • Belltech Street Performance Shocks
  • Spohn Performance Upper and Lower Tubular Control Arms and adjustable sway bar end links.
  • All other parts: Ball joints (extended), tie rids and sleeves, sway bar bushings, etc.

REAR SUSPENSION: Installed 8/2019
  • Belltech Street Performance Shocks
  • 3" Welded steel lowering blocks w/pinion correction.
  • Caltracs 3801 Low-Profile Traction Control set (not currently installed – only the mounts). Will install bars once it the engine is in and I actually need traction.
  • Leaf springs re-arched and trued. Caltrac bushing installed.

REAR-END ASSEMBLY: Installed 4/2021
  • Quick Performance Ford 9” Assy – Good for ~700hp
  • 1/4” heavy wall axle tubes.
  • Billet housing ends
  • Drain and fill plugs added. Jack pad installed.
  • Boxed/welded perches
  • 31 Spline Eaton True-Track
  • 3:50 gears
  • Yukon Pro N Case, Daytona Pinion Support, 1350 Billet Yoke

FRONT BRAKES: Installed 4/2021
  • KORE3 Blazer Big Brake Kit
  • Corvette C6 Calipers
  • Power Stop 340mm (13.4”) Drilled/Slotted Rotors
  • FlexKORE Braided Brake Lines (hard line to caliper)
  • All Conversion Brackets, etc.

REAR BRAKES: Installed 4/2021
  • Wilwood 140-7140 Big Brake Kit – Ford – w/Parking Brake
  • Wilwood 4 Piston Dynalite Calipers
  • 310mm (12.2”) Rotors
  • Drum Style Parking Brakes – (they even hooked to factory cables!)

MASTER CYLINDER: Installed 4/2021
  • Wilwood Compact Tandem MC
  • I have the separate proportioning valve, but no room to install due to ABS unit. Will investigate it later.

TIRES/WHEELS – Installed 8/2019
  • Vision Torque Wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 Tires
  • FRONT: 18x8.5 w/-6 offset. 245/45/18 Tires
  • REAR: 20 x 9.5 w/ 0 offset. 295/40/20 tires
    • Previously -18 x 9.5 w/ 0 offset. 275/40/18 tires

AUDIO SYSTEM: Installed 7/2019
  • Pioneer Double-Din DVD Unit
  • Infinity 6.5" Components up front and 6x9’s in rear.
  • Eclipse 5-Channel Amp
  • Rockford P2 12” Sub

ENGINE: PENDING – BLUEPRINT ENGINES – 530HP LS3
- This will be as follows: https://blueprintengines.com/products/376ci-crate-engine-gm-ls3-style-aluminum-
heads-roller-cam-6-2l-psls3760ctf

TRANSMISSION: PENDING – NOT DECIDED
- Will still stay with an automatic, but not sure which model or builder yet.
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SSandfish
3
Thanks! I know... I have a ton of pics, but nothing focused on the dings. The examples below are common for the bigger dings that I had. Had an ugly one on the passenger door and a small crease below the mirror that I wish I had a clear shot of. But... I should just ask the guys at the PDR shop for the "before" photos.

Fender, door and tailgate examples - Before. There are several on the door that are harder to see due to light. (after example above):
Wheel Tire Car Land vehicle Vehicle


Automotive parking light Automotive tail & brake light Car Vehicle Grille


Tailgate - after.
Automotive tire Hood Motor vehicle Road surface Asphalt
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SSandfish
Mostizzle said:
Nice ride. I'd switch those blocks out for some solid billet or cast iron blocks.
Click to expand...

Fixed! (y)

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle
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SSandfish
Hey all... Quick update. Making good progress on gathering swap parts, but still have several months to go before I can really dig into it. Due to the engine lead time, I am guessing that this will be built over next winter.

Progress to date.

Big $ items remaining
  • Holley high mount kit
  • Transmission - Gathering a bunch of Sonnax HP parts and having Precision Transmission in Amarillo, TX build me a trans. Will be 4L60/65/70 variant. Still working on details. Check Precision Transmission YouTube channel. These guys are solid!
  • Exhaust - this is still undecided. Have plenty of time to figure it out.

Progress is good, but expensive!

Tim
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Lonnie P
Plan on replacing the fans you got with the radiator, they are junk.
Mine would not stay cool at idle, but was fine on the road.
Those fans don't do much.

Still a good deal on a radiator & shroud.

I cut the holes larger & used 2 of these Spal fans.
SPAL Automotive USA IX-30102029 Spal Electric Fans | Summit Racing
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SSandfish
Lonnie P said:
Plan on replacing the fans you got with the radiator, they are junk.
Mine would not stay cool at idle, but was fine on the road.
Those fans don't do much.

Still a good deal on a radiator & shroud.

I cut the holes larger & used 2 of these Spal fans.
SPAL Automotive USA IX-30102029 Spal Electric Fans | Summit Racing
Click to expand...
(y) Thanks Lonnie. Always good to hear of first hand experience. Guess I am not surprised. It is always something!
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Lonnie P
The supplied fans are almost dead silent, primarily because they move no air.
The truck would idle at 200+ deg (even with the hood open) & not cool off unless you drove it.

I run the bigger fans in a series/parallel arrangement & they typically only need to run in the series-low speed configuration.
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manbearpig
Just use a PWM controller, this is the 21st century after all.
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Lonnie P
Why do that when the factory PCM can do series/parallel for no cost other than a few relays?
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manbearpig
Better control of temps. Does that really need to be spelled out? There's a reason why they use them in OEM applications.
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nfamus10
I just snagged a much more beatup version of the same ride. Wow. Gonna be amazing with the LS3. Trying to talk wicked mayhem into coming back. He has some beautiful rides and is a great resource.
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SSandfish
8
Lookee what the trucker man done brung me today... :D Was not expecting it until July. I even got an email on Monday showing a 7/14 ship date. Then, I got a tracking number on Tuesday - go figure! Will still be at least 6 months before the tear down starts. I still have another $6-7k to spend on the Holley high mount set and a transmission. This is gonna be killing me looking at this every day. Kinda impatient.

Spec'd at 530/495, Dyno'd at 545/513 🤪
Blue Wood Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Automotive tire Wood Tread Tire Hardwood
Automotive tire Hood Tread Motor vehicle Bumper

Automotive tire Automotive lighting Hood Grille Tire

Rectangle Slope Font Plot Parallel

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Rhotpursuit
I'd be glad to break it in for you....
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  • Haha
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oldeerslayer
Is it going to hurt you on the warranty period if it sits in the crate 6 months? I'd give them a call and explain it came too soon. Let them know you aren't complaining since early arrival is rare, but don't want to eat up part of your warranty since you planned everything around their projected delivery date.
Now just hope Holey doesn't burn you and deliver their stuff a year and a half from now. Some guys waited that long for their swap exhaust manifolds.
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SSandfish
oldeerslayer said:
Is it going to hurt you on the warranty period if it sits in the crate 6 months? I'd give them a call and explain it came too soon. Let them know you aren't complaining since early arrival is rare, but don't want to eat up part of your warranty since you planned everything around their projected delivery date.
Now just hope Holey doesn't burn you and deliver their stuff a year and a half from now. Some guys waited that long for their swap exhaust manifolds.
Click to expand...
Good call and agreed! They were very cool when I was originally talking to them. I am sure they deal with this quite a bit. They sell a LOT of engines. I will order the Holley parts next month and see how we are looking. I have to pay the engine off before I can get into the trans. 😆
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BTE
Awesome project! That engine might have been pricey, but it'll be worth it!
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Gen210
manbearpig said:
Just use a PWM controller, this is the 21st century after all.
Click to expand...
110%
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tytotheler92
Beautiful Blazer!
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SSandfish
2
Thanks all. One of the latest.
Wheel Tire Vehicle Car Automotive tire

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goes2fast
SSandfish said:
Good call and agreed! They were very cool when I was originally talking to them. I am sure they deal with this quite a bit. They sell a LOT of engines. I will order the Holley parts next month and see how we are looking. I have to pay the engine off before I can get into the trans. 😆
Click to expand...
I have all my Holly parts waiting except for the headers and exhaust system. I ordered a year and a half ago and the current projected ship date is just short of 2 years from the original order date. They have changed the expected ship date so many times that I don't get excited anymore because I know it will change again. :rolleyes:
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Rhotpursuit
goes2fast said:
I have all my Holly parts waiting except for the headers and exhaust system. I ordered a year and a half ago and the current projected ship date is just short of 2 years from the original order date. They have changed the expected ship date so many times that I don't get excited anymore because I know it will change again. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
As a retired guy with lots of time on your hands, I'd make them my new hobby.
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