1980 C10 5.3 swap

[Chappo]

Hello all well new to the site, and in the process of building a truck for my wife and me to enjoy when I am home.  The truck is a 1980 C10 that was bought new by her grandmother, and has been a ranch truck all its life mostly left at the ranch in New Mexico or in Hereford,TX.

Well now its in Dallas,TX and is getting a 5.3/4L60 swap.

I will be running a stock block and with a Yank 3000 converter with upgraded internal components as well to handle a whipple which will be installed later once kinks have been worked out. Here are some pics so far.





old 250

gone in 60 minutes

4l60 rebuilt and upgraded

Will be running Cragar Soft 8's 275/50/17 17x9 and 255/50/17 17x8

[bake74]

     Welcome to the site from California, nice project and plans for the truck.  Keep us informed with the progress.

[Chappo]

Thanks,

I have a McGaughy's 2.5/4 drop that I will installing with CPP front and rear sway bars. Hopefully this should handle the added power.

I am thinking about running a set of traction bars but I am worried about clearance, if anyone has a 4'' shackle drop and traction bars please post a pic so I can see clearance.

If none of this works I am gonna just go with Porterbuilt front/rear suspension.

I plan on going to 13'' brakes all around from McGaughy's as well before I go whipple, I do not plan on painting the truck other than replacing all the lights and replacing badly dented/rusted parts.

I have complete new interior ready to go, as well just need to get it engine swap finished and tuned, should be done this Friday.

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland, looks good so far

[Chappo]

well motor and tranny are in, found out that I cannot run my speedo cable so I will either have to swap to VHX Gauges from Dakota Digital or run a speedo conversion like Bowler Transmission has, not too worried right now I can deal with no speedo anyway.



I think I am going to run just 13'' McGaughy's in front and Blackbird's rear setup with powerbooster from POL it should be pretty good setup, if anyone has run this let me know, would like to know input.

http://www.performanceonline.com/1973-87-GMC-Truck-and-Chevy-Truck-Power-Brake-Booster-Kit-19847/

[FlatBlack77]

this is gunna be bad

[Chappo]

Engine bay is basically done, need to hook up radiator, power steering lines and swap out steering column


I used a radiator from 454 it is aluminum with side plastics new for 175.00 that was out the door brand new, it looked to be 4-row which should cool fine even with a/c hooked up.  It gets hot in Dallas with all the concrete.

I have decided to go ahead and run 308 rear gears since this is basically going to be a cruisin truck, I am still not sure on exterior paint, I will definitely go with a vintage air AC/Heat setup due to space. 

Interior is ready to go as well once I get exhaust done.


seat flips down and slides forward, cover is from    and padding is from Classic Parts, it is very very comfortable..

I ordered my suspension from Travis at Pro Performance, and I can't tell you what a pleasure it is dealing with him, he also has a square body and has helped me out alot with deciding wheel and suspension setup.

[mikek20]

Coming along nicely! Good work and keep us updated

[Chappo]

Well been gone at work and not had alot of time to give an update, but so far truck is running suspension is done, except need to add rear sway bar.

13'' McGaughys kit works great , need to install brake booster though, got all parts just needing to sort out some issues with my motor, I have two computers one that is supposed to be for a 6.0 but no efans and on that is for 5.3 that runs fans but gives me surging/high idle so trying to narrow this down.  One issue is that I just got o2 sensors wired up so probably just need to get a good tune done and it should be fine, the truck runs and drives only issues to me are the tune, and the efans are noisy but very work Derale if anyone is interested.
Interior needs a little more work, before I go with Vintage Air install, will post up install one I get to it.

2.5/4 drop

old

new

passenger side

driver side

interior still need rubber floor mats

gauges that I cleaned up and repainted

cragar soft 8's and 13'' brakes, these are 17x8' in front

[ian75c10]

Where did you say that seat cover was from? Love it and need one. Thanks

[Captkaos]

This site you are on sells seat covers.
you can choose the style you want here and email us for pricing: http://acmeauto.us/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4321

[Chappo]

I got it before I knew about this site, which has better pricing and honestly is the same cover. The foam is what makes the seat which cost me about 400 for new bottom and top.

[Chappo]

I thought I would give an update on the truck now.

Tune is sorted out I am fortunate enough to live close by Sam Miller who does LS tuning in DFW area, he got the ECM sorted out in like 15 minutes it was amazing. 

The truck drives amazingly smooth, but lets you know its got something, the LT's and Magnaflows make it sound fantastic, very glad I did not go with Flowmaster. I will try to get a vid up for you guys.

This little truck runs, I ran my buddies 2012 GMC Sierra 5.3 with catback, coldair, and Tuner and whooped him.
 I beat my buddy by two truck lengths but I think its completely in the tranny though I forgot to mention I went with a Circle D Torque Converter and it freaking hauls, jumped on the hwy for the first time and cannot believe how responsive the truck is even with the factory 308 gears.  The truck is so much fun to drive around town

I need to get and would suggest to anyone with a ls swap to have steering stabilizer up front.  I have front sway bar and need to install rear which should help as well.  The ride is pretty good and most of the noise is bed rattle and door noise since I have not had a chance to replace my window channels yet.

I will be sticking with the rear drums as this is going to be a cruising truck, and will even pass on the whipple.

Power plans will be a set of Stg 2.5 5.3 heads from Texas Speed, 220 cam,LS7 lifters and LSXR 102 intake.

After talking with Sam and driving the truck now that will be plenty, especially since my wife will be driving the truck.

If anyone is in the Dallas area and is thinking of going LS but not sure I will be more than happy to take you for a ride and help you out with sorting parts and cheaper routes. 

Sorry I have not given alot of detail and did not post alot of pics, but I will try to keep a better update on future upgrades.

[Captkaos]

I got it before I knew about this site, which has better pricing and honestly is the same cover. The foam is what makes the seat which cost me about 400 for new bottom and top.

We sell seat foam also, but it is as you say expensive.

[Chappo]

Thought I would add some updated pics, and power info for anyone planning on going 5.3.
Got truck on the dyno and made 267 hp and 282 torque to the wheels, which I am very happy with considering this is a bone stock motor, I did decide to go with the TSP 224R cam which will require larger 42 lb Delphi injectors and PAC 1218 springs which should give me 35-45 extra to the wheels.  I also plan on going to 3.73 gears and a posi in the rear as my truck does not have one

At any rate here are some pics enjoy.


Needs carpet and padding but I am happy with it so far.


Strapping her down on the dyno, thanks Exatorque.


And the powerplant

And those are F-Body Camaro headers if anyone is interested