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1982 GMC S15 lsx swap

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Old 11-13-2014, 08:50 AM
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Default 1982 GMC S15 lsx swap

The story:
1982 GMC S15 with 254k on it, father in law bought it new in 82. Gave it to my wife when she was in college. She drove it for a while and gave it back. Last fall they junked it because it blew a head gasket(they think). And we thought it's a perfect candidate for an lsx swap.

i've got a junker lsx motor, 4l80e, going to retain AC, power steering and all the usual stuff for swap.

some pics:

when we brought it home




Interior isn't bad


Dash looks awesome lol


something bad has happen here


v6 coming out


Wanted to start getting an idea how things would go quickly discovered the h3 pan is required.


quick video babbling about the truck:



Put in a big order of stuff this morning(headers, h3 pan, walbro 255, fuel lines/fittings, rad, trans cooler), h3 pan is going to take a few weeks so I'll probably drop the tank and work on the fuel system. Also start ripping apart the dash.

Need to figure out if I can get a later 1980s brake booster for this thing, because the brakes are horrible.

more pics and videos to come, feel free to offer any advice because this is my first swap and I'm sure to screw up a few things.
Old 11-13-2014, 09:30 AM
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Awesome!! What motor you go put in it ? 5.7 ?
Old 12-31-2014, 06:41 AM
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looks like i need to notch the heater box, not exactly excited about that..
didn't realize that was required the the CPW mounts.


clearance for the steering shaft seems very tight






notched the frame for the AC compressor.
I'll fiddle with the motor mounts a little more see if i can gain the 1/4-1/2 inch that I need before notching the AC box.
Old 04-10-2015, 03:30 PM
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Making progress

Motor and trans in, going cut a little more to get the rad/fans forward a little. Making progress!



Old 04-13-2015, 09:36 AM
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Did you get those headers to clear the steering shaft? If not, did you try the '87-'91 F150 steering shaft, or the '84-'95 Cherokee steering shaft, or reworking a '90s Astro steering shaft, or what?
Old 04-13-2015, 02:31 PM
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Extremely close. I'll get a pic later on for you

Once I get it fired up ill see if it hits or not.

Honestly wish I would have went with manifolds
Old 04-13-2015, 03:24 PM
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I have the '98-'99 Z28 manifolds that are supposed to be the best fit, there's no getting the left side in with my stock '87 steering shaft.
Old 06-02-2015, 06:06 AM
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Updates:

Transmission mount:
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Painted the trans mount and worlds most ridiculous battery holder:
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Battery in place and you can kind of see the final position for rad, fans and trans cooler
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Harness for the ls1/4l80e is hooked up except the crank sensor, need to pull the starter off to plug it in. Did you guys run it between the header tubes or run it around behind the engine.
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Trans cooler peeking through
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Started pulling the dash apart so I can can figure out power sources for key on and Start working on the gauges. Also need to toss in a new heater core.

Gas tank is in place with fuel pump, sending unit and filter. Need to run the main line up to the motor.

Need to pull the trans pan back off and weld in the bung for the trans temp gauge.

Then i should be able to attempt to fire this pig up. Getting close.
Old 06-02-2015, 08:29 AM
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IIRC in my swap I kept the crank sensor routing like stock, drops down the driver side of the engine, under the front edge of the oil pan and along the pass side under the motor mount with the stuff heading to the starter.
Old 06-02-2015, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by truckdoug
IIRC in my swap I kept the crank sensor routing like stock, drops down the driver side of the engine, under the front edge of the oil pan and along the pass side under the motor mount with the stuff heading to the starter.
Not enough slack in this harness to do that unfortunately, i'll get some wrap or something for the wires so I don't melt them.
Old 07-15-2015, 01:21 PM
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IT RUNS -




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