themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

I think I'm far enough to start a swap thread. I've got a 2000 Isuzu Hombre (like an S10) with a 2.2L and 5 speed that burns oil like mad and a 2000 LS1/A4 B4C that was kind of the third wheel. With two Camaros and a beat up truck, I thought the best way to simplify without losing too much value in the process was to sell the B4C as a shell and use the drivetrain in the truck. Of course that's not the most economical path, but I'm not here to be a financial consultant.

Here's the pair of Camaros, the victim is the one on the left.



Last weekend, I went to Houston to murder my B4C. My niece and nephews helped my brother and I.



We packed up all the go-fast stuff to take back to MS in my in-law's truck. The car was left in the parents' driveway, a guy is coming to buy the shell for his own purposes.



Here's the recipient in various stages






So far I've done a Camaro brake swap, put Viking coil-overs on the front, moved the battery to the back under the bed, deleted ABS, installed tubular A-arms and gathered parts. I think I've got everything but the oil pan and a couple other small items. I'm hoping to have this done by the Hot Rod Power Tour in June, but that's not a solid date. I'll keep this updated as best I can!

76larkman

I know the wiring in the truck is not on same scemeatic as s10. I bought a truck (isuzu) that was revved high enough clutch grenated. it broke block & bellhousing on top in back. burnt the wiring so got s10 harness put on there. nothing worked, it turned into a mess. bought correct wiring everything went ok.

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Interesting, that could create some issues. I got a stand alone harness from BP Automotive, and I believe we were working on the understanding that most of the wiring WAS the same. I haven't tested the harness, I'm sure they did... I'll watch out for that. I'm not using the stock gauges, I made a cluster. Even so...

Here are some teaser pics since I bumped this thread. I'm using a FAST 102 LSXRT, really hoping to avoid a cowl but it's so big!

10droped

iTrader: (1)

I like the gauge cluster. And wish you luck hope you get it done by June. I'll be doing the first 3 stops of the power tour.

JosephIV

iTrader: (14)

That shade of green is nice IMO and the Torq Thrust style wheels look good. The front bumper on that thing is killing the looks. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the grille surround were body color but that bumper really screws up an otherwise decent looking truck.

The gauge layout does look good.

76larkman

if truck side of wiring is a problem they rewire easy. dash comes out easy, just drop steering column to floor and dash comes out pretty much complete. bout 1/2 hour but should be able to tie into it tho

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Guys, I haven't forgotten about this project. I did the Hot Rod Power Tour, which certainly helped with the motivation! When I got back, I did a cam swap on the motor. No more LS6 cam for me! New cam is an EPS grind, 210/215 .561/.557 115+4. Don't judge me, LOL! I was going for ultimate streetability with focus on low end and a relatively stealth sound. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

I've scheduled August 5-21 for the swap. I've got all the parts, I'll be out of school and a friend will be back on shore to help.

As a side note, almost every dang car in south MS has a "personalized" license plate. I don't know why, most of the plates are on old Volvos and new SUVs saying something stupid like BJQUEEN or whatever... but it made me think, and I've got a few ideas.

LSOMBRE
PSTLERO
EL NINO
RAPIDO
57OMBRE

In the meantime, attached are some pictures of miscellaneous stuff. No one sells an Hombre hood with a cowl, and I'm worried about the big FAST breadbox. In case the intake doesn't clear my new hood, I got a small cowl to help. Also, I made a little collage out of the stickers and route for the HRPT, because I don't have enough Hondas to put them all on.

So stay tuned for August 5-21, I hope to hit this thing hard and fast!

P.S. I got a double din bezel and new Pioneer stereo for it. Not really helpful for the swap, but thought I'd mention it.

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Dang, I forgot to mention just about every single thing I've done to the motor! I've installed an Improved Performance crank scraper, GMPP Hot Rod swap pan kit (pickup tube, windage tray, truck oil pan), new LS6 valley cover (new design), alternator relocation to the top left, new AC compressor (for mock up), eliminated the oil fill neck for just a cap, played a little with the coolant crossover tube on the rear and added sensor adapters for the aftermarket oil pressure and water temp gauges. Little stuff, but there you go... Phew!

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Monday was my last final, so yesterday after work we started D&R. We started around 3:30P and I remember telling one of my helpers it would be nice if we could get the motor out tonight. He's played with these things before though, and he said "You mean when?" Love the confidence!

So sure enough, by 7P, we had the bed off, the front end off and the motor out. We even managed to push it out of the shop to pressure wash the engine bay and get the truck pushed back in! Everything went smoothly, but the motor wouldn't come out without the mounts disconnected from the frame. That sucked, because the bolts for the driver side mount were in the cup... not a lot of clearance. A little lifting and prying and it was out with the motor. Actually much easier than an F'body, go figure. I like how the connection to the cab wiring was on the fender rather than in the cab like an f body.

So we have a rough list of things to take care of before throwing the new motor in. It includes wiring up the cluster, redoing all the power/ground wires, making -6AN fuel lines for sending and return, painting the frame, notching for the AC compressor, etc... see the "green board", lol

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

We've been working on it every day, but there are a ton of things to do. So far, we've...

mocked the motor and trans in place with no exhaust
notched the crossmember to clear the oil pan
notched the frame for the AC compressor
modified the stock T5 crossmember for the T56
painted the frame (bed liner, why not?)
installed an AEM 320 fuel pump
reran power and ground wires for the battery relocation and LS motor

It's slowed down, but we're still trying to keep it going.

I do need help though. I'm making a hot wire harness for the fuel pump, but the connections at the pigtail still have the tiny factory pins. I'd like to depin and repin it with 14 gauge wire, but I can't find the pins for sale anywhere. Does anyone know what kind of pins they are, and where I can get some?

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Still working on it everyday after work... slow and steady. We've marked off a few more items:

Replaced the steering rag joint with a flaming river u-joint
Re-notched the frame for the AC compressor (tight fit in the first mock up)
Notched the frame for the oil pan quite a bit
Installed the slave cylinder with some adapters for a remote bleed and -3AN hydraulic line
Cut an opening for the shifter
Worked on some fuel lines
Finished the fuel pump hot wire harness

The stock shifter is about 6-7 inches forward of where our T56 shifter is. Opening up the hole isn't a problem, but I'm worried about the shifter touching the seat. I've got a cup holder that I'll lose, but that's a good bit further back. I'm looking into a Camaro seat swap to cover that.

DavidBoren

I agree with everything you are doing here. Keep it up.

I love seeing another V8 mini-truck being built.

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Thanks, man. I'm not keeping track, but it seems I keep losing weight. Cutting weight out of crossmembers, seat (switched to firebird seats), etc. It just seems like I keep making this small truck smaller!

I took somewhat of a break the last couple days... finished the fuel lines, replaced the seats with 93-95 firebird seats, worked on some auxiliary pieces and promised myself tomorrow I'll put the motor and trans back in. We're pondering how these stainless works long tubes would best be installed... we're planning to throw the motor and trans in with the headers sitting on the frame. Pics to come monday!

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Sunday we put the motor in its final resting place. We weren't sure how to attack the headers, and after getting it all in place, I'm still not really sure. The Stainless Works 1 7/8" headers (AKA Current Performance) SUCKED! I beat the floor, notched the bell housing on both sides, ground on the frame, removed the upper A-arms (tubular), removed the PS pump, removed the oil filter, removed a motor mount, removed the exhaust studs, removed the spark plugs, removed the penguins, removed the yadayadayada... seemed like the whole world had to come out to get these in! But it's all in place now.

I also finished the Firebird seats and knocked out some more little things, now it's time to install.

North*power

iTrader: (1)

Nice build! Glad to see another S10/Hombre LSX conversion! I'm still gathering parts, getting a sick stroked LS3, T56 and 8.8 built for mine. I'll start tearing into mine once I have all my parts in September. What are you going to do for your fuel and power steering?

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Another? Tha hail? Someone else is putting an LSX in an Isuzu Hombre?!? Well, dibs on LSOMBRE Good Luck, it's not easy!

For fuel, I put an AEM 320 in the bucket and made a hotwire kit with 14 gauge wire and a 30A relay (20A fuse). There's plenty of room in there, so it was a breeze. I am running the C5 corvette fuel filter and regulator combo with -6AN lines for feed and return. At the rail, I'm feeding both rails at the back with -8AN, no crossover.

For the PS, haven't got that far yet, lol. I have the F-body PS pump and pulley and a Dirty Dingo bracket for the stock location. If that won't work, I'm thinking of converting to electric PS because the last thing I want to do is throw that ugly swap bracket on there for $250... watch, I'll have to eat my words. I also threw in the Flaming River U-joint to replace the rag joint.

Here are a few pics, just little progress. Next up would be bolting up the AC compressor, starter, intake, harness, then tons of wiring for the new cluster. Also, had to correct the firewall sticker.

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Yesterday was a generally shitty day. The totally awesome frame notch for the AC compressor doesn't fit the AC compressor, the power steering lines for the Hombre and the Camaro are just barely too long so we have to get a custom line made, and I discovered the driver side header is pointed right at my trans crossmember with very little distance between the two. To get my mind off those issues for a little while, I connected the clutch hydraulics, test fit the intake manifold and did some plumbing. Unfortunately, it appears the Hombre is just different enough from an S10 that I'll need a cowl hood. That wasn't entirely unexpected. What was unexpected was by just how much I would need one! And no one makes a cowl hood for a 2000 Hombre!



I've got enough to keep me occupied for a while...

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

I think we've got it turned around. We had a local speed shop fabricate a power steering line, so that's taken care of. We also took to the transmission crossmember and got it to clear the Driver's side header exit. We also wrapped and tucked the new power and ground wires to protect them from the headers. The starter is installed, the intake is installed, the harness is partially installed and we got the throttle cable installed. Oh yeah, and check out the sweet custom brackets a local machine shop made me for my fuel setup! 102 LSXRT, FAST rails and LS1 style injectors, done! Our to-do list is shrinking, but unfortunately I missed the deadline to finish before school started again I'm hoping to start it for the first time next weekend.

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Oh, and Firebird seats.

DavidBoren

Bitchin', brother. It's coming together nicely.