Actually, yes, that's exactly what it was. We are still trying to get all the wiring straightened out, but the car runs now and can finally move under its own power. Sounds pretty good too!

It's still throwing a few codes, but my wiring guy says it's all simple stuff (and wiring related). I also have a leak at the trans pan, and a little leak at the waterneck. But all in all, pretty simple things to fix before it can actually take to the road. Expect some pics and a more detailed report soon.

And keep me updated on your Impala build. Whatever problems you run into....I probably already encountered on mine

 

Super Dave,

I noticed that going from your first motor (Vortec 5.3L with truck/SUV front drive accessories) to your LS2 (passenger car front drive accessories), the alternator is now low on drivers side (as opposed to high). Assume it fit in the 65 OK.

Also, unless I missed it, I was surprised not to see an AC compressor on the original 5.3L you dropped in. Is it even possible to get a 2002 Yukon without air? (Could a strange (rigged) belt arrangement been causing the strange squealing noise?) Assume the LS2 you got has an AC compressor low on passenger side. Did it clear crossmember and frame?

I also saw the picture of the turn signal mod you engineered. Very nice! Was your 65 an original console shift car? I'm starting with column shift powergluide car. (Two forward notches: D and L, whether I need all of them or not, haha).

Finally, did you have any issues between the throttle body and the top discharge truck water pump when you did the LS1 intake swap. I saw a picture with the new manifold. Obviously you made it work somehow.

Thanks!

 

The alternator was always on the driver's side. I never had the front of the car put together to see if the hood would close with the truck alternator bracket, but I would be VERY surprised if the hood closed. I also raised my motor quite a bit, so there was absolutely no chance of that happening. I ended up buying relocation brackets from Dirty Dingo which lowered the alternator and also allowed me to attach the truck power steering pump to it. Their brackets bring the alternator down 1/2" below an LS1 manifold, so it's plenty low enough. Their price, however, was not low. I think I paid $275 or something.

Both my 5.3 and the LS2 came with A/C compressors, which were mounted to the bottom passenger side of the block. The A/C system that was in the car was in pieces when I bought it, and I wasn't about to spend the money to repair it. I simply removed the compressors and the brackets, and opted not to put A/C in the car. It is probably possible to mount the compressor in the stock location in your case, but since I raised my engine my measurements really won't do you any good. I know that the alternator on the LS2 is very low, and there is a little notched section in the Impala frame right where it sits. Right now there is about 1/4" between the alternator and the frame, and if I hadn't raised my engine, it wouldn't have fit. As far as the squealing noise, it couldn't be compressor related because it was removed entirely before I even put the 5.3 in the car.

Mine is an SS, so it was console shift....not that it matters because I sold the console and intend to make my own. I am using a B&M shifter to shift the 4L60e. If you plan on running a 4 speed auto (or any trans besides a PG for that matter) I guess you'll need to ditch the column shift...unless you get really creative.

The truck water pump WILL get in the way of the TB with an LS1 intake. To remedy this, I took a grinder to the little arm on the side of the TB (the part that the cable nests into) to get rid of as much material as I could (you will see where this needs to be ground down as soon as you try to put the intake on the engine). Then, to make a little more room, I took a ball peen hammer to the pipe on the water pump, and made a dent right where the TB arm touched. It was still close, but everything cleared. Lots of guys do it this way, so it's all good. The only other option I know of is swapping out all the accessories and brackets, and that is a whooooooole lot more expensive than some grinding and a few taps with the hammer.

 

Dave, thank you for the details. Hope to be shoehorning a 6.X liter LXX oil pan in a gen1 early B-body this spring. Have a '78 CB750 in the shop that is late on rent evicted (finished).

I'll be reading. You're a great fabricator.

 

Why thank you! I'm happy to help any way I can. Can't wait to see your build

 

A few pics of my '65. (hopefully not showing up 4 times)

What are the odds, my 49 year project being done 1st to watch and learn?

 

WOW! I wish mine looked that nice. It looks brand new! That thing is going to be so awesome with an LS in it. I'll be proud to be in the same club as you

 

Read this entire thread,Was good research and also a good build to reference off of.Just finished building a 65 impala ss With a 5.3 and 4l60e "More like rebuilding"And seeing the work you put in to your car gave me ideas for the next imp i work on which should be soon.
Did you ever get the Fan temps down?I usually run 200 on and 190 off.And set the computer to turn on both fans at the same temp even thou i only run one.one question??Why not run a stand alone Harness?Ive used the stock harness before and found it cheaper and less stress to run a stand alone for my setups in the past.
Also make sure you turn off all your Emissions settings in the computer when you have it tuned.
Keep up the good work will follow this thread for sure

 

That car looks awesome....you built that?? Is your rear bumper painted as well? And if so, can I see a pic?

As for fan temps, I still have not gotten that far. The car is wired enough to move it in and out of the garage, but it has a ways to go before the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, fan, and interior accessories are finished.

The reason I chose not to do a standalone harness...I got the stock harness with the LS2 It works perfectly fine and I don't need to spend more money on another one. An LS2 is drive by wire, not drive by cable like most 5.3s, and there are two very rare and expensive pigtails in my setup (one going to the GTO gas pedal, and another plugging into the ECM. For slightly more money than the cost of the pigtails, I was able to get the ENTIRE dash harness (pigtails inlcluded), which powers everything in the car, from headlights, fans, radio and everything in the dash, windows, tail lights and brake lights. All of this on its own fuse boxes...and nothing has to run on the old wiring or fuse box from 1965. Installing the engine harness took exactly zero work (already on the engine when I bought it). Installing the dash/underhood harness was just a matter of pulling out some unnecessary wires, and then routing it through the car. Everything already lines up right where it's supposed to.

I already sent out the computer to PCM Performance to eliminate the emissions, VATS, and various other things. It has also been retuned for performance, roughly a 30hp bump.

 

Well....wiring guy still dragging his feet. Busy guy, what can I say. Since the car is just sitting, I took the time to address some leaks at the vent windows. You hotrodders are gonna hate me for it, but I just sealed them up. The weatherstripping is all brand new, and water just pours in....so, 3M Windo-Weld. I wasn't going to use the vent windows anyway, since the camera pods are in the way. Now they won't leak....sorry hotrodders.

Also, while the car is sitting, I might as well throw this stuff in:



Not much else to report, unfortunately. I have been really busy over the holidays and I am really trying to get my next book finished too. Hopefully the car will be on the road in a few weeks though.

 

Get a Dakota Digital Fan controller............They are awsum!!!

 

I'll take a look at them!

 

I'm beginning my impala 5.3 journey and this thread is super helpful! Nice ride man!

Hope to get the engine (going with a Lm7) the next two weeks, ls1 cam already installed, tuned computer(vats cleared) so it seems like a decent engine. Def going to get those headers you posted, those are sweet!


Btw did you use traditional air bags or shock waves?

 

Here's a pic

 

Oh man, that thing is niiiiiice. If you run into any issues let me know. I can probably help.

Airbags are just a cheap setup from ebay. Compressors are Viair. I forget the brand of the bags, but when I researched his kit, I looked them up and they seemed decent. Not AirRide or anything, but within my budget.

This is a link to the setup I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-1970-Impala-Air-bag-Suspension-Kit-/161135590470?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25846dfc46&vxp=mtr
I have just about had it waiting on this guy to finish my wiring. I am going to try to get him to figure out the blinker controls and brake lights, and then I am just going to try to finish the rest myself. I'm so sick of waiting on someone else. Just gonna have to learn how to do it on my own.

 

I'm excited to see you get this wired and ready to roll! I'll be watching for sure!

-Nick

 

Thanks!

That air ride setup is nice and personally you don't always need the top name brand stuff, you mostly pay for the name. I run firestone bags/compressors, work pretty well.

I'm thinking I should start a thread on mine but hesitant since I am pretty new and don't want to sound like a complete idiot or bring no value to the forum, lol.

Rolling her today, gotta find some tires for the front and that begs a question of you....what size tire are you running? I'm swapping the front 18's out for 20's (20x7) and am concerned with the 245/35R20 being too wide on that rim. From the looks of the 235/35R18 on the car now the 245 may rub in a 20". However I am struggling to find a 235/35R20 that is 95load rated so I feel forced into the 245


-Jacob

 

And I am excited to see yours progress as well! I am subscribed to your thread and have been thinking of posting on there for you to GET MOVING so I can see more pics!

Ha! Being inexperienced is no to reason not to post your progress. When I started this thread, the only real work I had done on a car was build an engine and a little cosmetic stuff. I have helped on lots of projects others have done, but I NEVER did a frame up restoration. I learned SO much doing this car, as evidenced by the build thread. Don't be scuuuured to start a thread of your own. We're all fairly nice, and interested....and pretty much all of us are willing to help.

As for tire size, I am running 20s in front and rear. I don't know my tire size off hand, but when I go over to my buddy's house where the car is, I will write it down for you. I don't have any issues with anything rubbing, even with the car down pretty low. My ride height will have the front tire covered by the fender, with the rim juuuuuust starting to show right under it.

 

Oh, and I guess in addition to some "cosmetic" experience, I also painted these flames on a friend's Chevelle. No experience at all before it...I just jumped in and did it. It's the only way to learn.

 

I'm not big into flames but those look awesome on that chevelle.