66 GMC c10 build
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
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66 GMC c10 build Plan on swapping a 5.3 and a 4l60 into this 66 long bed. Been sitting for about 20years. Blown up 305 v6.
Would like to keep the swap under 2k. So far I have a line on a few things,
Running engine, complete uncut wiring, Ecu, and accessories except starter :$400
Reputable local shop to do the harness, and flash computer, and delete vats and secondary 02 sensors :$400
So I still need to figure out fuel system, think Walbro inline, with corvette filter.
Also need to figure out throttle able once it's installed, and shift cable.
Will also need a drive shaft.
Also need to find a used 4l60. Cheap. I can rebuild if worst case senario to keep costs low.
Will build my own motor mounts, using the factory engine mounts. Trans mount should be simple.
Radiator will be another issue to resolve. I'm sure the one in the truck is junk.
Need to get a small trans cooler. May have one laying around at work.
Tried searching for other 60-66 trucks Ls swapped, not many documented well. Lots of 67- late model c10's. Not sure how much the frames differ. Will be exciting. Hopefully get it done and driving within a weeks time when I start. Not sure how much time I'll have at the shop. So it will be priority when it gets going.
Would like to keep the swap under 2k. So far I have a line on a few things,
Running engine, complete uncut wiring, Ecu, and accessories except starter :$400
Reputable local shop to do the harness, and flash computer, and delete vats and secondary 02 sensors :$400
So I still need to figure out fuel system, think Walbro inline, with corvette filter.
Also need to figure out throttle able once it's installed, and shift cable.
Will also need a drive shaft.
Also need to find a used 4l60. Cheap. I can rebuild if worst case senario to keep costs low.
Will build my own motor mounts, using the factory engine mounts. Trans mount should be simple.
Radiator will be another issue to resolve. I'm sure the one in the truck is junk.
Need to get a small trans cooler. May have one laying around at work.
Tried searching for other 60-66 trucks Ls swapped, not many documented well. Lots of 67- late model c10's. Not sure how much the frames differ. Will be exciting. Hopefully get it done and driving within a weeks time when I start. Not sure how much time I'll have at the shop. So it will be priority when it gets going.
i daily a swapped '66 chevy lwb. very similar to your planned build. I did a return fuel system with a spectra tank for a '69 camaro under the bed. I used fragola -6 AN fittings and a bosch pump.
Cheap ebay block adapters and stock v8 frame stands and motor mounts it sits about 1" off the firewall. Pacesetter longtubes for a trailblazer SS fit with trimming the frame rails about 1/4 " on the drivers side.
I would really consider a 4l80e. It's my biggest regret-not going to an 80e when I first did the swap. I'm on my second 4l60e in 3 years. I don't think I'm exceptionally hard on them either. No drag strip trips or sticky tires.
If you have questions, hit me up.
Cheap ebay block adapters and stock v8 frame stands and motor mounts it sits about 1" off the firewall. Pacesetter longtubes for a trailblazer SS fit with trimming the frame rails about 1/4 " on the drivers side.
I would really consider a 4l80e. It's my biggest regret-not going to an 80e when I first did the swap. I'm on my second 4l60e in 3 years. I don't think I'm exceptionally hard on them either. No drag strip trips or sticky tires.
If you have questions, hit me up.
If you really want to cheap out,grab a TH350 or TH400,unless you are planning on doing a lot of highway cruising just skip the O/D and the expense of rebuilding a fragile 4L60E. For a cheap fuel system,grab the rear monted tank and sender assy from a mid-2000ish S10 Blazer,pretty easy to re-purpose the lines and fittings. Ebay aluminum radiator or grab a used one from the local oval track guys,nothing wrong with truck intake,front accessories and exhaust manifolds.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
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Anyways, called Jim @ jimsperformance. He is going to do my harness with a small fuse lock/relay center. Seems like a damn nice guy over the phone! Had a buddy refer him. So he's @ 300 for the stand alone harness, and $200 for the computer mods.
Finding a 2wd trans is hard!! Found a 4l60 at a local j/y w/ 175k for $900.
The other j/y has a 4l60 with 160k for $500, and a 4l80 with 680k miles. Yes 680,000 miles. Out of a deliver box van. They say it's been replaced, but not sure when, they go off the odometer.
I think I'm going to get the 80E. new filter and clean fluid and run it. I can rebuild it if needed, but I'm bone stock 5.3. I even plan on running a factory air box, with a factory coolant tank out of an 02 Tahoe.
This weekend does not look promising for going to get the truck, and the engine. Hopefully, but probably not till next weekend.
Finding a 2wd trans is hard!! Found a 4l60 at a local j/y w/ 175k for $900.
The other j/y has a 4l60 with 160k for $500, and a 4l80 with 680k miles. Yes 680,000 miles. Out of a deliver box van. They say it's been replaced, but not sure when, they go off the odometer.
I think I'm going to get the 80E. new filter and clean fluid and run it. I can rebuild it if needed, but I'm bone stock 5.3. I even plan on running a factory air box, with a factory coolant tank out of an 02 Tahoe.
This weekend does not look promising for going to get the truck, and the engine. Hopefully, but probably not till next weekend.
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A big chunk of my swap was spent on fuel and trans cooler lines. if you can make the OEM connectors work you'd be many bucks ahead. I also swapped the tank out of the cab. I just couldn't see a way to vent it properly which is a must.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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I'd like to use a rad out of a k body, but have to get the 65 first and take some measurements. Until I get the truck and the motor, there's not much I can do. Just day dream I guess. Lol
As far as fuel line, I will be running steel fuel lines, with an inline Walbro pump, and a corvette filter. I have a large assortment of replacement ends, for both steel line, and the plastic line. So it will be all factory connections at the fuel rail.
My biggest worry is still the wiring lol. I hate wiring.
Another issue is the shifter. I may spend a bit of money and get the lokar floor shift unit.
The budget on this truck is not 2k. It's 3k. But that budget includes the cost of the truck which is $500.
Wheels and tires are not part of that budget, as I am getting them tonight. I am getting rid of my beloved Datsun 521 truck. It's been in storage for a few years now, and I know I will never get back to it. Someone else can. Anyways, he's trading my truck for a NICE set of 18" Titan aluminum wheels, and a decent set of nitto nt05's.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 38
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Haha I'm actually having the harness built from someone else. A guy on Facebook offered to do it, and I also spoke with jims @ jims perf. I have started hearing mixed reviews on jims Ecu settings. So as of now, I'm am unsure of who to do it.
Thread Starter
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The only thing I plan on doing right off the bat is a stall converter. Around 3k.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
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Must have been a post count issue. Pics worked now. That's the only one I have as of now. Next weekend looks promising to go get it. Lots going on this weekend. family activities. Gun show, ice fishing tourney, stupid crafts show. Good times. Anyways, dad said he'd ride with next weekend. It's going to be about 10 hours round trip not including stopping to load truck, or engine, or fueling, washing the new truck of all the grime and **** from past 15-20 years. Or eating. That's a must.
Guys came and got the datsun last night. 18" titans and full set of drag radials. Those will go on the truck. Wil need different tires. These are a 275/35/18. Too short. But I'll run them to work out all the bugs and make sure everything is sound before dropping another 800-1000 on tires.
There's been quite a bit of auto-x events starting to happen around here within the last few years. So I may give a few runs at a Local event this summer. I went for a ride along with a good friend in his lotus last year. Kinda gave me the bug to build something to take out and have fun/compete with. Time will tell.
Thread will probAbly be dead till next Saturday unless something happens before.
Guys came and got the datsun last night. 18" titans and full set of drag radials. Those will go on the truck. Wil need different tires. These are a 275/35/18. Too short. But I'll run them to work out all the bugs and make sure everything is sound before dropping another 800-1000 on tires.
There's been quite a bit of auto-x events starting to happen around here within the last few years. So I may give a few runs at a Local event this summer. I went for a ride along with a good friend in his lotus last year. Kinda gave me the bug to build something to take out and have fun/compete with. Time will tell.
Thread will probAbly be dead till next Saturday unless something happens before.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
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Well there's most of a parts list I have been coming up with. No part numbers, or where purchasing from. I don't know if that's frowned upon here or not, so I left it out to keep peace. If it's allowed, I'll post part numbers and pictures when they show up.
Decided upon getting a fuel cell. The OG tank is in cab, and has 20 year old fuel in it. I don't wanna chance it. And also don't want fumes in the cab. Inline fuel pump Ls swap kit. Has a filter with a return. Also has fittings, and mounts.
Also have no idea what it's going to cost for a drive shaft. Any ideas?ive never had one made. I want it done once, and right.
Also decided on a 4l60. Can get a much better deal one one. And I can build it up if need be at a later date. Right now we will be stock. Possible turbo at a later date. For now it's priority just to get moving.
Any advice on where I can save money, where I should spend more, or what I should do differently, I want to hear it all.