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Been doing a ton of research on here and collecting parts over the last couple months so I think it's time to start a build thread. The truck is a 1991 C1500 regular cab stepside bed that's been my daily driver for the last 25 years. I'm the only owner, ordered it from the factory and picked it up with .3 miles on it. It's got the 4.3l backed up with the factory 5 speed now but I picked up an LS3 from a 2012 Camaro wih a TR6060 6 speed with 60K miles to finally give it the appropriate number of cylinders.
And here's the motor/trans that's going in.
I expect to have plenty of questions even though I've got half a garage full of parts already. First engine swap but not new to working on the truck, just about everything you see, other than paint, I've done myself. I'll post up a parts list and the plan shortly but wanted to get a thread started.
Awesome upgrade. Love the look of those old trucks! That thing is going to be a "little" different going from a 4.3 to a 6.2
Thanks, I still love the truck and the 4.3l has been a solid motor that has gotten great mileage but it's time is up. I figure I'm about doubling the HP and torque so I should feel it. Gonna get a list together of what I've got stacked up and post it for comments on what I'm missing.
First question for everyone. I'm trying to install the Holley AC relocation bracket and it seems like you have to at least loosen the water pump. Anyone have a trick to get the lower socket cap bolt in without pulling the water pump?
Rock
Last edited by rockusaf; Apr 20, 2016 at 07:48 PM.
Reason: add question
Got started on the swap today. First I had to clean/rearrange the garage to make sure there's room for everything, then I pulled the exhaust and headers, radiator and cooling system.
Some of the goodies that I've got stockpiled so far.
Schoenfield headers (ceramic coated)
BP automotive fuse block
-6AN fittings and stainless braided line, HFP in tank pump with corvette filter/regulator.
Holley oil pan, went with the 302-1
Camaro radiator and electric fans (measured and it'll be close but I'm hoping these work)
Rock
Last edited by rockusaf; May 7, 2016 at 06:01 PM.
Reason: edit
I also ran into my first problem, wondering what folks have done for a shifter, I pulled the dust cover off the shifter and assumed I'd see a way to bolt up the Hurst shifter that's in my truck now but this is what I found.
Thinking I may have to grind the short shaft flat and drill holes that match the Hurst shaft's 2 bolts but I think this would weaken it, anyone done something similar or have any suggestions? The **** is just a friction fit on the end, no mechanical way it's fastened on the end.
You could find steel tubing just big enough to go over the shaft of the shifter, Then weld a piece of flat stock to the side of that tubing and then drill and tap the flat stock so you can bolt your shift handle to it.
What are doing for the drive shaft since it's setup of an IRS? If you have trouble with it you can always have one made at The Drive Shaft Shop.
I'm doing an S10 with a LSA supercharged 6.0 and TR6060 and have the driveshaft figured out but need to start working on the clutch master cylinder to trans adaption.
LLLosingit, sounds like a plan, I was just really surprised that there was no mechanical fastener holding everything together. I was hoping not to have to spend more money and I'll have to measure to see exactly where that Core shifter would land, I think when I looked a while ago it would be close to where the stock shifter comes through the tranny tunnel.
For the driveshaft I found a company local that when I contacted them to see what they could do for me the guy didn't even hesitate before he came up with a plan. He did talk it through, I think mostly to himself, but he knew exactly what I needed and said they could do it with a 24 hour turnaround.
Man, have to say when I read the subject I thought why put that and a 6 speed in a truck. Then I saw your pic and how you have owned it forever and it makes sense. Nice project.
As for the shifter that unit you pictured moves the shifter way back. You may not need that. When you mock up the engine see where the trans sits and whether you can use a standard shifter like showdog posted.
I welded a dog leg onto the shifter in my TKO. Pretty easy to do and gives you probably 4-5 inches of offset in the shifter location in any direction. There are a number companies that make offset shifters but easy to modify a standard one.
I have the same combo from a 2012 Camaro sitting on my garage floor still on the pallet. I'm still doing field reconnaissance on this project.
I checked that link to that output shaft kit and noticed that it only fits up to 2010. Also noticed that it includes that shifter relocation item too but maybe you wont need that. I will keep watching....
I have the same combo from a 2012 Camaro sitting on my garage floor still on the pallet. I'm still doing field reconnaissance on this project.
I checked that link to that output shaft kit and noticed that it only fits up to 2010. Also noticed that it includes that shifter relocation item too but maybe you wont need that. I will keep watching....
Rock, that's a 1991 C-1500? What front-end is on it, cause it don't look nothing like my 1990 454 SS and 90-93 all had the same body?
Are you still in the Air Force? I have been retired for 24 years, just sold my business last week! Plan to move to Ocala FL in the next 6 months or so! Play with my toys!
Rock, that's a 1991 C-1500? What front-end is on it, cause it don't look nothing like my 1990 454 SS and 90-93 all had the same body?
Are you still in the Air Force? I have been retired for 24 years, just sold my business last week! Plan to move to Ocala FL in the next 6 months or so! Play with my toys!
Al
It's a 2000something GMC Yukon Danali front end, picked it out of a pick-n-pull and brought the whole front end home in, and on the roof of, my wife's HHR. She kept trying to talk me out of it and I'm sure we looked pretty redneck on the ride home with the hood tied to the roof rack.
Still in the AF, 23 years and counting, thinking of making a career of it
I have the same combo from a 2012 Camaro sitting on my garage floor still on the pallet. I'm still doing field reconnaissance on this project.
I checked that link to that output shaft kit and noticed that it only fits up to 2010. Also noticed that it includes that shifter relocation item too but maybe you wont need that. I will keep watching....
Yeah, I had found that earlier on in my research and saw it only fit through 2010. After calling driveshaft shop and denny's driveshafts and feeling like they didn't want to bother to help me I almost gave up but when I talked with the local guy I figure the less I have to mess with the tranny the better. I'll see how it works soon.
I was hoping not to spend more money on the shifter but I'll see when I get the motor mocked up in there.
Thought I was going to get the fuel system plumbed but had to take one step back when I got the bed raised up and saw this
The fuel lines along the frame look fine so I wasn't expecting the rust, ordered a new one from Rockauto (gotta love the name ) so hopefully I'll get that in and some work done this weekend on that. Oh and I snapped one of the bed bolts when I was pulling those
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LS3/TR6060 into 91 C1500 
