When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I picked up a new project a month ago that I've always wanted. It's a pretty decent 70 c10 swb. I'm just about finished with my 71 Chevelle project and I wanted to do something else that's alot simpler and cheaper.
Hopefully I don't go overboard with this project too, my plan is to fix the body, add a couple of modern touches and to use it as a daily driver. I'm still in the planning phase right now it may be awhile before I start this project.
Here's the truck, the previous owner started to restore it 9 years ago and gave up it's been sitting for awhile. I bought it as a roller.
I want to do this swap as cheap as possible, so I bought a donor vehicle for the swap. It's a 04 silverado with an lm7/4l60e. I may ditch the 4l60e for an 80e. The truck runs fine, no codes or funny noises.
However the gauge cluster is dead so I'm not sure of the actual mileage, I was told that it was around 180k.
If you have a scan tool I think you can get the mileage directly from the ecm. If you are on a budget I'd stick with the 4L60E. Even if you have to rebuild the trans the LM7 stock should not tear it up. If you do have a few extra bucks a medium stall converter will really wake up the off line performance. I run a Yank 2800 and it works great.
Good luck with your project.
If you have a scan tool I think you can get the mileage directly from the ecm. If you are on a budget I'd stick with the 4L60E. Even if you have to rebuild the trans the LM7 stock should not tear it up. If you do have a few extra bucks a medium stall converter will really wake up the off line performance. I run a Yank 2800 and it works great.
Good luck with your project.
I have hp tuners, but it doesn't show the mileage, my understanding was that this info is only stored in the instrument cluster. I was thinking 4l80e because later I may add some boost. But just to get it running the 4l60e should do.
I made some progress with my project, I've decided to run the engine with the stock bottom end for now. I had the heads refreshed. I've installed the summit ghost cam, Chinese f body pan, oil pump lifters, etc. The plan now is to run a single turbo. I also picked up an 08 5.3 with 799 heads that had low oil pressure for a future forged build for this truck.
I've decided to tackle the chasis first. I plan on running the ridetech streetgrip kit. I had the stick 12bolt rear rebuilt with 3.42 gears and a posi. I also added willwood 4 piston disc brakes with the internal parking brakes. These rotors are drilled for different bolt patterns so I had my axles re drilled for the 5x 4.75 pattern. This will allow me to run the wheels from my Chevelle on this truck. I also went with the willwood modular drop spindles upfront which are also drilled for both patterns.
I have my high mileage lm7 ready to go. I left the engine internals stock, installed a knock off f-body oil pan, new oil pump, timing chain, lifters, summit 8715 ghost cam and spring package. LS9 head gaskets and Chinese head studs. I also bought the HOLLEY cast turbo manifolds.
The plan is to use this engine to get the truck up and running and build something better down the road.
I also picked up a gen 4 5.3 with 799 heads for $200. Engine was pulled because of low oil pressure but I only wanted it for the heads.
I started installing some of the suspension parts that I have. I went with the ridetech streetgrip system. I also converted the truck from 6 lug to a 5 x4.75 and 5x5 bolt pattern. I'll be using the car bolt pattern so that I can reuse the wheels that came off my Chevelle.
Chevelle is car bolt patter (5x4.75”). He had the rear axles drilled for 5x4.75” and the wilwood front spindles have both patterns. I’d think he could use them all…
Chevelle is car bolt patter (5x4.75”). He had the rear axles drilled for 5x4.75” and the wilwood front spindles have both patterns. I’d think he could use them all…
Ahh gotcha! The pic of the Wilwood hub shows it but I failed to notice!
Thank you!
I've been working on the truck the last couple of weeks. Right now I have it completely stripped down to the cab. No surprise but I found more rust than I thought I would. So the cab is getting a new floor, cab corners, rockers, etc.
I stripped the frame and painted and finished installing the suspension. I'm debating on what to use a fuel tank. I jad my mind set on a boyds tank with a zl1 pump, but I'm unsure how that'll work with a turbo.
I'm using the holley engine mounts and turbo manifolds and everything clears but I'll have to trim the frame on the passenger side as it's too close to the header.
yea ZL1 pump isn't going to keep up with much power, If memory serves me correct, it'll only support about 650flywheel based on it's providing 391lb/hr (60psi/13.5v).
You could do a CTSV pump which will give a little more room, (not sure how much power you're wanting to make), but it'll support around 800flywheel. They're just expensive now and hard to find.
You could get some DW300c pumps and put them in a ZL1 fuel module, that'll give more room than the V, and maybe your best option if trying to use a factory style pump hanger, or look at a fuel hat like fore, ricks, etc and get some 485s.
In my camaro i used a Ricks hat with 2x 525 hellcat pumps as my secondary set to a CTSV primary. So far no issues and it's around 1000rwhp on E85.
Truck looks awesome! You could always just do an entire EFI fuel tank swap from EFI System Pro, comes with a couple different sized in tank pumps, 255 through 450. Comes with a sending unit as well, bonus is the new tank, since it might be a good idea to start with a new tank, rather than the original one, who knows what crap is in there.
It's been awhile but most of the bodywork has been completed on the truck. I've converted the front end to a 68 and bought a whole new bed. I've also molded in the new style Altman style latches in the doors and installed Porterville hood hinges.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
1970 C10 Budget build 
