Hey everyone! I have been joined to this group since 09 but this is my first post. I have lurked here and there but it is time to get a little more serious about things.

I have an 85 short bed Chevy that I have had for about 16-17 years. A few years ago I decided to start rebuilding it somewhat. Well that turned into a full blown tear down. I blasted the frame and had it repainted along with a new lowering kit and all new suspension, steering, bushings etc. I had the front of the bed and the cab all trimmed in with the new paint. That is where it currently sets.

I stopped to start a new business and now that things are up and going I thought I need to get back on the build. Another reason I stopped is due to drivetrain. I wanted to go with a LS base but wasn't sure when I could afford it. I didn't want to put the truck together any further until I had the engine and trans in. I was hung up on getting either a LS1 or LS2 but I think I may just go with a 5.3l. I have found a 00 truck that was wrecked with 120,000 miles and am considering buying it to start. It still has all the wiring, brackets etc with it.

My original intentions were put it in the truck stock but thinking about atleast doing a cam and headers with tune. Not sure how big of cam but want something that sounds good and runs strong too. I would like to get away from the truck intake but money will dictate that. I have also read where some guys are running the OBS style AC bracket so they don't have to notch the frame for the compressor. Still looking into that. So anyway I will be looking for any threads on squarebody conversions if there are any and also trying to find what is a good cam to go with. This truck will just be driven on nice days with maybe the occasional road trip. I was up in the air about doing something else for a while but I am back on track with my short bed.

 

Not sure how good the LM7 is or if it is a good choice to start with. My thought as of now is that it was nice that it was all still intact in the truck. Looks like L33's and others are running 1200+ at the yards without all the extras.

 

buy the wrecked truck it a great donor to get you going. LT1Swap.com shows how to do harness. Ive done 3 now using his site. I used some mounts from ebay made for truck $65, shorty headers $195. Dropped rite on sbc mounts. Have slidind slots for forward/backward & bolt holes thru are slotted too. Headers clear great. I moved tranny crossmember back bout 1 1/2 inch so could get tranny pan off in future easier. Brackets work ok other than ac just buy holley bracket is what i did. Steering hoses work but change out valve back of pump to old one. Silverado hoses work for radiator in 85 truck. Questions contact me. Im doing mine now its bolted in and doing final stuff.

 

I take it you are doing one in the same style truck. Do you have any pics of your mounts? Shoot I believe the header I had came across started at $400 and went up. Same with cam kits. I was surprised that cam kits were as high as they are. I guess I am used to buying them for carbed 350's. Thanks for the info. I am trying to find some threads on this style truck with conversion. I figure that I would get this truck done and if I come across a different engine for the truck then I could pull the LM7 and start on my 79 cutlass and put it back on the road. Not the car of choice for most but I have had it for 20+ years. Been on the fence about bring life back to it or not.

 

i will look them up on ebay get u listing numbers. Look in my profile. i have truck thats all from pieces. basically its 2wd 1/2 shortbox now with 4 door cab.

 

OK this will help you out. This is what I used and fits well. MOUNTS--- METALTEKMFG IS SELLER LISTING NUMBER RITE NOW 321800956689 $64.99 ON EBAY, SHORTY HEADERS ----SPEEDRACINGTURBO IS SELLER $185.00 LISTING NUMBER RITE NOW 331390579579. This will get it in there nice. I will try to start thread tomorrow.------ now have thread started in conversion section 88 crew shortbox more door project.

 

I'm building a 85 c10 myself with the same power plant.