2nd Time Conversion

[Slo-Mo-Shun]

I've been a member for a short time now, and I've been wanting to do this conversion for a couple years. I've noticed that there are a lot of knowledgeable people that have done this type of conversion before on the OBS trucks. And that was what I've been waiting for so now things are starting to come around.

History: Was dads truck from the factory it was a 4.3L 5-speed. At 274,XXX miles and after a few transmissions my dad decided to convert to a V8. We pulled the V6 5-speed and built a TBI 355ci, with 700R4. After driving that past 300,XXX miles, dad decided to get something else. Thats when I inherited the truck. I drove that for a couple years and kept having trouble out of the 700R4. December 2005 was towed home from Corpus Christi, Tx with broken transmission at 387,XXX miles. Haven't drove it since. I decided it was time for more power.

Since I've owned it: I installed Hotchkis TVS 2/4 Kit, energy suspension bushings, including cab mounts, power slot rotors, russell steel braided brake lines, upper and lower ball joints, POR-15 the frame.

So now its time to upgrade the power train: From salvage yard 2003 iron block 6.0L out of Express Van 43,000 miles supposedly. I already have L92 heads and L76 intake, 73 Pickup 12-Bolt. Still looking for T56 transmission, possible custom built engine harness, and all the small items.

Anyway here are some pics. More too come!!!

















Above December 2005 on Trailer

[C-WAY]

Sounds like fun!
Im also going from a V6 to a 6.0 (Being built)
Good luck with the swap!!!

That Express van got effed* up though...Yikes... Look at the intake haha...

[Jamest]

YOU WILL LOVE IT. THOSE ARE SOME STRONG MOTORS.

JAMEST

[RedHeartbeat]

Nice.

[project92]

Dang, elbows deep into that. Very nice.

May I recommend Nelson Performance for your harness and tune. Allen and Jonathan are so very helpfull.

A "Thank You", to them.

Redheartbeat has vast knowledge of what is going to happen here.

A "Thank You" to him.



Jon

[Slo-Mo-Shun]

I called Nelson Performance on Friday. I asked them if their harness had a fly-by-wire option, and also about the LS2 injectors that are on the L76 intake . They told me that they don't have a fly-by-wire harness, nor the LS2 injector connectors. But he did tell me to check with Painless Performance, and they do have a fly-by-wire harness. Very nice people!

I have read / printed the conversion thread on LS1 into OBS trucks. If any questions arise I will be asking!! Including the long tube headers that he made for his own ride.

Thanx for the heads up!


Chris

[c1500]

rock on...

[project92]

Back to the task at hand. I would also check with Speartech. I am pretty particular. All pics I have seen of Painless have not been loomed. Speartech uses nice wire loom. Not sure about the drive by wire though.

[Slo-Mo-Shun]

One of the first things I noticed was that the Painless harness didn't have a loom. That does worry me, and it looks really cheap that way, although I know the price isn't. I never heard of Speartech but will definitely check into them. Thanx! Any other brand names?

[project92]

I had my decision narrowed down to those two company's. Saved a bill going with Nelson. If you have to go with Painless (due to drive-by-wire) I found a company on the web that you can get loom from. Bought some for the remainder of my wiring so it all looks the same (as Nelsons harness loom). It was cableorganizer dot com. I used black expandable braided sleeving.

Thanks "RedHeartbeat" for the clean up here.