04' Colorado LS1 swap (Amy's Truck)

[TRPLXL2]

Shopping list for next weekend:

GMPP Hot Cam
double springs, locks, retainers, and valve seals
2,500 stall converter
SLP Oil Pump
Trick Flow stock timing set
Gaskets & miscellaneous
Stage 8 stainless header bolts (I used them on my Firebird, and have never had a problem)

Do I need to use spark plug heat shield sock things on the plug wires? Also should I wrap these headers with header wrap, I have never had a set of ceramic headers but everyone says they run a lot cooler than steel headers. Well I guess that's all for now.....

[TRPLXL2]

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I got the headers on today, I have them held on by just two bolts for fitment. The passenger side went in with no alterations to the headers, only had to dent in the firewall about 1/4" and that's it. The drivers side clears everything except the shock tower, so I am going to do some trimming to it, and I am also going to go with a double jointed HEIM to fix the steering shaft issue.

[TRPLXL2]

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More clearance pictures, no problems with the frame rails at all. Surprisingly the headers sit level under the truck, so true duals shouldn't be a problem. I put the 3" body lift on yesterday, and It actually helped me out alot more than I thought it would. I have a lot more room under the heater lines now, when before they were basically resting on the coil packs. The bellhousing lines up perfect now, and It gave me much more room for the headers. I almost forgot, In the pics the drivers side header is just hanging there, I wasn't able to bolt it to the motor yet.

[TRPLXL2]

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Picture of the added heater hose clearance from the body lift. I also got my oil pan the other day, It's the truck oil pan with the pickup tube and windage tray. I need the dipstick tube and dipstick though If anyone has one out of an 05' Silverado with the 5.3.

[TRPLXL2]

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Here's a side pic of the truck, the bed is the stock location and the cab has the 3" body lift. I really like the look of the fenderwells now, I am seriously thinking about leaving the wheel liners out so It has a Nostalgia look to it. I bought an LS1 performance book to read up on my cam decision. Until then.............

[88RCLB]

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you install the shift kit? Another valve-body out of a core tranns is only a few $$$ if you wanted to change back, which I doubt you would. I really haven't seen any kits that don't require drilling so I'm wondering which kit you ended up with.

The swap looks good, now you just need to drop the suspension to make up for the body lift.

[TRPLXL2]

Well got the cam out along with all the other goodies, thankfully the balancer came off without a hitch. My LT1 balancer was froze on, so this LS1 was a nice surprise when It actually came off. The timing chain however had slop in it, so that will be getting replaced as well. Next weekend I am going to finally have the money for the cam kit, so until then...




Attachment 6500Attachment 6502Attachment 6503Attachment 6504The main reason I didn't install it was because I didn't want to drill the holes in the valve body, I know that I would have screwed it up. Summit Racing carries a 2 stage B&M shift kit for the 4l60e, It doesn't require any drilling but If it wont work then I will probably end up taking it to a transmission shop to get it installed. I am actually going to leave the truck with the close to 12" lift it has now, It has a CST 5" spindle lift. It's definately not going to be a race truck, but I love the lifted look. Thanks for the compliment!!

[RedHeartbeat]

We need a Summit Racing store here in TX! I would hate having to pay tax on the parts I buy there, though. 8.25% tax not paid usually offsets the cost of shipping to me.