Project: LS1ick68

[Slick68]

The big brown truck showed up again today!!

I was going to try to do something with the stock valve covers, but I just wasn't "feeling it" with them. So, I decided to bite the bullet and get these.




I'm certainly Feeling it, now!


Also got some plug wires and boots.


Got to deliver fuel somehow!


Test fit! This is a 570 Street Avenger that I had on my old 350. I have a feeling it may be a bit wheezy on this LS1, but I'm going to stick with it, at least until the initial tuning and first drives are done, then I may upgrade.


I also went and picked up all the gaskets I'll be needing.


Got my water pump, dampener and PS pulley(not shown) painted. I'm in the process of cleaning the truck alt./PS pump bracket. I may see if I can do some custom bracket fab, though to get a cleaner look. I'll make that final decision soon.




BTW, I'm having a 700R4 transmission built with a 2800 stall converter. I'll probably be switching out the 3.07 gears to 4.10 gears.

[TRPLXL2]

I love those valve covers!! Is it true the 700r4 actually bolts right up without an adapter, because I was just reading another post on google that said that transmission was compatible. I cringed when I saw you are going to make your own plug wires, I made my own for my LT1 and oh man I will never do that again!! I had the right set of MSD crimpers and the correct dies, but trying to get the Opti Spark ends on with the 9.5mm wires was an all day job.... Is there any tricks to making the ends go on any easier? I tried dielectric grease to get the boots to slide on, but it was incredibly difficult. (Edit: I just noticed you had all straight boots, mine were all 90 degree boots, which was horrible to deal with.)

Keep up the great work!!

[Slick68]

Any older trans will mate up with an adapter, which is basically a crank spacer, bolts and a flywheel with the old style torque converter bolt patterns. The bellhousing pattern is the same, though. If you look in some earlier posts, I bought the kit used from a guy on LS1Tech.com.

I would say the 9.5mm wires was the troublesome culprit on your custom wire installation. I've never used Optispark boots, but I've custom made several sets of 8mm wire sets with no problems. I've also always used the vise tool that comes with the kit. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Slick68]

Got her set in, even if for only and hour or so. I was checking for all clearances. The truck oil pan hangs about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" below the crossmember. I'm going to do some checking around, but I may switch to an F-body pan.

[TRPLXL2]

Engine is looking real good in the engine bay! Are you going to run headers on it? I just bought a set of 68-72 Chevy LS swap long tube headers from summit racing, they are ceramic coated stainless. Ironically they fit on my LS swap in my Colorado perfectly, just a thought because they also work with aftermarket engine mounts. They are the Doug Thorley Tri Y headers with 3" collector. Just thought I'd suggest it, keep up the great work. This is my favorite thread on this site!!

[George C]

GM sells a hotrod pan for 150 complete. works well in alot of swaps

[Slick68]

I may eventually run headers, but I've already went over budget, so manifolds will have to get me by. At least headers are easy enough to swap out later, especially on this truck.

I looked into the hot rod pan, and it's a pretty good deal for what comes with it. I may see what kind of deal I find on an f-body pan first.

[George C]

fbody pans usually sell for 200 ish.

I may eventually run headers, but I've already went over budget, so manifolds will have to get me by. At least headers are easy enough to swap out later, especially on this truck.

I looked into the hot rod pan, and it's a pretty good deal for what comes with it. I may see what kind of deal I find on an f-body pan first.

[Slick68]

A little progress.

I found an F-body oil pan. The fit is much better. It actually clears about 3/4"-1" above the crossmember compared to the truck pan hanging below almost 1 1/2". No worries about scraping the oil pan now.

Comparison shot



clearance shots







Also got my wire looms started.



All I have to do now is drill the holes to line up with the plugs, install these end caps I had custom made from stainless, paint them up, then feed the wires through.


Now that I have the pan issue straightened out, I'm gonna call a GM tech to come over one evening or weekend(whatever works for him) to have the engine buttoned up. I could do it myself, but I don't have the proper tools

[bangbangskeetskeet]

Really like the wire loom idea. Should look and run awesome when youre done.