Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Not much to update. I got the bedsides shaved and in epoxy primer. Got the firewAll pretty much done besides the wire channel. Still need to get material cut for that. Also started collecting more stuff. I got a tial 44mm wastegate, Holley hi ram and btr stage 2 turbo cam on the way. I also talked with the machine shop and my engine is about ready for assembly.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Great build! Thanks for the tank heads up! I'm adding this one to my build!:four:

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

This is a great idea running the exhaust piping through the rear of the engine!

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

The gas tank fits very good with minimal trimming. And I found this exhaust idea from popular turbo kits used on silverados. After I started working on the exhaust facing forward I started getting worried about space and under the hood heat. This way simplified everything a lot for me.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Got the intercooler mounts finished and grill support trimmed this morning.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Got my champion radiator in this weekend. I had them weld on new inlets and outlets to work with the ls sizes. I needed the inlet on the driver side because of the position of the turbo.

Also finally brought my by bed up from my dads. Was excited to get this thing set on. Can’t decide if I want to use my steel floor or go with a wood floor.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

after Getting the radiator in I quickly realized he position and size of the turbo inlet was going to be an issue. I found a 5” to 4” elbow on frozen boost.com that looks like it will work perfect.

Also started working on the firewall again. Trying to finish up the day of the metal work so I can sandblast it again and get it epoxy primed next week. The last piece was capping off the wire channel.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Nice work so far I'm watching this one

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Good work!

Did you brace the door jambs to replace the rockers or did you go deeper into the floor pan? Down the line I need to replace rockers and kick panel area as well.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

I only had to replace the rockers and inner rockers. I don’t think it was completely necessary to brace but always better to be safe than sorry.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Really nice build! You're doing it right

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Finally finishing up the wire wall. I got the wire channel all welded up. All I have is a tig welder so it seemed like it took forever. Should save on the grinding tho.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Got the cab put back on and some of the cold side piping done. Also had my dad make up a press fit sleeve to make the throttle body fit a 4” coupler snug. I didn’t realize the truck throttle body was like an 1/8” smaller than 4” so the elbow I bought was way too loose. Fits perfect now.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Started working on the downpipe. Going with 4” until right after the trans crossmember then I think I will split it into dual 2.5” or dual 3”. It is about an inch from the firewall so I think I am going to have to do some clearancing. Added a picture without the fender and inner fender to get an idea of how the exhaust manifold, wastegate and downpipe are sitting. I had a lot of trouble finding any pictures when I started. I think photobucket had a lot to do with that.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

I’ve been talking with the machine shop and think I’m going with forged pistons and upgraded rods for the peace of mind. I see the snowball effect starting.

I got the the downpipe tacked together and looks like it will be close but work. Also got a mishimoto radiator fan shroud with dual 14” fans. Not sure how I feel about it yet. The fans don’t seem very beefy.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

I’ve shifted focus a little bit as I wait for more parts to come in. Started working on fitting the impala dash. For now I am going widen it with the intentions of using a factory style radio. I’d like to fit a double din somehow but that would come later. Really just need to get the dash fitted so I can sandblast the cab and get it in epoxy primer.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Got the dash widened. Need to finish welding but it is finally starting to look like something.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Pretty Damn cool.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

WOW that’s really cool! Also like the Vette observing quietly from her own room lol

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Thanks. Definitely looking forward to seeing that dash fit into place for good. And yea I love the vette. Drive it nearly everyday.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

I returned the mishimoto fan shroud and fans. I’m pretty sure the fans they included were the same fans you can get on eBay for 30 bucks. I bought some aluminum, a harbor freight sheet metal brake and spal high performance fans. I’m about finished with the shroud just need to figure out how to neatly cut out the holes for the fans.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Pretty much Finished up the fan shroud today. Just need to figure out how I want to attach it to the radiator on top. Picked up some silicone 90s from summit that will work good for the radiator hose too.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Got the intake side of the intercooler piping tacked up. Think I may need to do a little more work to get it a little lower. It has about an inch clearence between the top and the bottom of the hood.

On a side note I think I’m going to get ridetech strong arms. The front just isn’t sitting low enough. About 2” higher than the rear.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

The impala dash is pretty much where it’s goig to sit. After 100 test fits I’m going to start welding it up. Going to wait on finishing the ends until I order the weather stripping and decide on the door panels.

Re: 72 Swb starting from the bottom
 

Did a test fit of my dads wheels today just to see how it’d sit. They are 20x12 with a 315/35 tire. Definitely helps envision how it will look.