Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Last week I finally got my seats back from the upholstery guy! Spent yesterday watching football and getting them installed in the truck. I'm super happy with how they turned out and they look just as at home in here as the stock ones did in my opinion. The addition of the arm rest is welcomed as well as have the EZ entry flip and slide on the passenger side. Here are a few pictures.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...f.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...g.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...3.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Very nice
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I forgot, my Dad took this video of the EZ Entry system working.
I tried to embed it but couldn't figure out how... https://youtu.be/hwQtbMb-_IQ |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Very nice. I will have to try and source a set for mine now. :metal: :metal:
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Good to know, thanks for that information. Blazer is looking Sweet!
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Still plugging away on making some changes. Picked up a new steering wheel online and had it wrapped in the same vinyl as the seats. I've also been working on wiring up our center console. Things like USB chargers, cigarette charger, heated seat controls and XM tuner. So many circuits that I've added this little box under the seat with a fuse panel in it. It's powered up on a relay and pulls power from my 10g amp circuit that's already under there.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...g.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...3.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I was finally able to finish wiring the center console. Basically the entire thing powers up with the key on. This way the heated seats and the XM don't stay on all the time. I used a 15 pin Molex plug to make the connection between the truck and the console. This way I can remove the unit with only fishing out the audio and XM antenna cables. I could do a plug for the audio but the XM would be more work. So.. I didn't spend much time on that.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...0.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...b.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...3.jpg~original Next since I was back into the dash I decided to hook up and run the mic for the hands free audio that the Retrosound Radio is capable of.. I ran it up the a-pillar. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...c.jpg~original We've been also still fighting a shake in the rear of the truck. After going through 4 different drums and still not getting one that doesn't vibrate it was time to bust out the antiques.. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...y.jpg~original Every one of the drums was off the chart. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...8.jpg~original Here is a 50 gram weight placed to static balance it. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a.jpg~original Next we just need to braze on some ballast weight and should be good to go! |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
time for a disk swap !
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
You know, I probably would, however with the rear wheels reversed I just don't see how I have the diameter. The drums BARLEY fit as it is..
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I haven't been in here for a while, looking good!
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Wanted to update everyone on the drum. After numerous "that won't work" and side eye looks the drum is fixed! We used a buddies old bubble balancer and simply cut a piece of steel to weight it properly. I then used silicon bronze TIG rod and TIG brazed the weight on. Was super simple. We slapped it back on the truck and took it for a ride. It was so smooth Dad and I decided to do a 30 mile loop to just enjoy it for a few minutes. I can't say how great it is to have this thing finally riding smoothly.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...l.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
We decided to add a rear sway bar to the truck. We don't have many miles on it yet but could already tell that it needed one. So we picked up a Helwig rear bar (#7806) meant for lowered C/10s. The bar installed with no real issue. I had to drill a hole in the frame on each side for the end links, but other than that it bolted right on.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...d.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...k.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...r.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Well we just got back from HP Tuners EFI training in Vegas over the weekend. The Blazer performed fairly well, however we've got a laundry list of small things that need to be fixed. The class was 2 days of HP Tuners LS tuning training plus we were able to tune the Blazer on the Dyno. Truck made 291HP at the wheels and 318 torque. I thought that was pretty respectable through the big 6L90e trans. We also averaged about 18mpg on the highway with it. Was hoping for more but I'll keep working on it.
Here are a couple shots from the weekend. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...f.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...5.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...6.jpg~original Then we decided to do some good ol tailgating at the hotel afterwards. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...q.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...q.jpg~original All in all pretty happy. Look out for future upgrades and changes. |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
That 6 speed is like a tank tranny, not too bad.
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
what gear did you dyno in?
Save a shot of the dyno graph? |
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
When I get my 72 Blazer (2005 LQ9/4L80e) back I'll need help with tuning it... I'll ask then.... :)
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Very Cool detailed build
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I thought I'd update you guys some more...
After our trip to Vegas we were redoing an El Camino for a friend/customer. So, the Blazer has been on the back burner.. However, we started in on replacing the wing window seals as well as fixing the window sweeps as they kept coming loose from the door panel. Ended up riveting them on to the panel. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...x.jpg~original We also ordered a Vintage Air Gen IV evaporator kit to replace the factory parts. If we truly want to use this truck, the A/C needs some major improvements! |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Got some more parts pulled off the truck in preparation for installing the Vintage Air kit. Sure wish we'd of just bit the bullet the first time and I could have done all this firewall work with the engine out of the truck.. Oh well..
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...i.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...c.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...3.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
That's just how it seems to work out!
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
You make disassembly of the front end seen so effortless....
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I got my inline AC bulkhead today from Vintage Air as we're not going t be using the cover panel they give you. It's not really up to the look that we're going for. So the next project is to get that mounted and figure out how the lines will work under the dash. Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Got a little bit more done on the Blazer. We got the evaporator mocked up inside the truck and cut in the Vintage Air bulkhead. I also used the cover they give you and started cutting it up to fill the holes left from the stock system. In addition, got all the new AC fittings on order so once those come in I can start laying out the new hoses.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...v.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...m.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Someone here once posted Vintage Air is far superior to the factory system, so I'm curious how you like it. The Blazers and Burbs have so much more interior to cool.
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
We've used Vintage Air in at least 5 vehicles that I can remember. I can attest to the fact they are definitely far superior. How can they not be? 40+ years of advanced cooling techniques and materials under their belt vs the original engineers at the time. The kit we've got in our 65 Cutlass will straight freeze your family jewels off in anything 115 and under outside. You've got to definitely use the right components under the hood with the biggest condenser you can physically fit and everything hooked up properly. Fill it with the right amount of 134a and go on your way..
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Just a small update. We got the firewall welded up and sprayed with primer. Just needed to putty some more pin holes and such, then we'll be ready for final block sand and black paint. Hoping to have it sprayed this weekend so we can start going back together next week.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...o.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
This build is unbelievable! Love it. Great work
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Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
We were able to get the firewall painted over the weekend. Next steps will be to mount the evaporator and start mocking up all the custom lines. I don't like to use the full kit from Vintage Air for 2 reasons. Nice parallel condensers can be had pretty damn cheap these days, and two, I like to tuck my lines away differently than the guys at Vintage Air do. Here is what she's looking like now..
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...j.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Took some time last nights and now that the firewall is dry, and we got the evaporator mounted up. I knew it was going to be tight under the dash especially because I'm also trying to mount the heater control valve under there as well. I have super small hands and even me getting in there is a definite chore! So far I got all the A/C hoses mocked up and ready for crimping, and I started in on the heater hoses. Space is at a premium under here that's for sure!
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...m.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...v.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...z.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...i.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...4.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...b.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...f.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...m.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Another small update. Worked on the wiring a bit last night as well as pulled the steering gear and pump out to send off to LEE Steering in Valencia CA for a rebuild. Those guys work magic and make it steer like a brand new truck! I've used them many times.
I also replaced my #6 liquid line from the bottom of the condenser to the drier with a hard line. Even though you cannot really see it through the grill I wasn't digging how that hose was looking. Here is the new setup. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...k.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
We were finally able to get the service ports soldered on to my firewall fittings by a local A/C shop. Have I gotten a little too anal? I'm not sure. The guys there kept asking why I don't just put another beadlock fitting inline to house the trinary switch seperately. I just didn't want it to look like an afterthought if I couldn't help it! After that I used my Mastercool beadlock crimper and got the rest of the lines crimped and then sucked it down. I won't be back at the shop for a few days so that will give it a good amount of time to make sure the needle doesn't move. Once we confirm no leaks we'll work on getting the fender put back on and such.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...l.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
looking good man!!
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Dad and I got the passenger fender as well as the grille/hood on yesterday. Starting to really look like a truck again! I took some time and cleaned/zip tied up the wiring so that's all looking good as well.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...8.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n.jpg~original Finally we've been wanting to add a little more bottom end to the sound system, so I picked up this vintage suitcase at the antique store. Going to mount an 8" or 10" woofer inside to keep everything clean and hidden! http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...4.jpg~original That's it for now. Still waiting on our steering box from California as well as the seat bottoms that I'm having work done on! Stay tuned! |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I must have missed it but where did you get the parts for your cold air intake?
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
I bought the elbows and the aluminum tubing on EBay. The weld bung for the MAF also came from EBay.
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Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Got my amplifier mounted last night. It just barely fits behind the side panel. I definitely don't want to look at the stereo equipment so this is good. These digital amps don't have near the heat problem the older ones did. So, hopefully it will be happy here. I'm only going to run it at 4 ohms so really shouldn't create a lot of heat.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...v.jpg~original Also took my speaker grilles off of my 6x9's and painted them with the interior paint. Just so they don't stand out so much! http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...b.jpg~original |
Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
Here are a couple more shots of the suitcase subwoofer. Or at least what will become that!
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...h.jpg~original http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...w.jpg~original |
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