Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Starting a new post to document and possible obtain help for my build. Ill post some before and after pics of the build. This is my first time doing anything like this and it has been fun and I have wanted to give up a few times but kept going. I started out with a 1971 C10 long bed, cut it down using the bothers kit. It had an old 305 in it which I sold in order to get a L83/6l80 motor for a fairly reasonable price. I've done most of the patch paneling and body work already and rebuilt the front end as well as interior. Here are some photos of the journey.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Fast forward a bit:

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Stripped down again and adding power steering gear.

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Picked up L83 / 6l80E combo and this is where the fun begins:

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More pics of L83 purchase

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Problems so far:

1. I need to find some adapter plates or mounts that work with the SBC perches and would allow me to keep the belt driven vacuum pump and low mount AC. Not trying to spend 500$ on mounts as well.

The Dirty Dingo plates states "Will not clear driver's side vacuum pump on truck engine"

The KwikPerformance kit seems like the way to go but you have to purchase the brackets for 500$ and then a new AC compressor for another 250$

The dirty Dingo Sliders were my next option but still the same message, will not clear low mount ac or vacuum pump....

There has to be a way.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

quite a fast forward there.

where and what did you pay for the motor/trans if you dont mind?

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Sorry for the extreme time warp, didn't want to bore anyone with all of the nitty gritty. Mostly just failures with a th350 and carbed engine, got sick of it and sold it.

I actually found the guy on offer up, I paid $1450 for the engine and transmission delivered. 12000 miles complete dropout. Too good to pass up and that discount was due to not have air box lol.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

I’m currently getting the motor mounts done. Got some pics and looks promising. Vacuum pump still in and SAE headers fit nice.mounts From Metaltek in Michigan

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Can you post some pics? and what about cost associated? There is a set of mounts from BRP http://www.brphotrods.com/products/LTSeries/index.html for 550-600$.... that allow AC and Vacuum pump. Anyways let me know, I may want to pitch in with you. should be similar to 71 c10

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

I can’t load pic for some reason. I would call Jaime from Metaltek. Super nice guy

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I don’t know how you found that company but their website looks promising and looks like it maybe worthwhile for the price. I will call and see what he can do. Thanks man I’ll post some updates here to help future gen v swappers.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

And you are a life saver man, putting in my order as well. Finally a vendor that’s offering products at a reasonable price. When you get your mounts be sure to update me along the way and I’ll do the same.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Greyghost what are u doing for fuel system

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Pm sent greyghost

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

I have some ideas that I will try to post when I get some time. 87chevy has been giving me some good advice.

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Do you have contact info for Jamie at Metaltek? Doing L83 in 72 C10

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Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

It appears the mounts and transmission crossmember are ready for ordering. Just ordered both and will update/review once received.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

MetalTek makes a nice product but ouch! I bought their $90 Gen5 weld in mounts off of eBay with free shipping... that seemed like a reasonable price to me. The new bolt in set with crossmember is $378! (plus shipping I imagine ). Maybe I should make a few sets to sell, I think materials would only be about $30-40. I guess their price is pretty good if one is not able to weld... I remember those days, it was often the limiting factor to many of my plans back when I was a younger man.

*Edit* I guess I was feeling cheaper than normal when I wrote this, I'd like to redact my comment that the price is high. It is a good price really. I just ordered the Metaltek trans crossmember, shipped to my door for a total of $159. Considering I spent a whole day off work to built one, and it still needs modifications to be strong enough, I will save my time and slap theirs in and feel confident!

Side note: I now have a sub-par fairly flimsy crossmember for sale. LOL. (not really, it will be used in some form later as its now in my scrap pile.)

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

I can weld... I just don’t trust my weld hahaha. Yea unfortunately 380$ is the cheapest for direct bolt in (perch and adapter). All other stores were 599$ for mounts

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Can you fast forward my build a bit too?

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I just ordered mine, engine mounts and trans cross member powder coated for $435 and free shipping.

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What did you do for fuel and harness ?

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When I bought the engine and trans from Stricker auto, I also bought the OEM pump and ecm. I had Mitch from Swaptimeusa add the wiring to my harness. I will have a guy in tow build a tank that will house the pump.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

For fuel pump set up I used a Walbro and clamped it to a piece of 1” angle aluminum that I welded to the bottom of the access plate on the Boyds welding non-efi version tank. I had to gather several AN fittings to plumb it up. You can buy this same thing pre assembled from Travis at AZPro Performance and in hindsight I would do that next time... I thought I could save a few “quid” by doing it myself, and I did but it took way too much time and brain power.

Then I mounted a corvette fuel regulator on the drivers side frame rail. (this will maintain 58 psi to the motor) This piece has a port built in that sends back the excess fuel to the tank.

For the hoses I used PTC (push to connect) from Russell to tie it all together.

This method works, but since then I have learned that the better method is to do what Howell57 did. That way does not tax the pump as much, and provides exactly what fuel pressure the motor is requesting.

I also used Mitch for my harness, but there are several others now. You may want to ask forum member 87Chevy if he has an extra harness available, he makes good stuff too.

Hope this helps!
Brian

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Stripped harness and made an engine cradle. Will split the two soon...

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Just received Holley 302-20 and Metaltek mounts. Very impressed with quality!! Took the stock pan off of the l83 while on engine stand and snapped a pic of the internals. Installed high hump transmission cover as well. Next update will have engine installed, it looks like there is enough room to keep ac in factory location and add a single power steering bracket somehow. I’ll try to entertain this method saving 700$ with not having to buy a kwik performance bracket and power steering pump.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Noticed on my Holley 302-20 oil pan that there is no way to take out the OEM oil level unit and transfer to new Holley oil pan. Threaded hole in the right place but no way to attach sending unit inside pan. Will call Holley about this.
Still waiting for my Metaltek motor and trans mounts.
I ran across krcpower.com for a power steering pump. Waiting for info from company as to a L83 application.
Keep the pictures coming!

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Howell, are you going to run the oil cooler lines or are you plugging it? I think I may only run trans cooler but I don’t know. It looks like there is more than enough room to leave the compressor where it is and attach some type of mount for the power steering beside alternator. I’m starting to think the kwik bracket is annumeccesary waste of money if you have mounts that clear the ac and vac pump.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

I'm thinking about trans cooling lines to rad might be easier.
I guess we will have to make our own brackets for P/s pump and below alternator is best place. Still like the KRC pump and reservoir. Going for functionality over looks, however, things change when you put a wrench to it
Motor mounts come today!

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Installed engine couple days ago to Mock cab in. Metal teks mounts fit perfectly

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Did you have to modify trans hump?

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Yes

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

F.flujan’s bad ass project:

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Howell, check this out if you haven’t, ICT brackets are 199$ then purchase compressor. Clears factory l83 ac compressor 🤔🤔.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

These mounts do give a lot of clearance. I pulled the trigger on KWIK already. Those brackets from ict seem to be the ticket with these mounts

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Engine mounts installed and motor/transmission mounted. The l83/6l80 fit perfectly, as you can see there is plenty of room for both vacuum pump and stock ac compressor in stock location. I did, however, have to remove the stock exhaust manifolds to make the installation go smooth. Went ahead and mounted the power brake booster as well. Overall very pleased with the purchase and figment. Not sure what part of the swap I’m going to tackle next but I may grab the ict brackets and power steering pump, see if the stock manifolds will go back on, and start planning for fuel and harness.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Looking good! Are you not moving the alternator to add the power steering pump?
Noticed today when I took off the exhaust pipes off the manifold that the driver side manifold is cocked out more so than the passenger side.

Re: Greyghost 1971 C10 l83/6l80E Build
 

Funny thing is my drivers side was the same and that was preventing me from dropping in with manifolds on. Yea I’m going to use the ict brackets just haven’t ordered them yet. Are you dropping this weekend?