49 Suburban 5.3 LS Swap

[48ChevBagged]

Ok guys I got some close up pictures of my visor. I also got the hooker block hugger headers in and they fit great. The only problem is I had to cut the steering loose and now I have to re work it. The two u-joint setup I had and the straight shot to the rack is not going to work with the LS engine in there. I went to a local shop and bought 3 u-joints and a rod end and some DD shaft. I put it all together and got it mocked up for now. I have plenty of clearance on my exhaust and I can turn my wheels from lock to lock position. Its a little tough to turn the power rack without the engine running and it feels like there may be a small catch in one of the u joints. I had to angle them pretty hard to get the steering hooked back up. Has anyone else had experience with a 3 u-joint setup. I will post a picture or two of them and let me know what you think if the way I have it everything looks fine and will function properly. Thanks.

[andsonsvd]

Thanks for the pics of the visor!

Shane

[oldman3]

Not 100% sure, but I think you need a stationary support with the 3 u-joint setup, will see if I can locate the source, I think it was Borgenson....Jim

[48ChevBagged]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Not 100% sure, but I think you need a stationary support with the 3 u-joint setup, will see if I can locate the source, I think it was Borgenson....Jim

Jim I have one. Its hard to see it in the pictures but look right below the second u-joint. I have one there with a bracket that is tack welded to the frame for now until I make sure this is going to work.

[oldman3]

Yeah I see it now, it almost looks like part of the u-joint, plus my eyes aren't what they use to be, well you got in covered. I think you should be ok, but like you said, can't tell till is down and moving...Jim

[48ChevBagged]

I did some more work on my u joints I just wasn't to happy with them plus I was thinking they may give trouble since they seemed to bent quite a bit. Got them where I think they are gonna be just fine and welded my bracket to the chassis with a gusset on it. Went ahead and bolted the wheels on and sat it down off the stands. After it was on the floor I figured that would be as good a time as any to test the steering. I turned the wheel both ways until it locked out nothing rubbed or felt like it was in a bind. Will be loading it up to take it to the exhaust shop Saturday. Hopefully if everything goes smooth I will have it fired up by the end of the weekend.

[youngrodder]

Nice progress. I initially fired my LT1 up with just headers. I made some temporary collectors to screw the O2 sensers into and it worked fine. It was not quiet as loud with open headers as I would have thought.

Good luck at the exhaust shop.

Marc

[oldman3]

New routing on the u-joints looks good, burb looks great...Jim

[48ChevBagged]

Well we had a shakedown run today. Here is a link to the video I made of the exhaust. All seems well so far. Its bad when you are use to the old wore out 350 and you matt this 5.3 taking off and you think the transmission is slipping at first but its actually spinning. Lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V85K5el0o74

[99 to Life]

very nice, luv that thing. diggin the steering wheel, even though I really love the original wheels, dash etc. that is very fitting.

[oldman3]

Sounds good, nice job...Jim

[STOCKISH]

Great job on the swap. You really made quick work of that!

[Iceburgh]

Awesome

[woodwright]

Can you give me some details on your exhaust?

True duals?
Size?
Mufflers?

thanks

[48ChevBagged]

Originally Posted by woodwright

Can you give me some details on your exhaust?

True duals?
Size?
Mufflers?

thanks

The exhaust is 2.25" all the way. I have a single borla with dual in and out tips. I have hooker block hugger headers. It sounds way better than I thought it would.

[48ChevBagged]

If any of you guys are on facebook like my page. Thanks. I post quite a bit more on there and more often than I do here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smitt...8673654?ref=hl

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 48ChevBagged

If any of you guys are on facebook like my page. Thanks. I post quite a bit more on there and more often than I do here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smitt...8673654?ref=hl

I will send you a friend request from Greenfield Speedshop.

Your suburban sounds great in the video clip.

If you have any time can you send me a PM with the main components that you used for the fuel tank, headers/manifolds, fuel pump computer flash and wiring harness. I'm starting to create a file for my build.

Thanks
Marc

[sqrlnts]

I absolutely love your Burb, its perfect. The stance, the engine, the raw metal body.

[Root2812]

Your build is great. It looks like you had good clearance in the engine bay. What fan/radiator combo is that? Those look like the stock truck accessories, are they? Did you have any clearance issues with the power steering pulley and the inner fender? Seeing how great your LS swap worked out gives me hope for mine.

[Root2812]

One more question. Are you running regular or drop spindles? That stance is nice.

[48 GMC BURB]

I agree with Cheyenne !I DEFINITELY HAVE A CASE OF SHOP ENVY !!
Sweet looking LS swap ,I'm glad you will have all the kinks worked out before I rework my Burb for a LS !!

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Man, I Love the shot of the shop with all those sick trucks. Would love to visit and check them all out!

[48ChevBagged]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Your build is great. It looks like you had good clearance in the engine bay. What fan/radiator combo is that? Those look like the stock truck accessories, are they? Did you have any clearance issues with the power steering pulley and the inner fender? Seeing how great your LS swap worked out gives me hope for mine.

The Rad is a Champion bought off ebay for the 47-53 trucks. The fan is a 16'' electric derale. The front pulley system is all from the truck motor except the ac bracket and it came off ebay as well LS brackets.com. No clearance problems with power steering but however the ac bracket I had to open up a hole in my inner fender for it. I plan to go back and try and fab something for it to make it look better. I also had to scoot the rad forward in the support some and trim some off the aluminum tabs on the side of it to do so. I had to do this to gain clearance for the electric fan to fit down in there and not hit against the water pump pulley.

[48ChevBagged]

Originally Posted by Root2812

One more question. Are you running regular or drop spindles? That stance is nice.

I believe if im not mistaken it has drop spindles. The rear has a leaf spring setup with lowering blocks.

[48ChevBagged]

Originally Posted by 48 GMC BURB

I agree with Cheyenne !I DEFINITELY HAVE A CASE OF SHOP ENVY !!
Sweet looking LS swap ,I'm glad you will have all the kinks worked out before I rework my Burb for a LS !!

Thanks I appreciate it.

[*Kenny]

wow amazing work! Love the bare metal look and the exhaust sounds great!