Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

An X in that section would be stronger and take out more chassis twist if it would fit and not create driveline fitment issues.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Thanks. I realize that, but I can't do an X with the driveshaft in place. There's not room.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Looks good! Lots o' work in that frame so far. It will be worth all your hard work and planning in the end.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Subscribed!!!

Love the build!! Never had an urge to get a K5 really, but just the idea on how this is going to turn out is giving me the itch to find one. Great work, if I can lend a hand from Tx, let me know haha.

Chris's Monte Carlo is a hell of a machine also. I'm guessing you had a hand in that as well? lol

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Thanks Kris.

Yeah, I built and tuned the whole car in my shop in IL. My brother Dan did quite a bit on it as well. I know Chris would have been balls deep in the project had he been living closer, but he did help me build the motor.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4269.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4271.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4299.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...327_204323.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4492.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4660.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4693.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4345.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...p/IMG_4486.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Back to my project.

Cleaned up the heads, and started swapping valve springs. Also started tearing into the 6L. Sadly, I won't get a chance to work on it for another week or so....travelling home for chirstmas. In the meantime I've got a buddy that is powdercoating the valley cover and the front timing cover.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...218_201549.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...218_232506.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Ya, Chris has the itch to build, so i'm gonna set him loose on my c10 when he gets time.

Looking good! Hope to clear out some more of your shop space by gettin some pesky parts out of your way soon and relocating them onto my truck

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Great build!
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Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

This truck is going to be awesome when finished. And the pictures don't do the fab work justice... the out board shock mounts look right at home with the PB parts. :metal:

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I stripped all the ricer paint off the block, and sprayed it with a single stage urethane black.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...101_130227.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...102_203928.jpg

Studded

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...105_175857.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...105_175925.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...106_145848.jpg

Welded some crankcase vent fittings to the valve covers.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...231_145007.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...106_143326.jpg

These are the manifolds I'm using for the new turbo setup. They're from a C6 vette. (ZOMGVETTEPARTS!!!)

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...106_153216.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...106_153337.jpg

Engine is pretty much finished. Next comes the trans.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Nice, clean work as usual. Looks beastly! Doing single or twins?

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Thanks. Going back to a single setup for now....I think twins are in store for this truck eventually :metal:

Worked for a bit tonight. Gutted out the old trans....I guess the broken case was a mixed blessing, because I found a couple other issues during the teardown.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...107_210859.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...107_212539.jpg

Been wanting to do this for awhile....build a completely gutted LS1/4L80E for mockup purposes.

Had a toast LS1 sitting on the shelf

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...107_230407.jpg

Welded the broken bellhousing ears back on to the trans case

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...75719083_n.jpg

Voila! Mockup goodness. It's kinda awkward shaped, but I can lift it by myself.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...107_230422.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...107_231603.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Got the steering rack put on last night
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...110_214506.jpg

Time to mate the body to the frame to check how everything fits
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...111_192206.jpg

Everything seems to fit decent for the most part. Plenty of clearance around the engine and trans. A couple of my chassis stiffening bars tag the body underneath, so that will have to be reworked. Also I'm gonna have to do some tweaking to level out the rake.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...111_201735.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...111_213000.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Nice progress! Cool to see it together. Do you have enough adjustment in the coil overs to get it to sit how you want?
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Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Thanks GL. I can go up a bit in the front yet, but I'm gonna have to rework the rear a bit to get it to sit how I want. Such is live with building hot rods I guess :waah:

Rolled it outside on saturday to snap a couple more pics. Seeing it take shape is definitely a motivator.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...112_115237.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...112_115257.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...112_115219.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...112_115248.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Looks awesome, especially those wheels :metal:

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Can't wait to se more progress. I like your build plan and like how you did the rear coil overs.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

That motor is awesome, cant wait to see the turbos on top of it....big bucks!

Nice work on all the fab work

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Now this is a nice project. I just wish my 7yr old daughter was excited about the cars/trucks but runs away. But I still plan on her running w/me in the 81 when it's done.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Thanks guys.

Got the frame 90% boxed in. Just need to finish welding, and a couple other things, and the chassis will be mostly done and ready to paint.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_5110.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_5111.jpg

Also finished up the Megasquirt harness and tested all the sensors.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_5114.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...44642417_n.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Lookin good Jeff.

Danny looks proud of his wiring work and ready to be done with it.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

nice work on the frame and wiring!

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I've been welding my ass off, and not much to show for it other than 3 empty TIG tanks in the past month or so. Grind, prep, weld, repeat. My garage is destroyed right now with grinding dust everywhere.

Everytime I thought I was done with the frame...I'd think of something else I forgot....but at least now everything is welded up.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psb501b199.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps7c614a52.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psdb4dda61.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psee266f33.jpg

Got the coilover mounts all burned in, and fabbed up a panhard rod mount.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps8a20c78a.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps23b0f29d.jpg

The valvecovers also made their way back from the powdercoater.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...6257177jpg.jpg

I forgot how much I hate painting. I would rather weld for an additional 10 nights, than to have to paint an additional night. Anyway, it's done. Sprayed it a gloss black urethane with an HVLP gun. Made a big ass mess, but the finished result looks pretty awesome.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps4435771f.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

That's really nice.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Swapped from drums to discs on the rear axle. They're police Caprice / Impala SS brakes.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps1cb76250.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps351edc2a.jpg

Also routed the rear brake lines to the calipers and temporarily secured them.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps0f3c1425.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psc2211382.jpg

Got all the front and rear suspension back underneath it. Gotta run the brake hardline along the framerail yet.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps0231a20e.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...pseedddb80.jpg

Next up....big fuel.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps660b2c90.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

WOW great progress on the build!!

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I see you changed the position of the coil over to raise the front. I am also going to do this in a couple weeks. I'm curious to see how much this will lift the front.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I did it while the body was on to try to gain some ride height...I didn't notice any difference. As you can see, I cranked the preload adjusters all the way down in an effort to level the truck out a bit. It doesn't help that my frame is a 4x4 and kicks up an extra inch at the front, effectively lowering the front of the truck an additional inch.

We'll see how it shakes out.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Slowly checking tasks off the list.

Got the transmission put back together and buttoned up. Would really like to get it mated to the engine and back in the chassis this weekend. Hopefully.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps88045bb1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps80a55183.jpg

Like everything else on this project, the running the brake lines is taking way more time than I budgeted for it.

Started out with a roll of copper/nickel alloy line, a flaring tool, and went to work.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...pse6e37dfa.jpg

After 3 hours, this is all I got done...lots of head scratching and pondering the best route, clipping points, etc....gotta leave room for the downpipe to make it thru.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps66101e5c.jpg

Also got the PS rack re-installed.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps100d7d58.jpg

Gotta find a place to mount this guy. Will probably wait until the body is back on, and fab a bracket that comes off the master cylinder.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psf58d8365.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Hell of a build.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Fairly productive weekend.

Finished running the brake lines to the rear of the truck.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psd2ebb444.jpg

Fuel Tank before:
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...pscf619d5b.jpg

Made some bosses to mount the filter and pump to the tank.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psab12da69.jpg

Fuel tank after
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psdfbc68d9.jpg

Ran the fuel lines (waiting on a couple parts to button the system up)
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps4c84d64b.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps3ad0ed31.jpg

Built and painted a panhard rod
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psfe739393.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps29f7c38e.jpg

Got all the wheels back on and rolled it outside to give the shop a quick onceover scrubbing.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps6b626eb2.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psf5af2388.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps81e9eedd.jpg

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Awesome progress!!

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Looking great!! Lol. Wish I worked as fast as you do

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Moving right along...

Got the return line plumbed and the flex fuel sensor mounted (mostly...waiting on another 90* fitting for the sensor) but the hardline is run.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psdfad4631.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps9a68e43d.jpg

And finally hit a milestone that I've been waiting for

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psc20fe12e.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps6394b695.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psf9a20493.jpg

Guess I should start fabbing the turbo setup soon. Also planning to paint the underside of the cab before it goes back on.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

turbos coming yea

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Looking pretty awesome - can't wait to see it carvin' up central IL

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I like what you did with your rear brake line. is the T on the diff just a standard AN T?

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

I like what you did with your rear brake line. is the T on the diff just a standard AN T?

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

Yep, it's just a steel -3 AN (3/16") bulkhead tee.

Re: Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build
 

So my wife is pretty much the best.

Contracted a local artist to do a caricature style rendering of what I'd like the final product to be. Had no idea she was doing it until she surprised me with it last night.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps24802592.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psd7a13742.jpg