88 1500 daily driver project
 

just picked up a 1988 c1500 silverado swb. Truck is typical, high milage truck. Bought from friend who owned it since 1998.
V6 5 speed, standard cab, 3.42 gears, ac, gold factory paint.
Cab corners need patched, rest of truck pretty solid.

My plan is to get this in good daily driver duty condition first. Eventually it will get lowered, painted, and maybe a v8 swap.

It will be used for daily driver duty, on occasion will haul loads of wood, rocks, dirt, car parts, whatever.

Here it is after I got it home.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psbcd32251.jpg

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Previous owner complained of idle issue after driving a distance.

First thing I found, pcv port on tb was plugged with carbon.
Removed throttle body, used a few cans of cleaner on it, reinstalled with new gasket. Old pcv valve stuck replaced with new.

I then ran some seafoam through the engine.
Replaced spark plugs with new ac delco units. Old ones were pretty bad. Replaced cap and rotor with new, ok'd ones pretty worn.

Scanned ECM, code 44, replaced original O2 sensor with new unit, cleared code.

Drove around block, idle stayed high. PO reported low rough idle.
Checked idle air control valve. It was not functioning. Replaced with new unit.

After breif test it seems much better, idles lower, smooth. Can't say perfect, but it's much better.

Changed oil and filter. Truck has great oil pressure, over 40 at idle when warm.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Next trip to parts store, plug wires, fuel filter, radiator cap, valve cover gaskets, floor mats.

Need to get hinge repair parts for drivers door soon as well.

Cab corners are on list as well.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Just ordered cab corners and hinge repair kit.

Hopefully the drivers door will shut right after I put new bushings and pins in the hinges!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Truck doesn't seem too bad!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Well, it appears to have popped a head gasket:(

fortunaly I have a freash engine in waiting, just wasn't planning on swapping just yet.

New engine specs are as follows:

1988 l98 350 block .030" over
Arp main bolts
Eagle Cast crank
Eagle I beam rods
arp wave lock bolts
speed pro flat tops
10:1 compression
Comp 08-501-8 roller cam
GM performane roller lifters
Cloyes roller chain
Rotating assembly balanced
083 heads
2.02/1.6 valves
comp double springs
pocket ported
Comp 1.52 Roller Rockers

For now, I have a stock tbi intake and going to get bigger injectors.
eBay stainless shorty headers on the way.

I have a fully ported tpi setup with slp runners that I plan to swsp later.

In the meantime, I'll get the prom tuned and run tbi.

Also swapped a set of sport mirrors:)
Got 2 sets of 4x6 Infinity Kappa plates, and a JVC headunit. I test fit one in the passenger dash hole, it fit fine!

New bushings and pins for the doors are here as well, just need to install.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Nice that your getting ready to put that L98 in!!! Let us know how the L98 does with the TBI setup until you do the TPI swap on it later.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Picked up some cheap eBay headers
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psa0bc8556.jpg


Pretty nice for the price!
Also have a set of 65lb injectors, and a 454 tb on the way!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Picked up a good deal on a 454 throttle body. Also have a set of 65lb injectors on the way.

I have a 3 day weekend coming up and hopefully will be able to make the swap and have this back on the road!

After that, it's lowering time!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Been a busy day and a half!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps4d878a20.jpg

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Looks good! keep us posted

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Made lots of progress.

L98 and 5 speed are now mated.

Rebuilt the tb with new 65lb Injectors.

V8 motor mounts installed.

I'm hoping to get the engine and trans bolted in today.
Shouldn't take too long to get enerythimg buttoned up after that.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Almost there!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psa974a845.jpg

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Swap is almost finished.

Installed a base tune from tunedperformance.

Only thing left is a v8 throttle cable bracket, and it should be drivable!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Just drove it around the block!

So far so good!

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Put 60 miles on it today!

Oil pressure at hot idle is 35psi
cold and cruise it is 55psi.
Temps stays around 205

thing pulls like a beast!
Great power, can't wait to really get on it.

Seems a little rich ATM but that's the tune, it was set up with a little added fuel.

Gonna datalog and get tune adjusted.

Also looking forward to adding a 3" exhuast. I have a new dynomax ultra flow muffler waiting.

Also need to install a tach to better adjust idle.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Nice start on the upgrades. If I was a lot closer I would take that v6 off your hands...

Thinking of going this direction for my second son in a couple of years when he starts to drive.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Thanks! Got 350 miles on it so far, I can't get over how much power this 350 has, even with a stock tbi intake.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Got about 800 miles on the engine so far.
Runs great!

Picked up an Edelbrock TBI intake at a swap meet this weekend.
Going to have it bored for my 454 tb, then I'll probably do a little port work as well.

Hope to be able to feel the difference.

Next will be a bigger y pipe and 3" exhaust.

Performance mods will be finished at that point.

I've calculated milage at 16.5 this first tank I've ran through. I've been in the pedal a good bit though, so a lighter foot and some tuning should get it up even better.

Still planning to lower it and swap some wheels at some point.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

Kept my foot out of it this tank, average mpg this time was 18.6!

I've been running a stock air cleaner assembly with a new k&n filter.
Today I swapped a 14x4 open element.

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

So when do you plan on putting the TPI on it just curious as I'm doing the same

Re: 88 1500 daily driver project
 

I decided not to swap the tpi, just don't have the time and money to spend on it.

I'm going to swap the exhaust and intake soon, and that's it.

Got some 17" 645 Ridlers ordered for it, and plan to lower it soon.