72 Plaid Sub
 

Well, after several years of searching through the forums for invaluable information, I figured it's time to give back. I'm starting this build thread for my 1972 Suburban that I bought back in January. The plan is to restore the interior back to the original look with the correct highlander plaid and repaint the suburban in the original dark blue and white two tone. It's gonna run full Porterbuilt suspension and lay flat on the ground. Looking at LS3 or maybe a newer GM gen v motor. Here we go.

Instagram - 72_plaid_sub

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Started the tear down a couple weeks ago.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

More tear down.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Got the old motor and trans out.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Nice burb!

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Thanks Rob. Heres a shot of the frame out before the rivet party.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Making room for the new Porterbuilt stuff.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

I cut an X in the top of the rivets with a cut off wheel and then drilled them with a 3/8" bit. I kept the bit sprayed with Aero Kroil and only used 2 bits to remove almost every rivet in the frame. This is not a bad way to go if you don't like using an air hammer/chisel.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

More progress. Full Porterbuilt roller a couple weeks ago.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Was originally going the LS engine route, but now I'm going to try an fit a 2015 Chevy L83 in the suburban. Hope I don't regret that decision. :hh::dohh:

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Current situation. Modified the Porterbuilt LS mounts and got the L83 installed. Now I got to figure out the steering rack.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l83/

Type: 5.3L V8
Displacement (cu in / cc): 325 / 5328
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.78 x 3.62 / 96 x 92
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Ignition system: coil near plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires
Fuel delivery: direct fuel injection with Active Fuel Management
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 355 / 250 @ 5600 (gas – SAE certified)
380 / 283 @ 5600 (E85 – SAE certified)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 383 / 519 @ 4100 (gas – SAE certified)
416 / 564 @ 4100 (E85 – SAE certified)



http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/eng...arger-install/

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/952140...be-install.jpg

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Really nice build. I would love to do something like this one day. Would you care to share how much $$ you dropped with Porterbuilt?

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Nice build.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

subscribing to this one,...

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

That's usually how *it*starts;)

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

I didn't buy everything from PB directly, but I dropped about $6K with them. Picked up the narrowed PB arms from a board member here and saved about $400 off PBs price. Picked up the shocks and bags online and saved about $100.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

I'll follow along...need lots of pics though, cause i cant read good...so they tell me

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

LS swaps are bomb but are becoming a thing of the past. I will give you props for dealing with the new 5 gen :metal:

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

NICE!
Just saw this... Subscribed!
I'm in the process of getting an L83 out of a 2014 Tahoe myself. Planning on getting it installed on my old 1982 Silverado Stepside (Has a 6.2l Diesel in it right now!).
Keep up the good work!

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Thanks for service tommys72...


Saw your burb on Instagram. .....😱 😱.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Yeah, I've kept up the Instagram account a lot better than the forum. I'm getting back into it now. Should have some updates soon.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Well, I've done a lot of work since my last post, just haven't had time to update here. Will try to do some more updates of the build soon.

Lots of pics and updates on my Instagram @72_plaid_sub

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Starting this back up from last August when I last posted pics of the build.

Mounting the Gen V L83 and 6L80E trans to check the fit.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Installing the Hill's Rod & Custom front inner fender wells. Delmo at Delmo's Speed hooked me up with these extreme drop inner fenders to tuck a 22" wheel and tire combo.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Mocking up some sheet metal for the rear floor. Had to cut the floor for the driveline to come through when the suburban is laid out.

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More sheetmetal mock up and you can see how high the rear fender wells are raised.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

More rear floor work and mocking up the cardboard gas tank.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

The new Delmo's CST wheels showed up back in January. Here's one next to the original 15" wheel cap. My custom Boyd Welding gas tank showed up as well.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Back in February I decide to change the Porterbuilt version 6 front drop member out for the new version 7. It allowed more clearance for the L83 motor and incorporated the new steering geometry.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Back in March I received one of the first Holley Gen V swap oil pans. Had to install a 2009 Pontiac G8 transmission pan on the 6L80E as well. Stock trans pan hung down below the frame.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Some pics out in the sunlight mocking up the front core support, radiator, and fans. Went with the Entropy LSX radiator and fans.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Looks really good

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Hey, This looks great. I am going an LT in my 67 Long box and just decided to go to the V7 over my current V6 drop member based on your pictures from Instagram and the advice from Brandon over at PB. They are currently working on getting my order built and are working on a new set of Engine mounts. Curious to know what you did for mounts and what your plan is for Headers/Manifolds. I also got one of the first Holley LT pans but got Tied up is a SEMA project that pulled me away from my truck project. I wish I would have realized sooner that the V7 was going to be a better option for this engine package.

If there is anyone out there looking for V6 1' narrow Control arms I have a set for sale. Too bad I welded the drop member in could have sold it too.....

Anyway the truck looks great I will keep an eye out for updates.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

The wheels really set the truck off man.what did they set you back for?

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Great progress... where's the plaid? lol

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

The sheet metal for the notch looks great. I need to do something similar on my 53 Suburban to clear the PB notch. I went with a 2 piece drive shaft similar to what C-10 guys use and I didn't need to cut my floor up any more to accommodate a drive line. I assume you planned to run a 2 piece drive shaft. The Delmo wheels look great. Are they 22's?

Marc

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Very nice work! Love your Burb, tagging along for the rest.

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

Hey Longhornss,

I went with the Porterbuilt LS mounts and ICT Billet LS to LT adaptors. I did this because it raised the motor and trans to the proper elevation so the trans pan wasn’t lower than the frame rails. The 6L80E is a huge trans and just barely fit with the G8 pan. I will eventually talk to Porterbuilt about re-making the mounts so I don’t have to have the adaptors in there. As for the exhaust manifolds, I chopped the flange off the stock manifolds and welded a v-band flange on. This was a quick fix to get the suburban running and down to AZ for the Gitdown and Goodguys. I tried the 2016 Camaro tube manifolds, but they didn’t work with my steering. Passenger side was good, but the drivers side was no good. I will eventually make my own headers.

Bret

Re: 72 Plaid Sub
 

You’ll have to contact Delmo for pricing on the wheels and Rusty over at Diamondback Classics for pricing on the tires. I can tell you the wheels were priced similar to other 22” billets on the market when I bought them a little over a year ago.