Catching up on a few updates over the past few months

 

Fixed some loose vents. After years of "maturity" and aging, they eventually deteriorated and the vent flops around. I bought some Velcro dots, cleaned it thoroughly with plastic prep, then put a dot on each end. Works great!!! Only use the soft side of the Velcro.

 

Getting the TPI out and stretching it's legs...

 

finally put to bed test code 42 once no for all!!! Ended up being pin connector on ECM was a tad too loose. Removes pin from connector, cleaned some excess dielectric grease off, reinstalled and it's doing awesome! Actually runners gm netter too!

 

Picked up LS3 ARP balancer bolt and flywheel clamp tool....

 

A couple more hood components: new hood hinges and hood cable! Great looking pieces! Painted the hinges and installed everything on the car. Man that hood is heavy!

 

Focused a little on LS3.... Installed some sensors: Knock sensor, crank position sensor, Oil Pressure sending unit, and Temp sending unit....






Oil sensor install socket





Oil Sensor





Temp Sensor





Knock sensor



Crank Sensor



All sensors on

 

Replacement steering column is here!! Really nice piece, better condition than original. Two keys included and ready to rock! Time to get this beast on the road again!

 

Hanging out in the park today with the family...

 

Pulled the dash instrument cluster again today to troubleshoot Alt gauge, turn signals, and High beam indicators. The C1 and C2 connectors were a little misaligned and there was one ignition pinout wire that had pushed out of the connector. Now all that's left is Tach work...











https://www.facebook.com/fireball******/videos/146078179311328/

 

Spent some quality time with wire brush... Horn button contacts were all rusted up. Tested circuit by inserting Allen wrench and grounding against steering wheel.... I could hear the relay clicking. So I need to get a horn relay and horns next... stay tuned for more "operation horn diagnostics"

 

This is the GM LS Controller Harness and Fuse Relay Center... nice plug-and-play setup!!! Even came with pedal by wire, bosses for MAF, and output BUS connector for all the dash gauges.

 

Brian Tooley Racing Stage 3 cam with pushrods and BTR springs ready for the LS3!! Also picked up 3 bolt timing gear, cam retainer bolts, and cam retainer thrust plate.

 

Prepping for cam install, I installed the LS7 flywheel, the flywheel locking tool, and removed the harmonic balancer. I made my own harmonic balancer install tool by grinding the old bolt so the pulley could go past the bolt head... mission accomplished!!!

 

I decided to relax and get my mind on the LS3 swap.

Installed BTR 660" double valve springs on one of the heads. This was the first time doing these... it was a little tedious, and I realized the key is to make sure the Trick Flow tool was aligned correctly. The valve locks went on with no problem then. I also used a longer bolt and 12mm deep socket to pry the two piece valve seals down... worked pretty well! The other big thing to remember is get the piston TDC on the cylinder working on so valves don't drop.

 

BTR Stage 3 Cam Install... I spun the motor upside down instead of using the "dowel trick". Worked out pretty well (keeps lifters from dropping).



spun motor upside down to prevent possible lifter dropping



Remove oil pickup tube





Removed LS3 style chain damper (using LS1 style from TrickFlow)



Removed oil pump and chain damper



cam is on its way out!



getting ready to lube, installing cam



almost there!



installed oil pump



Boom! Cam is in!!!

 

Installed intake manifold.... it's starting to resemble an engine! New bolts by ICT and torqued in sequence to 104 inch/lbs. cleaned inside of intake and heads mating surfaces.

 

GM F-body (4th gen) Oil pan, windage tray, pick up tube, dip stick installed tonight!

 

Waxed up and ready for Wiregrass car show (and possible rain )

 

Finally buttoned up the LS3 in terms of covers!!! Tonight I installed a new ACDelco LS1 harmonic balancer, which aligned front timing cover, torqued down to specs... 235 ft lbs on ARP balancer bolt is no joke!!! Next, front accessories and new Dirty Dingo billet brackets...

 

installed new transmission shifter cable today.... not freaking fun at all!!! It's in but needs a little more adjustment. Can't wait to get rid of this automatic crap!

 

Working on the front accessories with the new Dirty Dingo brackets! Got a good start on things.

 

Started to get familiar with the LS3 GM Controller and Harness...mocked up and test fitted everything... including the ECM and pedal!

 

Throttle body time!

 

More harness connections...

 

Hanging out with local Camaro club...

 

4th gen LS style tank just arrived. This tank is a better design, preventing fuel starvation around corners, and longer lasting fuel pump. I’ll need to get Walbro high volume pump, some fuel line mods, and fuel sending unit (for correct 0-90 ohm sweep)

 

So I upgraded some of the dash bulbs, but realized the new LED went in only one way pos/neg. so I spent some time with the ohmmeter, tracing the printed circuit board. I also replaced some of the bulb sockets. Now it’s nice and lit up!

 

Truck coils with heat sinks, brackets, coil harness, plug wires, GM coil boot heat shields... Stock brackets look like hell, going to buy the ICT coil brackets.

 

Wow, the ICT coil brackets look way better! I also retaped the coil harness with harness tape and cleaned up the wiring.

 

A couple final touches on the LS3 today.... oil filter, oil filler neck and cap, MAP sensor, and cleaned up some wiring harness. Headers and starter is all I need to complete it!!!!

 

Ok, this build thread is all caught up!!! Wow, I've been busy LOL.

 

Awesome job! Any updates?

Also were did the ls harness come from?

 

Thanks! I'll do some updates shortly - I keep my Facebook page @fireballmu11et (replace 11 with LL, this site blocks mu11et).

I used the GMPP LS3 Controller Kit - it had harness, electronic pedal, all sensors, and PCM with kit.

 

A few more updates to follow to catch everyone up:

 

Picked up a new circuit board for the Tach from gj280. Worked like a charm once I zero'd out the needle!

 

https://www.facebook.com/fireball******/videos/170056336913512/

 

Swap Time!!! Topside Engine all unhooked: brake lines, power steering pump lines, fuel lines, and remaining wiring!

 

Swap: Interior work: removed center console and shifter. It sure does look like a mess all the sudden.

 

Swap: Up in the air, ready to start taking out parts under car.

 

Swap: The 305 TPI and 700r4 is out ( and sold already )! Overall pulling from under the car was fine.

 

Swap: Made some good progress on the LS3 swap. Cleaned and painted Kmember, mounted ICT Billet engine adapter plates. Installed clamshell on adapters, and finally put LS3 on kmember and bolted the motor mounts up!!! I ran into some snags, but all and all I’m happy with today’s progress.

 

Changed out the two-wire temp sensor to three-wire to support coolant gauge temperature.



Two vs Three



Green goes to same green temp gauge sensor wire in existing 3rd gen chassis harness.

 

Swap: Worked on rebuilding and sealing HVAC box on firewall today! Turned out pretty good:

 

Swap: Made some progress on T56... finally getting over being under the weather. First I picked up some slave cylinder mounting bolts, 1 1/2” hole saw to cut for clutch master, and a straight edge and Micrometer so I can measure clutch spacing. Removed lower control arms with suspension attached so it will be easier bolting the Kmember up. Removed auto pedals and brake booster. Put LS3 and kmember on hoist and prepared a dolley under it. Tomorrow may be the day I get it in!!!!

 

Big Milestone!!!LS3 and T56 is in its new home!

 

Ok, all caught up for now! I'm doing mostly boring wiring up stuff now and will soon put the 4th gen fuel tank in.

 

I just found this thread. Really nice work you are doing.
I have never even touched an LS, but I have to say that those Brian Tooley parts are very impressive quality. Thanks for all the pictures. They really help with following this. Great looking car also, but you have to do something about that steering wheel.

 

Thank you, NoEmissions84TA. Yeah, the interior needs to be gone through - that's the final phase, following the swap.

 

Wiring the LS3...oil pressure sensor gauge, water temp gauge, speedometer input from ECM, routed the ECM and harness under dash, mocked up controller fuse relay box, cleaned up unused chassis harness connectors.