1996 Z71 progress thread

S.S.D.D.










I've "inherited" my wife's '96 Sierra Z71 that has a very FUBAR L31. Here's a little history: Her grandfather ordered it from GM in 1995 and eventually passed it to her father upon his death in 2000. When he passed away, my wife took it over as her daily driver in 2006. After we got together, I began to drive it to work in 2008 until truck went down in the spring of 2013. It basically wouldn't start anymore. The hard start/no-start condition led to a broken starter boss and chewed up a few starters. I'm sure with more troubleshooting and a few handfuls of money I could have it running again. It's just not worth it at 198k miles to do that. I've long entertained the idea of swapping in a LSx but for the budget reasons, it never happened. I have a long running Mustang project that has gobbled up my savings for years. I decided to buy some parts to get the swap going but it lost steam again with the usual budget short fall. Well, I got a new job which nearly doubled my salary. Now it's on and nothing will stop me MUUUAHAHAHHAAAHAHAA

List of parts [will update as the list grows]

1] Lextech 0411 PCM swap/repin kit

2] KDS Performance LS swap plates


Upcoming purchases

1] Lextech accesory bracketry

2] required fuel system fittings, line, etc

3] OEM manifolds/y-pipe [for now]

4] OEM clutch fan

5] H2 cai

6] a damn 5.3 :LOL:


This is copied and pasted from LS1truck but this is home

Plans beyond the 5.3 swap:

1] updated seating

2] convert blue interior to grey or black

3] 2015 Sierra 20's

4] minor torsion bar crank and AAL

5] paint job

6] lighting revamp


that would be a good start...

SO.. We actually sold this truck one year after i started this thread when we bought a house. She decided it was time to let it go. That was a choice she soon began to regret. Two weeks ago, I found out the current owner was willing to sell it back to me. I went on a Mustang part selling spree to buy it back so I can surprise her with it. After a lengthy conversation with the owner, I have some interesting information. He finally narrowed the Hard/No start condition to a failed fuel pressure regulator. However, before he figured this out he went through:

1] 2 flexplate/ring gears

2] 17 starters [yes, 17]

3] 2 fuel pumps

That is on hell of a learning curve. This time, I'm prepared because I bought a 4.8 to LS swap this sucker

The transmission has lost 2nd and Overdrive. My buddy William works for an Allison Transmission shop and will rebuild it for me. I may opt for some sensible upgrades and a slight stall. It is a 4x4 that will be mostly used for fun and commuting.

My other buddy Tim builds custom exhaust systems on the side and will help with some TIG welded goodness.

EDIT - I talked to another buddy and I'm buying his old LS1 that needs to rebuild for cheap. The plan to build it to suit our needs and run the 4.8 as is until then.

LS1
Trailblazer SS intake
TSP Tsunami cam [.621/.615]
241 heads

Today, I left work at lunch to covertly purchase the truck back and trailer it home. All went well until one of the trailer’s tires decided to fly off. It nailed a clean NNBS Sierra 4x4 in the process.







@%¥%!!!!

The owner was a good sport and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make it right. Anyhow, back to the GMT400 content.

The truck starts right up with a little of the classic Chevrolet starter chirp and settles into a smooth idle. Even with 212k miles on it, she’s running better then I ever remember. The paint is starting to peel on the hood and the interior is filthy. The tires are shot and the original 4L60e lost 2nd/4th gear. I will take lots of pictures but for now, I’m going drink whiskey.

Happy Cinco de Drinko!!

I bought a pair of mirrors [for $2 + shipping] to replace the current, badly worn set and I also found a leather wrapped steering wheel in great shape. I'm not going to do much else for now, except a thorough clean out of the interior. We may pull the bed off and start cleaning the frame up.

Finally got a day off and went to retrieve the 4.8 from my buddies shop.





This isn’t the largest work space (8’ x 16’) but it is air conditioned!!





The engine came with its own 411 ECU, not bad for a $400 long block. Now I can send the other to be re-tuned for the LS1 and that’ll save me a future headache.

Left work early to go retrieve my LS1 from Kyle. The cylinder walls look really good and he estimates the total mileage to be around 155k. Looks like it just needs to be freshened up but I won’t know until it’s torn down.





How about that for irony??



The 241 heads look good but I spotted a couple valve seals that need to be replaced. I’m most likely going to have them decked .010” and freshened up.