My 1990 C1500 SWB Build - Daily Driver

[OutlawDrifter]

All it takes is one hit to get hooked!

 

[Supercharged111]

Well boys, after yet another 4L80E rebuild, this time a bit tougher.

I just authorized a purchase...

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To spool an even bigger turbo?

 

[PolarBear]

To spool an even bigger turbo?

This curmudgeon of a 6.0 has waaaaaaay too much compression for boost. There's a reason why it's such a hard runner for a NA "6.0".

 

[PolarBear]

Spent some time on the truck yesterday, put a stock lower valance back on, new rear roll pan, fancy pants tonneau cover and SS mirrors.

Then promptly finished spanking the "built" 4L80E, it had issues when I got the truck back, but now reverse is totally gone.

Talked to the builder and he's assuming the reverse pin depth wasn't set right as he didn't have the tool......

Went ahead and ordered the AR5 to LS adaptor parts, I have to go pickup the pedals, manual column and manual tach dash from a donor next weekend. Once the salvage yards open tomorrow, i'll call around and get a pull-out AR5 ordered.

To this point, this truck has been thru nearly $12,000 in automatic transmissions.

1.) "Built" 700R4
2.) "Built" TH350
3.) 3 "Built" TH400
4.) Stock 4L80E
5.) "Built" 4L80E

Let alone the gazillion dollars in custom converters, fluid, coolers, line sets.

This truck in my opinion isn't a MEGA HP truck, somewhere around 500-520 whp. I'm sure at this point it's cursed or i've got poor builder choice.

I've always wanted to try an Aisin AR5 and see if it lives up to the 700+HP that many guys claim they do. I guess we'll see......

 

[PolarBear]

So, total cost involved in this swap, via my travels the past 2 days.

AR5 Transmission - $200
Manual pedals, manual tilt column, manual tach cluster - $100
FabBot AR5 to LS Adaptor kit - $461.99
FabBot Remote bleeder kit - $31.99
FabBot Bellhousing kit - $150.00
FabBot Master to Slave line for OBS trucks - $59.95
GM Pressure plate bolts - $6.10
GM Flywheel bolts - $25.90
Clutch Master & Pushrod for the 90 - $28.99
Colorado Clutch Slave - $79.99
2002 Camaro Flywheel - $83.79
6 Puck Clutch kit w/ pressure plate - $275.79
Gear oil for trans - $12.60

For a grand total of: $1,517.09

All of the above parts are new and ordered online, with the exception of the Transmission, pedals, column and cluster.

Plan to head up to Nebraska this weekend to pickup the transmission, pedals, column and cluster. After that, it'll be a few weekends before the 4L80E and shifter are pulled, which are all sold.

 

[MrPink]

You must have got transmission builds that were close to EOD on Friday, aka the IDGAF hours. I am going n/a 6.0L too with a TH400. Not going to have 500hp+ though, maybe 450hp to the crank, it will still be a fun truck.

 

[Nick_R_23]

This curmudgeon of a 6.0 has waaaaaaay too much compression for boost. There's a reason why it's such a hard runner for a NA "6.0".

What’s “way too much compression”? These days, with the badass computer controls, and Holley ECU’s having knock sensor capabilities, it’s not uncommon to see reliable boost on top of 10.0:1 - 11.0:1 engines.

Shoot, my last daily driver was 10.3:1 and peaked at 18psi.

 

[PolarBear]

What’s “way too much compression”? These days, with the badass computer controls, and Holley ECU’s having knock sensor capabilities, it’s not uncommon to see reliable boost on top of 10.0:1 - 11.0:1 engines.

Shoot, my last daily driver was 10.3:1 and peaked at 18psi.

Just a touch over 13:1.

 

[PolarBear]

You must have got transmission builds that were close to EOD on Friday, aka the IDGAF hours. I am going n/a 6.0L too with a TH400. Not going to have 500hp+ though, maybe 450hp to the crank, it will still be a fun truck.

The smoked TH400's were when the truck had a single turbo built smallblock, making 24psi via an S475, leaving on the brake at 4500 rpm.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I had to go read about the transmission, new knowledge to me.

Sounds like a hell of a lot cheaper option than a TKO or TKX if you can stand the gear ratios.