5.3L LS swap and overall restoration – Reference photos with descriptions
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Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Trans re-installed and a test drive brought on a chance for some pics...
Documenting 567 miles at time of trans rebuild...
I really messed up here. Less than 600 miles and I burned up the transmission. My fault. During disassembly, I plugged the trans cooler lines so as to not get residual fluid everywhere when I cleaned and painted them. I somehow missed removing one of the plugs and therefore no flow. No flow is no good. $1000 heavy duty rebuild of the 700R4 got me back on the road. Quite an expensive and stupid mistake.
leftovers...
leftovers...
Already turned it into a "grocery getter"... a fast grocery getter...
smooth and quiet... yes, only 5 miles!
Expert Exhaust is only a couple miles down the road, but don't wanna take any chances...
Expert Exhaust is only a couple miles down the road, but don't wanna take any chances...
Ready for a trip to get exhaust installed...
Ready for a trip to get exhaust installed...
Ready for a trip to get exhaust installed...
Ready for a trip to get exhaust installed...
shift linkage bolt stripped... drill and tap to repair.
shift linkage bolt stripped... drill and tap to repair.
a few extra pieces from the yard...
cleaned and painted...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
a little low-key subtle bling...
first bath in months... also freshly cleaned and painted wheels...
first bath in months... also freshly cleaned and painted wheels...
needs a bath... also freshly cleaned and painted wheels...
needs a bath... also freshly cleaned and painted wheels...
universal door lock install on rear doors...
universal door lock install on rear doors...
parking brake wiring location info for FB group.
parking brake wiring location info for FB group.
interesting label behind panel on passenger door.
universal power windows and locks install...
universal power windows and locks install...
universal power windows and locks install...
universal power windows and locks install...
universal power windows and locks install...
universal power windows and locks install...
Got the damaged ceramic pads replaced... on they go with new bearings and rotors...
Got the damaged ceramic pads replaced... on they go with new bearings and rotors...
Got the damaged ceramic pads replaced... on they go with new bearings and rotors...
Got the damaged ceramic pads replaced... on they go with new bearings and rotors...
good shot of the steel to nylon Dorman 800-135 compression fittings. 5/16" and 3/8"
good shot of the steel to nylon Dorman 800-135 compression fittings. 5/16" and 3/8"
I was not satisfied with how I ran my tank vent. I used the larger one for venting and this was WRONG... So I capped it and used the smaller one which has a check valve. Large tube has no check valve and can allow fuel to leak if there was a roll-over accident.
I was not satisfied with how I ran my tank vent. I used the larger one for venting and this was WRONG... So I capped it and used the smaller one which has a check valve. Large tube has no check valve and can allow fuel to leak if there was a roll-over accident.
factory ect sender with copper crush washer for ecu operation...
someone asked about my cowl hood. This is an all metal functioning hood by Triplus Co, Ltd. Same as hood sold by Auto Metal Direct.
cooling leak at ect sender... I tightened too much and broke adapter... because I forgot the copper crush washer...
cooling leak at ect sender... I tightened too much and broke adapter... because I forgot the copper crush washer...
air pocket in cooling...
114" without tension, but 113" would NOT install.
measuring for belt. ICT says 113" is correct for their bracket, but would not fit. 114" worked.
fuel filter and fuel sensor must be protected from road debris somehow...
fuel filter and fuel sensor must be protected from road debris somehow...
fuel filter and fuel sensor must be protected from road debris somehow...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
second under hood clearance check after modifications...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
installed...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
installed...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
installed...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
Cut down a rubber stopper to fit... drilled hole and countersunk to receive oem bolt...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
Cut down a rubber stopper to fit... drilled hole and countersunk to receive oem bolt...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
Cut down a rubber stopper to fit... drilled hole and countersunk to receive oem bolt...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
Cut down a rubber stopper to fit...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
Cut down a rubber stopper to fit...
modifying the engine cover for more under hood clearance.
test fitting the intake...
test fitting the intake...
test fitting the intake...
What type of ac condenser did you use ? I see that your lines are on the passenger side of vehicle . Also what did you use for the intake fitting for your power brakes ?
I used the Gbody Cutlass Condenser for AC to keep the install cleaner. It has connections on passenger-side whereas Malibu has driver-side connections. Intake fitting for power brakes? Everything on the brakes, from booster to lines to calipers/wheel cylinders are all OEM replacement. Hard lines and proportioning valve are from inlinetube.com
Do you have any part numbers for the ac hoses along with fittings ?
Hoses are custom fit and made. Even a couple fittings were custom made.
The tv bracket and cable ? Are they custom or replacements ? Do you have part numbers
The TV cable was oem, but I broke the housing and replaced it with an adjustable cable. The bracket was custom fabbed and the connector arm was custom fabbed. There’s a bit if information about how I did this in the write-up. See the menu for the URL.