5.3L LS swap and overall restoration – Reference photos with descriptions
…arranged newest to oldest…
Please note that you can click on the pics for a larger view, but must use your browser “Back” button to return to the page to continue.
test fitting the intake...
remote start. Compustar CS800-S
remote start. Compustar CS800-S
remote start. Compustar CS800-S
remote start. Compustar CS800-S
instrument panel installed...
instrument panel installed...
instrument panel installed...
instrument panel installed...
instrument panel installed...
instrument panel tinted faceplate install...
instrument panel tinted faceplate install...
instrument panel tinted faceplate install...
instrument panel tinted faceplate install...
instrument panel tinted faceplate install...
instrument panel install...
instrument panel install...
instrument panel install...
instrument panel install...
new brake/TCC switch replaces old brake only switch. I ended up choosing not to run the lock-up converter, but left the wiring as is.
and then this happened...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
under hood clearance shots...
could not find the hose I needed for bottom so I modified on into two pieces.
upper radiator hose choice.
new ceramic pads damaged in shipping...
ecu and fuse/relay box installed...
ecu and fuse/relay box installed...
radiator and fan installed. brackets fabricated for fan.
radiator and fan installed. brackets fabricated for fan.
bracing removed...
bracing removed...
this bracing needs to be removed... dare I?
maybe I'll just put this air cleaner top back on for dress-up... nah...
maybe I'll just put this air cleaner top back on for dress-up... nah...
measurements tell me that there is going to be clearance issues... slight modification necessary.
measurements tell me that there is going to be clearance issues... slight modification necessary.
measurements tell me that there is going to be clearance issues... slight modification necessary.
measurements tell me that there is going to be clearance issues... slight modification necessary.
time to get this cowl hood back in place...
time to get this cowl hood back in place...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
eyeballing clearances...
doghouse back in place
doghouse back in place
Time for the doghouse re-install
AC compressor power connection with damaged connector.
out with the old and in with the new
broken wire. I have a replacement.
broken wire. I have a replacement.
Sanden 508 compressor and ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
Sanden 508 compressor and ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
Sanden 508 compressor and ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
Sanden 508 compressor and ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
ICT Billet 551494X-3 AC bracket going on smoothly
nasty rusted rear shocked. Soaked the nuts/bolts in PB Blaster for a couple days and they came right off.
nasty rusted rear shocked. Soaked the nuts/bolts in PB Blaster for a couple days and they came right off.
nasty rusted rear shocked. Soaked the nuts/bolts in PB Blaster for a couple days and they came right off.
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.