Dustin Apple yes, invaluable, I am not your average mechanic techie dude, but I am a diy’er and I’m gonna give this ago... I wanna get 500+ hp to the ground and my budget is $1000 installed $ dyno’d out the junkyard... wish me luck. Let’s see how much I go over, Lol... I’ve got a 2007 4.2L Trailblazer LT and I’m starting with 290hp... let’s see how much hp I can get outta my TRailblazer
this is a great video man. thank you for taking the time out to make this. Everything is still priced similar to the video and it has helped me bring my cost down by thousands on my first swap.
Thanks for breaking it all down simply and quickly. Nice to see it laid out with some explanation to go with it. It's a big help for guys just starting out.
Thanks for all that. You've taken all the guess work out of it for us & laid it out in plain & simple & idiot proof. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Cheers
I like how you did this video. I felt like you were talking to me. Great information for a 9 to 5 guy like me. I don't know much about cars but I'm about to built one.
This is exactly what I've been looking for. All I see on other sites is why I shouldn't be swapping an LS because I'm not good enough. I now see a 6.0 in my future. Thanks for a straightforward opinion piece.
Hey JR love that u put a name to junk stuff . That prevents us from making the same mistakes that other people make.. I hate when people are scared to tell people what to stay away from n who makes it.. no BS with jr keep helping people get their projects done .. mad love🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
It annoys me as well when some youtubers like, "i'm not gonna name the company"... Well why the eff not? It's not like they're a sponsor, probably, most of us are just paying out of pocket with no consideration, so why not let people know.
The Driveway Engineer hey I’ll be knocking on ur door quite a bit cause I’m just starting my 85 regal lq4 swap. So hey man I appreciate ya ... “a lot” 🤙🏻🤙🏻
Not all heroes wear capes, you are the man. Thank you thank you. I’ve always wondered how the heck I could make some cheap power but never new the resources. Another sub earned
Got a laugh from the fuel pump selection. I am looking to swap my 92 Volvo 240 station wagon. Looks very similar to the in-tank pump in the car currently (as it literally says it is for Volvo 240s). 240s have a low pressure in tank pre-pump, and a high pressure pump under the car. But yeah, being able to simplify the fuel system (1 pump) AND have it easily adaptable to my current tank and fuel pump assembly, huge win. Great channel, great content!
It's easy to get carried away, and makes it difficult for reasonable people to wade through the BS when they just want to do burnouts, not light the world on fire.
Dam I am so glad I came across this video. You made my day. I bought a 2000. Silverado with a 5.3 in it . with 106.000 on the clock. This gives me a push to get it into my 1968 Elcamino. Thanks for your time . o yeah I rang the bell housing. LOL
Another thumbs up . Thanks for sharing this great info for old school folks. I drag BBC Vega round tube Wagon. But I’m getting on the wagon for turbo power. Keep them coming my man.🤔🤔
I bought a one owner 07 classic 2500hd ECLB with a wicked knock. Paid dude $1200 body was flawless(the truck not the dude) Pulled the 6.0 motor it had 2 spun mains. Stripped it down and did new cam bearings, etc. Full rebuild. I ported the 317 heads myself(i had a junk set to practice), and got 50lb injectors, 216/220 elgin, flattops, CAI, and got it tuned by blackbear. Truck is a beast. I got alot of stuff used off ls1tech like the cam. I saved a shitload doing it myself and have less than $1000 in the motor. Doing a GT45 this winter..Im glad you told me about the Fahler weld it yourself kit. I have a extra set of truck manifolds but good to know i can get a cheap one if i screw up..
Subscribed! So many others feel the need to drop f-bombs in their videos for some reason. It's possible to keep it clean, informative, and entertaining as you have shown, sir.
WOW! Tyrell James, how many videos have you posted on RU-vid? THIS is a video for the guy that is working in his driveway or maybe even the carport of lil brick rancher with a swing set in the backyard. I'm not exactly that guy due to my age, but this video is a wealth of knowledge for my budget build on my next truck. AND I mean "my budget" is a tight budget!!! Not willing to give you a rundown on my bio, but my daily driver is a 1989 K1500 with almost 300k on the clock! It pulls a tool trailer 5 days a week and my next truck (work truck) is a 2006 GMC 3/4 ton that I bought at auction. driveway engineer, thank you for a REALLY comprehensive video on how to build my next work truck on a well researched budget. I applaud you on how much time you spent putting this video together for "us beginners" with LS motors. I hate "haters" and Tyrell James, you need to put your money where your mouth is!
I have videos and my build is real lol and my truck is done. Yall can keep talking shit i dont mind that, but speak facts when you speak on me. Dont try to say my shit is imaginary or that it will take years..there are videos on my page for proof.. im not just a keyboard mechanic. I actually put my motor in the same week yall started talking shit. Just to prove i can lol. And its not hating bro i honestly just felt like ur advice was missing alot of important info that a beginner would need to know.
Quick response, I'm using your baseline build for a '71 El Camino. What do you recommend for a stand-alone budget Computer or ignition system controller for older installs non-computer old dudes? Maybe chat about the wiring harness aspects as well. Thanks again for a great delivery of content!
Never done a ls turbo setup, but I've used a cx racing intercooler kit on my car and their intercoolers are solid. I'm pushing 22.5 psi. I have hit a coyote, a raccoon, and two deer even curbed it a few times and that beast of an intercooler hasn't sprung a leak at all despite being beat up and bent a little.
Solid advice, set limits on your budget, save a ballpark number and buy all the shit you need at once. Piece it together and life is going to happen, it will never get done and all your stuff will be so old your could've just bought used.
I like this video I am LS guy I build them I started off with LT1 years ago I only deal with magic stick 3 or 4 yes definitely uses 4000 stall or above I like how you said I can use the truck fuel rail I didn't never know that now that I know that because of your video thank you so much and the injectors as well because I have Deka 80lb
I didn't know about those CPP and Hooker manifolds back when I did the LQ4 swap into my Jerep Cherokee. Possibly they were not made then, but it's definitely valuable info. I truly appreciate this video.
@@TheDrivewayEngineer I was building 27 roadster from frame-up through speedway motors but my pops died and I just couldn't look at the car. now I have a chance for a car dealership giving me this old Porsche that's been sitting in a barn but stripped interior blown motor. Who knows I may have a question or two for you thanks for the video brotha. Yes, 928 front-engine Porsche. Thanks again.
Thanks for the cam suggestion, btr and texas speed are pricey when all I want to hear is that's lumpy idle on my Tahoe z71. You deserve way more subs with all the knowledge you are sharing
I must say great video I have been playing with cars for 30 plus years I have built different cars throughout the years I've own my own shop and I must say young man you are direct to the answer no BS and you know your stuff keep up the good work great video
Thank you for the detailed information and the in depth explanation of why. I'm the Uncle with the old Camaro...haha. I'm seeing the light and learning about ls. Looking to upgrade the Camaro's combination from the heavy iron BBC to an ls combo. Looking forward to learning more about the combinations from your videos and creating a new drivetrain. Again, great job.
Great video! You made it simple to understand. Biggest concern for me is not knowing what will work and feeling like I have to buy really expensive parts just to get some more horses out of my ls. Can you make another list of maybe getting high hp without a turbo?
Thanks! I'm glad it helped you out! You certainly can buy expensive parts, but I prefer simple proven ones lol. N/A budget builds are a challenge, but I might just give that a whirl, there is a lot of interest in it
@ The Driveway Engineer, i have a 2001 chevy trailblazer with all stock 4.3l v6 and pos 4l60e. engine for the most part is solid with the exception of the common issues with the old efi system and the air vacuum leaking somewhere, and its a 4x4 btw. I just want to swap the 4.3 with a 5.3 rebuilt and swap the 4l60e with a 4l80e idc if i have to get both from the junkyard and rebuild them while i manage my high maintenance garbage powertrain. on the 5.3 I plan on doing what you mentioned on the phase 2 kit and if the manifolds on the 5.3 are any good in condition ill keep them if they are big enough for the purpose Im using them. I realize you said that this video is mostly for 2wheel drive only folks but I want to put my blazer on 34s and give it a 6in lift as well. it already has solid front and rear axles and im having serious slipping and shifting issues on my 4l60 and i already knew that its a waste of time and money to rebuild a 4l60 especially for the purpose i want to use my blazer into a beast. i want to do turbo and cam and delete the egr and converter and make it a "straight" dual pipe exhaust system. maybe a flowmaster but i want as little resistance on backflow as possible since the turbo already creates enough backflow pressure anyways. should i just go and put a carb instead of deleting the erg valve and removing all the efi junk out of the way? i think the 5.3 with a cam and turbo or twin turbo would make it a rocket and would be the perfect size for my 4door blazer. whats your opinon?
The only recommendation I can think of that is missing is the arp rod stud, head studs and head gasket upgrade. But if I remember right, those upgrades are for the stage 2 with over 500 whp.
Engine masters did a video with different headers and those cast manifolds. The cast manifolds only knocked like 15hp off compared to long tube headers that cost a lot more and require more space.
The Driveway Engineer good to know . I added it to cart , will submit order on payday , One more question , nothing else needs to be upgraded on my 5.3 to run phase 3? Pac 1218s & ss2 is all I’ve done internally
Great video man👍 I’ve got an ls1 5.7ltr here in Australia its in a commodore I wouldn’t mind trying out the 650rwhp package that would be heaps enough to have fun✌️
Great series of videos! I have learned a lot. My plan and mind set has changed since watching your six videos. I plan on putting a complete 5.3 in my 65 Impala (cable). I am now searching for a good donor vehicle!
Take a "junkyard" ls 5.3 and just put a Cam and valve springs in it then slap a turbo on it and push 20psi of boost to make 650 tire.... U might do it but it won't last long. Trust me. The 500 tire goal would be more reliable. Anything more than that you should Definatley do valve train upgrades at the least. Push rods lifters rocker arms and some good head studs for good measure.
Carl Diteodoro same thing i said bro. Its mind boggling how much critical small stuff he doesnt mention like upgrading lifters, oil pump, pushrods, timing chain, or trunion upgrade rocker arms. Tiny things that help to increase longevity of a high hp engine
The Driveway Engineer I got my 4l80e out of a 97 3/4 ton Chevy and had it built waiting to put it in. I’m just trying to figure out what to do for fuel. Think I’ve got it figured out though. Duel pumps in the tank and regulator off of the fuel rails. Still unsure as to why guys go with a fuel cell, like in a 06 Silverado, and not just use the stock tank...
Bowtie Building, main reason for a fuel cell is weight savings and fuel control. Example is if you’re making big power and you’re using a stock 18 or whatever gallon fuel cell, and you just want a couple gallons in it to save weight, you risk washing out the fuel pump pickups and sucking air. Even with baffles if you run the tank low enough and launch hard it’s gonna wash the pickup. I killed an engine in my turbo C10 because of this. Whereas if you have a sumped 5 gallon fuel cell you can throw one or two gallons in it and you don’t have to worry. Of course there are also those guys that just put a cell in because they think it looks cool or they saw somebody in the Internet do it. 🤣 But that’s the actual reason.
Thumbs up and subbed from here in Australia. I’ve been looking at what mods I can do to my Commodore to get more power and this provides a clear roadmap on how to do it. I like how you’ve cut through the crap of “just spend a shit ton of money” and shown us what to do on a budget to make power. I might have to get a lot of parts from your neck of the woods as truck fuel rails etc don’t exist here in Australia as we never got any GM trucks here and the LS series of engines were only available in the Holden Commodore. I would love it if I could just pop down to a car wreckers and pick up LS parts for a dime a dozen but those parts are rare here and command premium prices.
Thank you lord.... someone who makes sense to me and thinks the way I do... I was told on another car that it would cost me 4-6500 to turbo that car and that anything else other than what they suggested was garbage... funny. My “garbage” busted their ass last year at the drags for about 1600 😂
so, its been about a year since you made this video. any plans on making a updated video for 2020 prices, and possibly a 800hp build up list? I went through all the comments, and found a comment you made about twin turbos being 2 times as expensive, and 3 times as difficult to do. I think a lot of people would still appreciate a 1000hp twin turbo build up list. parts are more available than ever, and those Chinese kids are getting better with their welding skills, so prices are coming down too!!! nothing but love for what you do JR!!!
Some good info. The E1840p is not a single pattern cam though. The intake and exhaust durations are different, thus a dual pattern cam. Not only the lift determines that.
Very good info, very clearly stated, someone like me that's still learning definitely benefits greatly from this, I can apply this info to my bravada swap project as well as my 08 Tahoe, now if he were to get into some 4.2 inline stuff I'd be even more thrilled 😏
@@TheDrivewayEngineer figures lol, love my 5.3s, but I'm actually wanting to swap my 4.2 into my Silverado that I bought as my ls donor, but now I'll have a complete truck with no engine, so thinking a boosted 4.2 would be great in it
Dude you are flipping awesome. Your information has me jacked up big time thank you. I really need your help to build my 66 impala to beet my sons 98 Camaro I'm an older guy used to use all the old-school stuff you know 350 202 heads data data. Just can't do anything compared to what Ya see with these ls motors.I am really trying to get into it.also need information on what I can use for a transmission manual wise for my car thank you.
Right now i would be happy for my F-150 2008 with 5.1 3V to a new old box nose truck engine without all the electronic crap, to a usable, trustworthy engine off the shelf.
Nice video maybe use Walbro 450? I know it’s a little more but peace of mind for sure! Tho you did turn me on to the 6an nitrous line for 30 bucks awesome
No, I'm not spending 3x as much on a Walbro for "peace of mind" I'm not spending anything on anything brand name, that probably comes out of the same damn plant in Shenzhen for "peace of mind". My 30.00 Kemso is till humming along just peachy, and I sleep fine at night.
Well we know thats not true your no name pump comes from China a walbro is made in the USA but I’m not here to bash you but I’m damn sure if Matt thought your pump is safe he’d be using it. but why chance a 1000 or more project on a 30 dollar pump the 450 is only 140
hey great video on this!!! lol i kept trying to scroll up and down the damn screen as you were looking at google. but yes i am about to put an lm7 into something once i move back to the US (Texas)
I was hoping you were going to do a “all motor” build. I have no ability to fabricate but maybe I’ll go with the stage 3 idea. But otherwise I plan on just running my 6.0 with flat tops (gen 4 rods) with some 243’s.... .600/.600 cam with PAC 1219’s and I hope to be at 500-525 at the crank. Turbos are great but I just want the simplicity of all motor.... I still enjoyed the video tho👍
Personally, I'm about budget and bang for the buck. Anything beyond a cam and springs starts to get into a snowball of diminishing returns. Theres nothing wrong with NA, and I can certainly run down some combos if there's a demand, it's just hard to beat the Chinese turbo formula for power.
