flyinbrian Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I bought this Suburban in 2003, (the year I left Ohio for Florida), with around 140K miles on it. 454/4L80E, 8 lug, and good paint. The truck is a California truck, so the body has no rust. It served me well all that time until it developed a knock that turned out to be a wrist pin in late 2006/early '07 with around 175K. Instead of a reman motor or a simple rebuild, I made the 454 into a 496. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/2006_0306motor0006.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF0185.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF0186.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF0212.jpg As you can see I went full roller valvetrain, (hydraulic), and bored the intake to match the bored and sleeved tbi, (by JimD@454ss.com). The truck ran decent with just the fuel pressure turned up and a vacuum referenced fuel pressure regulator. I had limited time to tune since we were moving north to Virginia at the time, so I added a wideband and saw from that and the plugs that the thing was close enough to get me 900+ miles north. It ran rich, but at least it wasn't going to melt the pistons. Here is a pic of it during a stop moving north. (Notice the paint peeling then). The Florida sun did that clean factory paint in big time. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF0386.jpg So once we got settled in and everything in Virginia, the 'Burb kinda sat there untouched as I went riding my motorcycle on 2000 mile trips and eventually got busy with work, then a kid. I drove it here and there until it started running like crap, to the point that I bolted an 850 Demon on it and BG regulator, and gave up on the EFI idea. Well, I didn't like the driveability and the hassle with a carb, so back on went the big TBI. I left the BG regulator in place and built a block-off plate for the factory regulator. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1311.jpg After much research and contemplating, I decided to try a different approach at the efi. I thought about a FAST system, ACCEL DFI, Edelbrock, Megasquirt etc. Everything in the book. I landed with the factory-ish dynamicefi ecu. It was the best priced way to go in the end and damn near fell into place. Check out www.dynamicefi.com if you are a GM TPI or TBI owner. This thing was a breeze to tune and the truck runs like a beast now. I still have to tune for WFO, but my cruise and heavy throttle is spot on. Need some dyno time! I had to add some sensors here and there to make it right, but the stuff is all readily available and cheap. Oh yeah, I had to piggy-back my factory ECU to run the electronic trans, but this was simple too. The only drawback is losing my glovebox, (pic below), but you'll see my plans for that later. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1355.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 With everyone up to speed on the progress of this long term build, I can tell you were it's at today. I did all Energy Suspension up front and all new Moog parts, (ball joints, adjusters, tie rods, idler, etc.) http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1615.jpg I now have the interior stripped since the long back windows developed leaks and the thing is going to the paint booth. I decided to go all white to keep it simple. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1632.jpg When stripping the interior I discovered why my dome lights did not work. Notice the white wire. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1633.jpg Any wires that had insulation damage or corrosion were cut, then added a section of factory GM wire, (color matched), and soldered. Did I mention that the stereo sounded like ass? http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1541.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thanks. So santa showed up early and took care of those worthless speakers. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1673.jpg In photo- Head unit http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028484&pathId=133&page=1 JVC KD-AVX77. Did not want a flip out screen that would block my A/C vents or I would have gone Alpine. Alpine SPS-406 and 600's. Not pictured are the matching 6X9's that go overhead. They are in the garage with the template. I had to modify the factory 4X10 openings. I listened to Infinity Reference and Kappas, Polk, JL, Alpine Type R, and Focal. The type S sounded best to me for my price range. These will be pushed with a JL 6 channel amp, (not in pic). I have an Alpine 10.2 inch overhead monitor in the mail that should be here tomorrow or Friday for back seat entertainment. The passenger up front will watch the TME-M580 5.8" monitor that will be behind the glove box door. The dual ecus leave me just enough room to make a fiberglass wall back there and recess a spot for the monitor. This will also keep it out of eye-shot from those looking in for something to steal. For bass I have a JL Stealthbox with a 10W3v3 sub as a center console pushed by a JL single channel mono amp. Not pictured. Link- http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealthbox_detail.php?fit_id=1446 Am I leaving anything out? Thinking about a rear camera, but have not done any research on quality/price. Needs wheels after paint if I have a pot to piss in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 How much do you have wrapped up in that thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 very nice. Subscribing for the long term outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Awesome build! Close to my heart and looking forward to more updates. Also would be curious to know what the costs have been to date... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 wat is ur gas mileage like? jk, looks good man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 To those asking how much I have in the truck so far. I could guess, but that would no the honest for those of you thinking about doing a similar project. Maybe this weekend I will start adding up receipts and break it down into drivetrain, suspension, etc. I know that I've spent $1200 on audio/video and have yet to purchase amps. Those two items will more than likely bump me over $2000 once it's all said and done. I plan on sound deadening the hell out of the truck with damplifier pro and luxury liner from secondskinaudio.com. That will not be cheap either. $3000-$5000 For paint, plus all new door seals, fuzzies, etc. I'll still have far less than a new truck and it will be all mine, custom, no payment. Fuel mileage on the stock 454 was 10 mpg uphill, downhill, coasting, or whatever. The 496 is the same. When it was running rich while towing a 24 foot trailer with a Nova, motorcycle, tools, etc, it made 5-7 mpghttp://smiliesftw.com/x/facepalm.gif. The dynamicefi EBL has a highway mode option that sets the efi in a lean cruise mode that makes for significant gains in mileage. I have not fooled with this option as of yet, but look forward to better mileage over stock with a bigger motor. Right now I'm 10-12 mpg....it's not my daily driver. The USPS was good to me today- http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1674.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I have been making progress. Planned on having it painted already, but we keep getting slammed with snow here in Virginia and since I live out in the country, the 4x4 must stay. It's a real beast in the snow too. We had more than 18 inches and it simply drove right through it. I placed a big order with LMC Truck last night. Like I said before, every seal, fuzzy, etc. will be new. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/LMCorder.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Snow pic from the first hit before xmas. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1700.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 This thing is badass man, good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for the compliment! Here's a couple of pics of the headliner work I've done so far. As you can see, I am molding the overhead monitor in. The factory rear seat a/c - heater controls and vents must be moved back a bit for this to work. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1773.jpg I'll post up some more pics of the center console and stuff when I get a chance today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Here's another of the headliner after a couple of changes from the pic above. You can see the rear controls opening, (center), and the overhead vent openings, (sides). Now it is time for sand/filler/sand. Once smooth, I will recover it with new material and it should look factory. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1784.jpg Here is the JL Stealthbox. I bought it off of Ebay from a guy who posts on fullsizechevy.com. He felt the carpet it was wrapped with from JL looked cheap so he stripped it and put a skimcoat of filler on the enclosure, but never sanded it. I did a quicky on it with the DA. I still have not decided whether to paint it or cover it in carpet or fabric. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1785.jpg You can see there is a piece damaged a bit on the corner. I still have to fix that, but I bet it would not be noticed once mounted between the seats on top of carpet. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1786.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I say when you redo the head liner use gray or black suede. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Considering suede, black/charcoal denim...then there are endless patterns that come to mind. The black/white/grey camo like pictured below, (pic borrowed from a thread on vwvortex). Stock looks to be out of the question...like everything else on the truck. http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h142/leftcoast23/DSCN2625.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 LMC is the bomb...but damn are they expensive. I know from sourcing parts for Cleetus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 I have been delaying the paint job since we have been getting slammed with winter storm after winter storm. It is the only 4x4 I own. So last Friday we were getting slammed with another storm and the truck started bucking, missing, popping, and losing rpms on the interstate. It eventually quit and would not restart. I did a quick once over everything obvious under the hood and hooked the computer to the ecm to find that all sensors were operating properly. So the truck had to be towed home and I finally got a chance to check it out today. I popped the distributor cap to find this- http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1814.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 The MSD distributor and the LMC shipment came in about the same time. I have to say that LMC did a good job of packing everything and R&L Carriers delivered everything with no hassle/damage. I was afraid of truck shipment from past experiences. I swapped distributors, set the timing and all is well. I noticed after the swap that the knock-off Ebay distributor doesn't even spin freely by hand. It binds up as if the shaft is not straight or there are no bearings inside the thing. Either way, POS. Spend more for the superior made in the USA dizzy. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1822.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I want that pre-'73 Blazer in the background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You are in luck, it's available. The 1972 K5 belongs to a friend of mine that loaned it to me when the Ebay dizzy left me stranded in the Burb. He has people looking at it all the time, but either he is asking more than they are willing to pay or they are tire kickers. Either way, I know he is willing to sell it. It is still at my house as he is in no hurry to get it back. He told me to drive it since he has no time for it. I'd love to have it too. Just have enough projects as it is. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/brianscy/The%20Burb/DSCF1790.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 How much do you think he'd be willing to sell it for???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyinbrian Posted February 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I'll ask him this weekend if I see him. If not, I'll see him Monday for sure. In the meantime, I'll take some more pics of it for you on Sunday since it's at my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRN96WS6 Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Burb looks nice but I'm with Clay that Blazer is money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I want to get rid of Cleetus and get an SUV. I don't use the bed as much as I want, and if I haul I could always just get a trailer. Do let me know what he's thinking of for that Blazer. Is it stick-shift? I'd REALLLY like my next teeruk to be manual. I see the "350" badge on the fender... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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