06 Esky Build

[m1949]

I just came across this forum for build photos. I have just Started a restomod build on this 06 Esky to use as a daily driver. The builder is a good friend and auto dealer in N. AL who builds restomods and sells them through Mecum as a side business. (He sold four cars at Mecum Dallas this year.)

Plans are to rebuild the trans and drop in a new engine. Doing a 2/3 drop using Belltech drop kit, autoride remove and replacing worn suspension and steering components. Doing '07 front brake rotor upgrade going to slotted rotors all around.

Engine: The engine is a GM performance LS364/450HP. It has LS3 rectangle port heads, LS6 cam (circa 02-04 Corvette) and a new GM truck style intake for higher pressure injectors. The engine is compatible with existing ECM. Once installed it will be program tuned. Going with shortie headers and dual exhausts with rear center mounted exhaust tips.

Exterior: Paint will be reconditioned and front grill painted to match. Also will paint running boards and rear bumper step pads to match for a unicolor look. 17" wheels replaced with 20s and Michelin Defender 275/55/20 tires. Roof rack will be removed as will trailer hitch. The spare tire will be removed and replaced with a ResQ Pro+ tire sealant/inflator kit.

Interior: For now the interior will be reconditioned and kept its original pewter color. Once I have the car I will explore getting the seat faces and door panel inserts dyed a dark red to match the exterior. If that's not practical, I'll eventually buy custom seat covers to accomplish the look. Will also replace the original radio. The third row will be removed and new carpet mat installed to cover the floor brackets.

So far, the trans is rebuilt. Engine is bought and delivered, but install delayed about a month because the installer is swamped right now. So the suspension, steering and brakes are going on next.

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I'll include more photos as the build progresses.

 

[adventurenali92]

Can’t wait to see what you do with the truck! We chatted a little while back about the bumper pads being painted to match. Did you ever get around to it? I’m curious to see what they look like body colored. Also curious to know what 20 inch wheee you’re going with!

 

[m1949]

Can’t wait to see what you do with the truck! We chatted a little while back about the bumper pads being painted to match. Did you ever get around to it? I’m curious to see what they look like body colored. Also curious to know what 20 inch wheee you’re going with!

Haven't painted the step pads yet. Paint will be the last thing we do. I've not yet settled on wheels. My budget for wheels and tires is $2k. I'm trying to stay under that, which is a challenge since four Michelin Defender tires are $1k. My builder says he can stay in budget by using a set of takeoff wheels. So I guess what wheels we use will depend on what I like that's available.

 

[m1949]

These are ideas for a decal for the engine cover I made using photoshop. I'm cutting an inset in the cover the badge/decal will set in. The lettering colors aren't showing quite right in these photos. The arced letters are silver and the middle ones are gold. I'm sanding and using some filler on the cover to get a smooth surface. Will paint it OE red to match the Esky's color. I'm also toying with the idea of making decals for the wheel caps. Haven't decided which of these I prefer.

I'll post more pictures when its done.

 

[adventurenali92]

Haven't painted the step pads yet. Paint will be the last thing we do. I've not yet settled on wheels. My budget for wheels and tires is $2k. I'm trying to stay under that, which is a challenge since four Michelin Defender tires are $1k. My builder says he can stay in budget by using a set of takeoff wheels. So I guess what wheels we use will depend on what I like that's available.

An ok. Gotcha. Yeah I know the Michelin defenders all too well. Just spent 1100 on 275/60 defenders for the Nali myself lol.

 

[adventurenali92]

Though I can’t complaint too much about tires…. As for the last 6 and a half years of ownership of mine I’ve had three sets of tires and I’ve lucked out and scored deals on just about about brand new tires but scored them second hand and paid a third of the price of retail. So this is the first time in six and a half years I’ve had to buy tires retail. So it’s not all THAT bad. Lol

 

[cooki3mnster]

Sounds like a super cool project! Can't wait to see how it comes along. Be sure to post a bunch of pictures!

 

[m1949]

06 Esky build continues .....

New suspension, steering and brakes are in progress. Went with a Belltech 759 kit for a 2/3 drop. Should be completed by the end of next week. I'll post photos then.

Meanwhile, we are collecting everything we'll need to button-up the engine install and I'm trying to decide which of the four exhaust tip options I prefer. We are losing the tow hitch and spare tire to allow for center mounted exhausts. I may also make a fiberglass valance to go below the exhausts. But I can't begin mocking it up until I decide which exhaust option I prefer. I like all of these shown below. The valance will extend to the nearest backup sensor on each side. Here are workups of of our options with and without the lower valance.

Any thoughts?

 

[adventurenali92]

Second one from the top looks good

 

[Tonyrodz]

This is from a Denali, but it's pretty cool.

 

[m1949]

Been working on customizing the engine cover. It's something I can do while I'm waiting for measurements I need before making the exhaust valance. Anyway, below are a few shots of work in progress. I'll post more later.

I bought some vinyl wrap with a carbon fiber look and first wrapped the engine cover. But I didn't care for the look. So I'll be painting the cover the same U67 Sport Red Metallic color as the Esky.The center graphic is a decal. It's sitting on a slightly raised disc. The lettering and V are 3d emblems. Escalade is the rear emblem from an Escalade. I took a photo of it and cut and pasted letters to spell Cadillac using the same font. The two look a bit different because I had to compress Cadillac to make room for the V emblem. I then had a 3d print done of CADILLAC. The one you see is too thick, and I don't like its finish. So I'm waiting for another to be printed which matches the thickness and finish of the Esclade emblem.

Photos:
1. decal I made up to go on the raised area in the middle of the engine cover. Decided on different background color than the one mocked up on the engine cover. Also switched to the modern version of the Cadillac crest.
2,3,4 Primered engine cover with mock-up of emblems.

 

[m1949]

Been working on customizing the engine cover. It's something I can do while I'm waiting for measurements I need before making the exhaust valance. Anyway, below are a few shots of work in progress. I'll post more later.

I bought some vinyl wrap with a carbon fiber look and first wrapped the engine cover. But I didn't care for the look. So I'll be painting the cover the same U67 Sport Red Metallic color as the Esky.The center graphic is a decal. It's sitting on a slightly raised disc. The lettering and V are 3d emblems. Escalade is the rear emblem from an Escalade. I took a photo of it and cut and pasted letters to spell Cadillac using the same font. The two look a bit different because I had to compress Cadillac to make room for the V emblem. I then had a 3d print done of CADILLAC. The one you see is too thick, and I don't like its finish. So I'm waiting for another to be printed which matches the thickness and finish of the Esclade emblem.

Photos:
1. decal I made up to go on the raised area in the middle of the engine cover. Decided on different background color than the one mocked up on the engine cover. Also switched to the modern version of the Cadillac crest.
2,3,4 Primered engine cover with mock-up of emblems.

So here is the cover painted with the LS/V series vinyl decal I made. Now, I'd appreciate your opinions on emblems. I decided against putting Escalade and Cadillac emblems on the cover. Just seemed like a bit much. So instead, I'll be adding a single V-series emblem, either in chrome or black, either on the decal or on the cover in front of the decal. BTW, The Escalade now has chrome badging, to which I am adding Chrome V-series badges.

Let me know which you think looks best: 1. Black on front of cover, 2. Black on decal, 3. Chrome on front of cover, 4. Chrome on decal.

Thanks!

 

[Tonyrodz]

So here is the cover painted and decaled. Now, I'd appreciate your opinions on emblems. I decided against putting Escalade and Cadillac emblems on the cover. Just seemed like a bit much. So instead, I'll be adding a single V-series emblem, either in chrome or black, either on the decal or on the cover in front of the decal.

Let me know which you think looks best: 1. Black on front of cover, 2. Black on decal, 3. Chrome on front of cover, 4. Chrome on decal.

Thanks!

I think they all look good. I'm not really a chrome guy, so it's a toss up for me, between 1 and 2.

 

[m1949]

I think they all look good. I'm not really a chrome guy, so it's a toss up for me, between 1 and 2.

Thanks for the input. If I go with black, mounting the v on the decal seems to give it more contrast. The fender and tailgate emblems are chrome and I'm adding chrome V-series emblems to them, but that doesn't mean I can't do something different in the engine compartment. There's nothing chrome under the hood, and plenty of black! So a black V would fit in just fine!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks for the input. If I go with black, mounting the v on the decal seems to give it more contrast. The fender and tailgate emblems are chrome and I'm adding chrome V-series emblems to them, but that doesn't mean I can't do something different in the engine compartment. There's nothing chrome under the hood, and plenty of black! So a black V would fit in just fine!

For me personally, I love sleepers, so if it was mine, I'd put a blacked out "V" on the rear lower corner of the hatch. Subtle, but it lets people in the know there's something special about it.

 

[chadw]

A 2 page build thread that consists of a painted engine cover?

 

[adventurenali92]

A 2 page build thread that consists of a painted engine cover?

Well if you’re like half the members here who just log in once in a while and don’t read much and then just leave negative comments…. I’ll fill you in! He’s got a whole other thread dedicated to his full engine swap that’s currently in progress as well as a custom exhaust upgrade. He’s got new wheels on the truck, and it’s gonna also get a freshened up interior. Build thread will be updated in due time.