Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Oh yeah!!
99 Denali
- Thread starter Snowbound
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I got ******, I think. I should have checked things better. I was under the impression that the DBW throttle bodies started in 05. So I checked engine over and everything looked complete so I loaded it and came back home. Mostly because I worked all night and was up at 3pm Thursday so I was tired and just wanted to get home to my bed. When I started looking the engine over I realized that the knock sensor wasn't on the side of the block, the cam sensor was at the rear of intake and not on timing cover, the crank sensor was black not gray so I cleaned off the serial number and there it was, it's an 03!! Strange thing is, it appears the head bolts are all the same length, I thought that is an indication of the newer block. I'll see how deep the threads are when I pull the heads. I seen the 06 Tahoe next to the engine, but I still should have investigated. I wanted the 05+ because of the rods. This sucks. To top it off it has the 862 heads. This is why I absolutely hate Craigslist a-holes. My immediate thought was, this dick may have even gave me a 4.8. Pulled a plug and stuck my scope in there and luckily it has dished pistons. The 4.8 has flat tops.
So now I know what I have and I need to do more upgrades than I wanted. Time to tear into it and send it off to machine shop. I'm gonna have it bored, honed, magnafluxed, decked, and mains line bored.
Then I test fit my swap mount plates and mounts. I'm not using the clamshell mounts, I have something else that will be better.
So now I know what I have and I need to do more upgrades than I wanted. Time to tear into it and send it off to machine shop. I'm gonna have it bored, honed, magnafluxed, decked, and mains line bored.
Then I test fit my swap mount plates and mounts. I'm not using the clamshell mounts, I have something else that will be better.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
My 03 has dbw. If I'm not mistaken, every 4.8 had the 862 heads, including my old 4.8. Did they put those in the 5.3 too? I've read the 862 heads flow really well.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I'll be back with updates as soon as they happen. Some parts are ordered and block going in on Wednesday. I'll spill one secret, I got a set of LS3 heads for $600. New rods are ordered and I'm gonna be working on making a bracket to use my AC compressor from the 99 and move alternator to passenger side.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Yes, they used them heads on the 4.8. But they also have the smallest valves, runners and combustion chamber. I edited the above post, I looked at pistons and it is a 5.3 for sure.
I don't know what I was thinking about the DBW being 05+, maybe it was when it was only DBW. This is my first LS build. I've worked on them. modified them but never knew all the changes until recently when I started looking for one. Hard lesson learned for sure.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I'll try to make this quick but also include details so you can see how things transpired. But anyone that's seen my posts realize that I can be long winded at times.
Not sure if I shared that I bought and sold a few vehicles after I got the Denali up and running. I won't go into all of them but I will tell you about the one that had the biggest impact on me.
I found a 95 Tahoe that had 138k miles. It was 2wd but was clean. A friend of mine turned me on to it. Just had a bunch of new parts put into it but needed a cat and a tie rod. I ended up putting shocks on it all the way around, removing cat and welded a pipe in and replaced all 4 tie rods and adjusting sleeves.
Telling me images are too large. These are the only ones that would upload. Can prob resize but it's irrelevant. I'll cut to the chase.
I picked up this truck for $600 and gave my friend $100 for turning me onto it. So I did some work to it and then listed it for sale for $2800 thinking I would come down to $2200. While this was listed for sale I've been asking my close friend's son to sell me his Firebird Formula. He wouldn't. The story goes he had it over heat on him and then lost oil pressure and he kept telling me he was going to rebuild engine. Anyway, he was over one day looking at Tahoe because he wanted an SUV that he can fit his family into. I was ready to make him a deal on it and then it hit me that this would be a great opportunity to try and get my dick beaters on that Formula. I told him that I still wanted the Bird and we can work out a deal. Before I put my foot in my mouth and offered him the Hoe and $1000 he said he would trade me even up. Great!! He came back with title and he drove away with the Tahoe and I had to go trailer the Firebird home.
Not sure if I shared that I bought and sold a few vehicles after I got the Denali up and running. I won't go into all of them but I will tell you about the one that had the biggest impact on me.
I found a 95 Tahoe that had 138k miles. It was 2wd but was clean. A friend of mine turned me on to it. Just had a bunch of new parts put into it but needed a cat and a tie rod. I ended up putting shocks on it all the way around, removing cat and welded a pipe in and replaced all 4 tie rods and adjusting sleeves.
Telling me images are too large. These are the only ones that would upload. Can prob resize but it's irrelevant. I'll cut to the chase.
I picked up this truck for $600 and gave my friend $100 for turning me onto it. So I did some work to it and then listed it for sale for $2800 thinking I would come down to $2200. While this was listed for sale I've been asking my close friend's son to sell me his Firebird Formula. He wouldn't. The story goes he had it over heat on him and then lost oil pressure and he kept telling me he was going to rebuild engine. Anyway, he was over one day looking at Tahoe because he wanted an SUV that he can fit his family into. I was ready to make him a deal on it and then it hit me that this would be a great opportunity to try and get my dick beaters on that Formula. I told him that I still wanted the Bird and we can work out a deal. Before I put my foot in my mouth and offered him the Hoe and $1000 he said he would trade me even up. Great!! He came back with title and he drove away with the Tahoe and I had to go trailer the Firebird home.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Now I know what your thinking, what's this have to do with the Denali? I'm getting there.
The Bird has been sitting for 4.5 years. When it was parked it had a new water pump, optispark, complete exhaust and a clutch put in 4 months before he "blew it up".
It came with stock wheels and corvette wheels. Tires were garbage tho.
Long story short, the engine is fine! Ended up being a bad oil cooler/filter adapter and the radiator is bad.
The Bird has been sitting for 4.5 years. When it was parked it had a new water pump, optispark, complete exhaust and a clutch put in 4 months before he "blew it up".
It came with stock wheels and corvette wheels. Tires were garbage tho.
Long story short, the engine is fine! Ended up being a bad oil cooler/filter adapter and the radiator is bad.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I wanted a 6 speed car but one that doesn't require emissions. I like the 98-02 front end better along with the rear tail lights and high rear spoiler. So I'm converting this to look like the 98-02. I replaced the center console with one from a 98 because the little cubby in front of the shifter and a few little differences.
I fabbed up a tray and mounted battery in trunk.
I picked up some new tires. Got some Nitto 555R drag radials for rear in a 305/35R18 and Nitto 555G2 fronts in a 275/40r17. Paid more for these then I did for tires on Denali.
The 305's won't fit without some inner fender love, with a sledge hammer and I had to roll the fenders to keep them from hitting the tire.
The brakes were rusty from sitting. Pads still had some meat on them but I wasn't having it.
I ordered a bunch more parts, lowering springs, panhard bar, LS engine K-member, torque bar, front and rear lower control arms and sway bars. Picking up full leather interior on Saturday from a craigslist score and going to look at a 99 roller for the body parts for conversion. Then it'll be off to paint.
So as you can see I've been spending money like an idiot and that doesn't include all the wedding preparations which is happening 9-9-17.
As for Denali, I started listing engine parts for sale on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace to recoup some of my cost on this Bird and to continue with LS swap on Denali and then find another LS for the Bird. I was contacted by a guy thru Facebook via instant message and he asked if I would sell him the entire Denali. I said no, I have too much into it especially the engine. He said he had an engine, how bout selling it without engine. I said no, I had PCM swapped with wiring harness modified for injectors and PCM swap. He said he would fix all that, he just wanted the entire rig. I said no, there's no way he could possibly give me enough to justify selling it. I have new shocks, fuel pump, front end, tires, fuel lines, alternator, ac compressor, window motors and on and on, you guys know. He talked me into letting him come look at it. He came over that weekend which was 2 weekends ago and went over the truck with his son. He said the truck is clean as his newer truck and he wanted it. Said he would give me $3000 without engine. I said I couldn't do that. He said if I fixed PCM harness and included the engine that lost oil pressure he would give me $3500. I couldn't refuse it. I needed the money for the wedding and the Bird so it went. Hated to see it go. I'm still mad at myself but I have more room and money for parts.
I fabbed up a tray and mounted battery in trunk.
I picked up some new tires. Got some Nitto 555R drag radials for rear in a 305/35R18 and Nitto 555G2 fronts in a 275/40r17. Paid more for these then I did for tires on Denali.
The 305's won't fit without some inner fender love, with a sledge hammer and I had to roll the fenders to keep them from hitting the tire.
The brakes were rusty from sitting. Pads still had some meat on them but I wasn't having it.
I ordered a bunch more parts, lowering springs, panhard bar, LS engine K-member, torque bar, front and rear lower control arms and sway bars. Picking up full leather interior on Saturday from a craigslist score and going to look at a 99 roller for the body parts for conversion. Then it'll be off to paint.
So as you can see I've been spending money like an idiot and that doesn't include all the wedding preparations which is happening 9-9-17.
As for Denali, I started listing engine parts for sale on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace to recoup some of my cost on this Bird and to continue with LS swap on Denali and then find another LS for the Bird. I was contacted by a guy thru Facebook via instant message and he asked if I would sell him the entire Denali. I said no, I have too much into it especially the engine. He said he had an engine, how bout selling it without engine. I said no, I had PCM swapped with wiring harness modified for injectors and PCM swap. He said he would fix all that, he just wanted the entire rig. I said no, there's no way he could possibly give me enough to justify selling it. I have new shocks, fuel pump, front end, tires, fuel lines, alternator, ac compressor, window motors and on and on, you guys know. He talked me into letting him come look at it. He came over that weekend which was 2 weekends ago and went over the truck with his son. He said the truck is clean as his newer truck and he wanted it. Said he would give me $3000 without engine. I said I couldn't do that. He said if I fixed PCM harness and included the engine that lost oil pressure he would give me $3500. I couldn't refuse it. I needed the money for the wedding and the Bird so it went. Hated to see it go. I'm still mad at myself but I have more room and money for parts.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Sad sight to see.
At least I got to keep my engine.
Dropped the old engine back in and he came and got it.
At least I got to keep my engine.
Dropped the old engine back in and he came and got it.
jerryjoe28
That Guy
well this is sad but at least u got to keep the engine
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
One thing happened while I was pulling engine. Not sure I shared this with you guys because I thought it was my doing with tuning and was desperately trying to fix it.
After PCM swap and base tune loaded, I was tuning without mass air flow sensor hooked up, its speed density tuning based off manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP). It's so I could dial in my fueling. I did mention that I couldn't find the data I needed for injectors, I was told to tune around it. Basically what your doing is dialing in fuel based off air flow and forging the fuel scale to get the correct air fuel ratios.
Anyway, while I'm dialing things in by taking it for a ride while computer data logs everything thru the software, I kept getting a knock on cold starts. It sounded like the exhaust was bouncing against something like the frame rail or something solid. I checked it out and couldn't find any signs of anything hitting. So then I'm thinking it's gotta be spark knock but really violent spark knock. I tried taking fuel away on cold start, adding fuel, taking away timing, adding timing, nothing seemed to work. It would only knock for 3-4 seconds and then go away. I'm thinking I'm gonna pop a hole in my piston any day by the detonation. That was pretty much the whole reason why I said screw it and wanted to convert to an LS. So I sold intake and fuel system and was afraid to do any more damage to pistons, cylinders or heads.
I'm thinking the entire time while I'm pulling engine that I'm gonna have to tear the thing apart and see what damage was done. I'm under the truck and removed the starter, torque convertor inspection cover and the torque rods that run from bottom of bellhousing up to the plates that mount between the block and engine side upper clamshell mount. I noticed that the TC bolts weren't tight. They didn't back out, they were flush with flexplate but a film turn loose. All 3 of them. So I'm thinking no shit, this is my knocking noise. Nope. All bolts were not damaged in any way nor was the flexplate mounting holes oblinged whatsoever. There was traces of red thread locker still on the TC bolts. How they backed out is beyond me. So I continued to pull engine. Removed bellhousing bolts and supported the trans. Hooked up the engine hoist and knocked out the 2 bolts that hold each of the clamshell engine mounts together. I pumped hoist maybe 1-1/2 times and heard a loud metal hitting concrete noise. The plate that holds the torque rod on the drivers side that is sandwiched between the upper engine mount and block fell to the ground!! All 3 bolts came out of the block securing the mount to the block. The bolts were still trapped in there but came out when I lifted the upper mount off the lower. They too had traces of red lock tight on them. That was my noise. With the new cam when I would start truck cold would bang the block against the motor mount for a few seconds until the PCM would smooth out the idle the best it could. I would have never found that unless I brake torqued it with the hood up and seen engine flex. That's about the point where I was upset with myself for agreeing to sell the truck. At that point the intake was already gone and I wasn't gonna renig on my deal to sell the truck. I can't believe something that stupid had me stumped. Good thing I never got into WOT tuning because I could have really done some damage if that engine would have decided to roll over in its cradle. I taught myself something with that one.
After PCM swap and base tune loaded, I was tuning without mass air flow sensor hooked up, its speed density tuning based off manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP). It's so I could dial in my fueling. I did mention that I couldn't find the data I needed for injectors, I was told to tune around it. Basically what your doing is dialing in fuel based off air flow and forging the fuel scale to get the correct air fuel ratios.
Anyway, while I'm dialing things in by taking it for a ride while computer data logs everything thru the software, I kept getting a knock on cold starts. It sounded like the exhaust was bouncing against something like the frame rail or something solid. I checked it out and couldn't find any signs of anything hitting. So then I'm thinking it's gotta be spark knock but really violent spark knock. I tried taking fuel away on cold start, adding fuel, taking away timing, adding timing, nothing seemed to work. It would only knock for 3-4 seconds and then go away. I'm thinking I'm gonna pop a hole in my piston any day by the detonation. That was pretty much the whole reason why I said screw it and wanted to convert to an LS. So I sold intake and fuel system and was afraid to do any more damage to pistons, cylinders or heads.
I'm thinking the entire time while I'm pulling engine that I'm gonna have to tear the thing apart and see what damage was done. I'm under the truck and removed the starter, torque convertor inspection cover and the torque rods that run from bottom of bellhousing up to the plates that mount between the block and engine side upper clamshell mount. I noticed that the TC bolts weren't tight. They didn't back out, they were flush with flexplate but a film turn loose. All 3 of them. So I'm thinking no shit, this is my knocking noise. Nope. All bolts were not damaged in any way nor was the flexplate mounting holes oblinged whatsoever. There was traces of red thread locker still on the TC bolts. How they backed out is beyond me. So I continued to pull engine. Removed bellhousing bolts and supported the trans. Hooked up the engine hoist and knocked out the 2 bolts that hold each of the clamshell engine mounts together. I pumped hoist maybe 1-1/2 times and heard a loud metal hitting concrete noise. The plate that holds the torque rod on the drivers side that is sandwiched between the upper engine mount and block fell to the ground!! All 3 bolts came out of the block securing the mount to the block. The bolts were still trapped in there but came out when I lifted the upper mount off the lower. They too had traces of red lock tight on them. That was my noise. With the new cam when I would start truck cold would bang the block against the motor mount for a few seconds until the PCM would smooth out the idle the best it could. I would have never found that unless I brake torqued it with the hood up and seen engine flex. That's about the point where I was upset with myself for agreeing to sell the truck. At that point the intake was already gone and I wasn't gonna renig on my deal to sell the truck. I can't believe something that stupid had me stumped. Good thing I never got into WOT tuning because I could have really done some damage if that engine would have decided to roll over in its cradle. I taught myself something with that one.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Too bad the f body isn't a 3rd gen. I love those! I had 2 89 350 tpi's with the dual cats, 3:27 rear with Aussie rear, pbr rear calipers, etc, etc. Those were some badass cars back in the day. One of my birds was a bonafide DEA pursuit car, ordered by the GSA. I was able to get a copy of the order sheet from gm, right there in black and white it said DEA, and ordered by Government Services Administration in Oklahoma. You gotta do a fbird construction page now!
bigfootchiro
Full Access Member
Just read through all 22 pages of this build thread, and OMG I'm envious! Wish you still had that Denali.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Def good stuff!
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Little bit of an update to this build. Came across a few pictures the guy that bought it from me sent.
The day it came off the trailer at his house.
Few weeks later he sent me a message saying the engine was in. Then a month after that he said that engine he put in was junk so he had to swap that out at the junk yard for another one but it’s finally running. I really wish i would have just kept it like I had it. Especially since that engine is still just sitting under my bench in an engine bag.
Few months later I get a message, he hit a deer with it and screwed up the front end! Oh man, why did he have to tell me that!!
Did a quick rig job and put it back together so he could be driving again.
Then it finally happened! The weak 10bolt gave up the ghost. I knew it would. I did more than a few good launches with it and that motor was no slouch. Lol. That was why I was planning on the 4L80e/14 bolt swap. He swapped out the entire axle because the ring and pinion broke. That would be my fault. Sorry Ron!
Then he hit another deer, but didn’t send pics. He put an Escalade front end on it after that.
When I bought the 02 Esky for Jack I posted it on Facebook saying since I missed my Denali so much I bought another one just like it. He commented and said I could take the Denali back for $1000. He put 2 new doors on it, new tires but the same because he said they were great tires. I never had them long enough to know. New fuel lines, brake lines, shocks and some interior stuff like speakers and what not. I’ll see if I can find the comment.
And of course look what my wife has to comment! Haha. She told me if I bought that back she was leaving. Lol. Empty threats!
But that’s all. Just figured I’d give an update on where she’s at now. Still running but not as good as she was, that’s for sure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The day it came off the trailer at his house.
Few weeks later he sent me a message saying the engine was in. Then a month after that he said that engine he put in was junk so he had to swap that out at the junk yard for another one but it’s finally running. I really wish i would have just kept it like I had it. Especially since that engine is still just sitting under my bench in an engine bag.
Few months later I get a message, he hit a deer with it and screwed up the front end! Oh man, why did he have to tell me that!!
Did a quick rig job and put it back together so he could be driving again.
Then it finally happened! The weak 10bolt gave up the ghost. I knew it would. I did more than a few good launches with it and that motor was no slouch. Lol. That was why I was planning on the 4L80e/14 bolt swap. He swapped out the entire axle because the ring and pinion broke. That would be my fault. Sorry Ron!
Then he hit another deer, but didn’t send pics. He put an Escalade front end on it after that.
When I bought the 02 Esky for Jack I posted it on Facebook saying since I missed my Denali so much I bought another one just like it. He commented and said I could take the Denali back for $1000. He put 2 new doors on it, new tires but the same because he said they were great tires. I never had them long enough to know. New fuel lines, brake lines, shocks and some interior stuff like speakers and what not. I’ll see if I can find the comment.
And of course look what my wife has to comment! Haha. She told me if I bought that back she was leaving. Lol. Empty threats!
But that’s all. Just figured I’d give an update on where she’s at now. Still running but not as good as she was, that’s for sure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Damn! It sux when your baby goes to a new home, and then you see all the bruises it gets. Lol, your wife is pretty funny too. Doesn't she already know that she married a gearhead?!Little bit of an update to this build. Came across a few pictures the guy that bought it from me sent.
The day it came off the trailer at his house.
Few weeks later he sent me a message saying the engine was in. Then a month after that he said that engine he put in was junk so he had to swap that out at the junk yard for another one but it’s finally running. I really wish i would have just kept it like I had it. Especially since that engine is still just sitting under my bench in an engine bag.
Few months later I get a message, he hit a deer with it and screwed up the front end! Oh man, why did he have to tell me that!!
Did a quick rig job and put it back together so he could be driving again.
Then it finally happened! The weak 10bolt gave up the ghost. I knew it would. I did more than a few good launches with it and that motor was no slouch. Lol. That was why I was planning on the 4L80e/14 bolt swap. He swapped out the entire axle because the ring and pinion broke. That would be my fault. Sorry Ron!
Then he hit another deer, but didn’t send pics. He put an Escalade front end on it after that.
When I bought the 02 Esky for Jack I posted it on Facebook saying since I missed my Denali so much I bought another one just like it. He commented and said I could take the Denali back for $1000. He put 2 new doors on it, new tires but the same because he said they were great tires. I never had them long enough to know. New fuel lines, brake lines, shocks and some interior stuff like speakers and what not. I’ll see if I can find the comment.
And of course look what my wife has to comment! Haha. She told me if I bought that back she was leaving. Lol. Empty threats!
But that’s all. Just figured I’d give an update on where she’s at now. Still running but not as good as she was, that’s for sure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've always liked that body style Escalades. They just look really good to me. So.....$1000 is a steal, plus you'll get extra parts lol. Whatcha gonna do? I know what I'd do.....lol. HINT, HINT
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I can’t take it back now. If I was in a new place with some property, I would in a heart beat. My parents are dragging their ass getting their stuff together to get moved. I’m ready to say screw it and go elsewhere. I’m tempted with this one. My agent sent it to me but it would be an hour and a half to work one way. But it would be worth it. 4 bedrooms 4 bath and 8 car garages on 2.5 acres and taxes are only $4800!! I keep trying to talk myself into it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Freakin gorgeous!! I lived in the Poconos and worked in NJ. 100 miles 1 way, and 1 1/2 hr to work. Something to think about tho. Love that house with property--And the garage? FUHGETABOUTIT!I can’t take it back now. If I was in a new place with some property, I would in a heart beat. My parents are dragging their ass getting their stuff together to get moved. I’m ready to say screw it and go elsewhere. I’m tempted with this one. My agent sent it to me but it would be an hour and a half to work one way. But it would be worth it. 4 bedrooms 4 bath and 8 car garages on 2.5 acres and taxes are only $4800!! I keep trying to talk myself into it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
