Replace 5.3 l59 with this....

[RobsFreeland]

A question for black bear tuners. I’m a little nervous of the tune as I don’t know what to ask. The transmission shift by percentage? If I go with 89 tune will performance show a drastic drop if I use 87? Preserve towing in favor of loosing performance? Sorry to be a pia. I don’t know enough to ask the right questions can you elaborate a little on the tune please. I’m afraid of the if I only did this or that? Thanks

 

[RobsFreeland]

Got the brain back from bb today. Is there a trick to get the orange rubber gasket back on? Geez

 

[RobsFreeland]

Figured it out. Put the orange rubber gasket around the plugs and not the ridge on the pcm/ elm. Solved.

 

[George B]

A question for black bear tuners. I’m a little nervous of the tune as I don’t know what to ask. The transmission shift by percentage? If I go with 89 tune will performance show a drastic drop if I use 87? Preserve towing in favor of loosing performance? Sorry to be a pia. I don’t know enough to ask the right questions can you elaborate a little on the tune please. I’m afraid of the if I only did this or that? Thanks

@BlackBearPerf

 

[Mudsport96]

Figured it out. Put the orange rubber gasket around the plugs and not the ridge on the pcm/ elm. Solved.

Yeah was at work or i would have said something but you got it lol

 

[RobsFreeland]

Put everything back in and ran it around, trying to get it not to stall. Doesn’t overheat, oil pressure ok, charges. Just need to drive so ecm can learn. Will post sound of motor, definitely gets a rise outta me. Thanks black bear for the tune.

 

[Mudsport96]

So sounds like so far you are happy with the swap

 

[RobsFreeland]

So sounds like so far you are happy with the swap

So far it’s ok. Had to finagle with exhaust and copper high temp gasket material. Brakes are a little mushy bleed screw on pass front was leaking. Had to replace and will bleed brakes again. May have to take to Dyno to refine. Tranny seems to shift early, maybe I just need to jump on it and see the shift sequence. Trans does seem more responsive. Maybe I just need to drive it. Over all when I first started, just thinking cam, headers and cold intake I thought it would be relatively painless but turned out to be more than I expected. I am glad I did the swap it definitely freeded up the motor.

 

[Mudsport96]

Awesome. The trans may need a few drive cycles to get itself inline. Hell ive had my Silverado act funny for a day or 2 after just a battery change, so a project like you did may be the same.

 

[RobsFreeland]

Fixed exhaust leak and bled the brakes. Now I can goooo and stooooop. Will upload sound file of cam.

 

[Mudsport96]

Well, how goes it?

 

[RobsFreeland]

Fixed exhaust leaks. Just took off throttle body and cleaned it and replaced with new gasket. It was definitely in need. Black bear said to clean it ,, may be the problem on why it won’t want to idle. I should say it does idle I just can’t touch the throttle. It will almost die then bounce back and idle around 800 or 900 rpms. After shutting it off and restarting some times it’s ok and some times not. Retightening header bolts if I have to. Just keeping a watchful eye on everything. Will refill air conditioner Friday. I will probably make an appointment with black bear to do the ride along. I think some of the problems is that I’m not used to driving a hot rod, so i will be on the learning curve , trans shifting etc.. BB is not far maybe five hours. Need a road trip.

 

[Mudsport96]

Fixed exhaust leaks. Just took off throttle body and cleaned it and replaced with new gasket. It was definitely in need. Black bear said to clean it ,, may be the problem on why it won’t want to idle. I should say it does idle I just can’t touch the throttle. It will almost die then bounce back and idle around 800 or 900 rpms. After shutting it off and restarting some times it’s ok and some times not. Retightening header bolts if I have to. Just keeping a watchful eye on everything. Will refill air conditioner Friday. I will probably make an appointment with black bear to do the ride along. I think some of the problems is that I’m not used to driving a hot rod, so i will be on the learning curve , trans shifting etc.. BB is not far maybe five hours. Need a road trip.

Yeah, thats kinda the problem with newer stuff. I did cam headers and ported the intake and heads on my Nova and all it took was a distributor spring kit and a few tweaks to the carb and it was road ready.
I know enough with efi to cause myself more headaches than good lol

 

[RobsFreeland]

I thought I would compile the list of parts i purchased for the cam swap. No particular order.

Fel 26191pt Head Gaskets 95.98
Fel 72401 Oil pump gaskets 3.99
Fel es72173 Headbolt Kit 41.98 I had to return wrong headbolts. They had two versions of headbolts for that engine
sum121170 Racing OIl Pump 65.69
Pushrod length check tool 26.99
Cam Kit Sum 8701, lifters and trays, Valve Springs, valve seals, valve spring locks 454.96
Lifter and Guide Kit 149.99
Valve Cover Grommets icb 551276 11.99
smpsk1 injector seal kit 9.99
clo-9-3658tx3 Race Billet True roller timing set gears and chain 127.99
cold air intake withheat shield kit 69.99
Socket set and gear puller 220.24
ARP Head Bolts 134-3610 109.99
sum 141560 LS Bronze Bushing Trunnion Upgrade 152.99
sum btc pr7400312-16 chromoly pushrods 94.00
jba shorty headers 460.99
magnaflow cat back exhaust 600.00 and change cant find receipt
dip stick tube 19.99 x 2 broke one, snapped the sucker right off at the block.
Tune BB Performace 350.00
Plus oil and filters and misc. (beer etc) 200.00
OIl pan gasket 33.00
--------------> 3100.74
Im sure I forgot a few things but better than buying a new engine or vehicle. Plus the experience

Priceless

I will need another tune from BB Performance when cable becomes available.
No ride ons stupid covid. The ride on would have been great to learn from big J. His experience and wealth of knowledge would have been great.
Tack on another 150.00

3250.74 usd

Well worth it.

Labor I'm retired so that's free.

Ran it the other day got it up to 6000 rpm. Didn't blow up and still runs great. Lopey and can really feel the power band.
Change oil and will cut open filter to see whats up.

The knowledge and camaraderie from this site is superb.

Next up tranny.

 

[Mudsport96]

It's always good to hear about a build being completed and the enjoyment from it.

 

[Mudsport96]

Have you happened to get a follow up tune with the scan cable? Very interested in your build, and what all do you want to do to the transmission?

 

[RobsFreeland]

Have you happened to get a follow up tune with the scan cable? Very interested in your build, and what all do you want to do to the transmission?

Going for tune today. Put it through its paces on the way over towing camper trailer. I’ll post results after tune.

 

[BentleyArnage]

Part Number: 059-HP97 From JEGS. I have 220000 on the hoe now, want to stay ahead of any trouble and replace it now. Looking for options .. advice. No core return. Don’t really want to strip down the motor and rebuild . I realize it would be cheaper but don’t want the down time. Plug and play right?

Oh hell, another islander. You'll be seeing my Bentley cruising the island soon. Just started resurrecting her. If you need the big bad scanner, get in touch. I carry it with me everywhere.

 

[BentleyArnage]

If I read your coordinates correctly you're in Chilli? I used to work at the Caterpillar plant in Mossville and went to Manual HS in Peoria. Many moons ago...

An RV grind cam is perfect for one of these. With good exhaust and a decent airbox, they pull pretty well for a shrimp of a motor. I'll be installing a 6.0 when this one dies.

 

[Mudsport96]

Excellent, excited to know the fruits of your labor lol