OK guys, don't http://small-block-chevy.com/images/smiles/ssnap.gif me but this isn't really El Camino issue, but a Ricochet sand rail I recently bought. (I know,, stupid me for buying something I know little about)
This thing has a 4" stroked 383 LS1. Have the receipt from the machine shop (I know and trust) for the 4" stroke Eagle crank, Eagle LS rods and a set of pistons. Block is an aluminum casting #12561168 (2001-2002 LS1-LS6 346cu.in.) , heads are the stock 853 castings that match the block production,, so I'm a little more than 'reasonably' comfortable I have a 4" stroke LS1.

I 'think' they put the intake, injectors, front drive and everything external from a 5.3 truck engine (At least it appears identical to my 04 GMC)

ANYONE here have any experience / insight on what or WHY they used the truck intake on this motor,, how they set these sandrail LS motors up (electrical and wiring was a TRIP!!! but the engine harness was clean and in tact)
Here's a few (bad) pictures of the motor. Can anyone spot what they have done,, and I right in it appears to be a 5.3 intake?

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions on where to look for people that are familiar with this setup?? I've registered at LS1tech and asked around,, but not one single answer to any question. This LS-sandrail deal is pretty popular in the upper end 5seater sand rails,, but I can't find a person one that has any experience with them... only a few owners that have (how do I say nicely) ummm,, "somewhat limited mechanical knowledge".

Here's links to the pics, some of them are pretty big so I wont embed them in the post

http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/ricochet3.JPG
http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/ricochet6.JPG
http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/ricochet7.JPG
http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/ricochet8.JPG Am I right, does this look like the standard truck accessory drive to you?
http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/ricochet9.JPG

and heres an interesting note,, typical in theres things is to use two Optima 6v batteries in series. The 'computer' (if we can call it that) is the small finned black thing with two big connectors. I have NO FREEKING CLUE how your supposed to connect to this thing to read / flash the tune or anything.

http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/elect1.JPG

From there forward the wiring was totally FUBAR!! I mean is was a butt-connector feast like I've never seen. A total unbelievable mess. I just finished a total rewire of the chassis and adding some lights, and dash just before this back surgery so the thing is ready to go back together,, except if I need to address engine iisues....

It starts, idles, throttle is not killer responsive but it snaps RPM's quickly. But how it actually 'drives'??? we'll see.
I will mention, torque in a moderate rpm range is what I need, not any massive high rpm HP. So maybe that's why the truck intake??

all I can say is..

HELP!!!!!!

Marv, I believe you have a truck intake manifold. From what i've read the truck manifold is torque oriented. 95% sure you have standard truck accessory drive .:yell:

hey marv, i scrapped my idea on the HSR 355 going into my Z-28 and have decided to go the LSX route. with that being said, i have done a lot of research on the swap. from what i have read, the truck intake manifold (according to some) actually flows a little better than the early LS1 intakes. (it just doesn't work with a stock hood on a 3rd gen camaro, due to the height of the intake manifold, and the orientation of the water neck)

I am a GM tech and without a doubt that is a truck intake and accesory set up . The truck intake is good for torque but is tall big and ugly compared to ls1 or ls6 . My best guess as to why is they were building an engine for torque . I have seen right ups where the truck intake allowed more torque with a minimal amount of hp loss . And they wouldnt have to worry about hood clearance so why not . Trucks also have a larger diameter throttle body . And no one uses that intake and bracket set up on car swaps so that stuff is cheap .The computer looks like the one that painless wiring sells with their ls1 swap harness i cant really see it that well but it looks similar .I put a link in with pic of computer .http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-wiring-harness-with-ecm-use-with-1997-2004-ls1-ls6-painless-1955-1972.html
Tim

Wow, guys,, THANKS!!! I have been nosing around LS sites for 3 months and have had very limited luck with anyone knowing or offering info about what this all is and /or why. Should-aknown my El Camino brothern would have me on the right track in 15 minutes or less!!!

Taz I'm pretty sure your dead on with that harness and ecm. I'll dig a little deeper and see if I can find the data port to use my Equis scantool.

Again THANKS!!! I'm sure as I get this thing more back together I'll be begging for more expertise!!

LS1 engines are now commonplace enough that many are being pieced together from parts. Example, long block ls1 pullout from dealer warranty swap ,-intake & all accessories not included. Next, 5.3 iron block engines the most common & cheapest in junkyards,`big ugly 'manifolds ok for your app, nothing wrong with accessory drives. Making sense now? Wiring & computer is scary part for many people which is why some go with painless which is more about getting it running than all out performance. My suggestion would be to find a reputable tuner in your area that could optimize your tune. program must match your cam, injectors ,larger383 displacement,headers, air intake, m.a.f. -if yoursystem has,etc. Aftermarket computers are many times inferior to the technology gm puts into their stuff,read $$$, and cannot respond to certain changes as well as an optimized factory system. Also, on that intake, with your 383 displacement & cam-? ,it may hold back even somelower-midrange torque as compared to a ls6 or other intake. Smaller issue though. Us el camino site people are more helpful than the mostly camaro crowd, aren't we ? http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jlcustomz1/DSC00420.jpg PS,check out pro-touring.com ls1 porn.

I'm trying to find the cam info. I found two cams on the paperwork from the machinist, and (in my humble Gen-1 opinion) neither is in this motor. If this were a Gen-1 383 I'd say the cam was something akin to a Comp 274H,, not a XE, not a 'thumper,,, idle is just enough chop to say it's more than stock.

One listed in the paperwork is a Voodoo LS1 hyd roller 60512, which lists as 232/238 @ 0.050 on a 108CL... MAYBE,, but that seems a bit much for the sound of this motor at 800rpm idle. The other listing simply says LS cam for $329 <shrugs>

Sand season here is only going to be 3 trips to Yuma for me this year,, so after first trip (assuming no problems) I'll assess if I need to pull it apart and see what the heck is in it,, or wait and freshen everything nexdt summer.

Guys again, I really appreciate any and all insights, thoughts, suggestions and ANY expertise. I've been playing and building sbc's for 4 decades,, and I shouldn't be so intimidated by these LS monsters,, but old dogs........

Don,t feel bad about asking for help withthis new stuff. As someone who has swapped older tpi setups wire forwire by myself, I finally decided to ask for help on diagnostic. Nice to get good help,ain,t it. The way you posted back your cam info tells me you understand more than the average person about the words that are coming out of our mouths & will do just fine at this new stuff. Another thing to mention about these new engines, even if the tune is not just right, they still run better than that ole 350 with the gummed up rods in that parts store edelbrock carb. Yall know what I,m talkin about. Have fun for us on that rail.:beer: By the way ,something like that voo-doo cam withyour383" &sequential multi port will sound much tamer than you think. If more of the fuel is efficiently burned inside the engine instead of in the exhaust pipes, it willnot sound as loud & nasty. make sense?

Yeah,, actually the 327 in my Camino I built with Holley MPFI, and the Commander 950 controler. The cam is a custom hydraulic roller Jay Allen designed for me (220 / 226 @ 0.050 with .575 lift) with the BIG lift / short duration scheme he's so big on. It's 'sounds' a lot milder than I expected in the small cube motor. So I know where your coming from with it will sound more tame in a EFI application. The one in this LS383 sounds actually,, very similar. Apples and oranges I know,, Probably the only way I will ever know that is when I freshen the motor next year.

I tell you. This has been a 'interesting' piece to work on so far. The moron that had it must of had stock in some electrical butt connector business. It goes beyond belief if I try to explain it,, so I'll just show you ONE wire I pulled out of the chassis harness to feed pair of small 35w halogen lights (and the reason I yanked everything but the motor harness and redid the electric). Check out this 'wire'

http://small-block-chevy.com/images/sandcar/buttcons1.JPG

Seriously,, you wouldn't believe it if I didnt show you. The entire chassis wiring was like this,, unbelievable!!!
Fortunately he didn't touch the engine harness.