Almost there

MagicianElectrician · Mar 23, 2026

Went and picked up the rest of the parts I need to complete my motor today! Picked up a 2005 complete intake assembly including gaskets, fuel rails, injectors, throttle body assy, engine wiring harness, got the 3-port power steering pump I need for the hydro-boost brake system (just gotta get the other hoses for it), AND a PCM with EGR and downstream O2 sensors deleted (cuz I may be running w/o cats for a bit). I am just tickled pink! I had to drive 2.5hrs 1-way to get the stuff, but it was worth it. The guy was really cool too and very knowledgeable regarding these motors. He has an old school Scout pick-up with a 5.3L in it he tuned himself making 340hp on an engine dyno. Pretty cool. Looks fun! And then he just recently picked up a '57 Bellaire project car he plans to put a 6.0L motor in that's out of an Escalade (he already has it sitting on a motor stand along with 4-5 5.3L motors). Guy's retired at 55yrs old. Must be nice!
So tomorrow I'm gonna start putting the stuff together so I can get this baby rolling again! Can't wait

stutaeng · Mar 23, 2026

Looking good!

Tonimus · Mar 24, 2026

Lots of decent aftermarket hose kits are available if you don't mind cutting hose and screwing your own fittings together.

MagicianElectrician · Mar 25, 2026

Tonimus said:
Lots of decent aftermarket hose kits are available if you don't mind cutting hose and screwing your own fittings together.

You mean for the power steering pump?

Tonimus · Mar 26, 2026

MagicianElectrician said:
You mean for the power steering pump?

Yeah, all the power steering hoses, including the hydroboost lines.

MagicianElectrician · Apr 4, 2026

I stopped at the Austin Wrench a Part the other day and got the interior pieces I needed, plus a few: got an '05 center console, dash bezel, good set of sun visors w/ the second auxiliary visors, rear cargo net, and a set of side mirrors from an Escalade that I believe are power folding. Spent just over $100

MagicianElectrician · Apr 17, 2026

There was 4 cracks at the top edge, a missing chunk of plastic, and missing clips on the back- plastic and all. So I plastic welded it all back, smoothed it out, and repainted it. What do you think?

stutaeng · Apr 17, 2026

Looks great! What plastic welder did you use? I've never done plastic welding before...

MagicianElectrician · Apr 18, 2026

Soldering iron and cut my own staples depending on the situation. And I only use 1 tip for plastics cuz it's basically wasted for soldering anymore when you do

MagicianElectrician · Apr 18, 2026

And it stinks almost as bad as burnt hair so I recommend using ventilation or do it outside

MagicianElectrician · May 6, 2026

I picked up body trim pieces from the yard yesterday and put em on today. I need the ones for the very back behind the rear wheels. The donor didn't have those

MagicianElectrician · May 14, 2026

Bought a $95 cat conv assy from EBay today. Wish me luck...

MagicianElectrician · May 15, 2026

For less than $100, it really doesn't look too bad. Though I won't really care when the cats start rattling in 3-4 months

MagicianElectrician · May 17, 2026

So my brother is a mechanic and works at a place that gets non-running donated vehicles. Just recently a 2001 2500 HD came in. I know my brothers boss, the owner, and have done work for him before. So basically, all I have to do is ask and the HD hood, grill, and bumper are mine!

MagicianElectrician · May 19, 2026

Tried bolting the cat assembly on yesterday. Fitment is absolutely terrible. In fact it's not gonna fit. So much for $95 EBay cats

MagicianElectrician · May 30, 2026

Well, as my luck would have it, just as I'm about to finish putting my Tahoe back together, all of a sudden I get a call from my brother telling me a customer at his shop is selling his 2011 Avalanche for $500. Yeah $500!!! It's 4x4 with a silver body & good black leather interior. 250,000 miles. Clear title. Needs a radiator and possibly a TB and that's it. I vote yes