Installing an Eddie Motorsports S-Drive on a 350 SBC
There is no better way to add “wow” factor to your engine’s appearance and performance than by installing a high-quality serpentine pulley component system.
Eddie Motor Sports in Rancho Cucamonga, California, offers its S-Drive pulley system, which comes complete with a six-rib serpentine belt that’s routed by CNC-machined 6061T6 aluminum pulleys. The S-Drive pulley systems include all of the necessary stainless steel fasteners and high-quality, name brand components, including an Edelbrock water pump, Marval power steering pump, Powermaster alternator, Sanden A/C compressor and Gates belt tensioner and six-rib serpentine belt. The kits are available in raw machined or highly polished finish or in a variety of anodized Fusion-coat colors.
Follow along as John Mutch at Savi Ranch Automotive installs an Eddie Motorsports S-Drive serpentine pulley system on a Chevy 350 small-block.
01. After applying RTV silicone to the 3/8-16 x 4 water pump mounting studs are carefully threaded into the block.02. After applying RTV silicone to the 3/8-16 x 4 water pump mounting studs are carefully threaded into the block.03. John applies Permatex Loctite Right Stuff Elastomeric Rubber Gasket Maker to both sides of the water pump mounting brackets before installing the rubber O-rings.04. The water pump mounting brackets are slipped over the studs, followed by the power steering pump mounting bracket. The two 3/8-16 x 2-inch cap screw threads are coated with anti-seize before they’re threaded onto the block.05. The water pump mounting brackets are slipped over the studs, followed by the power steering pump mounting bracket. The two 3/8-16 x 2-inch cap screw threads are coated with anti-seize before they’re threaded onto the block.06. The water pump mounting brackets are slipped over the studs, followed by the power steering pump mounting bracket. The two 3/8-16 x 2-inch cap screw threads are coated with anti-seize before they’re threaded onto the block.07. The Edelbrock Tuff Stuff polished aluminum water pump slides over the mounting studs.08. Four spacer posts are threaded and tightened onto the mounting studs.09. After aligning the main bracket onto the spacer posts, four M8 x 25mm cap screws are threaded into the spacer posts to secure the main bracket.10. The Powermaster 140-amp, one-wire, chromed alternator is located on the mounting bracket and secured.11. The Powermaster 140-amp, one-wire, chromed alternator is located on the mounting bracket and secured.12. Two 5/16-18 x 3-inch cap screws are coated with anti-seize and threaded into the mounting bracket. Then the Marvel power steering pump and Eddie Motorsports pulley are installed.13. John installs the Sanden A/C compressor to the main bracket using two M8 x 25 mm cap screws and lower shoulder bolt all coated with anti-seize and secured using lock washers.14. The Eddie Motorsport A/C compressor pulley is secured with three ¼-20 x ¾-inch cap screws coated with Loctite Blue thread locker.15. The Eddie Motorsport A/C compressor pulley is secured with three ¼-20 x ¾-inch cap screws coated with Loctite Blue thread locker.16. The Eddie Motorsports crank pulley is aligned and secured using three 3/8-24 x 1-inch cap screws and Belleville washers coated with Loctite Blue thread locker.17. The Eddie Motorsports crank pulley is aligned and secured using three 3/8-24 x 1-inch cap screws and Belleville washers coated with Loctite Blue thread locker.18. Next, the Eddie Motorsports water pump pulley is aligned and secured with four 5/16-24 x ½-inch cap screws coated with Loctite Red thread locker.19. The Gates serpentine belt is secured to the main bracket using a 3/8-16 x 2 ¼-inch cap screws and washers.20. A breaker bar and socket are used to decrease the tension of the Gates tensioner. The Gates six-ribbed serpentine belt is routed onto the Eddie Motorsport pulleys.21. After the Gates serpentine belt was successfully routed onto the Eddie Motorsports pulleys, the Gates tensioner cover is installed using two 10-32 x ¾-inch flat head screws coated with Loctite.22. After the Gates serpentine belt was successfully routed onto the Eddie Motorsports pulleys, the Gates tensioner cover is installed using two 10-32 x ¾-inch flat head screws coated with Loctite.23. The Eddie Motorsports S-Drive serpentine pulley system completely installed.24. The Eddie Motorsports S-Drive serpentine pulley system completely installed.25. The Eddie Motorsports S-Drive serpentine pulley system completely installed.
Check out these amazing new products featured in June 2016 issue of Drive Magazine.
NEW PRODUCTS
1. BILLET HOOD HINGES
Smooth functionality with outstanding appearance is designed into every set of Eddie Motorsports’ Billet Hood Hinges and their latest addition is for the popular GM classics including 1967-1969 Camaro & Firebird, 1964-1967 Chevelle, 1963-1967 Impala, 1964-1967 GTO, and 1964-1967 Olds Cutlass.
Forget the core charge! Chevs of the 40s’ new replacement clutch kits for 1938-53 Chevy cars and trucks come with a 9″ clutch, pressure plate, pilot bushing, throwout bearing, alignment tool, and lube.
Classic Industries’ latest in the line of Mopar Authentic Restoration Products is a new remote outer door mirror from OER. It fits the driver’s side (left hand) door of a variety of Dodge and Plymouth vehicles, specifically 1966-72 A-Body models equipped with a vent window and remote mirror option, and 1966-70 B-Body models.
Protect wiring, hoses, fuel lines, hydraulic lines and other similar components in the highest automotive heat conditions with Heatshield Products Lava Tube. The material is specially formulated and uses a fibrous thermal-barrier weave made from volcanic rock. The basalt fiber allows Lava Tube to protect components from continuous temperatures of 1,200° Fahrenheit, and intermittent temperatures of 2,000° Fahrenheit.
Summit Racing has you covered with its new Garage Cabinetry Sets. They are a convenient place to store things and give you a place to get actual work done. Features include: Industrial-grade steel construction, high-quality, welded frame construction, 3.2 mil thick epoxy powdercoat paint finish, HMC high-security tubular locking system and keys, and tough bamboo work bench surfaces
Racepak’s IQ3D Drag Logger Dash is designed for the sportsman drag racerlooking for a compact, all-in-one solution for data logging and instrumentation. It eliminates the need for an external data logger, and features an easy to access MicroSD memory card, four user-definable display pages, programmable shift and warning lights, and the ability to display up to 28 inputs.
Performance Automatic has new Ford 6 Speed Coyote Street Smart Transmission Packages complete with everything you need: 11.5” Factory Spec Torque Converter, flex plate, block plate, inspection cover, “6600” Stand Alone Transmission Controller and wiring harness, plus all the required hardware.
Classic Instruments has just released their updated gear selector interface module the SN46Z. The kit includes a transmission mounted sensor and interface module that works with Classic Instruments’ gear selector gauges or individual LED indicator lights. The transmission sensor works with most three and four speed automatic transmissions and easily connects to the shift arm with the included parts.
With the decision made that this would be a show-stopping weekend cruiser, we didn’t feel the need to replace the OEM dashboard with a mint marketplace find. A dash cap from NPD was all we needed to be satisfied on any trip to a local weekend event. The next major decision came with the audio upgrades. We felt we needed to win some awards. Even though the truck has a rear seat from the factory, it’s pretty obvious that no one will ever be back there and there really wasn’t much space for anyone to be comfortable anyway. So, the factory seats were removed and a custom CNC-built wooden speaker box was fabricated to fit perfectly in the back.
These new MOJO 6 ½-inch subwoofers from Memphis Audio will blow you away with the beats they can make, and the new VIV amplifiers can easily produce enough power to handle four of these little subs. We installed a 2200-watt amplifier for the subs and a four-channel amp for the mids and highs, all wired up by a Memphis audio amp install kit that made everything simple and smooth. The complete amplifier and speaker system is receiving signal and being controlled by a Planet Audio Apple CarPlay Receiver.
Finally, we wrap up the interior with a new billet steering wheel from Eddie Motorsports that was a simple swap using the company’s ’88 to ’98 Chevy steering wheel adapter. Follow along as we dig deeper into the details and show you the results of our “Ready Player One” inspired interior. In the next issue, we have one more trick up our sleeves that you may find exciting. Stay tuned!
Now that the interior is gutted and the new carpet is installed, we can start assembling the speaker box and center console inside the truck.A quick spray of black paint on any of the spots that won’t be carpeted will hide any potential wood that you may see underneath the trim panels.
Power and ground are the two most important connections to start with. Bringing a large power wire directly from the battery and a ground wire directly to the frame is the best option for a clean, reliable power. Memphis Audio distribution blocks help us send the correct-size wires directly to the amplifiers.To power the mids and highs, a Memphis Audio four-channel amplifier will be installed with new wires directly to the speakers. The 2200-watt sub amp will handle our low range audio through 6 ½-inch MOJO subwoofers.With the power and ground connected to our amps, we can now run the remote wire to the factory harness and our RCA cables to the new radio.Our head unit of choice is the new Planet Audio P90CPAC Apple CarPlay Android Auto Car Receiver. This is a single din, 9-inch touchscreen with rear camera and Bluetooth. To make and receive calls, and play and control music and apps like Spotify/Pandora wirelessly, we’ll need another device to connect to the World Wide Web. Stay tuned—it’s coming up in the next issue!Instead of installing the radio in the dashboard and dealing with the shifter hitting the face, we decided to move it down to the center console where it’s easily accessible and free of interference. All we really needed from the original factory radio harness is power ground and remote, so three simple wires can be run and connected.
With the single-din cage placed and measured, we can drill some corner holes and use our jigsaw to create the opening.The new head unit looks great, and we can’t wait to see how it sounds. It’s a very impressive user experience on this new Planet Audio touchscreen head unit!
These MOJO 6.5-inch subwoofers are small but powerful and feature DVVC (Direct Vent Voice Coil) cooling technology to rapidly dissipate heat, allowing MOJO mini subwoofers to play louder and longer. That’s all we need to do with carpet the box before we screw them in place!With everything installed, the system design looks really cool, and adding some additional LED lights make it light up like the outside. Our buddy at CVJ welding cut this really cool aluminum Artemis sign that we installed with some standoffs for a killer effect. Love it!Time to tackle the dashboard. This cracked up original plastic can be completely removed and replaced by a pricey pristine original that you can find somewhere online. But since this truck is not being restored, a dash cap is just fine for us.A quick trip to our local National Parts Depot made it easy to snag a cap. The retailer generally always has these in stock and has locations all around the country.
Before we add the silicone and install the new cap, we really need to clean the original one and the new one. Any oils or dirt on the surface can potentially make this cap lift later in life. So, a little bit of time cleaning with some strong cleaner will make it last longer.We use the silicone that was provided with the dash cap from National Parts Depot to outline the entire cap and go around any of the vent openings.
With the cap completely coated and the dash nice and clean, we slid the cap in place and made sure it fits snuggly.Going around the door pins is especially important in lining up the air vents will help make sure it’s in the right spot.Adding some weight to the cap and setting it in the sun is your best option for a strong bond. Give it at least a day or more before removing the weights.The final part to be replaced is the original, boring steering wheel. We disconnected the battery, removed the air bag, and rented a steering wheel puller from our local AutoZone.The steering wheel puller is very simple to use with just a standard ratchet. The best thing is that after you use it, you can return it and you never spend a dime. Don’t yank on the steering wheel to get it loose. You can potentially break something and cause yourself a lot more problems.With the old steering wheel off, we can now install the Eddie Motorsports billet steering wheel adapter. This is splined to fit the original steering shaft, and bolts on simply and easily.How nice does that steering wheel look? In the future, we will replace the radio bezel and dash gauges, and eventually coat the entire dash with a solid color.
A few final touches inspired by the movie were added to the LED switch panel in speaker box. If you’re a fan of “Ready Player One,” you know exactly what part of the movie these are in!Now you can see the complete final layout of the audio system. The switches control the interior and exterior LEDs, and it looks super cool at night. We’re not quite done yet! We still have to install our Voxx media system as well as our vehicle cell signal booster, along with a new set of seats from TMI. But that’s for another day.Success! We officially reached our deadline. The audio system sounds great, and we are proudly displaying this project for the first time ever at the 30th annual Slam Fest Truck Show in Tampa, Florida. Stop by and see Artemis in person!
STELLA PART 5 | Painting Some Panels and Coating the Bed
When we left you last, Stella was finally on the road and ready to shred her new Nitto tires. The engine is complete and in the break-in process. A few hundred miles of fluid movement and dust shaking revealed a couple simple issues that needed to be addressed. Loosening exhaust bolts and new rattle noises always pop up, but nothing that a day on the lift and some turns of a wrench can’t fix.
Once the break-in period is done, we will swap out the transmission fluid with a Syncromesh liquid and she will be ready to daily drive. During that process we took the opportunity to prep and paint our new metal panels. We wanted the truck to look the part, so along with the rumble from the exhaust, a cowl hood is an absolute necessity.
Removing the rear bumper is a must-do modification as well if you’re going for the true sport truck look. The all-metal roll pan from AVS on the Web fits perfect and can be temporarily bolted in while we wait for our turn in the paint booth. Finally, a new tailgate from LMC Truck will replace the beat-up factory piece. With all the new parts painted and installed, we will coat the bed floor with a DIY bedliner kit. This is going to be an amazing truck when it’s all complete, but for now we have some work to do. Stick around and follow along!
Our first start was a success and Stella finally got to see the sunlight again! The Blueprint Engines 383ci Stroker sounds strong and the Dynomax exhaust rumbles perfectly.While Trey finishes some final tuning to the Edlebrock Pro-Flo, we started working on the exterior of the truck. A new 2-inch raised cowl hood from Autometal Direct combined with an LMC replacement tailgate and an AVS on the Web roll pan will give the truck the aggressive look it deserves.All this new metal will need to be painted to match, and to save costs we decided to go with Automotive Touchup color matching paint and their DIY paint products that even include the paint guns!
As with any paint project, the prep work is key. We wanted a clean work area, so the garage was cleared out and sawhorses were brought in. Taping off the parts we don’t want painted comes first, followed by prepping the OEM panels with a simple scuff with scotch pads and a wipe down with acetone.
Automotive Touchup made it easy on us by offering a three-stage ready-to-spray paint system that requires no mixing at all. Just stir, pour and spray, giving around 15 minutes per coat and 1 hour per stage. We focused on keeping the hose away from the surface and our hands parallel the panels. We’re not pros or even experienced amateurs, but Automotive Touchup gave us the confidence we needed to pull off a great paint job. We were extremely impressed and pleased with the results.Instead of reusing the factory hood hinges, we took the opportunity to bolt on these new Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges. They come in polished or powdercoated and the bolt on in the factory location. No cutting, no welding.
Brackets to mount the gas struts—Eddie Motorsports provides these billet aluminum blocks that bolt to the factory hinge location.
The provided hardware is bolted into place and the new gas struts are clipped in. No hassle!
Last, the hood is brought back into the mix and bolted on with the new hardware. These hinges look great and operate extremely smoothly.The front of the truck is complete, and it looks great! Now time to focus on the back.
Before the new tailgate can go on, we need to bolt on the hinged and hardware. This kit from LMC Truck provides all the parts and pieces you need, including a latch and plastic trim ring.
To give the inside of the bed a makeover, we taped off the edges and coated it with this DIY brush-on bedliner kit from KBS products. It’s easy to accomplish and looks great if prepared properly.
After some significant time with sandpaper and acetone, the bed was first cleaned and prepped before pouring any bedliner. Starting with the corners and rails, we used a basic paint brush to coat the entire bed floor in about an hour and a half. It looks great!Now that the new tailgate and roll pan are installed, the back of the truck looks great too! For now, the roll pan is simply bolted in, but before Stella is rolled into the paint booth, it will be welded and smoothed to perfection.
The last thing to do before she’s back on the road as a reliable daily driver is to properly break in the transmission for the most reliable performance. American Powertrain recommended very specific fluids for its transmissions, and everything is clearly listed in the manuals and online. This 5-speed TREMEC requires a GM Synchromesh transmission oil after the break-in period. So, after a few hundred break-in miles, we swapped out the break-in fluid and replaced it with Pennzoil Synchromesh.
Next on the maintenance list is to replace the OEM replacement battery. This AC Delco unit is nice, but it just can’t keep up with the demands of this high-performance engine and starter. Naturally we turn to the top of the food chain of high-performance batteries. This Optima yellow top fits in the factory battery box and even comes with a new rubber clamp to lock it down.
The classic movie, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” was recently selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Lately, it seems that ’88-’98 Chevy trucks are quickly being known to have the same qualities in the truck enthusiast world. GMT400 trucks were on every street corner and car show in the ’90s. With massive production numbers and excellent engineering, these Chevy trucks are still pretty easy to come by and available in many different forms, including shortbed, longbed, quad cab and even two different SUV platforms. Oftentimes, the guy who’s buying and restoring these trucks wanted one in his teen years, and now he’s older, generally successful and more financially stable than when he was 16 years old. These factors also drive custom parts manufacturers to focus on making products for the industry icons and get ahead of the popularity curve.
’88-’98 Chevy trucks
It’s easy to talk the talk and say you’re a fan of this body style, but it’s far more impactful to walk the walk and own one yourself. So, we took the challenge and jumped into the deep end of desire by picking up a running, driving ’95 Chevy C/K truck from the original owner for a smooth $2,000. Cold A/C and a solid cranking 4.3-liter V-6 gave this truck the appeal, but the full gas tank and a fresh oil change showed us that the previous owner still had love for this 20-plus-year-old family member.
To quickly explain the project’s name: “Stella” is a Latin term meaning “star.” The name popped in our heads after we ordered our 22-inch American Racing Nova wheels. The word “Nova” is a female name of Latin origin that has a definition of both “newness” and “of great energy.” It’s also an astronomical term for a star that suddenly increases in brightness, just like this truck’s future. (Plus, Stella was a pretty stellar character in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”) So, with all that in mind, the name Stella just fits, don’t you think?
Over the next few pages, we’re going to take you through the process of giving this truck new life on the same old roads it’s been cruising down since its inception, first starting with a new suspension, upgraded disc brakes and a new set of wheels and tires. That’s only the beginning, but you have to follow along to see the rest. If this truck doesn’t motivate you to go out and start wrenching on your own OBS project, I’m not sure you picked up the right publication. Now let’s get to the good stuff!
Before we got down to the nitty gritty, Dallas Maynard from Full Pen Fabricationremoved the bed and pressure cleaned the frame. Twenty-plus years of rust and road grime is better off in the driveway than in your face—am I right?RideTech supplied this C-notchTo get the truck as low as we want it, we need to make some clearance in the factory frame rail. If we don’t, the axle will hit the frame every time we hit a bump, and the sound it makes is something we don’t want to hear! RideTechsupplied this C-notch with our new suspension kit so the frame was traced, drilled and sliced before our new C-notch was bolted in. This bolt-on C-notch reinforces the OEM frame rails and features integrated suspension mounts. This bolt-on wishbone system greatly improves traction, handling and ride quality while offering a 4- to 6-inch drop in height. Installation does not require any welding or major modifications to the bed floor. It includes patent-pending R-joint rod ends to eliminate binding and noise. The HQ Series coiloversare direct bolt-on and allow for easy adjustment.HQ Series coiloversFront HQ Series coilovers include bolt-on upper shock mounts to allow more ground clearance and maximum suspension travel, front upper and lower StrongArm tubular control arms, front and rear HQ Series coilover shocks, front sway bar and HD drop spindles.This Pro Performance 14-inch front and 13-inch rear big brake kit is designed for ’88-’98 GM trucks and SUVs. This kit does not require machining to the axle or rotors, and the caliper has an integrated parking brake option. This brake kit will work with any disc brake drop spindle, such as McGaughy’s,Street Edge or Belltech. You will receive a template and instructions on modifying your spindle, which requires cutting of the caliper “ears” and drilling and tapping for the caliper mounting bracket. They look amazing behind our 22-inch American Racing wheels and Nitto Invo tires.
Classic Industries black plastic grilleClassic Industriesoffers this reproduction black plastic grille as well as the dual composite headlamps and corner lights that are all designed to replace the original. This conversion is as simple as unbolting the original grille and headlights and swapping in the new stuff. To swap the headlight plugs, we turned to MrTailLight.com for the kit. The company offers the new headlight plugs and all the mounting hardware you need to take the guesswork out of the process. We can’t convey how simple this process is and it’s very affordable.BluePrint Engines 383ci Stroker motorNow to focus on the engine swap. The factory 4.3-liter V-6 has got to go, but since this is a perfectly running engine and transmission, we will save it for a quick flip project. The crew at Overpower Customsyanks engines on the daily so ripping this one out is child’s play. Jason and Trey removed all the plugs and bolts before hooking it up to a forklift. Replacing it will be a new BluePrint Engines383ci Stroker motor paired up to a Centerforce clutchin our American Powertrain transmission.Before the new engine can go in, Trey pressure cleaned the engine bay to remove all the old grease and grime. The core of this truck is in great shape!Vintage Air pulley kitOur BluePrint Engines 383ci Stroker engine comes turnkey other than the drive pulleys. So, before they bolt up the new 5-speed American Powertraintransmission, a Vintage Air Front Runner drive pulley kit goes in. The completed kit looks amazing! It is nice and tight to the block, so we don’t have to worry about fitment when installing the engine. Also, the Bright finish gives its the quality look they deserve.
To control our fuel delivery system, we chose to go with Edelbrock’s new Pro-Flo 4 electronic fuel injection. The Pro-Flo 4 is not just a replacement for your carburetor. It’s a complete engineered system that provides the ultimate in performance, drivability and quality. This will result in a smoother idle, faster acceleration, better peak power, improved fuel economy and the ability to control detonation, all in the E-Tuner 4 app.
The key to the improved performance is the fuel injector location, which is at the end of the runner on the intake manifold right before the airflow stream enters the combustion chamber. This location provides a more efficient mixture control that’s unaffected by varying intake manifold runner temperatures and length.
Next to be bolted to the block are our Hedman Heddersdesigned for the SBC 350ci engine. Hedman Heddersbegan as a one-man shop in 1954. Bob Hedman, founder of Hedman Hedders, sold his highly sought-after exhaust tubes to fellow racers on the salt flats of the Mojave Desert. But what started out as a way to make a few bucks to pay for Bob’s racing hobby quickly turned into the premier header manufacturer for both the racing and street header marketplaces.
Centerforce is the clutch of choice for our project and recommended by American Powertrain. The Centerforce II Clutch Series utilizes a full facing disc with premium friction materials and a pressure plate with centrifugal weights. It offers superb holding power and maximum clutch life, making this clutch ideal for selected street/strip, off-road and towing applications.
American Powertrain’s Pro-Fit kits for 88-98 Chevy/GMC C1500 OBS GMT400 trucks come in either 5 or 6-speed. There is no need to cut the floor if your truck is already manual since it fits in the factory location. This kit reuses the original cross-member. It’s actually a very easy install!
Benefits Include: 30-50% increase in fuel economy Low RPM cruising for greatly reduced driver fatigue and an improved highway driving experience. Reduced engine wear leading to longer engine life Cooler engine operating temperature
The 88-98 Chevy kit includes AP Revolution Shifter Mechanism locates shifter that will fit bench or bucket seats Seamless DOM Driveshaft Assembly that has been race balanced Solid U-Joints A Driveshaft Slip Yoke made from Cryogenically hardened steel Polyurethane Transmission Mount Greased and pre-packed pilot bearing with stainless rollers Reverse Light Harness Electronic Speedometer Conversion Shifter Knob and all the Hardware and instructions you need.
Mishimoto radiator
With the engine fully assembled, Trey can slide the engine into the bay and start prepping the cooling system. We used a set of factory V-8 motor mounts to bolt it to the frame and Mishimoto radiators and electric fans. This is a 6.2-liter (383ci) diesel cooling system that Trey recommended for additional cooling. To make it all work correctly, Trey installed a factory OEM diesel coolant reservoir and made a trick aluminum coolant transfer pipe.
Aluminum coolant transfer pipe.The last thing to complete before the first startup is the Dynomax exhaust. Jason welded the DIY stainless exhaust kit together and sprayed it black to look the part. The engine swap is complete, and no fancy wiring harness was needed. We know that LS swaps are the popular trend nowadays, but we didn’t want to hassle with the electronics on this one.Now that we have a 5-speed transmission, we need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter and install a clutch pedal. We used a factory pedal from the junkyard and it simply bolts into the factory location. While the interior is out, we had Corbin from Florida Boy Customs dye the dash and interior panels black.Billet steering wheel from Forever SharpInstead of reinstalling the factory bench seat, we turned to TMI Interiorsto see if we could get a set of their new ’88-’98 GMT400 interior kits. Luckily for us they came through and we were able to bolt in these new custom bucket seats with center console. This kit is now available for your truck and includes door panels, seats, headliner and dash cap. We also installed a new billet steering wheel from Forever Sharp and it looks perfect! What a massive upgrade to the interior of this ’95 Chevy C1500. Those TMI seats look amazing!Dakota DigitalSport truck mirrors from LMC Truck.Before bolting up the new door panels, we swapped out the factory-style side view mirrors and replaced them with these sport truck mirrors from LMC Truck.Time to get some blood in Stella’s veins and give her some spark. As with all of our build, we turned to Red Line for their engine oil, power steering and transmission fluids. We also poured in Mishimoto’s Chill radiator fluid. After a 500-mile break in we will flush the transmission and refill it with synchromesh transmission fluid.Our first start was a success and Stella finally got to see the sunlight again! The Blueprint Engines 383ci Stroker sounds strong and the Dynomax exhaust rumbles perfectly. Naturally Trey wants to see if anything is loose—and what better way than to light the tires up!While Trey finishes some final tuning to the Edlebrock Pro-Flo, we started working on the exterior of the truck. A new 2-inch raised cowl hood from Autometal Direct combined with an LMC replacement tailgate and an AVSon the Web roll pan will give the truck the aggressive look it deserves. All this new metal will need to be painted to match, and to save costs we decided to go with Automotive Touchup color matching paint and their DIY paint products that even include the paint guns.As with any paint project, the prep work is key. We wanted a clean work area, so the garage was cleared out and sawhorses were brought in. Taping off the parts we don’t want painted comes first.These OEM panels are ready for a primer with a simple scuff with scotch pads and a wipe down with acetone.Automotive TouchupAutomotive Touchup made it easy on us by offering a three-stage ready-to-spray paint system that requires no mixing at all. Just stir, pour and spray, giving around 15 minutes per coat and one-hour per stage.Keeping the hose away from the surface and your hand parallel the panels is what we were focused on. We are not pros or even experienced amateurs, but Automotive Touchup gave us the confidence we needed to pull off a great paint job. We were extremely impressed and pleased with the results.Eddie Motorsports billet hood hingesInstead of reusing the factory hood hinges, we took the opportunity to bolt on these new Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges. They come in polished or powdercoated with the bolt-on in the factory location. No cutting, no welding.The provided hardware is bolted into place and the new gas struts are clipped in. No hassle!Lastly, the hood is brought back into the mix and bolted on with the new hardware. These hinges look great and operate extremely smoothly.2-inch raised cowl hood from Autometal Direct.The front of the truck is complete, and it looks great! Now time to focus on the back.LMC replacement tailgateBefore the new tailgate can go on, we need to bolt on the hinged and hardware. This kit from LMC Truck provides all the parts and pieces you need including the latch and trim ring.DIY brush on bedliner kit from KBS Products.To give the inside of the bed a makeover, we taped off the edges and coated it with this DIY brush on bedliner kit from KBS Products. It’s easy to accomplish and looks great if prepared properly.Now that the new tailgate and roll pan are installed, the back of the truck looks great, too!
●High strength, precision billet aluminum construction
●Utilizes sealed bearings & stainless steel nitrogen gas struts (included) for smooth operation
●Bolt-on application for steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber hoods (specify when ordering)
●Available in raw machined or bright polished finish as well as a variety of Fusioncoat and anodized colors
●Sold in pairs
●Made in the USA
