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Project Rocky’s Big Debut: A Squarebody for SEMA 2024

SEMA Here We Come!

Have you ever heard the rumble of a fresh new engine firing up for the very first time? We recently had that moment with Project Rocky when we turned the key and cranked up our brand new beefed up Summit Racing 5.3-liter Gen 3 LS1. It has taken nearly two full years to get this truck to its current state, but we wanted this one to be done right with no corners cut. A full frame-off restoration went down on this 1979 Chevy C10, and the process was nothing less than painfully exciting. We experienced each and every possible emotion throughout the build that made us appreciate the process all the way to the end.

The last few weeks of the project were focused on getting all the loose ends tied up so we could  finally burn some fuel. The complete wiring harness is fully installed thanks to Nick Provost at ProBros Hot Rods. Our Painless Performance wiring kit looks clean and performs perfectly, which is why the company is so well known in our industry. We also completed the fuel system by plumbing our Hot Rod Fuel Hose fuel lines and fittings and our Performance Online hydroboost braking system. Engine fluids were added, exhaust was welded up, and the local tuning shop programmed the Holley Terminator brain to perfection. The last few details included a new dash bezel from National Parts Depot with an easy modification you may need to know about one day. All that and the first drive is covered over the next few pages, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

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After the install of our Painless Performance wiring harness was complete, our ’79 Chevy C10 known as Project Rocky was ready to visit our local exhaust shop. Then it’s off to the tuner to dial in the engine.
It doesn’t suck climbing into this all new clean and fully restored cab—the TMI seat and the Ididit steering column look so stunning!
We had to check out these new LED headlights from United Pacific—they look so clear and bright.

The only thing we needed to tell our exhaust guys was where to install the oxygen sensor, and they took it from there. I’ve wanted to run a set of the new Borla mufflers for a while now, so here we go!
There is a lot of open room under this truck, and the axle won’t be in the way at all like most of the slammed trucks we work on.
The exhaust came out perfectly! We decided to dump the fumes just before the rear bumper for a smooth sound and tucked appearance.

Next, we plumbed the fluids starting with the fuel system. We used Hot Rod Fuel Hose tools and fittings for an easy install. How nice is it when a company sells the perfect tools along with its parts?
We also needed to add our coolant line from the block to the radiator.

 

The power steering lines were up next. We simply ran the Performance Online hydroboost hoses to the proper fittings. The only modification we needed to add was a flow reducer fitting from the type 2 power steering pump.
The high pressure fittings needed to be built perfectly, so we took our time to learn how these PTFE hose ends work before cutting the hose lengths.
If you are keeping your steering box setup and adding a type 2 power steering pump with hydroboost, we recommend changing the flow valve fitting coming out of the pump. The low-flow LS Classic Series (Part #GMLS5027) power steering pump valve will reduce flow from 3G/min to 2G/min.
After the Performance Online hydroboost kit was complete, we could start adding some fluid to the engine for the first time.
The last thing to complete was the vacuum line and air filter. The Edelbrock intake has a NPT fitting on the back side that we used for our vacuum line.
With the vacuum lines complete, we can button up the intake and prepare for startup. This Lokar LS Classic lower intake filter bracket bolts directly to our drive-by-wire throttle body.
Next was the easiest part: placing the new Lokar air filter.
We then added the filter cover with a wing nut. This Lokar LS Classic kit gave our engine bay a super unique look and will undoubtedly make some people second guess what kind of engine we have.
Like most projects, we chose Amsoil fluids for the entire truck. If Amsoil made fuel, we would have bought that too.
Synthetic power steering fluid from Amsoil gave Rocky’s engine excellent lubricity and friction-reduction properties. As a result, our power steering pump components and hoses received maximum protection against wear and stress for long life and reliable performance.

Amsoil’s antifreeze coolant comes mixed with high-purity water to prevent scale and deposits to keep our engine running clean. The transmission was filled with fluid from TCI, which came with the new transmission when we ordered it.
For now, we ran Mobil 1 oil in the truck just to flush it out and get it started. Once it’s up and running solid, we will be draining this stuff and adding our Amsoil oil.
Fuel was the last fluid we needed in order to get it over to the dyno shop.

Jeffs Tuning and Performance knew all the right buttons to push to get this truck running and firing as it should. After a quick run through the wizard on the Holley Terminator screen, Jeff hooked up his computer and told us to stand back. It was time to hear this engine fire up for the first time!

It sounded amazing! The Borla mufflers have the perfect tone, and the cam that Summit Racing preinstalled in this engine from the factory is perfect. We got over 360 hp on the first pull!
The best part of a fresh tune is the required test drive. Off we went for the very first voyage!

Certain years of these Squarebody trucks had the wiper controls on the dash, and some had it on the steering column. This truck had it on the column, although our new Ididit column did not have a wiper switch. So we ordered this universal switch from Painless Performance to mount in the dash.

We placed the National Parts Depot dash bezel in place and stuck some tape on the area we wanted to add the switch. We then marked the hole and drilled through the plastic and metal.
With the bezel removed, we used a step bit to open the hole in the metal part of the dash to mount the switch.
Next, we put the bezel back into place and slid the wiper switch shaft through the newly drilled hole in the plastic.

 

The switch looks great, and could easily pass for an OEM part. Painless Performance did a great job with this design.
The truck is almost done and ready for its grand debut at SEMA 2024. Who’s going to see Rocky in person?
The last few details will be hidden until the big day, but we wanted to leave you with this teaser. How cool are these?!

SOURCES

Amsoil
800-777-7094
www.amsoil.com

Holley Performance
866-464-6553
www.holley.com

Lokar
877-469-7440
www.lokar.com

National Parts Depot
352-861-8700
www.npdlink.com

Painless Performance
800-423-9696
www.painlessperformance.com

Performance Online
800-638-1703
www.performanceonline.com

Summit Racing
800-230-3030
www.summitracing.com

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Chris Hamilton

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