2003 LS8 Build Thread

[RollinLS]

2003 LS8 build thread... Replace my 2000 LS8. Blowout at 65mph on the interstate. 2000 was stripped down. I have several parts that will be transferred from the 2000 to the 2003.

Phase 1: replace transmission & get the 2003 running right. COMPLETE

Phase 2: upgrade & mod interior.

Phase 3: stereo install & custom trunk build.

Phase 4: brake upgrade & wheels

Phase 5: body mods & custom paint

Phase 6: finish engine bay dress up

 

[RollinLS]

2003 to start with. 229k miles. Fully loaded. Paint is rough. No rust. Transmission was bad.

 

[RollinLS]

Phase 1: pulled the tranny. Rebuilt it. Installed. Was shifting VERY hard. Had to replace and reprogram PCM. Runs and shifts like new. Did take care of a few things. Had to remove front plate and pinstripes.

 

[RollinLS]

Phase 2: interior needs some love. The seats are not in good shape. Leather in cracking. Need to recover or replace them. Have a lead on a complete set of excellent seats. See what happens. Not a fan of the woodgrain. Pulled all the woodgrain pieces and painted them Silver Birch to match the exterior. Door panels, dash inserts, & shift knob. Replaced the old door kick panel trim with much better looking ones. Replaced rearseat headrest with frontseat headrest. Upgraded the factory speakers with modified OEM ones. Sound so much better. Swapped interior lights with LEDs. Still need an all black steering wheel. Current one is in BAD condition.

 

[RollinLS]

Phase 2: update. Lead on new seats just need the cash to buy them. Have the stereo goodies. Just matter of time and funds.

 

[RollinLS]

Two minor mods I did. Got a LSE grill cheap. Painted in Silver Birch. Made a custom metallic Blue Lincoln Star emblem for it. Installed K&N intake. Replaced few enginebay items. Strut covers and cross member cover.

 

[RollinLS]

Phase 4: have the brakes and wheels. Need funds for 14" rotors and tires

 

[RollinLS]

Phase 5: I already have Gen 2 LSE front bumper, Gen 1 LSE side skirts, roof spoiler, and modified Gen 1 rear valance. Need rear spoiler & lip spoiler. Already have the colors picked out for custom paint job.

 

[Jay Will]

Where are you getting all these custom Ls pieces?

 

[Alax7]

Nice progress.

Has anyone installed a gen1 lower valence on a gen2 rear bumper? Or will you be using a gen1 rear bumper and trunk door with that gen1 lower valence?

 

[HMass1]

Awesome progress!!! I've been waiting to customize my emblem but don't know how lol. Can't wait to see how it looks after all the hard work is done

 

[xford]

Upgraded the factory speakers with modified OEM ones. Sound so much better. Swapped interior lights with LEDs. Still need an

Rollin what have you done here? This is with the factory THX system - is the mod to just the Subs?

 

[RollinLS]

Where are you getting all these custom Ls pieces?

Making them myself.

 

[RollinLS]

Nice progress.

Has anyone installed a gen1 lower valence on a gen2 rear bumper? Or will you be using a gen1 rear bumper and trunk door with that gen1 lower valence?

Guy on Facebook used the ends of a gen 1 LSE on a gen 2. I plan to modify the gen 1 to fit the gen 2.

 

[RollinLS]

Awesome progress!!! I've been waiting to customize my emblem but don't know how lol. Can't wait to see how it looks after all the hard work is done

Checkout the "how to articles". I posted an article on how to make your own custom emblems.

 

[RollinLS]

Rollin what have you done here? This is with the factory THX system - is the mod to just the Subs?

Speaker mod will work on the Alpine and THX systems. I modified the door speakers. HUGE difference in clarity and sound. I did a write up in the "how to articles".

 

[joegr]

Rollin what have you done here? This is with the factory THX system - is the mod to just the Subs?

There's nothing to modify on the subs. No crossover and no mid-range or tweeter. That's the door speakers.

 

[HMass1]

Checkout the "how to articles". I posted an article on how to make your own custom emblems.

I just

Checkout the "how to articles". I posted an article on how to make your own custom emblems.

Just read the article and your instructions make it easy enough but wouldn't I need a replacement backing to reapply the emblem? Thank u btw

 

[RollinLS]

I just

Just read the article and your instructions make it easy enough but wouldn't I need a replacement backing to reapply the emblem? Thank u btw

Double sided 3M tape.
I will post a thread with pictures later.

 

[AmsterDutch]

Phase 2: interior needs some love. The seats are not in good shape. Leather in cracking. Need to recover or replace them. Have a lead on a complete set of excellent seats. See what happens. Not a fan of the woodgrain. Pulled all the woodgrain pieces and painted them Silver Birch to match the exterior. Door panels, dash inserts, & shift knob. Replaced the old door kick panel trim with much better looking ones. Replaced rearseat headrest with frontseat headrest. Upgraded the factory speakers with modified OEM ones. Sound so much better. Swapped interior lights with LEDs. Still need an all black steering wheel. Current one is in BAD condition.

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Where did you buy? / And/ or / How did you make the heat shield for your intake I'm thinking It might be wise for me to build and/or purchase the heat shield for my LS??? Thanks RollinLS

 

[rgorke]

Looks great!!! What is the difference between a Gen 2 LS grille and an LSE grille, the vertical bars are chrome rather than black?

The painted dash and door panel pieces look great. My 2004 LS is white with tan interior so the wood grain "fits" a bit better than with the black.

 

[Svets96]

That car is very clean with 223K.

Great restoration and progress.

Keep up the great work, definitely going to be following this thread.

 

[RollinLS]

Where did you buy? / And/ or / How did you make the heat shield for your intake I'm thinking It might be wise for me to build and/or purchase the heat shield for my LS??? Thanks RollinLS

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Heat shield came with the intake

 

[RollinLS]

Looks great!!! What is the difference between a Gen 2 LS grille and an LSE grille, the vertical bars are chrome rather than black?

The painted dash and door panel pieces look great. My 2004 LS is white with tan interior so the wood grain "fits" a bit better than with the black.

Before OEM grille
After LSE grille

 

[RollinLS]

That car is very clean with 223K.

Great restoration and progress.

Keep up the great work, definitely going to be following this thread.

Just flipped 230k miles