1978 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Restomod - LS-Swapped, Holley EFI, Pro-Touring Stance, Custom Interior, Staggered Billet Wheels
If you're looking for a K5 that keeps the classic square-body presence but drives like a modern hot rod, this 1978 Blazer delivers in a big way. Under the hood is a freshly built 5.3L LS fitted with an LS3 cam and lifters, controlled by Holley Terminator X fuel injection and professionally tuned by Dr. EFI for crisp starts, smooth drivability, and strong pull through the RPM range. Pair that with a 4L60E automatic, a CVF front serpentine setup, Holley manifolds feeding a Magnaflow dual exhaust, and you've got the kind of setup that's equally happy cruising or turning heads at any show.
The stance is what makes this K5 stop people in their tracks: lowered 4"/6" with Belltech components, a frame notch, and front tubs ("sloshtubs") to make the big wheel/tire package work properly. The look is finished off with custom-built American Racing billet wheels-22" up front and 24" in the rear-wrapped in Nitto tires for the right mix of style and real road grip.
Inside, it's been completely modernized without losing the vintage vibe: new custom interior in a rich burgundy tone with plaid insert accents, upgraded audio with a RetroSound Bluetooth head unit, Rockford Fosgate components, and a 10" subwoofer in a custom enclosure. It also retains factory A/C, which is a must-have if you actually plan to use and enjoy your K5.
The odometer currently shows approximately 6,4xx miles since the build.
High-Level Highlights
5.3L LS V8 with LS3 cam & lifters
Holley Terminator X fuel injection with touchscreen display
Professionally tuned by Dr. EFI
4L60E automatic transmission
CVF front serpentine accessory drive
Holley manifolds + Magnaflow dual exhaust
Lowered 4"/6" with Belltech components
Frame notch + front tubs for wheel clearance
Wilwood master cylinder
Staggered American Racing custom billet wheels: 22" front / 24" rear
Nitto tires
Factory A/C
New RetroSound Bluetooth stereo
Rockford Fosgate audio + 10" sub in custom enclosure
All-new custom interior (burgundy with plaid inserts)
Powertrain & Performance
5.3L LS V8 (6K miles on build)
This Blazer is powered by a 5.3L LS that's been upgraded the right way-focusing on real-world power and reliability:
LS3 camshaft and lifters for a noticeable bump in performance and a more aggressive personality
Holley Terminator X EFI for modern fueling, cold-start manners, and consistent performance in any weather
Professional calibration by Dr. EFI, which is a major value-add-this is the difference between "it runs" and "it runs right"
Transmission
4L60E automatic transmission-a proven overdrive transmission that makes this K5 easy to drive around town and comfortable at speed.
Accessory Drive / Under-Hood Presentation
CVF front serpentine system cleans up the engine bay and modernizes accessory routing.
The engine bay presents cleanly and has the kind of organized layout you want to see on a properly finished swap.
Exhaust
Holley manifolds feeding a Magnaflow dual exhaust-the right combination for sound, flow, and street-friendly tone (aggressive without being obnoxious).
Chassis, Stance & Driving Feel
This build was clearly designed around the stance and wheel package-done with the supporting modifications required to make it functional, not just "for photos."
Suspension & Ride Height
Lowered 4"/6" with Belltech components
Frame notch to provide clearance and proper travel at the rear
Front tubs ("sloshtubs") to accommodate the wheel/tire package and turning clearance
The result is a K5 that sits mean-low, planted, and modern-without the "unfinished" vibe you see on a lot of lowered truck builds.
Braking
Wilwood master cylinder-a strong foundational upgrade for improved braking feel and control.
Wheels & Tires
The wheels absolutely make the build:
American Racing custom-built billet wheels
22-inch front / 24-inch rear (staggered)
Wrapped in Nitto tires
It's a bold, modern Pro-Touring look that still complements the square-body lines. The fitment is intentional, and the supporting work (tubs + notch + drop) is what separates this from a thrown-together wheel package.
Exterior
Finished in a deep gloss black, this K5 has the right mix of vintage character and clean presentation:
Classic square-body styling with strong body lines
Bright exterior trim and chrome accents that contrast nicely against the black finish
Removable Blazer top profile and the unmistakable K5 silhouette
The stance and wheel setup gives it a completely different attitude than a stock K5-more "street bruiser" than "utility truck," in the best way.
Interior & Comfort
The cabin is one of the most distinctive parts of this build. It's not just "new," it's styled.
Custom Upholstery
All-new custom interior in a rich burgundy
Plaid insert accents on the seating surfaces (front and rear), giving it a unique, high-end custom feel
Matching carpet and coordinated door panel design for a cohesive finish
Modern Controls / Monitoring
Holley EFI touchscreen display mounted cleanly, giving you real-time readouts (temps, RPM, AFR targets, oil pressure, fuel pressure, voltage, etc.)-this is a big confidence booster for anyone who actually drives their builds.
Air Conditioning
Factory A/C-a huge plus for comfort and real usability.
Audio
New RetroSound stereo with Bluetooth (classic look, modern function)
Rockford Fosgate system
10" subwoofer in a custom enclosure
This system is built to sound good, not just be "present."
Ownership Notes / What Makes This One Stand Out
A lot of K5 builds check one box-paint, or wheels, or an engine swap. This one checks the full list and, more importantly, includes the supporting work that makes it drive the way it looks:
The LS swap isn't just installed-it's EFI-controlled and professionally tuned.
The stance isn't just "lowered"-it's properly addressed with a frame notch and front tubs.
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