Toying with the idea s10 project

[tn94z]

TweetWell, last year I sold my Trailblazer SS and got a cheap 96 s10 to drive. This was to help pay some things off so my wife could go to school. Once we are in the position, I am going to get me a newer truck to drive.

I have been toying with the idea of building a motor for the s10 once I get another truck. Here is what I am thinking. A 370ci turbo motor, TH400 tranny, and the supporting suspension. My goal would be to go at least 6.50 in the 1/8. I figured this would be a fun little street toy that would hold it's own at the track. I found a 6.0 block that has been hot tanked, bored .030, new cam bearings, cam retainer plate, and covers for 350.00. That is 500.00 worth of machine work not counting the block. Anyway, I just thought I would throw that out there as it may be a project in the future. I am going to get the block this weekend just because it's a good deal. I could bring it back and sell it for 250 profit pretty easy if I decided to not do the project.

[jamescb77]

Tweetsounds like a fun little project right there. I have always loved v8 s10's. That block sounds liek a good deal

[daved150]

Tweeti'd buy it and sell it, lol...

[tn94z]

TweetAnyone do bodywork??

[jipped genes]

Tweetthe TB SS is badass but a 96 blazer should be much lighter and even if you went with the LS2 and a good set of heads and cam it could put down 550hp.

now a turbo setup will be a bit expensive but damn that would be awesome.
i wish i lived near you to help build it if you pull the trigger. i love projects like that. just dont have the $$$

[jipped genes]

Tweetoh dont forget about the ass whipping of changing the wiring harness. that would be the hard part

[tn94z]

TweetYeah, the TBSS is LONG GONE (man I miss that truck). This s10 is my little daily beater that is going to turn into my project when I buy another vehicle (shooting for November). Right now I am reading about suspension, brakes, engine combos, and checking on class rules around here. I thought I had my mind made up on a combo, but I am back and forth. I have thought about the LSX with a turbo. I have thought about just doing a 5.3 swap and putting a procharger on there (most I read about are getting 25+MPG with the 5.3s and they will get down in the low 6s in the 1/8). But then I get to thinking about money and I start thinking older stroker with a carb and not even mess with the EFI. Something like a 440 stroker.

2 weeks ago I started reading about pro touring cars and fell in love with a 72 Nova. So my mind has been all over the map!! More than likely it will be something for the strip. I just haven't decided if I want it to be dedicated to racing or something that I can drive to the track, pop off a low 6, and drive home. I would like to run the 275 classes but you have to be around 5.50s to be competitive there. Which I could obtain if that's what I want to do.

[jamescb77]

Tweetdo a 5.3 and turn it into a carb motor with a nice shot of the juice.

[tn94z]

TweetI have thought about that because I can get a 5.3 pullout pretty cheap. But in looking around, the carb vs efi would almost be the same money comparably speaking. I can get a complete 5.3 with accessories, computer, harness, etc...for like 800-900

[jamescb77]

Tweetwhere are you getting them this cheap?

[tn94z]

TweetMy buddy has a hookup at a local salvage yard. Depending on how many they have at the time, you can get them cheap. He just made the swap in his 87 pickup. That thing ran 8.99 and you know how big those trucks are. He also built his own harness, so I think I can tackle that portion myself a save a little too. Not to mention that I can sell the 4cyl and tranny for probably 500 and recover most of the money on the 5.3. The problem is I am having to wait until I get another vehicle which will be in November. That's why I'm trying to go ahead and get it planned out.

[jamescb77]

Tweetyea i feel you. I might need you to hook your good friend jamescb77 up with a motor before to long lol. Keep us posted i know im interested.

[tn94z]

TweetWe can do it if they have it. And I'm sure the more you buy, the cheaper they get. Once I make my mind up on a combo, I'll let you know. I'm thinking that an aggressive 5.3 with about a 150-200 shot and a truck at or under 3k race weight should get me to the 6.0 mark in the 1/8. I could probably put a 4l80e in there and even drive it to the track. That would be cool...drive it to the track, run a 6.0 or better, and drive it home. It would probably even get descent gas mileage too.

[alluprbdy]

Tweet5.3 and tv8101 turbo would be a nice affordable set up

[jipped genes]

Tweet5.3 with with some cheap CNC ported 243 heads (i say 243 as you are on a budget or i would say LS9 heads) a decent cam but not too big and with very little over lap (in case you wanted to go turbo later) fast intake. eagle rods and a decent set of forged pistons (forged crank if $$$ permits) big tube headers.

the cam would deliver great torque through the RPM range without having to rev the crap out of it (although the 5.3 will rev.)

250 shot of spray

3500-4500 rpm stall

4.11 gears w/ spool

325-60-15 MT drag radials

wont make the 5s but will be fast as crap with the interior of the blazer gutted


IMO why not spend the extra $$ and get a LSX easy to stroke to close to 500ci, cast iron for big juice or big turbo. plenty of parts

cons expensive

but a cast iron 6.0.......................big potential and the bock can handle whatever you want unlike an aluminum block