New project

Ok after taking it all in and thinking... I have decided to modify my new truck.
Its a 1997 Chevy c1500 Reg cab step side. 4.3 v6 bone stock minus air filter.

http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/40/OBStruck.jpg
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/40/OBStruck1.jpg

Not much, but it has potential. And I own it with no payments too. Gemme yalls thoughts on future plans.
I was thinking either 421ci NA, or lots of boost on a 370. Im kinda leaning twards selling the nitrous kit I have. What do yall think? Lower it first then start on motor... or build motor first? What?

I think its a great idea. I vote lower it. Its very cheap on the OBS trucks. especially if you look around. Someone would probably part with a great kit for chump change. Being you should have some insurance cash coming in soon even if not get you a personal loan something to get you started toward your end goal. You know a TON comparded to where you were on your old truck when you started mods. You can make this thing the best on the block!
REALLY jeff being this is your new ride I would think hard about robbing your locker and gears since they will swap over... IF you can get to your truck. It would take a while but thats bout a grand you would be loosing just to buy it in a few months again.

Nice! You know that that truck weights less than 3.9Klbs! I would get the 370 and some boost. That should get you close to 10's or better!

I was thinking a 383ls motor but I guess a 421 would be fun. I like NA, but either of your choices are good ones.

I agree with show and go, drop it first, do your roll pan, and whatever else you don't need much down time for. don't tear into the swap untill you have EVERYTHING for it. motor, headers, wiring harness, intake, mounts and everything else.

this will take you a while to piece togather, so I would make it look good in the mean time :thumb:

DROP IT FIRST!! Then if you are going to do rear roll pan, please sell me your rear bumper! I am just east of Round Rock :D


But seriously...drop it first. That can be done in a weekend.

Drop it and get some light wheels. You know what im going to say Jeff. I say Boost it. Less stress on the parts, longer live on it. I dont know how well a 370 and boost would go together, only because I dont know the thickness of the cylinder walls.

But seriously, if you ever want any help on this let me know, and you know ill be more than happy to come up and hang out and wrench on it with you.

sick looking truck bud!!!

now for what we been talking about over time, 370 with boost!!!!!! with that lightass truck expect a proven 10s truck without much hassle

DROP any LS motor will work. Me personally I love Turbos. I will never go supercharged again. The manners of a turbo charged vehicle are far better than high compression hi stall trucks and cars. There is a reason you are seeing so many people run turbos now.

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Originally Posted by duckysbht

Drop it and get some light wheels. You know what im going to say Jeff. I say Boost it. Less stress on the parts, longer live on it. I dont know how well a 370 and boost would go together, only because I dont know the thickness of the cylinder walls.

But seriously, if you ever want any help on this let me know, and you know ill be more than happy to come up and hang out and wrench on it with you.

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370's are what most folks are running for boosted motors. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

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Originally Posted by zeake

370's are what most folks are running for boosted motors. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

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ohh thats right. 6.0 is 364, so a 370.. ah makes sense

if n budget drop a 4.8 in there and build the kit around this motor till you can afford a forged 370. I can tell you a 4.8 will hold a good bit of boost and ppl throw 4.8s away. so its a win win situation to start with

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Originally Posted by Quik

if n budget drop a 4.8 in there and build the kit around this motor till you can afford a forged 370. I can tell you a 4.8 will hold a good bit of boost and ppl throw 4.8s away. so its a win win situation to start with

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I second this. Boost does anything good.

yes...370 with boost will make you smile and smile!!!!

Ok, I think I will go the turbo route. But which route do y'all think? STS style would be cheaper right? But I have plenty of room up front for a front mount.
Im liking the idea of a rear mount, But it seems that most people with a rear mount go front mount afterwards. I also have a limited budget.

Front mount, but that truck needs a few things first.
V8, and some traction!

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Originally Posted by ff_jeff

Ok, I think I will go the turbo route. But which route do y'all think? STS style would be cheaper right? But I have plenty of room up front for a front mount.
Im liking the idea of a rear mount, But it seems that most people with a rear mount go front mount afterwards. I also have a limited budget.

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front mount is cheap!!! if you were closer to me id fab up you a kit

I still have a 370 Jeff... Drop that in, get everything setup for boost, when you can afford the turbo setup.. add the turbo system. Don't mess around with anything that is not needed!!! Get a plan and stick with it!! Wait to drop the truck until you or Jon Jon or myself come across a great deal on lowering parts. Keep the V6 in till everything on the motor is a go and make it a long weekend install. That's a nice truck and a great platform to start with!!

Kurt's idea makes most sense to me....

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Originally Posted by DBTBSS

I still have a 370 Jeff... Drop that in, get everything setup for boost, when you can afford the turbo setup.. add the turbo system. Don't mess around with anything that is not needed!!! Get a plan and stick with it!! Wait to drop the truck until you or Jon Jon or myself come across a great deal on lowering parts. Keep the V6 in till everything on the motor is a go and make it a long weekend install. That's a nice truck and a great platform to start with!!

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I still want to put in in. I guess I need a list of everything needed to put the 370 in.

http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-t...onversion.html

Complete engine with accessories
4L60e/80e
modified wiring harness or NP harness
engine mount adapters
v8 engine mount cups
v8 engine mount rubber mounts for xmember
Walbro pump
fuel fittings and hose
fuel filter
Schoenfeld headers
ypipe
tune

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Originally Posted by ff_jeff

I still want to put in in. I guess I need a list of everything needed to put the 370 in.

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Get all of your eggs in a basket first. Make this fun, not a head ache lol.

First off get the wife taken care of first that way you know for sure how much money you have to playaround with.And good luck jeffy.

i say do the motor first. you know you will go way over what you want to spend initially, so go ahead and get what's more important out of the way first, then mess with makin it look good

nice looking truck! ;) looks pretty similar, only with a nicer interior haha. This was my pig 2years ago when i first bought it.:ugh2:

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Originally Posted by Lsx10

I was thinking a 383ls motor but I guess a 421 would be fun.

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I like his idea...383 is a bomb number...it has retro feel but with all the advantages of the new LS motors. But yeah I say do a big ass rear mount...or even do twins like I was planing on doing!!!!! Its fun to be different and I think it would be a lil cheaper than doing front mount....but I could be TOTALLY wrong...

I dunno maybe Im partial to going rear mount, but I really think they can make serious power and they are "not the norm".

Whatever you do Im sure it will be awesome man!!! Good luck :thumb:

Any progress or updates?

id drop it first because its quick, easy and will keep you interested in the truck while you do the swap. just dont paint it untill you get the motor and drivetrain in. once its painted its almost impossible to complete the swap without screwing up the paint somwhere. trust me, i know :(

No updates really. As soon as I get xtra cash, Im going to get the tranny, and as much as possible. I dont think I will run the motor na... No sence paying for headers, and exhaust when im going to replace it any ways. Just get all my parts ready, then do a big swap like Kurt said. Im leaning twards a 2-4 drop, long bars, 4l80e. Body wise im stuck on wether to keep the faded paint for the sleeper look, or I waas thinking the same color as the vette. With a sprayed bedliner, rollpan and ss bumper. I want to order some of those crager soft wheels in the 17" size. Black in color and just put the old toyo proxis on there.
As for the motor, I want to put some arp rod bolts for xtra strength. Get the heads p&ped, and go with either the gt-7 cam, the gt 2-3 cam, or a custom grind like 215/235 .550/.550 114-118lsa. What do yall think?

As far as the cam goes, are you going to turbo the thing or do what? Those look like good turbo cams to me. If I get around to finding some new wheels for me, would you ever buy mine? Or no bc they are 16?

With that truck I would go 4/6 if your gonna run 17s. You' ll ust have to notch the frame but the look will be awesome. Everything is very cheap on these things. I hope it comes along for ya! Your gonna love the results!

keep us updated, sounds like this is gonna be a badass project

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Originally Posted by duckysbht

As far as the cam goes, are you going to turbo the thing or do what? Those look like good turbo cams to me. If I get around to finding some new wheels for me, would you ever buy mine? Or no bc they are 16?

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I have 17'' toyo proxes just sitting outside. Plus yours are 6 lug. Mine are 5.
Yes turbo is what I plan on. Prob single turbo.

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Originally Posted by DuBbLe C

keep us updated, sounds like this is gonna be a badass project

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I will. A lot is still in the air. I might just run it like Ricky's for a while. But we shall see.

Definitely, at least a 4/6 drop.
I have the same truck and for some reason they sit pretty tall. 2/4 is hardly noticable.
5/7 looks real nice!

I say 2/4 but I'm old.

ohhh yeah you have the OBS now.. sorry :( I forgot