Starting a new build...

[solidaxel]

One other thing, find a good tuner in your area, you will be looking for one.
It may take a few times to get all the torque to the pavement

[mr48chev]

It looks like you have a goot d plan going. Running the original (style) frame solves a lot of issues that guys run into when doing frame swaps or subframe swaps.

The last time I weighed my 48 with the 250 six in it i think it was right at 3200 lbs and you are right on with the C-4 Corvettes weighing in at the same weight http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-and-info.html Those that have this combination swear by it for both ride and handling.

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

It looks like you have a goot d plan going. Running the original (style) frame solves a lot of issues that guys run into when doing frame swaps or subframe swaps.

The last time I weighed my 48 with the 250 six in it i think it was right at 3200 lbs and you are right on with the C-4 Corvettes weighing in at the same weight http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-and-info.html Those that have this combination swear by it for both ride and handling.

You're saying that those who use the combination of the c4 suspension with these trucks swear by them? I wish I could find more documentation of people who have used these components with their truck and actually have had a chance to test them out. It seems as though with everything I have read, no one has actually gotten to the stage of driving the truck. I'd really like to find a write up with some experience behind the wheel.

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by gearhead2069

You're saying that those who use the combination of the c4 suspension with these trucks swear by them? I wish I could find more documentation of people who have used these components with their truck and actually have had a chance to test them out. It seems as though with everything I have read, no one has actually gotten to the stage of driving the truck. I'd really like to find a write up with some experience behind the wheel.

I have been driving my 53/ls/c4 for 2 years. C4 front only handles and rides good, front bumper 5 1/2 ".

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by not2oldchevy

I have been driving my 53/ls/c4 for 2 years. C4 front only handles and rides good, front bumper 5 1/2 ".

Thank you for the response not2oldchevy.

What size LS are you using?

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by gearhead2069

Thank you for the response not2oldchevy.

What size LS are you using?

5.3/4l60

[FarmerSid]

Right on Gearhead! You certainly have been collecting some parts. One thing to look into is make sure those 15" rims will clear the brake calipers before getting tires mounted.

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by FarmerSid

Right on Gearhead! You certainly have been collecting some parts. One thing to look into is make sure those 15" rims will clear the brake calipers before getting tires mounted.

Yep, when I had the epiphany that I still had those wheels, I checked the bolt pattern and fit to ensure I'd have no issues. I got all giddy as they just barely slipped over the calipers. I guess there was a reason I was never able sell those crappy things! God is good!

[solidaxel]

I am looking for some hard parts from a Corvette front and rear, where did you find your used parts?

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I am looking for some hard parts from a Corvette front and rear, where did you find your used parts?

Unfortunately I had to use eBay. I'd recomend you either find a wrecked one that someone is wanting to sell for cheap or see if you can find one at a yard somewhere. Unfortunately there was nothing to be found in my area and I didn't feel like waiting on a chance future discovery.

[58CameoAZ]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I am looking for some hard parts from a Corvette front and rear, where did you find your used parts?

What exactly are you looking for?

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by 58CameoAZ

What exactly are you looking for?

88 to 96 Dana 44, complete front and rear suspension a 3:0 to 3:25 gear ratio would be a plus!

[OldRuffiaN]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

88 to 96 Dana 44, complete front and rear suspension a 3:0 to 3:25 gear ratio would be a plus!

Check in here once a week or so.

http://www.autobidmaster.com/carfind...alue=1983-1996

I have seen flood and engine fire c4 vettes go for less than a grand on more than a few occasions.If guys figure they can`t be fixed then they just don`t bid on em.Just looking at the interior photos will tell you if it`s a dana 44 car or not (standard trans).

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by OldRuffiaN

Check in here once a week or so.

http://www.autobidmaster.com/carfind...alue=1983-1996

I have seen flood and engine fire c4 vettes go for less than a grand on more than a few occasions.If guys figure they can`t be fixed then they just don`t bid on em.Just looking at the interior photos will tell you if it`s a dana 44 car or not (standard trans).

Thank You !

[gearhead2069]

Well, I called the owner of the tire shop I use today and explained my situation to him. He comes back with "What size wheel is it? It's not a 15 is it? Well, it just so happens that a guy just came in with an s10 and the tires he took off of his truck are the exact size that you need in 205/65-15." Went down there and had them put them on the old wheels. Now just waiting for some welding consumables to come in and time to get this project moving. Like I said before... God is good and he treats me better than I deserve!

Here is a visual image of just how close the overall profile is going to be. I'll also post a link to the site I used. It may come in handy to those of you in the same situation.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

[gearhead2069]

So as I am finishing up getting just a few small parts here and there for getting this thing started, in the interest of keeping the project going I need to start thinking about engine and transmission.

I plan to use the truck as a daily upon completion. My plan is to shoot for a reasonable MPG (because let's be honest... Gas is never going to go down) while having something to play with when I need it. Chevrolet is getting some pretty impressive figures when it comes to their Camaro and Corvette. The Camaro is now pushing around 430hp out of their LS3 (which can be purchased as a crate) and is rated around 16/24mpg. The curb weight of the Camaro comes in around 3860. Apparently the curb weight of the truck was 3175 back in the day. I looked up the weight of the 219 I6 that came with the truck and it weighted in a little over 600 whereas the LS3 comes in a little over 400. Along with the different suspension components I can only imagine the weight is going to remain around the same if not drop just a bit. I realize that aerodynamics are going to come into play here in favor of the Camaro but surely I can get some pretty reasonable figures here. In favor of maximizing my MPG I'd like to go with a 6 speed. I am fighting the idea of going with a manual for two reasons. One- as I want to keep a bench seat in the truck, I'm curious as to how long the throws will be (every stick I have ever driven has been in a car) and I'm afraid longer throws will take all the fun out of it being a daily. Two- as I plan on searching around for some internals to make the diff a little stronger, I still fear a manual being rougher than an auto on the diff. I don't know, feel free to chime in or correct my logic.

So as far as 6 speed autos go, I guess I could go with a 4L80e that was been modified into a 6 speed but I have been seeing a few reviews where this results in a less than perfect tranny that doesn't really have the greatest longevity. This leaves me with a 6L80/90 though I am leaning more towards the 90 as I believe it is probably closer to a true 6 speed tranny than the 80 when reviewing the gearing. I'm thinking the 90 may give me better results.

What do you all think?

[gag1025]

I opted out of a manual transmission because I at my age I am tired of changing gears.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by gearhead2069

So as I am finishing up getting just a few small parts here and there for getting this thing started, in the interest of keeping the project going I need to start thinking about engine and transmission.

I plan to use the truck as a daily upon completion. My plan is to shoot for a reasonable MPG (because let's be honest... Gas is never going to go down) while having something to play with when I need it. Chevrolet is getting some pretty impressive figures when it comes to their Camaro and Corvette. The Camaro is now pushing around 430hp out of their LS3 (which can be purchased as a crate) and is rated around 16/24mpg. The curb weight of the Camaro comes in around 3860. Apparently the curb weight of the truck was 3175 back in the day. I looked up the weight of the 219 I6 that came with the truck and it weighted in a little over 600 whereas the LS3 comes in a little over 400. Along with the different suspension components I can only imagine the weight is going to remain around the same if not drop just a bit. I realize that aerodynamics are going to come into play here in favor of the Camaro but surely I can get some pretty reasonable figures here. In favor of maximizing my MPG I'd like to go with a 6 speed. I am fighting the idea of going with a manual for two reasons. One- as I want to keep a bench seat in the truck, I'm curious as to how long the throws will be (every stick I have ever driven has been in a car) and I'm afraid longer throws will take all the fun out of it being a daily. Two- as I plan on searching around for some internals to make the diff a little stronger, I still fear a manual being rougher than an auto on the diff. I don't know, feel free to chime in or correct my logic.

So as far as 6 speed autos go, I guess I could go with a 4L80e that was been modified into a 6 speed but I have been seeing a few reviews where this results in a less than perfect tranny that doesn't really have the greatest longevity. This leaves me with a 6L80/90 though I am leaning more towards the 90 as I believe it is probably closer to a true 6 speed tranny than the 80 when reviewing the gearing. I'm thinking the 90 may give me better results.

What do you all think?

Is there that much advantage to using anything other than a GOOD built 4l65E, or are you just looking for the "best" combo. for your project, which I might add you have covered all the steps in the planning stages.

The unlimited budget you started with will only produce a excellent product that I believe will last the rest of your "life"!!

I liked that comment about age and shifting, and left knee !

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Is there that much advantage to using anything other than a GOOD built 4l65E, or are you just looking for the "best" combo. for your project, which I might add you have covered all the steps in the planning stages.

The unlimited budget you started with will only produce a excellent product that I believe will last the rest of your "life"!!

I liked that comment about age and shifting, and left knee !

Being that this is my first big build, I can only go off of the experience and mistakes of others and attempt to avoid them. If someone has made a mistake before I have had the chance to step in the same hole, why follow in after them.

When I am making the decisions as to what parts I need for this build, I'm asking myself how I want the final product to end up. The next question is what parts do I need to get me to that image. I am looking to build a reliable daily driver that I can actually enjoy driving so therefore I don't want to cut corners with parts just to get the thing on the road then to experience the heart break of having to fix things every 10k miles just because I wanted to go cheap rather than quality. I have done my research in what I think will get me to what I'm looking for and I have analyzed the cost associated with the things being under the worst case scenario so I'm not trying to sugar coat this build and end up with the thing sitting in my garage because I am "saving for parts" as I go. I don't have an unlimited budget but as I come here seeking additional knowledge, I am finding that many of you can give me really sound advice that will give me something nearly identical to the product I have in my head while being able to save some change in the long run without sacrificing the performance I was originally looking for. Example: FarmerSid and his recommendation to go with the Corvette suspension rather than Art Morrison parts.

So, I have a plan and I know my direction. I'm not just running around blind folded swinging a bat and hoping to strike something that was out of reach to begin with, it's just that I feel it intelligent to question myself and my decisions here openly on this site in hopes of having any faulty logic corrected by one who has more experience than myself. As I am finding this approach is actually saving me cash, I can only be encouraged with this build rather than it sinking in the mud when I look back at what I have spent in the process of getting this thing to completion because after all I have already accepted my worst case scenario.

But to answer your question: Yes, I am looking for the best combination in drivetrain that will give me the the end result that I am looking for. In my mind, a 6 speed transmission will give me better MPG in comparison to a 4 speed because my RPM doesn't have to have such a large range between shift points. Many have been having better results with the 6L90e being able to handle a good bit of power without a ton of modification when I compare this to a modified 4L80e as evidence by TCI's six speed having spotty results. Like I said, only seeking additional knowledge as I go along.

Thank you for your response.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice pile of parts! Should make for an excellent build!

[drivea55]

That came out looking really nice man!

I am totally enjoying this build, Keep up the good work

Brian

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by drivea55

That came out looking really nice man!

I am totally enjoying this build, Keep up the good work

Brian

Thanks Brian!

[pvienneau]

Margarita time

[gearhead2069]

Originally Posted by pvienneau

Margarita time

Psh, way too early for that! I'll be sure to have one once it rolls!

[gearhead2069]

Had some time to work out my issue with needing to mock up some coilovers. 15 dollar solution to an irritating problem.



These magnets are awesome! Well worth the added expense!















So with that taken care of, we are not sitting comfortably on two wheels minus some jack stands!