Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dromano · 10-09-2017, 10:01 PM

Hi Guys,

I recently picked up a '77 GMC SWB which is in pretty good shape. Aesthetically, I'm very happy with it. Will likely add some new rims/wheels soon to complete the look I'm after but for the time being I am wanting to invest in some other areas. As stated with the subject line, I have about $3,000 I'm looking to spend but would love to hear what you all would do with that money and this build. I will likely shop out the work. Mechanically, it's okay. The timing is off, there appears to be a small vacuum leak and there seems to be a miss.

I'm really after increasing performance, handling, or anything that help would me when I ever choose to sell it.

Current specs:
Drivetrain is 350/350. The motor was pulled out of a 1980 Camaro
Motor Specs: 1980 4-Bolt 350 with Double Hump Heads and a mild cam. New long tube headers and dual exhaust.
No A/C
4/6 Lowering Kit

What I am thinking about doing:
Edelbrock Top End Kit
Fitech EFI
Vintage Air
Some sort of suspension work
Stroke the motor
New Trans
LS Swap

**mongocanfly** · 10-09-2017, 10:21 PM

if your farming out the work ,that wish list will take a good bit more than your $2500 budget...if your just fixing it to sell I'd just spend momey on a good tune up

dromano · 10-09-2017, 10:27 PM

Thanks for the reply and agreed. I can handle some basic stuff but would want to farm out anything major. I have a really solid mechanic in town who is also very affordable... He can do the EFI or Vintage Air for $3,000, just not sure if I should go those routes, or splurge to do something else...

streetstar · 10-09-2017, 10:49 PM

Vintage Air would make your truck more valuable to most people

An LS swap would be a distant second ------ nobody in Texas wants to ride around in a sweatbox

Jered1987 · 10-09-2017, 10:55 PM

T56 tranny?

Greenlee · 10-09-2017, 11:01 PM

You live in Austin. Vintage Air!

I put Vintage Air in my truck. It was worth every penny.

geezer#99 · 10-09-2017, 11:09 PM

I 'd do some engine diagnostics first.
I'd check the timing, fix the vacuum leak, and find the miss first.
Do a compression and leakdown test too. Pop the valve covers off and check all the rockers for correct movement.
Your miss might be a flat cam. If so you might be looking at a complete motor job. THat'll stretch your budget.

Matt Man · 10-10-2017, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenlee

You live in Austin. Vintage Air!

I put Vintage Air in my truck. It was worth every penny.

Vintage air made my truck much more enjoyable to drive. I recommend it for sure.

10-09-2017, 10:01 PM	#1
dromano Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 34	Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 Hi Guys, I recently picked up a '77 GMC SWB which is in pretty good shape. Aesthetically, I'm very happy with it. Will likely add some new rims/wheels soon to complete the look I'm after but for the time being I am wanting to invest in some other areas. As stated with the subject line, I have about $3,000 I'm looking to spend but would love to hear what you all would do with that money and this build. I will likely shop out the work. Mechanically, it's okay. The timing is off, there appears to be a small vacuum leak and there seems to be a miss. I'm really after increasing performance, handling, or anything that help would me when I ever choose to sell it. Current specs: Drivetrain is 350/350. The motor was pulled out of a 1980 Camaro Motor Specs: 1980 4-Bolt 350 with Double Hump Heads and a mild cam. New long tube headers and dual exhaust. No A/C 4/6 Lowering Kit What I am thinking about doing: Edelbrock Top End Kit Fitech EFI Vintage Air Some sort of suspension work Stroke the motor New Trans LS Swap Attached Images Last edited by dromano; 10-09-2017 at 10:23 PM.

10-09-2017, 10:21 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,579	Re: Best way to spend $2,500 on the '77 if your farming out the work ,that wish list will take a good bit more than your $2500 budget...if your just fixing it to sell I'd just spend momey on a good tune up

10-09-2017, 10:27 PM	#3
dromano Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 34	Re: Best way to spend $2,500 on the '77 Thanks for the reply and agreed. I can handle some basic stuff but would want to farm out anything major. I have a really solid mechanic in town who is also very affordable... He can do the EFI or Vintage Air for $3,000, just not sure if I should go those routes, or splurge to do something else...

10-09-2017, 10:49 PM	#4
streetstar Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 2,396	Re: Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 Vintage Air would make your truck more valuable to most people An LS swap would be a distant second ------ nobody in Texas wants to ride around in a sweatbox __________________ Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime

10-09-2017, 10:55 PM	#5
Jered1987 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Calhoun,ga Posts: 139	Re: Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 T56 tranny?

10-09-2017, 11:01 PM	#6
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	Re: Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 You live in Austin. Vintage Air! I put Vintage Air in my truck. It was worth every penny.

10-09-2017, 11:09 PM	#7
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,508	Re: Best way to spend $3,000 on the '77 I 'd do some engine diagnostics first. I'd check the timing, fix the vacuum leak, and find the miss first. Do a compression and leakdown test too. Pop the valve covers off and check all the rockers for correct movement. Your miss might be a flat cam. If so you might be looking at a complete motor job. THat'll stretch your budget.

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