future project, thoughts wanted.

[Bio248]

so here is the deal...ive been debating about a project for a long time and this one im pretty set on. note that none of this will happen until later next year, probably towards the fall because of me saving for the june wedding right now...

my fiance's father has a couple (a few actually) old trucks that they used to work for their small time construction company. they have been sitting for a long time and basically just take up space. he would be more than happy to unload one of them to me for a little cash since they are right now unusable and most likely in need of a good amount of repair before they run. i have had my eyes on the red '54 chevy pickup he has sitting in the garage for quite some time now.

here is just about what it looks like:



however, the paint probably isnt the best anymore and there is a decent likelihood that it has a little rust, but none of it is visible as far as i can tell from checking it out the couple of times when i was walking around the garage. now, my plans are of course what ive been talking about for a while: a car to put a decent motor setup into and bag with some nice wheels.

however, the problem im having right now is figuring out what kinda motor setup i want. right now it has the stock straight six with a three on the tree. since it's an old truck i have no doubt that just about anything i want to do is possible with a little bit of cutting and welding so im not overly concerned with the work it takes to make it run how i want.

here are my motor options:

a) leave the straight six in it and turbo it. straight sixes are awesome for turbos since they have one manifold. this would mean i'd probably destroy the stock transmission.
b) swap in an LS1 and the 6 speed that goes with it. i think this would make the most power and sound the meanest, but be fairly typical for a new age rebuild.
c) swap in an L67 and run a 5 speed from a camaro/firebird. this would be the most unique and it would give me the ability to work on the motor that i am familiar with and know how to make it run well.

thoughts? ideas? comments? please, discuss.

[Bio248]

obviously i have been swayed by this one, sexy beast:

[matt5112]

its not like it'd take two seconds to swap in one of the hundreds of built auto's that are available. into the thing...

But since manual is awesome....

Both options are decent?

But both could use a "fine tuning" per say.

How about an LSX376 with a T56 magnum?

Or how does a turbo 3800 sound?

[Bio248]

honestly i wouldnt want to turbo the 3800. i dont think it would be a mega high hp build and i'd rather have a blower on it given the option. a CSC would ultimately be the best option, but i dont see that happening without a good amount of money.

[matt5112]

Also, Carb or FI?

[Bio248]

i would try and stay fuel injected just for ease of driving. although carbed cars have come a long way and if tuned correctly they are fine, but i'd rather stay modern and better.

[redlinepontiac]

let me know what you decide, im the rust fix king .

ive toyed with the idea of putting a L67 in a miata, if a 302 fits, a 234 should fit no problem.

nick check out protouring.com, the site kicks ***, its all the sort of projects like your looking at doing.

if your going the cruister unique set up, the L67 with a cam would be plenty of hp for the vehicle, the more tried and true set up would be LS1/T56 or LQ4/9 with the T56
cam headers and intake on a LQ motor still puts you at 400+whp.

[redlinepontiac]

LQ motors?
its the poor mans LS

[TheOtherNick]

Cummins 12valve, saw a 47 or so chevy dually on bags at a car show was ballin as hell, also he pulled his other show truck with it. I wish I would have gotten pics.

[matt5112]

I said that.... then checked.... and realized that they're not quite that common.

at least compared to the 5.3's.

[redlinepontiac]

the 5.3 is what 97-11+?

a baged oldschool chevy with a duramax? i like
and holy**** do diesels make power

[TheOtherNick]

Yeah but a dmax needs a lot of wiring, 12valve is happy with power to the starter and a cable to the injection pump.

[redlinepontiac]

true.
i remember picking up a car with my bother in law and the alternator took a ****, so he left his 12v outside the hotel idleing all night.

[99prixgt]

oldsmobile flat 8

If i was gonna build a rod, id keep it original

[JoRoW99]

Big block? nah too expensive. Id go LS, even if you think its common. Im sure that truck would be different than anyone elses anyway.

[redlinepontiac]

chevy staight 6s are like 3.8s, there rock solid reliable, and can be made to be fast

[Just2Sweet]

lsx/t56 swap, or build an old SBC 350 for dirt cheap

[JarenSTi]

i say the ls1, it would sound sweet. who cares if its common? be unique with the paint, bagged, and wheel setup

[Slowpoke]

Ls2/t56

[rynoman03]

^^ Agreed!