gearheadmb wrote:
I know the S-trucks used SLA front suspension with coil springs, so those should be a decent starting point, but what are guys doing out back to make these things handle? The ten bolt axles don't like rough treatment, and leaf springs aren't great at anything besides hauling gravel. I assume that moving the battery to the back and stripping front weight helps, what else are people doing to get these around corners?
The 8.5 10 bolt isn't that bad but the gov lock can be troublesome.
Who says you have to lose weight? 
Any suspension will work if you don't allow it to work.
Check over on the pro-tourings10.com forums. they have some ls swap and handling tricks.
I've built a couple track S10. Not hard.
NV3500 should live behind a mild 4.8, GM put them in the full size behind the 4.8. The S10 and full size boxes aren't interchangeable (different mounting points) but more or less have the same guts.
yOU guys are going to lead to my divorce. I don't need this help. I think my next thread should be "LEarn me: living in a cardboard box"
In reply to Bobzilla:
I've got a cardboard box I'll give you if you're in the area.
We can probably do a challenge budget, junkyard sourced tiny house for you. ...
Do you have a wagon? You could sleep in that. Miata is definitely not the answer when the question is "what is a good car to live in?"
Unfortunately, I'll have to figure out how to drive the Forte and motorcycle at the same time....
Bobzilla wrote:
WOW Really Paul? wrote:
Bobzilla wrote:
Strike_Zero wrote:
Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues.
Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3):
- 3.49
- 2.16
- 1.40
- 1.00
- 0.73
Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.
Wel that is the easy button. Find 4.3/5-spd s10.
They're rare as hens teeth, but I've owned one already. There's a yellow one floating around your neck of the woods too Bob.
For sale? Because I'd get the suspension/brakes/wheels/tires done first, then swap the engine.
No idea where it went.
I will however recommend a 98+ v6 as your starting point however....the v6 means you don't have to change anything to drop an LS in mounting wise. Zq8 trucks also typically come lowered with the better roll bars, and limited slip rear ends with more aggressive rear end gears. Most 4.3L/5sp trucks got the LSD 3.42 rear, autos typically had 3.73's.
WOW Really Paul? wrote:
Bobzilla wrote:
WOW Really Paul? wrote:
Bobzilla wrote:
Strike_Zero wrote:
Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues.
Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3):
- 3.49
- 2.16
- 1.40
- 1.00
- 0.73
Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.
Wel that is the easy button. Find 4.3/5-spd s10.
They're rare as hens teeth, but I've owned one already. There's a yellow one floating around your neck of the woods too Bob.
For sale? Because I'd get the suspension/brakes/wheels/tires done first, then swap the engine.
No idea where it went.
I will however recommend a 98+ v6 as your starting point however....the v6 means you don't have to change anything to drop an LS in mounting wise. Zq8 trucks also typically come lowered with the better roll bars, and limited slip rear ends with more aggressive rear end gears. Most 4.3L/5sp trucks got the LSD 3.42 rear, autos typically had 3.73's.
Yep. All the reasons to want theZQ8. I had a 2000 non-ZQ8 and with some 17x8 255/50/17 Nitto NT450's that thing was a cornering beast. Of course, with the 2.2/5-spd and 3.42 rear it didn't have the power to give you power on oversteer, or even enough power to go fast enough to get push.
In reply to Bobzilla:
Shame I didn't still have my '98.....it was a unicorn. 4.3L/5sp with zq8 and no a/c. Last I knew it had a ls6/t56 combo in it out in council bluffs, IA.
I had the 8.5 10 bolt that went with my truck, I was going to swap it out after shredding 2 7.625" rears, but I got a killer deal on a 4.10 LSD axle so I never finished it. Easy way to get rear discs and fit modern corvette offset wheels out back however.
Tall ball joints, zq8 bars, bilstien, stiffer springs, and go have fun. It's really that simple. Also, 4/6 is daily drivable.
In reply to Dusterbd13:
You can also make decent power from the 4.3 if you feel like doing it.
I had an 89 S10 with a 5.3L and T56. I bought it that way, but I took it apart and parted it out. Its pretty simple. There was a hammered dimple in the tunnel for the reverse lockout solenoid clearance. Many companies make bolt-in mounts. It was a non-A/C truck, but if you have A/C the evap box will be an issue where the coils hit.
The T5 will bolt in with the right bellhousing, but it won't be happy for too long if you wail on it. NV3500 is a bit more stout. I strongly suggest the T56, but I realize they aren't cheap. I happen to have two that I got really cheap so I forget that they actually command good money these days.
(sorry, they aren't for sale) 
WOW Really Paul? wrote:
In reply to Dusterbd13:
You can also make decent power from the 4.3 if you feel like doing it.
Yeah, there's power there but it sounds wrong. really really really wrong
The classifieds over at sy-ty.net will turn up cast t3 flange turbo manifolds pretty regularly. Does that make it sound any better?
I actually like the sound of a hot 4.3
