now i went and did it.

i've grown sick of the 4.3 in my half ton truck. a 4.3 is an awesome engine in a 2900# s10 or sonoma. not so much with another half a ton plus of truck around it.

so i just placed an order for a flywheel, clutch, radiator hoses, y pipe, and some other misc bits that differentiate a 4.3 from a 454. should be a weekend swap, i've done enough 88-92 chevy trucks that i could almost do it in my sleep, or blindfolded.

truck is going to do it's final emissions test this week, then it will be 25 years old and no longer required to do so. as it happens though, i have an abundance of 3" converters laying around so i'm going to keep it tree hugger friendly. kept the entire 3" stainless exhaust from my suburban parts truck, just need to shorten it up for the shortbed.

so hopefully in a few weeks i'll have a driving 454 5 speed shortbed regular cab 2wd to help out around the house.

what's the saying?

pics or....?

Wait, the transmission that lives behind the V6 manual trucks is robust enough to handle power? This is relavent to my interests.

rcutclif wrote: what's the saying? pics or....?

GTBerkO. The saying is "Pics or GTBO"

4l60 or something else?

-J0N

mazdeuce wrote: Wait, the transmission that lives behind the V6 manual trucks is robust enough to handle power? This is relavent to my interests.

it's the same nv3500 that lives behind every small block in a truck. don't try to powershift it and it'll be fine, and if it does happen to break they are everywhere cheap. i'm not going to take it to the strip, launching it every light, etc...

i've seen enough others behind powerful engines in hot rods to be confident, especially because i'm not going to be pulling a giant trailer, racing it everywhere, etc. i've got other stuff for that. this is more of a practical i want more oomph and have a complete engine and stuff sitting here and can do it with minimal cash outlay.

it's not like the 454 is some massive monster either, it's a bone stock 1995 TBI engine, and will plug right in.

bringing the engine home in the back of the truck, there's your pic.

nevermind the ooze, that's epoxy and plexiglass mess that is my back window since the kid that worked for me threw a countertop through it.

Hey look, Snap On Strap Ons.......