Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Well, I have been putting off starting a tread for some time but figured I'd get started. A little background on this build: My first vehicle was a 72 Chevy long bed that I had done a lot of work to and have missed since the day I sold it. She was Omaha orange with a 350/350 combo that had somewhere around 400HP. That was a lot for any 16 year old to have. She ran good and strong but I always wanted a short bed. I ended up selling her my senior year of high school to get something I could drive back and forth to college. Fast foreword 15 years... I had an itch that needed scratched and found a 72 SWB that looked very similar to my original truck and my new build was set into motion. I'm not much of a body guy so when I found this truck that had all of the body work complete and was a solid 8-9, I snagged her up. The original plan was to build a 500HP SBC and drive her to shows and on the weekend. If you knew me, it wouldn't be any surprise at all to hear that it only took a couple of weeks to decide that just wouldn't do.
I have a good friend who talked me into stepping up my game and he will be helping me with the build. His ideas far outweigh my budget, but none the less we are making this one bad bish. We have been working on obtaining the pieces to the puzzle for some time and will be starting on the transformation shortly. Below is a list of the items already purchased and I will try to get some photos up ASAP. I'm sure I'll forget half of the stuff but it's a good list to give you an idea. Let me know what you think.

Motor:
Stock LS3 block
Callies Compstar forged crank
Skat forged rods
DSS forged flat top pistons
BTR stage 3 stroker cam with matching springs
trickflow push rods
Stock LS3 heads with a little work
Stock LS3 intake
CTS-V oil pan
Still need to get the front accessories drive.

Trans:
Stage 2 4l80e with a Jakes 3900 RPM stall

Rear end:
ford 9" back braced and narrowed with 31 spline axles. (still need to build 3rd member and pick gears)

Misc that has already been purchased:
Boyd welding fuel cell to go between the frame rails with the EFI pump installed.
Baer Pro2 break kit for all 4 corners
Dakota Digital Gauges
coil relocation kit and coils
Ride tech front control arms (waiting to decide on all 4 coil overs)
Custom 4link rear end (truck was original leaf spring Chevrolet)

Still a lot to get and do but getting pretty excited about it. I'll be updating once we actually get started on the build. More and better pictures to come to. The old pic was my original and the other 2 were on the day I picked this one up.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

This will be a great build! I am subscribing.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Thanks, Travis!!!!

Anyone who is looking for the best customer service and products around should look no farther than ProPerformance!!! Travis has been a wealth of knowledge and a great help so far. I have gotten many of my parts through them and will continue to do so.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Thanks for that Chris!

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

A few more pics before the serious work begins. She is a very solid truck and a great place to start. Oh, AC cab and tilt wheel too.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Nice truck and my favorite color! FWIW here are the color codes available in 72, looks like yours is code 516. Do you have a photo of the SPID?
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...2%20Colors.jpg

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Well. I made it to my buddies shop and we got started on the tear down tonight. Really, I didn't get much farther than opening some of the boxes from all the cool parts I've been buying recently. It was seriously like Christmas morning except my bank account is much less than it once was. Here's a sneak peak of what we are putting together.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

More

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Can't attach more than 1 pic for some reason.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Goodies

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Good pile of parts there!

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Im in ,I am a sucker for orange .

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Theres a lot more that I need. Need to talk to you about wheels, vintage air, and front accessories. Give me a call when you get a minute. Thanks.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

It was a productive night. Motor, trans, exhaust, radiator all pulled out.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Out

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

A little more progress.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Getting the heater core out is a real pain in the azz. Had to drop he inner fender to get the last little bolt out in the bottom.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Seat, tank, and fuel lines all removed.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Gauges out and swapped to...

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Dakota digital!!! These are awesome. Not wired up but couldn't resist gettin them in to take a peek.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Got the engine bay all cleaned and scrubbed up. Tomorrows a big day. Should be setting the new heartbeat in her. Can't wait to see what it looks like.

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Clean.. Real clean

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Got my motor back today. She's gonna be nasty!!!

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

Not sure why that pic is sideways now? Here's a little peek in the exhaust....

Re: Tuff Pumpkin Build Thread 72 SWB
 

I'll be watchin' this one.