[Marv D]

How much show, how much GO is just as matter of how much BUDGET. Theres not a racer/show car builder here that won't tell you this is a rather expensive hobby. And in this economy return on your dollar should you wnat to sell is only about 30¢ on the dollar right now.

All that said because this should be something you go into with your eyes wide open with the budget in mind, and do it EXACTLY THE WAY YOU WANT TO. How I'd build it, how GMC would build it, The Captian, FastWillie.... that would be OUR dream. You really need to set your own goals and dreams for it or it will very likely become a CHORE, not a PROJECT you enjoy.

The small block (in clone version) is probably going to be around for most of our lives,, some of the youngins may see it pass into the history books, but be aware,, it's been dead for over 15 years and were just carrying it's clone around because it was probably the most popular motor EVER. From a show car standpoint a small block even with wild hilborn injection stacks sticking through the hood doesn't grab the eye like it did 50 yerars ago.

Big blocks are becoming a rareity,, everyone does big blocks and drapes a big blower over them for bling bling effect. It's been done to death.

Where does that leave you.... the LS motors as far as GM goes that is. But the LS design and aftermarket have yet to come up with a really esthetically appealing motor IMO. I'm sure it will come, but honestly today the LS is about bufugly at most every angle except the DYNO sheet for $ invested.

The 'resto-rod' appealed to me when I built my ElCamino and still does. I built with the stock 327, but added EFI and digital dash, 700r with a hi-tec lockup control, radios for old cars with hidden Ipod controls,, everything the current century could offer hidden into a stock looking shell. because that's WHAT I WANTED.

This latest craze of 'pitina-rod' and 'rat-rod' is cool, but just not my thing,, is it yours??? The point of all this is... the build should be something ENJOYABLE and relaxing,, a hobby and building something your proud of. Something YOU created.
Pick what YOU want to see in your Apache and make it happen. THAT's my suggestion. If you need help building the motor or trans or any piece,, sure there is plenty of help here. But the 'which one' I really thing ought to be YOUR dream. Gawd knows building one of these things is challanging enough is patients, time and $. So make SURE it's YOUR dream,, not someone elses.