street/strip blazer build

[Malibu 496]

I thought I would start my own thread for my build. I am building a 70 blazer for street and strip use, hopefully when done it will run low 9's- high 8's in the 1/4. It will be a long process for me, I have not done too much body work. Here are some pics of it so far.

[rigon4]

Looks like a good starting point!! and good luck!!

[Tom Vogel]

Well, someone who thinks like me. Thats what Im doing with my 72 CST
Jimmy. I really like the idea of a 2wd that will go.. not another slow-sled. Everything Ive done on mine is designed to that end. Its been a long haul for me too, so be patient. I figure Ive got about another year to go on mine, although the drive train is in; the paint is done (except for the top), and of course the tub is back on. If you want to run low 9s (an admirable aspiration) you will need the horsepower to do it and you will need to install a complete (full) cage welded to the frame (NHRA rules for convertables). I put a 6 point in mine because I didnt think I could make an 8 point look right with the top off.
Also, I have a 454 with a F1R procharger on mine.... I think if I had it to do over again, Id go with a new LS4 and twin turbo it, but Im a sucker for BBs. Ive also got a TKO 600 tranny in mine, if your serious about the nines,
youll need a T400 or a Jerico. Id personally go with the T400 and a gear vendors unit if I really wanted to race.
What are your plans for the drive train?
Tom

[lolife99]

Man I don't want to be the spoil sport,... but your cutting up a high dollar blazer. You could finance your project by selling your factory 2wd and cutting up a 4x4 Blazer. Don't get me wrong,... because I'd bag that thing in a minute,... But a high 8/ low 9 second truck is going to require you to cut that thing to pieces for weight savings. Just my 2 cents. By the way,... do you want to sell it?

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Man I don't want to be the spoil sport,... but your cutting up a high dollar blazer. You could finance your project by selling your factory 2wd and cutting up a 4x4 Blazer. Don't get me wrong,... because I'd bag that thing in a minute,... But a high 8/ low 9 second truck is going to require you to cut that thing to pieces for weight savings. Just my 2 cents. By the way,... do you want to sell it?

Its not quite as bad as I think you are imagining. If you saw my Jimmy, I am quite sure you would think it was a mild resto/mod. I didnt shave anything...even the original 'custom' door emblems have been rechromed and reinstalled, all the wood grain moldings are going back on (NOS) The truck is slightly lowered (4-6) original paint color pretty much. The only change on the outside is the chrome torque thrust wheels (and they are only 15s). Unless you get underneath it or look under the hood... well, o.k, unless you hear it.
You would think its pretty much stock.
These trucks weigh in at about 4100lb; thats with a Big block with aluminum heads. Thats right where a 70 Hemi Cuda weighs in at. I dont know
if he will get into the 8's but the nines are a real possibility with an all steel body. He wont have to cut the frame... and I think anyone driving a performance convertible needs a good cage/roll bar. What he is doing will only make the blazer more vauable. Shoot, as far as hacking one up... have you seen some of the frame mods on this site?
Dont worry, its really all good! Tom

[Malibu 496]

Tom thanks for the support on this. You should post some pics of your gmc.
I dont think it will be cut up any worse than any of these bagged blazers on here, I plan on putting a different front suspension in and keeping the stock rear. That is why I got a factory 2wd, I wanted the truck arm's in back. It will get a 10pt cage, I would like to put a 67 clip on, and maybe a fiberglass hood.
As far as drivetrain I love big blocks also, but I am thinking of buying a GM lsx block and building a 454cid and do a blow through setup on it , but I havent decided if I want turbo's or procharger.
I have along ways to go on this, but this is what I want to do with it.
I hope I can have it running by 2009.

Tom your truck weigh's 4100lb's is that with you in it?
That seems heavy, I am hoping to get mine down around 3500.
Also what did you do with the rocker boxes since you put a roll bar in?

Josh

[crzngmychvy]

I'm unclear on this, you have a 70 factory 2wd blazer? If yes, if you don't mind, tell us what she cost you. Those are so hard to come by you know. Other than that it's your ride, you're the boos, and do what you want with it I say. Just my opinion though.

[Malibu 496]

Originally Posted by crzngmychvy

I'm unclear on this, you have a 70 factory 2wd blazer? If yes, if you don't mind, tell us what she cost you. Those are so hard to come by you know. Other than that it's your ride, you're the boos, and do what you want with it I say. Just my opinion though.

Yes it is a factory 2wd.
I paid $600 for it, I am the second owner of it, it only has 80,000 miles on it, and it is about as plane jane as you can get.
The guy I bought it from said he wanted it the cheapest he could get it so it has manual steering and brakes, no radio, 6cyl, and 3spd.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by Malibu 496

Tom thanks for the support on this. You should post some pics of your gmc.
I dont think it will be cut up any worse than any of these bagged blazers on here, I plan on putting a different front suspension in and keeping the stock rear. That is why I got a factory 2wd, I wanted the truck arm's in back. It will get a 10pt cage, I would like to put a 67 clip on, and maybe a fiberglass hood.
As far as drivetrain I love big blocks also, but I am thinking of buying a GM lsx block and building a 454cid and do a blow through setup on it , but I havent decided if I want turbo's or procharger.
I have along ways to go on this, but this is what I want to do with it.
I hope I can have it running by 2009.

Tom your truck weigh's 4100lb's is that with you in it?
That seems heavy, I am hoping to get mine down around 3500.
Also what did you do with the rocker boxes since you put a roll bar in?

Josh

Ill try and get some new pictures soon. The last ones I posted didnt seem to interest anyone.... Maybe my picture taking skills
I think your LS block idea is great idea, I also like the turbo idea, but Id go dual turbo... I dont know how well that would work on a blow thrugh... you might have to go fuel injected.
yep, aprox. 4100lb with me. These trucks arent light. Your idea of the different front suspision will save a bundle of weight if you do away with the stock front cross member, The LS will save a couple hundred pounds as well.
I left the rocker boxes in... They were perfect (Calif. truck). I dont know if you will want to remove those, these bodies are very noodly as it is. The ten point cage will be fine, just tig it to the frame.
Oh yea, you will want to box those trailing arms for sure, I used poly bushings as well.

[72K5Blazer4x4]

Check out the September 2007 issue of Chevy high performance - there is a 1980 Camaro in there with a 380 ci small block. He is running a twin turbo setup and consistently getting a time of 8.9 seconds at 162 mph in the 1/4 mile. This is a street legal car that weights 3800+, you should be able to get the 8/9 with the big block. The thing that is going to hurt is the aerodynamics of a brick with the blazer. Good Luck with the build, I will be watching this build, Very interesting!

[hgs_notes]

With that kind of power, will the stock rear end hold up? I think you may be upgrading that to an adjustable link set up and heavier axle. To get that low an e.t. you're going to have to have perfect launches and you might need more adjustability back there.

Hell of a deal you got there. I can't believe how good of shape it's in for being a MN truck. Since you have the rust in the bed floor, you might consider using aluminum diamond deck plate as a replacement and for weight savings.

Have fun with it.

[Tom Vogel]

No, the stock diff wont do it. Hes going to need a 9" or a Dana either with a locker. Ive got a Strange 9 1/2" with a detroit in a Currie super duty. The trailing arm suspinsion is awsome for this (not just my opinion.)

To anyone interested... Ive tried to upload some recent photos. However, the new camera makes too big a file and this board wont support it. The message from the board says to manually resize... I tried but couldnt figure it out. Im better at wrenching than computing. Not looking forward to dealing with the laptop when I get to the point of tuning my Jimmy.
Sorry, Tom

[LUV2XCLR8]

Mine will also be going down the "Speed" road in the future, but I plan
to keep mine as factory as possible to retain most of the value. Going
to subscribe to this thread now so I can keep tabs on your progress

[Malibu 496]

I do plan on keeping the stock rear suspension. There is a guy here in MN that runs mid 9's in a 67 c10 with stock truck arms. I dont know if I will put a 9" in or beef up the 12bolt.
I am not sure how long the project will take but I am hoping to for sure have it out by spring of 09.

Do you guy's think I should leave the rocker boxes out and just tie the cage into the rocker panels and winshield frame?
Also when I order floor's is it better to get the ones with the inner rocker built in or buy seperate?

Thanks for the help and the interest in my build.

Josh

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Malibu 496

I do plan on keeping the stock rear suspension. There is a guy here in MN that runs mid 9's in a 67 c10 with stock truck arms. I dont know if I will put a 9" in or beef up the 12bolt.

The truck 12 bolt isn't a good idea for the power levels you are going to need to reach your projected ET.

The weak link on these rears are the tiny 1.438" pinion diameter. Compared to the passenger car 12 bolt with it's 1.625" diameter.

Doesn't sound like much, but with moderate power it's easy to snap the pinion on the truck rear,,,,i've broken a couple Just a heads up.

Plan on some serious HP to reach a 9 second ET. My chevelle at a race weight of 4,108 lbs. and 638hp at the flywheel N/A has gone 11.40's at 118 mph on a 275 drag radial.
As heavy as it is, it would require close to 700 hp to hit high 10's with no other changes. And I've got aerodynamics on my side compared to a blazer that is shaped like a brick.
They are like pushing a barn door through the wind. To hit 9's with a blazer is going to require serious HP, more than likely done with a power adder if you want to stay streetable. Or some serious weight reduction. More than likely a combination of both.

Sounds like a cool build, I admire anyone that takes a big and heavy car/truck and makes it go fast. Don't let people get to you about cutting up a blazer. Honestly I never thought of them as all that collectable, although I realize there is a following for these things. But high values used in the same sentence as blazer seems a bit strange to me. In my opinion you got a fair deal on a plain jane 2wd blazer with a 6 banger. Do with it what makes you happy, that's what counts.

I've done my fair share of chalk mark restorations and still have a couple of cars in the stable like that. But I can also appreciate some of the modified stuff out there. That's what makes this hobby turn. Goodluck with the build.

[wardblazer68]

Your goin' racin', I'm very interseted in all the engine mount (frame to crossmember to block) brackets, and if it wasn't for being in minnesota I'd buy the engine also!

[LUV2XCLR8]

[Malibu 496]

Sweet blazer Tom!
I hope my blazer looks that nice when I'm done.

[Tom Vogel]

Thanks guys!

Malibu96, Im sure yours will look just as good. Just do it the way YOU want it and youll be happy.
Tom

[Shock_Me]

Tom, that Jimmy is HOT!! Can't wait to see it finished. I've been thinking about putting a big block in my Jimmy, now I think my choice is made!

Pete

[Yukon Jack]

I'm guessing an intercooler! That's one bad a$$ Blazer!

[Burt4x4]

It kinda looks like a radator but I have never seen a cooler laying flat like that???

[hgs_notes]

I'm almost positive that thing between the rails is an intercooler.

[Purs]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

I'm almost positive that thing between the rails is an intercooler.

+2

the LSx platform plus a turbo is a great way to make BIG and streetable horsepower. If had........ well, nevermind.

can't wait to see how these projects progress.

[Tom Vogel]

Intercooler...yep. You cant see it in these pictures, but we took the lisence plate bulge out of the front bumper and made a scoop down below that with a... shoot, how do I explain it.... well, the scoop is made in two peices; top half is the hole in the bumper and a fabbed aluminum bottom half that scoops cool air from in front of the truck and directs it up through the
intercooler and into the engine compartment, then the air exits the engine compartment through some really cool vents in the hood (which are flush). You wont have seen this before... I think you will like it.
This thing is sounding less stock all the time.... I know...

My cobra buddy came up with the vent ideas to allow the air to pass through quickly.. the guys a genius. Everytime I talk about wanting to leave something stock, well ,he just says... are you kidding me? Have you looked underneath that thing?
Actually, if you saw this truck sitting somewhere on the street, you would probably say, "nice clean Cheyane package Jimmy with a mild drop and chrome torque thrusts... Honest!


By the way, it was not my intention to hyjack this thread... I was just showing Malibu496 that there was someone who thought like him.