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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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ignorant newbie needs advice
Just bought an 86 silverado shortbox 305/700r4/3.42 out of MD which is about to be shipped out here to Australia
It is going to be used to cart motorcycles and general round city driving with the occassional long trip.I was looking for a 350 but the condition of this truck sealed the deal and I thought how gutless can a 5 liter V8 be??? I checked on wiki and it had the LE9 making 205hp@3600 and 250ftlbs@2000 which is the same as my current drive which in American terms is a buick 3.8 v6/700r4 in a ute (car with a tray instead of a seats)making almost identical horse power and torque as the LE9. It is 1000lbs lighter but the max torque is produced @3500rpm so all in all I figured the silverado would be ok for my use. Then I joined up here and find wikipedia lied and the 305 is making a weedy 170 hp ![]() I think an immediate engine transplant will be in order and am trying to decide between 2 crate 350s the 260hp or 290? .They are virtually the same price here. My needs are low down torque for good acceleration off the lights but reasonable mpg.I tend to just plod around most of the time because Melbourne traffic is in grid lock 24/7 these days and knowone is going anywhere quick however if I put my foot down I want something to happen. Last question which is where I am truly ignorant what does the 305/700r4/3.42 driveline mean in terms of getting the pickup moving away from a standstill in the real world.It is important here because everyone just floors it off the lights and shoots for small gaps in the the traffic. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
welcome to the site where many american folks welcome you. beautiful truck btw. If you have limited sorces in australia, then that would make it more expensive for things right? that truck looks in such great shape. there is crate engines that do produce 290 hp, and there are GM goodwrench motors are a way to go. you dont want a custom engine, and youd like to keep it stockish.. good mpg... good throttle response. is it carberated? a good 4 barrel qaudrajet, good intake and some headers should just wake it up for your needs.
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Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Quote:
You can get everything here in Australia but always at a premium price.Will be buying any accessories from the US. Will have to drive it with the 305 until my other vehicle sells so at least I will feel the difference with the 350. |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Quote:
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Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Id also like to add that Nova and malibu headers fit on our trucks pretty easily. there also cheaper than the truck headers. 1 5/8 long tube headers for a nova or malibu chevelle ect. we have all had good luck with long tube headers, and there very much cheaper.
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Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: edgartown mass
Posts: 852
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
i have the 260hp in my c20 with the qjet and 3.42 gears city i get 14mpg and high way20-22 mpg. pulls well and gets going fine but a have the sm465 trans not a 700r4.
if some one knows the gears in the 700 that would help. i think it is step like the th400 so should be good off the line???
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1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Quote:
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__________________
Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
also fogot to add people dont like the 700r4 off the line because between 2nd and 1st theres a huge difference. just because 1st gear is a lil granny and 2nd is like a leap.
__________________
Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lincoln, IL
Posts: 880
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Quote:
__________________
Her name is Quicksilver 1978 Chevrolet silverado, shortbox stepside currently being swapped IN is a LM7 5300 vortec, 4l80E, factory 4.11s, slammed, a dream ride and coined QUICKSILVER gotta pay $$ if you wanna play ![]() |
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#10 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: indisclosed
Posts: 1,515
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
i would leave it as is; The drivetrain will provide decent acceleration and will be able to haul motorcycles no problem.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 1,014
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
The 305 can be fixed up to be quick but its not all that great from the factory, honestly. Mine was a turd. Lots of people refer to them as "boat anchors". I'd wait till it wore out and install a 350. Or better yet, a 5.3L ls swap.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
That combo is a great balanced combo. My old setup was the le9 305 with 2:73 gears and the 700r4. A little tweaking of the timing and carb and headers with exhaust prob got it up to 240hp about.
Realize that the hp ratings then were with all accessories. So a/c smog pump powersteering and alternator and the water pump and fan. 200hp is about right on wiki Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Ok that's interesting that that the 305 could be ok !
I am just looking at what I have now in my current ride and it's 1000lbs lighter and it is about right for my use. if I want to scare myself I have a few motorcycles with a hp for every 2.2 pounds. Also the torque equation come into it as the LE9 reaches peak low down compared to a V6. Guess I just need to wait and see how it goes when it gets here truth is I just want to drive something with a bit more character than my holden.I love low end torque and a friend has a warm 454 in his c10 which is fun to drive but he spends a fortune on tires and fuel because he has no self control and it is just over kill for a plodder like me. The chevy also gets cheap insurance and registration here because it's older than 25 years old so running costs are lower. |
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#14 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
run the 305 and tweak it!
I'd replace the carb/intake when/with the block
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#15 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 4,564
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Quote:
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AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Pontiac G8 GT ? had to google that to see what it is and yes they are super common here.Basically I am a motorcyclist and the Holden equivalent to your car is a big nuisance here because the accelerate really hard and I have to get on the gas hard on the bikes to get rid of them lol.A lot of these are running with 500hp plus RWHP and are seriously fast for a car.My ute pictured is most common here with a 350 LS1 manual 6 speed and the young guys just love them.
The square body C10s are pretty common here but I wanted a fully optioned silverado with no modifications in factory black and rust free (impossible to find here) and actually took 5 months to find this one in the US. Only mod if I don't swap the motor will be to air bag the rear so I can load my bikes easy. Thanks to everyone for advice this is a great site. |
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#17 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: indisclosed
Posts: 1,515
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Don't you have to convert to right hand drive?
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#18 |
BAD BOW-Silverado XST
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX
Posts: 6,431
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Don't worry. The 700R3 first gear with 3.42s will put you in the seat. Just manually shift it hard if you need to "race from light to light". The rear is so light, you'll smoke the tires before moving.
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
Would live a right hand drive truck up here
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: ignorant newbie needs advice
No need to convert to RHD unless you want too on older vehicles over 25 years old here if on classic registration.You get used to it pretty quick if you only drive LHD which I will be.
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