The perfect combo? Is it impossible?

[abadsvt]

I was thinking the other day what route i would like to go for my truck. The truck is going to be a show truck but also a tow truck for my boat (2007 Mastercraft X1). I am building the truck with a budget about 15-18k while i already have the truck. That is all the money i am going to spend on it. I also plan on doing all the work myself execpt the motor which i am hoping to get help from my father. He used to build racing motors. I used to do paint and body for a living so i have that underneath my belt. I have also been around classic cars most my life and have fixed alot of things i didn't think i can fix. So i am not worried about building it but more worried about how to make it perfect. The perfect combo of class and style while being practical yet impractical. I plan on driving it a fair amount. Not all the time but it will be my only vehicle besides work trucks and the wifes car which i drive all the time. I want the impossible. Tons of horse power and torque, great gas milage, very realiable, never over heats, turns over every time, sounds awesome and being able to take it for a 8hr drive without concern. My question to you all is how do i make my dream motor. Can i do most of it without all the electronics that the newer cars have? How would i build the motor to acheive some or most of those things? Am i hoping to get the impossible? Curently in the truck is a 350 LT1 motor. So if i can use as much of it as possible then it will give me more money for another part of the truck. Is my budget to small to achieve what i want? Sorry for all the questions but i am going crazy trying to figure out every step i should take. I am one of those guys that likes to have an exact game plan before i start. Anyways thanks ahead of time for all your comments.

[Musclerodz]

Old style carb'd LT-1 or new LT-1? Needs to be efi for the reliability and gas mileage, of which I would make a 383 out of it. Should easily get 400rwhp if built right. The 383 is a torque monster great for towing and fairly cheap to do. 4L80E tranny for durability towing, 3.42 rear.

Mike

[68C15]

let's see, tons of power/torque for towing, good MPG, reliability, wow factor...IMO that leaves but one possibility. CADDY POWER.
for about $3500 you could have a fresh 472 or 500. the bad part is you will forget how to open the hood or remove the gas cap after a while LOL

[meathead95]

get on ebay and buy an ls2 that will be gobs of power and reliability

[shelby987]

I would tend to think if you want reliability/start everytime/power/economy/gobs of torque/and a touch of unique you are likely going to be best served going to one of the newer generation motors (LS1/LS2/LS6....LS7 ) The motor you can get away with all depends on what the rest of the project looks like, if your truck is already in good shape, and you don't need more than....5k for everything but the drivetrain, I would look on ebay for an Ls2/LS6 complete with transmission.

this is not to say it can't be done with a carb'd engine, but you are dealing with technology that is 100 years old, while it has been improved, it has also been replaced, I don't want to make this a debate about efi vs. carb'd....I personally love my carb, but I don't expect LS6 performance and 22+mpg

[dirtball]

I vote for the LSx motors also. If you really want it to boogie, put a Procharger on it.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Not a huge fan, but I haven't seen one of these in a '67-'72 yet.........And it has loads of power, quiet, and more than enough torque to tug a boat around

6.6 Duramax

[abadsvt]

So what you all are saying is that i need a newer style motor like the LS1,2,6 to get most of what i want. Is that because of all the electronics? I want to keep the automatic so what tranny do i need for an ls1 or 2. I think the 6 will be out of my price range. The truck needs some love. I am buying a fleetside bed, all disc brakes, 5k air ride suspension (leveling system, new rear 4 link, control arms), rims and tires, upholstery, and more. Does anyone have any pics of an ls1 or ls2 install? Is there any modifications that need to be done to make it work? Thanks Josh

[abadsvt]

I forgot to ask. What do you think is a fair price for a ls1 with auto tranny and all the parts needed? Thanks

[67ChevyRedneck]

The tranny for an auto would be a 4L60E. BUT I think you need the computer brain to make it work. You could go with a 700R4 and buy a lockup and TV cable kit from Bowtie Overdrives and not have to worry about a computer. If you go with a ls whatever I'd try to buy one with engine, tranny and complete wiring harness. It's a lot of work and $$$. That said, I wish I could do it to my truck. Expect realistic fuel milage around 16-17 highway and around 14-15 city depending on how you drive and how it's tuned.

[shelby987]

I have seen them both locally and online (ebay mostly) go for anywhere between 2.5k-6k depending on their state of tune, completeness, total miles, etc. I would budget 4k for it, if you hunt that should cover the majority of it, and a couple incidentals (just a guess though, I know people on here have done this swap, I am sure they can chime in).

[abadsvt]

Is that the only way is to buy an LS1. I was looking at them on ebay. They are on the expensive side. If it is the only way to get what i want then i will go that route but want to make sure ahead of time that there isn't a slightly cheaper way or better way. Thanks Josh

[HeavyD]

If EFI is out of your budget, a GOOD carb will work fine, despite popular opinion. I have used carbs on daily driven vehicles for years without problems, and I live where it gets very cold in winter. EFI is fine, but if you don't have the $$ to swap over, build a nice carb'd 383.

[meathead95]

why get a 4 link? the 3 link in these trucks performs great. hell thats what they use in nascar lol......... i think 5k is crazy for air suspension. i almost put an air ride technologies kit on my 2wd blazer with auto leveling on remote and everything for around 2200

[shelby987]

Yes, carb'd will work, but if you have 15-18k to spend, EFI is not out of your price range, and if you have other goodies that you just HAVE to include, then you need to start doing some shopping around. Yes there is more out there than just ebay, but on that note, I came across an LS1/4L60E combo with less than 10k on the clock, a custom tuned (to your specs) computer, and a brand new wiring harness for $3,500....that doesn't seem much more expensive than a professionally built 383 backed by a TH400 (that combo might even cost more).
You can always go the junk yard route, look for local auto recyclers, I personally kind of like the feedback section of ebay, gives me a general idea of who I am dealing with on big ticket items like this.

[ND_guy]

for fuel injected performance go with a brand new ramjet 350 350hp from GM for $5000
or get a carbureted HT383 for $4400 415ft/340hp
With a warrenty