Ooh.. Let's chat drivetrain.. I'm excited

[stingray72]

Now that my 70 is sold and my Superhawk should be gone in a couple of weeks I'm getting kinda excited about giving my Jimmy a once over

My dream would be to have it like what you'd see at Barrett Jackson but I know I wouldn't drive it and a trophy I don't want. I want a REALLY NICE rig that I'm not gonna feel bad about taking it out for a cruise.

Right now it's got a 350/350 combo that I'm 99% sure is not original so I'm not really concerned about changing it. What i'm posing to you smart fellers who stayed in a Holiday Inn express last night is what do you think I should do with concerning drivetrain??

Options I've thought about in no particular order are...

A. Keep 350/350 combo, freshen it up, new cams, pistons, heads etc and just drive her.

B. Go with a 383 stroker and a built 700R4 or some other similar tranny

C. Big Block, Big HP who cares about $3/gallon gas

D. Completely updated drivetrain.. LS1/460LE or whatever that tranny is called I don't think that's right to make it so i can drive the truck to Alaska

I'm torn and thought it would be fun to start some chit chat about pros and cons etc of options available (which are limitless I know)..

I'd like to have something that's a little better than 5 mpg so I can drive it around and not watch the gas hand move but I digress..

and b/c I know it'll come up.. lets say I have between 5K and 10K to spend.

[Yukon Jack]

Is this a 2wd or 4wd?

How about rebuilding the existing engine and get an overdrive tranny and design it for the use of a not too big turbo. Gain some mileage with the overdrive and have lots of power on tap. Sounds good to me!

[stingray72]

It's a 2wd and already has a 4/6 ECE drop. I'd love to eventually bag it also.

Anyways.. I like the turbo idea.. but know jack about them

[bouncytruck]

I've always wanted to put a 572 into a '72 Blazer and have custome emblems made that say K/572.

The stroker with the 700R4 would provide nice HP and gears and look impressive in the specs, but it would be more work than just keeping the TH350 behind a nice crate motor (especially if it is a 4wd). Edelbrock makes some great, ready to go motors at fairly reasonable prices and they look nice too.

[bouncytruck]

You posted at the same time as me...

Check this out. Solves all your problems at once.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=234366

[LUV2XCLR8]

I really like D, or some version of it, but I can't afford that option

[see ten]

I had originaly planned on doing a late model swap in my C10. However the truck just runs to damn good to pull it apart. I guess a better question is, Does your engine need built? If everything is still working and you aren't smokin or burnin oil maybe you could just pep it up a bit and spend your excess funds elsewhere. I added an aluminum intake and roller tip rockers and an MSD coil and wires. I also removed the engine driven fan and replaced it with an electric setup. The umph level has really increased and the mileage stays around 14-15 mpg. But yeah if money wasn't an object I would probably have a late model Vette engine and trans in it.

[vtblazer]

My input would be at a minimum, make sure you have fuel injection and an overdrive of some sort.

That alone would be a great start to a very drivable/fun ride.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by stingray72

D. Completely updated drivetrain.. LS1/460LE or whatever...

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

I really like D, or some version of it, but I can't afford that option

Once you go this route, you will never look back. It is really not that expensive if you do your homework and save where you can. I have made it my goal to do it for less than the cost of a 383 with more power/better reliability/mileage. Plus, the wow factor exponentially increasees when you pop the hood.

-Chris

[72LoBurb]

Even a newer LT-1, with an overdrive trans...lots of power potential, the advantages of injection and o/d, plus you shouldn't have to be fabbing or buying special motor mounts.
I plan on this swap in the not-too-distant future, by finding an old Caprice(94-96) to use as a driver for now and a donor for later.

[Chris27]

My input would be at a minimum, make sure you have fuel injection and an overdrive of some sort.

EFI & overdrive is hard to beat, whatever way you go about it. If I did mine over again I'd go with a 6.0 litre/4L60E and a supercharger or turbo.

[stingray72]

Ok guys.. I think the way to go is updated engine.. Fuel injection and OD tranny. And boy would a Turbo be nice. Soon as my bike sells I'll really get down to business and start getting everything together.

Is the best place to find engine and tranny out of a wrecked car??