"The Relapse" 78 Chevy Stepside

[Low84]

How's it going guys? I'm back with a 78 stepside I picked up yesterday afternoon. SOLID truck minimal rust, looking to get that fixed as soon as possible. I learned my lesson the first time around!

Anyway here it is:

1978 Chevrolet Stepside
250 cid Straight 6
3 Speed Manual Transmission (Death Trap)

The previous owner's last drive:


Right after it got parked in the driveway:

My partner in crime loves it


And after the Mavericks v Heat game this is what it looked like:

[my4by2]

Need a better shot of the wheels on it now since the first ones had the hub caps (which looked cool). Good looking truck man & looking forward to seeing where you take it!

[Chris Guthro]

Amazing the difference since you changed the wheels!

[Low84]

Thanks guys, I'll get some better pics of the rims tomorrow.

First thing on the list is getting the cab corner replaced.

Cowl induction hood

v8 swap

18" billet's

and we'll see how wild this one gets

[my4by2]

Might I suggest an upgrade to an LS truck motor given you're looking to do a V8 swap anyway. You'll be MUCH happier with it, even it you run it with a carb it's still a better engine than ANY of the older V8 designs!!!

[Low84]

That's the plan. I initially wanted a crate engine ls1 but I'm in the process of buying some land and got to adjust the budget a little. Might go with a used 5.3 or 6.0.

I like the idea of running a carb on an lsx, I've heard the peak horsepower goes up but the fuel injection is stronger throughout the power band.

[my4by2]

I originally purchased an '08 LY6 6.0L out of a 2500HD that had less than 10k on it, but started wanting a different cam & springs so I just ordered a new one from Mast Motorsports already the way I want & making 497HP at the crank. The shop building my truck is now selling that motor since I won't be using it - it doesn't have the ECM, pedal assembly or MAF sensor however (does have the wiring harness though).
I went with the LY6 due to the better head design over the older engines as well as the advantage of the VVT feature. Any of the truck motors are great though! Pace Performance has a 4.8L carbed LS motor that's complete from carb-to-pan for $3k which is a pretty good deal - especially for a light 1/2-ton truck!

[lilpoindexter]

WOW! You have great taste in trucks!

[Low84]

Originally Posted by my4by2

I originally purchased an '08 LY6 6.0L out of a 2500HD that had less than 10k on it, but started wanting a different cam & springs so I just ordered a new one from Mast Motorsports already the way I want & making 497HP at the crank. The shop building my truck is now selling that motor since I won't be using it - it doesn't have the ECM, pedal assembly or MAF sensor however (does have the wiring harness though).
I went with the LY6 due to the better head design over the older engines as well as the advantage of the VVT feature. Any of the truck motors are great though! Pace Performance has a 4.8L carbed LS motor that's complete from carb-to-pan for $3k which is a pretty good deal - especially for a light 1/2-ton truck!

That's not a bad price at all, but the truck racing scene is HUGE down here like you wouldn't believe. I wouldn't be able to do much damage, I need at least a 5.3.

That engine you have sounds like a straight up beast! I'm mainly worried about the wiring aspect of the swap, I'm borderline retarded with wiring

[Low84]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

WOW! You have great taste in trucks!

Just saw you avatar, haha! Thanks.

This was my old one.......err new one before cancer took over it:


Actually those are the rims I put on the 78

[my4by2]

The Mast wiring & ECM is a little easier for installation & that's one reason I went with them. There are lots of companies though that sell LS harnesses that are pretty easy to install. Biggest thing is just ensuring adequate fuel flow & PSI.

[Low84]

Is this a complete setup? Just plug and play type of deal

[my4by2]

Yep, for the most part - have to modify or change mounts, install the new pedal assembly & some other items, but pretty easy really. Mine didn't come with the fuel system (although you can get them) because we're using a new stock GM sending unit assembly for an '08 truck that fits in the gas tank they built. You can however just use the '87 sending unit assemblies in your tank & upgrade the pump.

[Low84]

Sounds simple enough. I'm going to start hounding around the junkyards for lsx engines right after i get that cab corner replaced

[Gordonr1973]

Nice score!

[Low84]

Thanks, it is I'm happy with it. It's getting tougher and tougher to find good, solid, build-able trucks for a realistic price.

[Low84]

Took me a little longer than I thought it would to get the pic, should have at least cleaned it

[notyo_cheez]

Nice. Subscriber from Corpus. Rust is a fact of life.

[Pop's C-10]

looks good with those wheels on it..

[Low84]

Originally Posted by notyo_cheez

Nice. Subscriber from Corpus. Rust is a fact of life.

Small world, I just got back from Corpus a few hours ago. Spent the weekend over there for the "Battle of the Bay" car show. Rust is the devil!!

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

looks good with those wheels on it..

Thanks, thinking of dropping it a little and cruising as is for the summer

[Low84]

Might be picking up a new engine for it tomorrow

[Chris Guthro]

did you decide on 5.3 or 6.0?

[ghettoluxury]

What size are your wheels and backspacing?

[Pop's C-10]

A 2in drop is all you'll get with those tires or you will rub tha fenders..do spring & shakles for now & when you need new tread..you can increase tha drop then..

[Low84]

Originally Posted by Chris Guthro

did you decide on 5.3 or 6.0?

If everything goes well today, it's going to be an lq4 6.0

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

What size are your wheels and backspacing?

They're 15x10, but I honestly don't know the backspace on them.