Engine/transmission recommendations on 70 c10 swb

[1970chevc101994]

I am building a 70 c10, it currently has a stock 454. I am looking to go with something different in small block from but plenty of power. I was looking at the 376 chevy crate engines but was looking for around 600-700hp. I am on a budget of course. Thanks. Please post pics if you have some engine swap pics

[65standard]

To get that kind of Hp, it takes big inches, high RPMs, or a power adder.

[cla511]

Your not going to get there easily with a small block. You already have what you need right in the truck. Bore it out and buy a 496 stroker kit and go from there if you want to get to the 600-700 range. A LSX376 is nice but you can spend a lot less and have more than the 450hp its rated at with a 454/496.

[Mike C]

[QUOTE=1970chevc101994;7080836 but was looking for around 600-700hp. I am on a budget of course.[/QUOTE]

Obviously you are pretty new to engines? Do you know exactly how powerful and expensive 700 hp is? And on a budget? Put a 350hp nitrous system on your 454. At least you can hit the 650 mark once or twice...

Honestly, the 376 motor would be great in your truck. Or a Blueprint engines 454 for about the same price. But the GM warranty is awesome if your truck fits in their list.

Not trying to be rude, but somebody building/using 700hp wouldn't be asking this question and would understand the expense involved and the limits to the ability to harness a real 700hp on the street.

[HSRACER]

700 hp out of a 376 on a budget is funny. I actually laughed out loud!

I built my 696 hp 355 almost 12 years ago for 21 thousand. I wouldn't want to think about what it would cost in today's dollars. I have seen articles about junkyard 5.3 ls motors with turbos that produce between 450 to 600 hp for reasonable prices. Reasonable in that case would still be at least 10k.

[1970chevc101994]

My budget it 15k. I said budget because I know a lot of good reliable engines with that horspower with run 25-35k. Don't assume that my budget is 2k. Thanks for the information though

[HSRACER]

I forgot to mention that once you have 600+ horsepower, then you have to upgrade your torque converter or clutch, driveshaft, rear end, gear set, motor mounts, exhaust and more.

[1970chevc101994]

Transmission is already built. Has a 9" rear end in it from moser and waiting on custom made driveshaft

[hamjet]

http://www.shafiroff.com/chevy_crate...34_bigdawg.php here you go...

[cla511]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2617974...lpid=82&chn=ps

Well with in your budget.

[boynton]

junk yard 5.3 with a turbo/turbos ls2/3 heads and a good boost controller. it will get you there fairly easy and should be in your budget and easy to drive. Just bump up the boost on the controller when you want it and down when you dont.

[Heavymetl]

Originally Posted by boynton

junk yard 5.3 with a turbo/turbos ls2/3 heads and a good boost controller. it will get you there fairly easy and should be in your budget and easy to drive. Just bump up the boost on the controller when you want it and down when you dont.

Heads are nearly irrelevant for a boosted LS.. Also, 5.3 is a small bore, only "LS1" or "LS6" heads will fit. (862, 241, 853, 243, 317, 806, 799 etc)

I'm building a turbo 5.3/4L80E/9" for my '70 now. Trust me, the engine is the cheap part of the build. If you get a 4.8/5.3 with the Gen IV rods you can reliably produce 700+rwhp with the stock shortblock and a good tune. Engine management is also a considerable cost, the stock PCM is capable but at some point aftermarket becomes advantageous. I went with the Holley Dominator.

Check out Sloppy Mechanics for some low buck inspiration and ideas for the turbo LS world. Good luck with the project. And buy brakes. And steering upgrades.

[1970chevc101994]

Cla511, they actually aren't to far from me so I am going to go check them out. Thank you

[steelhorse]

We want pics of whatever you choose.

[68350]

You should easily be able to build a 496 stroker that'll make that power for your budget.

[catch2otwo]

I think another consideration is what you want to do with the truck? Road racer? Probably would go with a lighter ls series motor for weight savings and high rpm. Drag racer? big block power... etc etc. End goal is important.

[1970chevc101994]

My end goal is just a fast weekend truck. It will have no bed floor, gutted cab, and roll cage. Nothing fancy, just every thing built tough and strong. So I am going for, light, strong, and fast. Think I will go with ridetech 4 link coil over kit for the suspension to put the power to the ground. Might just say save my pennies and put the project on the back burner for a year and buy a 572 from this company in michigan.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/231493277516?nav=SEARCH

[boynton]

Originally Posted by Heavymetl

Heads are nearly irrelevant for a boosted LS.. Also, 5.3 is a small bore, only "LS1" or "LS6" heads will fit. (862, 241, 853, 243, 317, 806, 799 etc)

I'm building a turbo 5.3/4L80E/9" for my '70 now. Trust me, the engine is the cheap part of the build. If you get a 4.8/5.3 with the Gen IV rods you can reliably produce 700+rwhp with the stock shortblock and a good tune. Engine management is also a considerable cost, the stock PCM is capable but at some point aftermarket becomes advantageous. I went with the Holley Dominator.

Check out Sloppy Mechanics for some low buck inspiration and ideas for the turbo LS world. Good luck with the project. And buy brakes. And steering upgrades.

yes I meant to hit ls2/6 not 3. The ls2s came with 243 heads so yes they will work. And heads do make a difference you want lower compression and a larger combination chamber for boosted applications.

Here is a little info about heads
http://lsx4u.com/lsxinfo/heads.html

to the op if you are unfamiliar with ls motors I would consult someone who is as they can easily be purchased and installed in your price range With the power you want As long as the correct cam/heads/block are matched up.

Let us know what you choose!

[cla511]

My end goal is just a fast weekend truck

Just my opinion, but if this what you want I'd still rebuild the 454 you have. My experience with the really high hp stuff is they are just not very street-able. My 402 is built to around 400hp. Will it run the 1/4 in under 10... no. But in about 15 seconds you will be going faster than these trucks will stay on the road. She will smoke tires as long as you hold the pedal down. But if you want to drive her all day you are comfortable. And it is way easier to maintain.

The biggest problem with our trucks in not how much power you can put in them and get them to make but how much can you get to the ground. You can put in 700 hp and make a lot of little circles but I would rather go straight. For 2-4 k if your block is still in good shape you can have a very nice 454 with a lot of power. That leaves at least 10k for beer

[VeeTwin]

Just Google HotRod Magazine's "Big Bang Theory" or search for Sloppy Mechanics Turbo Build. 600-700hp is WAY EASY for 3500 bucks!!!! The day of bigblock streetcars to be fast is over!! Guys that are stuck in the 70"s think only a bigblock can be fast- time to step into the EFI world. And that bigblock will never get 17-20 mpg, like my turbo LS does!!

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by 1970chevc101994

I am building a 70 c10, it currently has a stock 454. I am looking to go with something different in small block from but plenty of power. I was looking at the 376 chevy crate engines but was looking for around 600-700hp. I am on a budget of course. Thanks. Please post pics if you have some engine swap pics

600-700 HP out of a smallblock is not for anyone "on a budget". You'll spend well north of $20K for the motor you describe. The supercharged Cadillac LSA 376 is $17K out of the box but that's only 550 HP. At 650 HP, the LT4 in my 2015 ZO6 would meet your desirement but you'll pay $27,000 for one of those. Not exactly for anyone "on a budget", now is it?

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by VeeTwin

Just Google HotRod Magazine's "Big Bang Theory" or search for Sloppy Mechanics Turbo Build. 600-700hp is WAY EASY for 3500 bucks!!!! The day of bigblock streetcars to be fast is over!! Guys that are stuck in the 70"s think only a bigblock can be fast- time to step into the EFI world. And that bigblock will never get 17-20 mpg, like my turbo LS does!!

I'm sure you've built hundreds. Bet they last, oh, through the first dyno run before breaking too.

[VeeTwin]

Originally Posted by Fitz

600-700 HP out of a smallblock is not for anyone "on a budget". You'll spend well north of $20K for the motor you describe. The supercharged Cadillac LSA 376 is $17K out of the box but that's only 550 HP. At 650 HP, the LT4 in my 2015 ZO6 would meet your desirement but you'll pay $27,000 for one of those. Not exactly for anyone "on a budget", now is it?

And meanwhile in the rest of America, there are TONS of $5k turbo ls mustangs and camaros that will SMOKE your Zmidlifecrisis6 vette!!! This guy should have no problem getting what he wants and stay way under his budget. Hell, give me 10grand and I will guarantee 650 hp at the crank!! And it will be reliable. Obviously there are not any drag racers or engine builders on this thread yet.

[Heavymetl]

Considering you already have a 454, I'd say build that.

Then make sure you get out there and drive. I've found the key to enjoying any project is not only the build and "dream" stage, but actually putting some miles on afterwards. Hit the track, make some passes, do Power Tour if you can, etc.

[1970chevc101994]

Fitz- it all depends on where you get your parts and how much time and effort you put into making everything work together. I know what things cost, and I know where I can save money and where I can't. And also don't believe, I ever mentioned going with the small block after I said I was going to put the project on the back burner and save up for a 572 which I had a link to.