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V8 s10 swaps.Anyone have experience?
4/16/2012 12:12:05 AM
A friend just bought a 89' s10 for us to start tinkering with. He has a spare 350 and 700r4 transmission that we can swap in. Hes not looking for a monster,just a fun truck to drive to cruise-ins and maybe hit up the track. Are they worth the work?
4/16/2012 12:29:29 AM
I've done one and know two guy who also did them independently of me.
The answer to is it worth it is a unanimous NO, we were all sorely disappointed with the result.
The main reason isn't that its hard to put a SBC in one but that an s10 isn't light enough to be fast just because it has a v8. There's also the chronic overheating issue that I don't care what anyone says is lurking just one bad traffic jam away.
All this in light of just how much potential a 4.3 s 10 has without swapping powertrains.
Now if you skip the carved SBC and go straight to a ls based powertrain your bang for work quotient would be much better.
The answer to is it worth it is a unanimous NO, we were all sorely disappointed with the result.
The main reason isn't that its hard to put a SBC in one but that an s10 isn't light enough to be fast just because it has a v8. There's also the chronic overheating issue that I don't care what anyone says is lurking just one bad traffic jam away.
All this in light of just how much potential a 4.3 s 10 has without swapping powertrains.
Now if you skip the carved SBC and go straight to a ls based powertrain your bang for work quotient would be much better.
4/16/2012 9:51:42 AM
Yes, it's a pretty simple swap.
The important part of a swap is to upgrade other parts to support a larger/different engine. Increased cooling capacity, larger brakes, etc. Think about the trucks intended purpose, and plan out what you will need before cutting up sheet metal.
Local hillbilly here had a 4x4 S10 with a 1980's four-door Accord body grafted to it. Looked cool as shit, and evidently worked out OK, as you would see him on the road with it all the time.
The important part of a swap is to upgrade other parts to support a larger/different engine. Increased cooling capacity, larger brakes, etc. Think about the trucks intended purpose, and plan out what you will need before cutting up sheet metal.
Local hillbilly here had a 4x4 S10 with a 1980's four-door Accord body grafted to it. Looked cool as shit, and evidently worked out OK, as you would see him on the road with it all the time.
4/16/2012 11:06:49 AM
4/16/2012 7:10:13 PM
i say yes to, but mine was a 2wd blazer, so it had a little more traction than a pickup does, it was a blast to drive and i thought it was fast.
4/18/2012 10:34:22 AM
I had one not to long ago. It is actually getting painted in my shop right now.
It has an LS6/T56 trans though. I drove it daily for 3 years. 450hp/450tq. 30mpg highway 25town.
It has an LS6/T56 trans though. I drove it daily for 3 years. 450hp/450tq. 30mpg highway 25town.
4/18/2012 2:56:19 PM
Originally Posted By FJ_Wheeler:
I had one not to long ago. It is actually getting painted in my shop right now.
It has an LS6/T56 trans though. I drove it daily for 3 years. 450hp/450tq. 30mpg highway 25town.
I had one not to long ago. It is actually getting painted in my shop right now.
It has an LS6/T56 trans though. I drove it daily for 3 years. 450hp/450tq. 30mpg highway 25town.
Pics?
4/18/2012 3:40:04 PM
If you can do it to a Chevy Luv you can do it to an S-10.
4/19/2012 9:08:36 AM
I liked it. No AC or Cruise but other than that it was one of my favorite vehicles I have owned. I would cruise at 8X on the highway like it was nothing and consistently got over 30mpg. Plus it would destroy just about anything from a 20mph roll. From the dig it was a bit tricky to hook up but could be done. Hooked it hard enough to shove the driveshaft into the bottom of the bed with the trans mount let loose. It was also reliable as anything else on the road. I drove it for years, sold it to my roomate, he drove it 2 more years, sold it to a guy at my shop and it is still no problem to go get into it and start it up and drive it anywhere. If you are doing a swap do LSX for the best bet.
