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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: chiefmiller84 on September 12, 2016, 08:29:09 pm
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I have a 1983 C10 shortbed. I know I want to do a full resto-mod, but i'm on a tight budget with four kids. It currently has a '69 307 paired with a 700r4 and i'm unsure of the rear gears. It is my daily driver and will be for the forseeable future. I'm not looking to make a race truck, but I do want it to move when I step on it.
I want to drop it, upgrade the brakes all the way around, change the interior from red to black and keep the red bench seat. Eventually I have some body mods and paint I want to do, but I think that will be the last thing I do.
My question is, where to start?! New engine, trans, brakes, rear end, suspension (drop, how low, static air), interior stereo, steering wheel, color change, tint, bedliner, solid rear window, one piece side windows, it's never ending!! lol
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start with the safety stuff first
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start with the safety stuff first
Alright, so brakes it is. Nothing is really unsafe at this point.
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I always way save the looks for last. Getting an old chevy reliable 1st. Which I think goes with safety, and some new looks.
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I always way save the looks for last. Getting an old chevy reliable 1st. Which I think goes with safety, and some new looks.
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Thanks man. I have a good idea where I'm going to start from
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Brakes, suspension, drive train, looks.
Do some research, especially if you wish to lower, brakes should pretty much remain stock, but if you need to do any suspension parts, it would be more worth it to lower then to keep it stock only to change out new parts a couple months down the road.
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Thanks brother
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I have a 1969 307 in the truck and she runs and drives fine. I'm building on a budget so I've decided to go with some new headers. Question is what are some recommendations? Do all SBC headers fit or do I need to find specific ones? long or short tube? I'm thinking of doing a 2.25 or 2.5 in exhaust.
Also I have an old style ignition system on it and i'd like to upgrade that as well.
Lastly, I already have an edelbrock torquer 2 intake manifold, will that work with my engine? Would I need to upgrade the carb as well?
I apologize for all the questions, i'm pretty new to all of this and I'd like to learn as I go. (truck is an 83 SWB c10)
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Headers for our trucks are cheap, if you want to lower the truck or not see them hang down you can use g-body headers I believe. As for the ignition the cheapest upgrade would probably be hei. The torker 2 is a single plane right? If so I would stay away from it unless your pushing big power, a dual plane intake for a truck to keep low end torque strong, a 4 barrel carb might be a good idea, but a 2 barrel will give you the best low end torque. Lastly a dual 2.25" exhaust is good for around 400hp and really anything bigger doesn't help a whole lot. 2.5" is the biggest I would run unless I was pushing serious power. Chris here sells a 2.5" exhaust kit with x-pipe if you're looking. Oh and usually long tube headers are most beneficial.
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Yup. Everything travisr1988 said.
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once you get all that done start messing around with timing. you can gain alot or lose alot depending on where the timing is set at
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Do any SBC headers work or do I need to find specific ones for my 307? I'm not at home right now, but do I just order HEI from like an , classic industries or Brothers trucks? Who is Chris with the exhaust kit and how much is it?
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Headers for SBC made for your truck will clear the frame and starter. You just need to decide what type you want, i.e. shorty's, long tube, flange type, finish, dia. etc. Upgrading the ignition system is a great idea. Sounds like you need to visit Summit Racing's website.
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Im in the same boat as you bud with my 79 c15. As stated above, I got her running pretty good, then from there tackle the small mechanical stuff here and there. My truck has very little rust and a good blue patina. I say unless you want a show truck, worry about the mechanical stuff, as that is fairly cheap and you can do it your self and look at the results along the way. I just sold my 61 Impala, that was a heck of a hot rod, but also cost way to much because I overdid it, and in the end sold it for a 1/3 of what I had in it. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless
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Yeah she runs and drives fine, but I'll start updating her as I go. Like when I need new brakes I'll do the rear disk conversion instead of just replacing the drums and shoes. Right now I think I'm just going to do exhaust, headers, intake, carb and install a hei.
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That will be a great start and make a big difference.
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Yeah I've been to summit and jegs. Problem is there are just a ton of options! I probably need to wait until I get some $$ set aside and then call to ask them what would work best. Just worried it's just someone answering the phone vs someone that actually knows what they're talking about.
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Awesome, now it's time to talk to the wife and see what's in the budget. Lol
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Awesome, now it's time to talk to the wife and see what's in the budget. Lol
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bad mistake lol.
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Hahaha well with five kids under 6, someone has to say no at some time! Lol
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apparently no one is, so that means yes ;D
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160929/70e78c903ed7c1347b43b3e90325b5e0.jpg)
I have this sitting on the shelf and my wife just gave me the go ahead for $200-$300 budget. What should I get first? I was informed this might be a little too much of an intake for what I'm trying to accomplish. What one should I get and what should I pair it with to stay on budget? Should I start with new hei first?
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im going to say cam. your carb should be good if its a 4 barrel. heads will be too much and with little engine work your exhaust should be good. i would wait till others chime in about the right cam you need cause im not really "experienced" in cams
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im going to say cam. your carb should be good if its a 4 barrel. heads will be too much and with little engine work your exhaust should be good. i would wait till others chime in about the right cam you need cause im not really "experienced" in cams
Carb looks to be original quadrajet.
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im going to say cam. your carb should be good if its a 4 barrel. heads will be too much and with little engine work your exhaust should be good. i would wait till others chime in about the right cam you need cause im not really "experienced" in cams
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160930/da4295b5df303620b0cca2e34fb9ad98.png)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160930/5a39325c03e3ebf73751e4b309cf1abe.png)
Found this
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750 is way too big for a 350 let alone a 307 unless you have major work done and turn 8k. you dont want to just pick out any cam and toss it in there. you want one that will complement your intake/exhaust manifolds. our trucks and big and heavy so you need torque, which is why most say "rv" cam. BD or one of those guys should be able to point you to the right cam.
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Alright, I'll keep looking then
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This is what I'm working with right now.
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and my wife just gave me the go ahead for $200-$300 budget.
Sounds like it's men's night out. Now did you tell her how much you were going to really spend? ;)
Def upgrade the ignition system first.
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and my wife just gave me the go ahead for $200-$300 budget.
Sounds like it's men's night out. Now did you tell her how much you were going to really spend? ;)
Def upgrade the ignition system first.
Hahaha
Yeah I'll get on the ignition first. Any suggestions?
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Yeah I'll get on the ignition first. Any suggestions?
Here's my recommendation. Let's see what others say.
Stick with the ACDelco HEI distributor. Pull it and make sure the bearing is OK. Put a new module in it because they get tired. Put a new coil in it because they get tired. You can use an Accel coil if you want. New cap and rotor. Again, you can use the Accel ones if you want. Put an AR23 vacuum can on it. (That's assuming the emissions controls are going bye-bye.) They can be hard to find. Here's the cross-reference:
ECHLIN VC1853
AIRTEX 4V1054
CARQUEST 57-7563
WELLS DV1853 <<-- There's one of these on Amazon for $20.
GM 19138053
GM 1973482
ACDelco D1321A
Put NAPA blue or (better) Taylor (74206) spark plug wires on it. Use ACDelco R45TS or Autolite 24 plugs gapped .045".
The Accel cap and rotor is Accel 8122. There are other colors.
The Accel coil is 140013.
That just probably ate up your budget for this round right there.
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I would recommend an MSD ignition and distributor. I know people who run the Summit Racing version which is just a lesser expensive version and they like it but I have never used them personally.
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I had a lot of bad luck with MSD in the latter part of the first decade of this millennium. I still use MSD in my race car, but it's the old one. Works perfect even though it's 20+ years old. I went through 4 6AL's in 08 alone an swore off of new MSD anything.
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My build was sort of like yours. I started with a 305 and collected parts until now I have a nice 400 installed.
I agree that the ignition should be high on the list. Points suck and you can use the new one on the new engine. I bought an Accel distributor. Nothing fancy but it's good quality at a good price.
Headers are a good choice. Nice bang for the buck plus you get to choose a nice new exhaust sound.
A Performer intake is a great choice and they are all over the place used and cheap. Don't be afraid of a Carter or Edlebrock carb. They're really good and again, a little less cash. Holley's get top dollar.