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dahspeers
04-20-2015, 11:13 AM
Well. I've been creeping on here for a while and finally decided I should sign up and start a build thread.

The truck is my 2006 Silverado shorty. It's gone through quite a few changes since it rolled out of the factory on June 6, 2006 (6/6/06, kind of a cool build date).

It started as just a bare bones point A to B work truck. It's only options were A/C, CD player, and the G80 limited slip diff. No power windows, locks or anything. And just the 4.3 V6 with the NV3500 5speed.

I drove it stock for a couple years, mostly because I didn't have the cash to do anything. Then slowly it started getting it's mods. First major thing was a McGaughy's 2/4 drop with spindles up front and shackles and hangers out back. With 275/60/17's on some wheels I got from an Avalanche.

Then it was time go faster. I sprayed the 4.3 with a 150 shot of nitrous, and it was still lame. I did this to get by and have a little fun while I was piecing everything together for the V8 swap, now on to that V8 swap. I built a 5.3, with 4.8 pistons (flat top vs. the 5.3's dished), Patriot Stage 2 LS6 heads, and a custom ground cam from EPS that spec'd out at 222/226 @ .050 .598 on a 111LSA. It has a real rowdy idle, tabletop flat torque curve and power peaks just above 6000rpm. And I kept the nitrous setup, only switched from a nozzle over to a plate. Jetted for a 200ish shot. All the tuning was handled by Casey Rance at SWG Performance out of Temple, Texas. Casey got this running with e-mails back and forth and even at 2 in the morning would pick up his phone and call me if I needed help. I then got it dialed in on the dyno by Champion Motorsports in Toronto.

Through the 5speed final power numbers were 446/406 on motor. Never sprayed it on the dyno.

Anyway at the time, and up until recently this was going to be a drag truck build, I was going to build it to run low 10's, maybe even high 9's. But the more I drive it, and the more I think about it the less I like that idea. It's not near as fun. Which has what led me to this site. I want something that'll fly down the highway at 140mph, comfortably, quietly and confidently. I want it to be capable on twisty old back roads (which it currently does OKAY on, but the ass end is jumpy as hell) and of course work good on a drag strip. Just a nice all around, mean everywhere, make you giggle like a child, kind of truck.

So my plans are,

Suspension

It's going lower, it's on a 2/4 drop now, I'd like it to sit around a 4/6 so it'll get,

Ridetech coilovers in the front, with an 850# spring.
Ridetech bolt-in 4 link in the rear, again with their coilovers, undecided on a spring likely around a 250#
And the biggest sway bar in the front I can find

Brakes

Brakes will be all factory based, no Wilwoods, or Brembo. Just for ease of replacement parts. The 05+ trucks already have huge front brakes in the front, but switched back to drums in the rear. Great for a drag truck, because I could run a 15" rim in the back. But for this plan B, drums suck. So in the rear, I'm going to switch to SUV discs, gives me two piston calipers. I plan on EBC pads and stock ACDelco rotors, with stainless flex lines. Also converting to a hydroboost setup out of a 3/4 ton truck. I've driven a truck setup like this and it will put you through the windshield.

Wheels & Tires

The truck currently sits on Silverado SS 20's and 275/55's. For the time being, I just want to find a nice 275/45 and powdercoat the wheels a dark bronze colour. Long term, I'd like to find some nice light 20x10's and move up to a 295 series tire with a 28" overall diameter.

Engine and Drivetrain

Keeping my little 5.3, but adding a 78mm turbo setup. Going for about 700rwhp.

The transmission will be a Turbo 400, with a transbrake and reverse manual valvebody with a Gear Vendors unit eventually. This setup is cheaper, and lighter than a 4L80e. Also keeps me from adding all the wiring to run the 80e that my truck doesn't have being a 5speed truck.
I would've gone T-56 but I know guys who have done the T-56, and with big power in the trucks, they just don't work well.

The rear end will stay the stock 10 bolt, with 3.73s and a Detroit Tru Trac and Moser axles.

The entire truck is going to have an airplane theme. P-51 on wheels. I'm a bush pilot by trade and have grown quite fond of covered rocker switches, and riveted aluminum, and the no-frills pure business look.

And what's a build thread without pictures, so:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/0BAEFF5FEBA1477B894CD977308E9A5319055000-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/sleeper1500/media/0BAEFF5F-EBA1-477B-894C-D977308E9A53-19055-00000630918B3CBD_zpsc77e822f.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/20120611092508-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/sleeper1500/media/2012-06-11092508.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/20110810171225-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/sleeper1500/media/2011-08-10171225.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_1512-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/sleeper1500/media/IMG_1512.jpg.html)

mikewoods
04-20-2015, 12:05 PM
Sounds like a well thought out build. Can't wait to see the progress!

bovey
04-20-2015, 03:13 PM
Fun truck. Looking forward to following along.

FYI - I put over 600HP (NA) through a box stock t56 Magnum in a heavy 'caged... fire system... FIA spec everything else... 4400lb long bed GMC with zero issues. The clutch is key, I use a Spec 3+, but many others here have great luck with other manufactures as well. You'll smile every time you shift with a stick - and that's a lot of smiles with a 6 speed.

Also, if you plan of building the truck to run - you may want to rethink the 20s and go with something smaller and less rotational weight. That being said, those are my favourite late model stock GM wheels.

dahspeers
04-21-2015, 04:18 AM
Thanks guys, hopefully it turns out as good as it is in my head. And bovey, your Targa Truck is one of the biggest reasons I switched from building a drag truck to a tourer. I want to get out and try some autocross with it this year, maybe see you out there.

dahspeers
04-22-2015, 03:39 AM
Well, local guy just became a dealer for Procharger and wants to use my truck as a demo vehicle. So we'll see how this pans out. Always did like the sound of a Procharger whine.

Badasschevillac
12-21-2015, 05:06 AM
Will definitely be following this as I am doing similar build

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