Newbie With a Truck [Archive]

HectorM52

09-24-2007, 05:11 PM

I know, you guys don't normally think of a "truck" as a pro-tourer, but hopefully I can change your minds by showing you a decent piece of equipment...

It's an '85 S10 with an LT1 & T56. I yanked the motor & tranny from my old '95 Z28 that I put into the side of an old Cougar!! And I'll spare you the buildup details, as it's been a trek for the last 7 years.

Anyway, I'm kind of at a turning-point in my relationship with this truck. And I've seriously contemplated getting rid of it at times. But, as many of you guys know, I've sunk WAAAAAY too much money into a vehicle that's not worth very much money. So I let it sit in the garage to give me a chance to think about things. Then I found this site! Which has given me a renewed spirit and a new direction to take this truck...

I've always wanted to make it a "driver" and have put some money towards that status. Such as lowering it, poly bushings all around, bigger brakes (with intentions of going bigger), and nice and wide wheels/tires.

Hopefully with you guys' help, I can turn this thing into a corner-carver and head up to Road Atlanta and try to have some fun with all you guys!!

Here it is...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/IMG_1373sized-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/IMG_1383sized-1.jpg

Any other trucks on this site?

Ralph LoGrasso

09-24-2007, 05:26 PM

Welcome to the site. Nice truck, the 4th gen SS wheels look great.

lower90xcab

09-24-2007, 06:31 PM

both bad94 and i are on here..welcome to the board...

syborg tt

09-25-2007, 06:57 AM

i've alway's loved the look of your truck.

I think converting it to pro-touring is way cool and you will have a blast driving it when it's complete.

70TWO NOVA

09-25-2007, 09:17 AM

Sick wheels!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

HectorM52

09-25-2007, 03:31 PM

Thanks guys. I love those wheels too! They look great on a multitude of vehicles...

Scott & Marty, glad to see you guys on here. I've seen bad94 post once or twice too. Oh yeah, Marty, that compliment coming from you means a lot. Your truck truly is an inspiration.

As far as the site goes, I've been enjoying looking through everyone's threads on here. Been trying to learn everything I can. It really is an awesome place and I look forward to taking on some new projects!!!

extreme396

09-26-2007, 01:19 PM

Nice ride Hector!!! It's great to see another LT1 S-10. I'm hoping to have pictures of mine up soon...all the pics I have are TOO BIG. Let me know if you need any help.

HectorM52

09-26-2007, 01:57 PM

Nice ride Hector!!! It's great to see another LT1 S-10. I'm hoping to have pictures of mine up soon...all the pics I have are TOO BIG. Let me know if you need any help.
Come on now, even Microsoft Paint has a function where you can shrink picture sizes!!

Get those pics up!

lower90xcab

09-26-2007, 06:14 PM

Nice ride Hector!!! It's great to see another LT1 S-10. I'm hoping to have pictures of mine up soon...all the pics I have are TOO BIG. Let me know if you need any help.

that makes 3 of us with LT1 s-10....im hoping to finish mine up this winter....

strokedelky

09-26-2007, 09:06 PM

I like it! Clean and simple.

Darren

extreme396

09-28-2007, 05:35 PM

OK....Let's see if this works????

I'll take some new engine pics and post those soon.

HectorM52

09-28-2007, 06:00 PM

Looks nice!!!

My suggestions would be the following: debadge it, add clear corner lenses & step shavers!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/s_10_006sized-1.jpg

extreme396

09-28-2007, 06:17 PM

HectorM52

09-29-2007, 04:27 PM

Like I said, just MY opinion. It looks MEAN just like it is.

What's up with the Opti?

ullose2

09-29-2007, 09:57 PM

Those S-10s are frikkin awesome. How much do they weigh, and do they hook up ok with the LT1s. BTW there was an extended cab sonoma that kicked tail at the auto crosses at 411. I dont know what mods he has. I think it was still V6, but not sure.

Heath

ZZ4Blazer

09-30-2007, 04:24 AM

Yep, theres a few of us around with V8's that arent all into drag racing. ;)

Glad to see you made it over. Since everyone else was...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

extreme396

09-30-2007, 07:17 AM

Thumbs way up ZZ4. Fuel injected? I'd like mine to sit like that in the back...pinion angle would be off. What size tires and wheels are you runnin'?

HectorM52

09-30-2007, 08:20 AM

Yep, theres a few of us around with V8's that arent all into drag racing. ;)

Glad to see you made it over. Since everyone else was...

Thanks Jim. I've sort of been following in your footsteps for the past year or so, it seems. Love what you've done to the truck. It's lookin AWESOME.

I'll probably have to PM you later about your front suspension setup too.

Later,
Adam

ZZ4Blazer

09-30-2007, 01:58 PM

Unfortunately not. Lately Im finding the downfalls of a carb. Eventually, Im gonna have to step up to some kinda mpfi. My holley will not keep up in the corners nor stay running if Im trying to put the binders on. Working on a blow through turbo system now. Hopefully it wont be any worse. iI thats the case I'll use the more power to just drive around it. :)

That 396 sounds f3cking nasty!! Sounds like its built for nitrous. Especially picking up 151 horses at the wheels on 100 shot. I think you would really dig those step shavers. Looks really hot with a set of wide wheels like your running because they accent the bed.

Anywho, yeah pinion was off, just needed to shim the rear. I think I might still be 1/2 a degree off still, but no problems yet. Driveline's smooth as far as I've pushed it (145)

Wheels are 18x8-10 bonspeeds with BFG KDW 255/35 and BFG drag radials 315/30

carson

09-30-2007, 04:27 PM

Another LT1 S-10(well actually Sonoma) checking in.

HectorM52

09-30-2007, 04:31 PM

Another LT1 S-10(well actually Sonoma) checking in.
Is Cameron, TX near Dallas? There are a couple more guys over there with LT1 S10's. One's named Troy and one is Fannon. You heard of those guys?

Do you need a set of 98+ Blazer brakes? I'm trying to get rid of the set along with some Belltech drop spindles.

Anyway, post up some pics of the truck. If you don't have a place to post them on the net, let me know and I'll host them for you.

Bad94

09-30-2007, 04:47 PM

syborg tt

09-30-2007, 06:56 PM

man you stink now i want to build a 2nd gen

Yep, theres a few of us around with V8's that arent all into drag racing. ;)

Glad to see you made it over. Since everyone else was...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Q ship

09-30-2007, 09:19 PM

It's funny Adam, you found this site about the time I found SSF. The truck looks great,as do all the trucks pictured. I don't have any pics of mine right now, it's not very PT anyways.

It isn't a S-10, but here's a link to a road race build up on a Ranger that might be interesting. http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32149

This is my addiction now.....

extreme396

10-01-2007, 05:38 AM

If anyone is interested. Troy (near Dallas) has his LT1 S10 for sale and it's one bad ride! Here is the link: www.slammed98gmc.com/

carson

10-01-2007, 03:14 PM

Is Cameron, TX near Dallas? There are a couple more guys over there with LT1 S10's. One's named Troy and one is Fannon. You heard of those guys?

Do you need a set of 98+ Blazer brakes? I'm trying to get rid of the set along with some Belltech drop spindles.

Anyway, post up some pics of the truck. If you don't have a place to post them on the net, let me know and I'll host them for you.

Yeah, I know about them. I post as ghettocruiser on SSF.

HectorM52

10-01-2007, 03:31 PM

Yeah, I know about them. I post as ghettocruiser on SSF.
Oh, aight! Didn't realize that. Nevermind then!

cdjohns

10-03-2007, 12:05 PM

HectorM52, man your S-10 is real nice! it is real clean and well done. i am all for you going pro-touring with it. i had a 98 s-10 ext.cab that i was headed in this direction with, but i'm in college and i had put alot of hard miles on the 4.3 and it got unreliable and my parents forced me to sell it. before i bought my 92 GT that i have now i had a G6, which sucked! so i'm slowly modding what i have now, but after seeing yours and these other guys, which are all freakin awesome, i believe when i get out this next year i'm going to have to get me another S-10 and go from there with it.:headbang:

Chris

cdjohns

10-03-2007, 01:01 PM

also, ZZ4Blazer what all do you have done to your S-10 suspension wise? i am very interested in what could be done to make it handle alot better. also, what kind of brakes do you have? size?

Thanks, Chris

ZZ4Blazer

10-03-2007, 01:17 PM

The rear is just regular lowering stuff for now. Belltech leafs, 3" blocks, hotchkis way bar, and the 3rd shock on the axle. Rear brakes are 12" LS1 f-body discs. Soon to upgrade to match the fronts. Hydra tech booster assists in braking as well.

Front suspension consists of:
ATS tall spindle
QA1 double adjustable coilovers w/600 lb coil
Hotchkis G-body upper control arm
matching from hotchkis sway bar
ART shockwave LCA designed for their shockwave (airbag coilover)

The ATS spindles use C5 brake mounts. So any C5/C6 brake set up is a direct bolt on. Including any c5 aftermarket set up. Im currently running the 14" C6 Z06 set up. Largest, cheapest set up IMO. I know the serious Z06 guys upgrade the brakes with stoptechs or something more hardcore, but I know that the 6 piston mono block calipers will be enough for anything that Im gonna do with this truck.

I think I have about $1700 into the complete brake set up, and the ATS spindles and steering arms.

cdjohns

10-03-2007, 05:52 PM

DAMN! you have some serious stuff in the front! thats so awesome though. and its not really poket breaking expensive. so you have the QA1's with the ART LCA's? you aren't using the shockwave correct? so how much do those spindles run though? every corvette part i've ever seen has what we like call a corvette tax on it and its way more expensive than most other parts. my best friend and roommate has a C6 so we are always comparing costs. lol.

Thanks, Chris

ZZ4Blazer

10-03-2007, 06:04 PM

Including the steering arms(have to purchase seperately, but since they arent cast as part of the spindle, they positioned them to rid the suspension of any bumpsteer at all), they were right around $900.

They do include factory C5 wheel hubs installed though. And you know they are a bit pricey themselfs.

You can check them out at t56kit.com of course they're under suspension.
I got the calipers and rotors from gmpartsdirect.com. They do rape you on shipping, but still dramatically cheaper than the dealer. Got the brake pads from tirerack.com. Lot cheaper than factory pads.

No, no shockwaves. QA1 double adjustable coilover. Works with the art lca just like their shockwaves would. They are pretty beefy, but only 3 lbs lighter than stock each.

syborg tt

10-04-2007, 06:25 AM

Okay you've got me thinking.

Is the G-Body upper Arm different then the s-10 upper arm ?

I would love to have these spindles on my truck

Front suspension consists of:
ATS tall spindle
QA1 double adjustable coilovers w/600 lb coil
Hotchkis G-body upper control arm
matching from hotchkis sway bar
ART shockwave LCA designed for their shockwave (airbag coilover)

The ATS spindles use C5 brake mounts. So any C5/C6 brake set up is a direct bolt on. Including any c5 aftermarket set up. Im currently running the 14" C6 Z06 set up. Largest, cheapest set up IMO. I know the serious Z06 guys upgrade the brakes with stoptechs or something more hardcore, but I know that the 6 piston mono block calipers will be enough for anything that Im gonna do with this truck.

I think I have about $1700 into the complete brake set up, and the ATS spindles and steering arms.

HectorM52

10-04-2007, 07:08 AM

Okay you've got me thinking.

Is the G-Body upper Arm different then the s-10 upper arm ?

I would love to have these spindles on my truck
From what I've learned, the UCA is not different. But the LCA is different.

There are apparently some manufacturers out there that are making "better" UCA's for G-Bodies which we can use. For instance, I am using a tubular arm with the OEM design. However, Hotchkis & Global West have developed an arm that works better than the stock arms. I'm pretty sure they all work with our stock spindles, but the Hotchkis & GW will "excel" when used in conjunction with a taller spindle (AFX or B-body).

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Bad94

10-04-2007, 07:44 AM

Okay you've got me thinking.

Is the G-Body upper Arm different then the s-10 upper arm ?

I would love to have these spindles on my truck

You have to change one of the lower bushings. I know someone who just ran into this a few weeks back.

ZZ4Blazer

10-04-2007, 12:22 PM

To use the tall spindles, you just need to use a corresponding upper arm. They are different from stock, usually being shorter. Most of them specify if they are for a tall spindle swap or not.

syborg tt

10-05-2007, 08:36 AM

Yep that's what i thought. Maybe my next project will have ATS Spindles.

To use the tall spindles, you just need to use a corresponding upper arm. They are different from stock, usually being shorter. Most of them specify if they are for a tall spindle swap or not.

HectorM52

03-04-2008, 04:34 PM

I'm gonna stick with the way GM made it...I was going to put a step shaver kit on it but my battery is located behind the passenger rear wheel. Maybe the clear corner lenses?????? Rght now I have to deal with a faulty opti...go figure
You selling that thing????

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HectorM52

03-04-2008, 04:34 PM

Yeah, I know about them. I post as ghettocruiser on SSF.
Are you still alive? How's the truck coming?

syborg tt

03-04-2008, 06:26 PM

You selling that thing????

EBAY AD (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330209743232&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us)

man that is a beautiful truck

carson

05-15-2008, 06:49 AM

Are you still alive? How's the truck coming?

Yeah, I just haven't been around this site in a while. The truck is progressing very slowly due to going back to school, and still working as many hours as possible. The big project now is figuring out how to stop the tires from rubbing on all four corners. And then I start on the Camaro again, for about the fouth time.