Ackattack
03-23-2010, 07:06 AM
Is my truck really pro-touring? Wanted your opinion.
In the beginning I set off to make a pro-touring 68 C-10 (I chose the pickup over a 68 Camaro btw). Over the course of 2-1/2 years of working on it, money got in the way of going all out. But here is the basics:
Front suspension: stock a-arms, air bags, performance shocks, drop spindles, 1-1/4" sway bar
Rear suspension: stock trailing arm suspension (aka truck arms) with poly bushings, drop blocks, air bags, performance shocks, 4th gen camaro sway bar, shock relocation brackets, full width panhard bar.
Front brakes: stock diameter drilled/slotted rotors with dual piston aluminum calipers (over the "stock" single piston cast iron units).
Rear brakes: stock diameter Impala SS rotors with LT1 F-body calipers with Hawk HPS pads
engine/drivetrain: internally stock '05 5.3L with headers, 2-1/2" Pypes exahust (with X-pipe), F-body 4L60E, truck 12 bolt with 4.10 gears and Eaton Posi.
Wheels: 20x8.5 with 255/40/20 front and 20x10 with 315/35/20 rear. Rear wheel wells tubbed to make them fit
Interior: will have Old Air underdash A/C, modest radio, sound deadener, Autometer guages. Newer GM truck seats with integrated 3 pt belts. Cruise control.
Others: battery relocated to the back of the bed, 4th gen fuel tank under the bed.
Body mods: Shaved drip rail, side marker lights, stake pockets, trim, emblems (except front bowtie), headlights with integrated LED blinkers, upper grill filler in lower position to remove blinker, smooth cowl, hard flush toneau cover.
My thoughts any ways: I think it's PT. I used a lot of stock parts from more modern GM vehicles to make the truck compare to todays trucks. My ultimate goal is to be able to outperform a stock Ford Lightning (early 2000s). Right now I think I'm a little lacking in the power department to get that done, but I think a cam and a converter and I'll be there. I think that if I would have went with a 6 speed manual it would have been more PT, but for drag racing and general cruising the auto will be nice. Plus to get the shifter at the right height for the truck, it would not be a real short shifter. Additionally, I have buddy buckets so my son can ride with me in the middle and shifting would be a PITA.
If money were no object I'd have an aftermarket front suspension that had better geometry and bigger brakes. I'd also have a rebuilt engine and transmission already (next winters projects)
So what do the Pro-touring experts think?
In the beginning I set off to make a pro-touring 68 C-10 (I chose the pickup over a 68 Camaro btw). Over the course of 2-1/2 years of working on it, money got in the way of going all out. But here is the basics:
Front suspension: stock a-arms, air bags, performance shocks, drop spindles, 1-1/4" sway bar
Rear suspension: stock trailing arm suspension (aka truck arms) with poly bushings, drop blocks, air bags, performance shocks, 4th gen camaro sway bar, shock relocation brackets, full width panhard bar.
Front brakes: stock diameter drilled/slotted rotors with dual piston aluminum calipers (over the "stock" single piston cast iron units).
Rear brakes: stock diameter Impala SS rotors with LT1 F-body calipers with Hawk HPS pads
engine/drivetrain: internally stock '05 5.3L with headers, 2-1/2" Pypes exahust (with X-pipe), F-body 4L60E, truck 12 bolt with 4.10 gears and Eaton Posi.
Wheels: 20x8.5 with 255/40/20 front and 20x10 with 315/35/20 rear. Rear wheel wells tubbed to make them fit
Interior: will have Old Air underdash A/C, modest radio, sound deadener, Autometer guages. Newer GM truck seats with integrated 3 pt belts. Cruise control.
Others: battery relocated to the back of the bed, 4th gen fuel tank under the bed.
Body mods: Shaved drip rail, side marker lights, stake pockets, trim, emblems (except front bowtie), headlights with integrated LED blinkers, upper grill filler in lower position to remove blinker, smooth cowl, hard flush toneau cover.
My thoughts any ways: I think it's PT. I used a lot of stock parts from more modern GM vehicles to make the truck compare to todays trucks. My ultimate goal is to be able to outperform a stock Ford Lightning (early 2000s). Right now I think I'm a little lacking in the power department to get that done, but I think a cam and a converter and I'll be there. I think that if I would have went with a 6 speed manual it would have been more PT, but for drag racing and general cruising the auto will be nice. Plus to get the shifter at the right height for the truck, it would not be a real short shifter. Additionally, I have buddy buckets so my son can ride with me in the middle and shifting would be a PITA.
If money were no object I'd have an aftermarket front suspension that had better geometry and bigger brakes. I'd also have a rebuilt engine and transmission already (next winters projects)
So what do the Pro-touring experts think?