4 Of a kind! It only took four S10 Blazers to make one!

[tornadocaster]

Hello all.
Thought its time to give back.
7 years ago I moved from British Columba to Alberta. Not having many friends yet and facing the coldest winter I had ever experienced, I thought it was time to build a project. I always wanted a sleeper and one of my favorites was the s10 blazer 1st gen. I had just finishedf helping 2 restorations, the first a 66 GTO convertible and the second a 72 vette convertible. After hearing those old v8s I started getting the bug for a project of my own.
I found a Craigslist special 305 powered blazer which I was so exited to take home I didn't "notice" the rust along all the bottom half. But at least I had motor mounts and the headers and some decent rims.
As we got busier at work this sat in our yard for months, in the mean time I had found another blazer with a 4.3 and a shot transmission but a brand new interior. Parked that one in the yard. Soon after found a long bed s10 with a 350 and 700r tranny which was the combo that I was looking for. So now with 3 trucks I thought I had enough parts to build one. I started removing parts and stripping pieces and I cobbled together what was soon to be a complete blazer ready for an engine, lots of bodywork and paint. By now I knew my way around these trucks.
I Had found a hot rod mag article on a vortex headed $3000 x 400 hp SBC build. So I took the engine from the long bed, sent it out or machining and assembled all the parts I needed. A few YouTube videos and two books later i built my first engine. I was so afraid to start it thinking I screwed something up, it sat in my garage for another season. While I was doing the body work #4 cme into my life. So I stripped #3 and finally gave the engine a home.
Fast Forward to spring 2012 and the blazer came to life...

To be continued .
Cheers
Gio

[zamora7]

So where are ths pictures and videos?

[Doodler]

^^ This ^^

[tornadocaster]

On their way... last night I had no pics on the Ipad. Now I'm at the PC.

[tornadocaster]

This was #4. As you can see it was all pro-touring from here with the 22's. The good was the after I sold the rims the truck was free.
I don't have any particular orders of pictures but I will start with this. This is the only "before" shot I have. Not many "durings" either but a few of the semi-finished product to follow.
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[tornadocaster]

74183
First of all I found a picture of inspiration. I had just come back from a hill climb event in southern Italy and while doing research of where this kind of racing is done in Canada I found a few videos of this beast owned by Butch King. He built a brutal snarling blazer that won many of the events in his area. (youtube "butch king blazer")

[tornadocaster]

7418474185
I thought I had more pictures. I will check at home.
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

Here's a couple more...

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[snopro]

Nice little Blazer, I started a s10 blazer project but moved onto something else before I got the chance to finish it now I wish I did lol.

[dug]

Butchs blazer is badass! I like where yours is going.

[tornadocaster]

Winter in northern Alberta has been clawing into spring in a bad way so this winter I worked on having an organized garage, plumbed for air, ran lots of plugs everywhere and decorated it a bit. When that was done a couple of weeks ago I picked up a brand new weiand 142 supercharger and installed it. After re-learning how to stab a distributor, and getting the timing sort of right, I started it up and fell in love all over again. I should now be pushing around 500 hp at the crank.

Hey I can't close the hood:hammer:

All this magic... and I can't drive it anyway.
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[Todd in Vancouver]

I like this thread and story :cool:

Are you out of the deep freeze yet?

[tornadocaster]

Hello Todd
There's still the mountains of black snow around and the streets are always slick from the runoff but we can see grass. Glorious brown grass.
Today it rained a bit and it reminded me of my birthplace. Vancouver.
I miss it there and my mechanic Tony. I guess moving here forced me to learn how to wrench myself.
Just read your build and I feel your passion. You've got so much done and it looks like you're enjoying it. Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Gio

[snopro]

one thing that always bugged me about the s10's and my 88-98 half tons was that you can see like 2 1/2" of frame under the rocker they would look so much cleaner with a body drop or 2x3 tube chassis so that its tucked up underneath :)

[tornadocaster]

I know. Its so glaring. The body and frame aren't good enough to attempt either. I saw a thread of an s10 blazerbody drop on another site and holy sh%t it is a lot of work. For that amount of work I would tackle another project. Since I am in the sheet metal business I might try a custom metal skirt with built in exhaust (something like a can am racer) I think it would look ok and wouldnt be hard to mock up in painted cardboard at least to see if it looks good enough to commit to steel.
I finally got the courage to wreck one of three hoods. I cut out a template in the shape of the air cleaner and cut out the hole in the hood in the same shape.
So as it sits now I have to get used to it. I would like to do a stainless trim around it around 1 inch wide to both strengthen and keep a theme.
I will eventually like the exhaust to come thru the rear fender with the same steel trim around the exhaust tip.
Most importantly is in the next few days I need to take the truck out and get all that dust off of it.
Cheers
Gio

74210

[CruizinKev]

oh cool s10 looks good so far! nice motor!! :twothumbs

[Poopy]

Did that Butch guy swap out all the suspension for something else? Or is there stuff available for these trucks that works well?

[tornadocaster]

Butch king is like a 3-winged unicorn I hear. The truck in question ended up crashing. Rumor has it is he is rebuilding it. The little I could find is he built his own custom frame and suspension and a motor to match.
I kind of like the mystery of this as when I found the videos of this little truck, it got me motivated to start my project again. In another video i had found you only hear his voice as a co-driver helping a newb race the same course in his own vehicle. This guy knows his racing. At one time the only vehicle that ever beat the blazer was a real rally car. All this info which is easy to google is from 3rd parties. Seems legit.
In my mind anyway.
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

So I've been working on this trim ring to go around the hole or the air cleaner, one, for looks but also to strengthen the cutout. I will eventually run the exhaust thru matching trims. I like the rivet and aluminum look as I've done throughout my garage. Also if I strip the interior I will keep this theme of black, aluminum and rivets.
Cheers
Gio
75074

[XLexusTech]

I just watched those Videos man that hill climb stuff looks like fun... got to check it out.. Love the truck BTW

[snopro]

I like the hood pins and matching trim around the air cleaner and exhaust should look cool. I hear ya on the body drop being allot of work, who knows maybe down the road you might want to tackle something like that. The first time I had my truck together I didnt body drop it and I didnt like it so I pulled it apart again haha and it was all down hill from there, still havent driven the stupid thing since then but it should be worth it in the long run.

[tornadocaster]

Thats funny! thats why I don't want to go down that road. I dont want it to sit. I have all the parts I need to do a four link and new rear end but I'm always worried that I will start it and not finish it... Our winter's been so long I want to enjoy it.
I just got my membership for the Edmonton solo assn. which is in charge of the autocrossing out here. I actually started buying everything I needed to upgrade the front suspension.
I picked up spc upper a-arms, long balljoints, then I went to order the qa1 from summit and they f'd up the delivery date. I was really choked and then i thought autocrossing starts in a couple of weeks, it'll be cool to actually feel the difference before and after the install.
Gotta go!
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

I finally got the trim ring bolted down and now I love how it accentuates the engine sitting crooked in the engine bay.
I got it started up again and tomorrow will be the first drive this year and the first run with the supercharger.
Can't wait...
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75607

[tornadocaster]

Got my coilovers today. Thank you Matt!
I already have my upper A's. Tonight I am going to my orientation course with the Alberta Solo Club and Saturday I am doing my first run.
I just bought my helmet a couple of hours ago. I am stoked.
I waited too long to order my parts but after I realized that if I'm racing weekly I can put parts on as I go and see the improvement. I already have lowering springs and spindles but now with the coilovers and a-arms etc etc I should see a huge difference in handling.
Joining the autocross club was cool because I actually got questioned about putting the truck in an auto cross competition, as soon as I mentioned my intent and that I have a thread on this site.... Instant street cred... "welcome aboard"
I will keep you posted.

Cheers!
Gio
75899

[Tig]

Nice, I'm a big fan of 1st Gen S10 Blazers.
Awesome........................................... ...

[tornadocaster]

Thanks Tig!
I'm a bigger fan after this weekend. I went to my first autocross school here in Edmonton and I got to meet a guy name Nolan from Moretto Motorsports who has a 1991 GMC Syclone with a 427 LS. Holy **** is all we could say when the guy launched. He came in fourth by the end of the day in raw times. This truck would squat and launch and handle really well. The only thing he needs is lighter rims and better tires and he will be beating the AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis. Then there was my truck...
Everyone was all exited when they saw the little blazer with the blower until I got in it and ran the course.
I think my truck is magnetic to cones, and it repels the road course. The stance looks good on my truck so I think people expected a bit better. But once that syclone took to the course, all eyes were on it, because it had show and go.
I just need a few tweaks to make mine go. For starters it needs a real tuneup and timing.
A new rear end with posi
New rims
New tires
New coil overs
Rear four link
Ball joints
Etc.
I would like to do one of these by this weekend so Sunday I can try this again.

I will post some pics tomorrow.
Cheers!
Gio

[87camaroZ28]

I am so jealous right now....Improving your vehicle and having fun with it....Priceless. I have to wait a few more weeks before I am home able to work on my little project.

[jerome]

The blazer looks really good. What kind of finish is the front bumper and grill? Looks a little like raw metal, very nice combo with the body color.

Also do you have any info on the round headlight conversion?

Thanks,
Jerome

[monteboy84]

What are those hoodpins??

-matt

[jerome]

What are those hoodpins??

-matt

looks like aerocatch

[tornadocaster]

Hey guys thanks for the kind words. The paint on the bumpers is the industrial rust oleum spray bombs. The color is stainless steel and I got it from Fastenal. In fact after you spray it it leaves a really dusty metallic powder finish that you rub out and it really does look metallic.

The catches are from eBay. Here's the ad and it worked out really well. My measuring sucked and I had to do twice the work to make it fit. Just don't throw out the packaging as it is your template.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281077644315?item=281077644315&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OU:CA:3160&vxp=mtr

Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

Just started my suspension upgrades Sunday night and one of the upper a-arms was mislabled and didn't fit. So I went back to the store and got the right one (for the left side).
I started with the Viking coilover and it went quite smooth. Don't look at the rust as I want to shake the blazer down so I can go racing on the 9th.
I will clean it up this winter.
Cheers
Gio

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76719

[Tig]

Thanks Tig!
I'm a bigger fan after this weekend. I went to my first autocross school here in Edmonton and I got to meet a guy name Nolan from Moretto Motorsports who has a 1991 GMC Syclone with a 427 LS. Holy **** is all we could say when the guy launched. He came in fourth by the end of the day in raw times. This truck would squat and launch and handle really well. The only thing he needs is lighter rims and better tires and he will be beating the AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis. Then there was my truck...
Everyone was all exited when they saw the little blazer with the blower until I got in it and ran the course.
I think my truck is magnetic to cones, and it repels the road course. The stance looks good on my truck so I think people expected a bit better. But once that syclone took to the course, all eyes were on it, because it had show and go.
I just need a few tweaks to make mine go. For starters it needs a real tuneup and timing.
A new rear end with posi
New rims
New tires
New coil overs
Rear four link
Ball joints
Etc.
I would like to do one of these by this weekend so Sunday I can try this again.

I will post some pics tomorrow.
Cheers!
Gio

No problem man, I give credit where credit is due. And you my freind are doing an awesome job.
That must've been an amazing time. How often have you auto-x the Blazer before that time? It must've been fun regardless of how many cones you hit or how far off you ran.
Do you have any pics of his Sy? Did he keep his AWD? Ooopph, I'd sell my left testicle for a nice Sy both for a Ty :) .
I'd concentrate on that tune/timeing. Get that out of the way and go for a run. Then go down your list :)
Those aerocatch latches are sweet, they're on my list for my car.
It must handle better with that set up up front. It looks slick.
How'd it handle?
Awesome job man, keep it up.

[tornadocaster]

77036
77037
This beast is still AWD and when Nolan the owner gets some more seat time I don't doubt he'll have the fastest raw time.

http://s266.photobucket.com/user/10secTy/media/LS7%20Indy%20Syclone/MVI_1812_zps76916db0.mp4.html

[Tig]

Wow, he's rollin out fo sho. And AWD at that, insane. It sounds pretty good to.

Now, lets see yours in action :)
Any updates?

[rentedmule]

Thanks Tig!
I'm a bigger fan after this weekend. I went to my first autocross school here in Edmonton and I got to meet a guy name Nolan from Moretto Motorsports who has a 1991 GMC Syclone with a 427 LS. Holy **** is all we could say when the guy launched. He came in fourth by the end of the day in raw times. This truck would squat and launch and handle really well. The only thing he needs is lighter rims and better tires and he will be beating the AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis. Then there was my truck...
Everyone was all exited when they saw the little blazer with the blower until I got in it and ran the course.
I think my truck is magnetic to cones, and it repels the road course. The stance looks good on my truck so I think people expected a bit better. But once that syclone took to the course, all eyes were on it, because it had show and go.
I just need a few tweaks to make mine go. For starters it needs a real tuneup and timing.
A new rear end with posi
New rims
New tires
New coil overs
Rear four link
Ball joints
Etc.
I would like to do one of these by this weekend so Sunday I can try this again.

I will post some pics tomorrow.
Cheers!
Gio

Cool! I ran my truck with the ASA for about 3 years when I lived in Edmonton - they're a great group of guys. Are they still running events at Namao or have they shut down the runway to the public? I met Nolan a few times at the SyTy Nationals events. I've never had a chance to see his truck in person but I've been following the build on syty.net. 3 or 4 syclones/typhoons ran an auto-x event at the nationals one year but they looked like dumptrucks compared the vid of Nolan's sy!

[tornadocaster]

Hello Tyson
They lost Namao for this year because of budget cutbacks, but word on the street is everything should be back in place by next year. those guys are a fun group, I'm one of the new guys and all of them are really supportive and welcoming. I'm trying to get my suspension dialed in for this weekend. My wife is out of town so I just have to organize a sitter and I'm off to the races.
Cheers
Gio

[rentedmule]

They were super helpful in getting me into auto-X and teaching me what to do (on and off course). I think they got a kick out of having a truck around too, although by the time I left there were a few other S10s and a Tacoma x-runner regularly racing. Namao events are always fun since they can open up some sections and get the speeds up (100 km/h+). Say hi to Fernando for me if you make it to the event this weekend - if you haven't met him yet he's the guy with the boxy old black civic that burns a lot of oil and embarrasses cars with 4 times the horsepower!

[tornadocaster]

Hello Tyson
Fernando says hi and also his car doesn't smoke as much.
77295
I went today as a spectator only and it was fun to watch some cars I hadn't seen before. I am not a big fan of the nissan gtr but holy crap does it go!
Today's track was a 60 second one rather than a 50 and speeds were great.
Cheers
Gio

[rentedmule]

There was a GTR that was just starting to run regularly when I left. It always looked slow and then put down a really fast time - no drama.

[Tig]

Any updates?

I was out at our local farmers market and someone pulled out in a nice V8 s10, it wasnt a blazer but still nice.
I immediately thought of your build. Man, what I would do for a V8 2dr 2wd first gen s10 blazer.

[tornadocaster]

So the good news is I got the coilovers in and the uca's in all greased up and tech inspected ready for Saturdays autocross. Went for a drive first thing in the morning and hated the stance. 77366
The springs felt right where I wanted them in stiffness but because of this it raised the truck into 4x4 territory.
I hated the high centered-ness of the truck and I didn't have all day to be there so I went as a spectator.
I drove it hard there and back and liked what I felt. I went straight to the speed shop and ordered race wheels for it and then to summit.com to order the 3" lowered lca's which should be here this week. I went with 27x10.5x15's all around so I can rotate my tires and went with a shallow backspace so the tires stick out enough to warrant some bolt fender flares. I would like to eventually be streetfighter.com worthy.

Last night I got the blazer on jack stands and started plotting how to install my universal 4-link kit and decided I am not grinding sh*t off upside down or welding in that case so first thing this morning when I got to work, I started rearranging the storage areas so we can clear the old bay that we had set up for winter hot rod projects. We have a 4 post hoist that I am trying to get to, to tackle this project. I have to get this done because I can't wait to drive this truck the way it is meant to be driven and our summer is so short....
I will keep you informed!
Cheers
Gio

[TRUK]

hey, great read on your buildup, thanks for the hookup, this site is awesome! are you gonna be at the track this weekend?

[tornadocaster]

June 22 is the next one. I got my lower control arms from Summit today. Hopefully my wheels will show up so I can tune up the supension.
Make sure you come for that one.
Gio

[tornadocaster]

Got the passenger side in tonight.
77443
Wasn't too bad since I already went through the install of the coilovers last week so I kind of remembered all the fastener sizes.
Last week I shortened the link to the front sway bar and as you might see in this picture it doesnt line up any more.
So tomorrow I will try and move the sway bar forward around an inch and it should restore the geometry.
77444
Cheers!
Gio

[tornadocaster]

So I got the truck lowered.
77506
Lower than I want it which is fine as the adjuster to the coilovers is at it lowest.
I even cut the connectors to the sway bar so it sits more parallel.
I know that there shouldn't be any suspension parts lower than the wheel scrub line so I can't go for my 15" NASCAR style wheels...
But look at how low these stupid LCA's sit.
77507
Even if I raise the coilovers my ground clearance is horrible. I think I might have to go to 20" wheels.
The tires that are on there are about 2" too short so I know I will get some clearance when I buy the new tires and wheels.
It feels like two steps back.

I'll tackle it tomorrow.
Gio

[driveit]

Patiently awaiting new pics.

[Tig]

Wow, that's low, not only is it low but the those LCAs are stupid low to the ground.
I think you should've gone with the coils instead of the arms, even spindles or both.
That would have put you down safely and with enough ground clearance.

[tornadocaster]

Wow, that's low, not only is it low but the those LCAs are stupid low to the ground.
I think you should've gone with the coils instead of the arms, even spindles or both.
That would have put you down safely and with enough ground clearance.

Good morning. After sleeping on it I realized that I have every possible lowering trick on there. I tried the lowering springs but they were too soft and I really wanted the adjustability of the coilovers.
I think I read somewhere that you don't or can't use everything together. So today I'm going to dig up the stock spindles which should raise the LCA'S 2 inches plus the taller tire should put me in the safe zone

I'll let you know
Gio

[shizzy]

have you thought about going back to stock height lower arms and having the top spring mount in the frame modified to give you the 1-2" of drop?

[Tig]

Good morning. After sleeping on it I realized that I have every possible lowering trick on there. I tried the lowering springs but they were too soft and I really wanted the adjustability of the coilovers.
I think I read somewhere that you don't or can't use everything together. So today I'm going to dig up the stock spindles which should raise the LCA'S 2 inches plus the taller tire should put me in the safe zone

I'll let you know
Gio

Good morning.
I'm sorry, I completely forgot that you had coil-overs.
I agree 100%, having that adjustability is key for track use. Plus the smaller package will save you some weight to :)

You are correct, you cant use all of the components together. I believe you'll have alignment issues if I remember correctly. I went with spindles and coils or just coils on my previous vehicles. Shizzy also recommended another option.
The stockers should do the trick.
Cool, lookin forward to your updates.
Later
Sam

[SS PUNISHER]

You couldn't get a shorter spring with the same rate? ?

Kinda lame coil overs won't go lower than that. ..

[tornadocaster]

You couldn't get a shorter spring with the same rate? ?

Kinda lame coil overs won't go lower than that. ..
Nope. I asked. The springs aren't lame they're pretty impressive. What's lame is the geometry of the truck. To have coilovers, there is very little room in the spring pocket incorporated into the frame.
So you can put lowering springs but you have to relocate the shock which ends up getting in the way of steering. One thing that Viking recommended originally was a lighter spring so the weight of the front end would compress the spring a bit. I insisted that I wanted a stiff ride so that is where I started this suspension overhaul.
Later I'm going to go to my shop and sand blast the stock spindles and try to get them in tonight.
Cheers
Gio

[SS PUNISHER]

Nope. I asked. The springs aren't lame they're pretty impressive. What's lame is the geometry of the truck. To have coilovers, there is very little room in the spring pocket incorporated into the frame.
So you can put lowering springs but you have to relocate the shock which ends up getting in the way of steering. One thing that Viking recommended originally was a lighter spring so the weight of the front end would compress the spring a bit. I insisted that I wanted a stiff ride so that is where I started this suspension overhaul.
Later I'm going to go to my shop and sand blast the stock spindles and try to get them in tonight.
Cheers
Gio
Never said the Springs were lame, just too tall.... They should've gave you a shorter spring knowing you wanted a stiff spring and wanting a lower ride height. It's kinda pointless to have coil overs that you can't adjust any lower. Just my opinion. ..

[tornadocaster]

Never said the Springs were lame, just too tall.... They should've gave you a shorter spring knowing you wanted a stiff spring and wanting a lower ride height. It's kinda pointless to have coil overs that you can't adjust any lower. Just my opinion. ..
I see what you mean and I agree.
I just want this to work. I can't move on to the next project until I dial this in. Got some good news today (potentially good news)
I went to the last tire shop town that might know their domestic stuff where there was a parked 68 Camaro with American eagles 2 piece 18"/20" after hours. It happened to be the owners car and he is willing to sell them. There is nothing worse thn waiting for mail order for me. If they fit I will buy them.
But suspension first so I can leave my garage.
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

I think I got it...
I found a set of stock spindles and just got them installed. I got the lca's 3-5/8" off the ground so what this means is when I put in the 18's in the front, it will take care of the danger of the suspension bottoming out before the rims, so they will raise the clearance another inch.
I also installed urethane bushings in the front sway bar and they fit in the stock location. I may need to trim the bump stop depending on the travel.

77620
77621

Tomorrow I will get everything greased up and go for a spin.
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

Bought these off of the owner of King of Wheels here in Edmonton. They're 2-piece American Eagles. They only had 400-500 miles on them. Not as wide as I would have liked but I'm happy with the fit so far. I will fill you in later.
Cheers
Gio
77923

[SS PUNISHER]

Looks like you need to bring the front back down XD

Looks good though man. ..

[tornadocaster]

Looks like you need to bring the front back down XD

Looks good though man. ..

Thank you..
I've got no more travel in the coilovers. I don't know if I should put in the lowering spindles again. I have to look at the old pics. I just drove it around the block and the suspension feels good.
Cheers
Gio

[CruizinKev]

wow nice wheels! before I got my black wheels for my monte carlo I ordered your 2 piece american eagles but they were backordered like forever.. blazer looks good! needs little more lowering now! :twothumbs

[tornadocaster]

I think I'm out of options, I was going thru the post and if I go back to the lowering spindles I'm going to end up with no clearance under the LCA'S. I might have to bite the bullet and go to the 80s convertible Iroc springs and cut them down to he height I need and ditch the Viking coilover spring altogether.
Other than that all I can think of is cutting out the spring perch and the upper control arm mounting ears and add a couple of inches to the top of the frame.
Gio

[rentedmule]

I would get rid of those lower control arms long before the coilovers. The LCAs are always going to pose a clearance issue with the spring pocket that low. If you swap to a standard tubular LCA and drop spindles the coilovers will allow you to fine tune your ride height to get the stance you're after.

[SS PUNISHER]

I would get rid of those lower control arms long before the coilovers. The LCAs are always going to pose a clearance issue with the spring pocket that low. If you swap to a standard tubular LCA and drop spindles the coilovers will allow you to fine tune your ride height to get the stance you're after. the coil overs are already maxed out, can't go anywhere but up from there. ..

[FlyDoc]

why don't you do a Chanel?
how thick are you body bushings? you can lower you body down and still have some ground clearance. Leave the rear ones and use a large washer and some rubber from an inter tube so it does not squeak. that should get you about 1" at the front.

[Tig]

I'm curious if using a different brand coil-over with custom mounts would get you were you want to be.

[tornadocaster]

I'm going to go lie under the truck tonite and look at my options. There are some good ideas on here and if it doesn't make my air cleaner stick out too much I'm going to try that body mount trick.

Thanks guys!
Cheers
Gio

[tornadocaster]

So I went an did the 1" body drop... So far so good after all is said and done I got another 3/4 inch.
When I go and measure the right side I see I have a flat so I filler up. It starts pissing air out the back. I feel around and realize that after shaving down the bump stops (I thought the bump stops from the lca's would give me a backup to the steering bumpstops)' on a lock to lock the lip of the wheel touches the upper control arms and ruined the rim. Off to the repair shop tomorrow.
I'm almost done with this truck!
G
78027

[rentedmule]

It surprises me that you're having so much trouble getting the ride height you want. I run stock height spindles and Spohn LCAs with no lowering built into them and my truck is at least 3" lower than a stock s-series with a few inches of downward adjustment still left on my coilovers. I'm sure I could add 2" drop spindles with my current setup without any problems if I wanted it lower.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/06/888mounted2_zpsf7fc23a1-1.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/rentedmule/media/888mounted2_zpsf7fc23a1.jpg.html)

[tornadocaster]

Buddy I don't get it. This isn't the first s10 I've lowered. I really wanted to make it handle so I went all out with the upgrades. All the other lowered s10s it was spindles, belltech lowering springs and Iroc rims with spacers. Granted, it was all show and no go. It still handled like crap.
This blazer the little that I drove it with these upgrades handled awesome until I bent the rim.
I will get it done.
Cheers
Gio

[SS PUNISHER]

Call up Viking and see what they have to say. ..

[tornadocaster]

I called Viking and they did warn me before (and so did Matt) that the springs were meant for a big block so I am getting some 450lb ones which should drop it down a bit.
I took the wheel in today to get repaired and it will only take 3-4 weeks to get it fixed. I'm extatic to say the least.
Cheers
Bio

[Tig]

I'm almost done with this truck!
G

G
Don't give up so easily. I gave up and have regretted it ever since.
It sucks about your wheel, hopefully it wont be much to fix it. I'd throw some new body mounts in and go with the lower rate coils. See how that is and go from there. I think you may want to consider another brand coil-over, maybe a true coil-over with some new mounts. Another option may be to go with some custom made coils and some valved shocks made for the spring rate of the coils.
Its not just the coil, its the shock to. If they aren't matched its not going to handle well.

[tornadocaster]

G
Its not just the coil, its the shock to. If they aren't matched its not going to handle well.

This I didn't know. If the lighter spring doesn't work I was thinking of going with the moog Iroc convertible springs and using the same Viking shocks. In your opinion, if i were to use a traditional coilover would I have to rework the upper pocket where the spring goes now?
Gio

[Tig]

If you went with a traditional coil-over, the ones I've seen got creative and milled out new upper mounts.
Here are some images of the mounts that were made, or something similar to give you an idea.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/06/coilovermount_zps05d993a6-1.jpg (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/992dr/media/coilovermount_zps05d993a6.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/06/coilovermount2_zps3967ef6e-1.jpg (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/992dr/media/coilovermount2_zps3967ef6e.jpg.html)

The QA1 conversion is a 100% bolt-in system. It is also provided in the link below.

Here's a link for a pretty popular set up for First Gen S10s
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-2003-GM-S-10-2WD/Suspension/Tubular-Front-A-Arms-Accessories/Tubular-Front-Lower-A-Arms-Bushings-Coil-Over-Mount.html

Check this out, its just a little reading material. They seem to love them and how they handle. http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f178/q-2-which-qa1-coilovers-should-i-use-479965/

I hope this stuff helps :)

[rentedmule]

I run 450 lb springs on my qa1's. Your 1st gen is probably lighter than my second gen so even with the V8 they could be a good fit for your application. For what it's worth they've started creaking a lot lately because the lower coils are rubbing across on another - I suspect they may be too light for heavy auto-X use so I'm moving up to 550's.

I've heard that an issue with coil overs on our trucks is that there isn't a lot of room for suspension travel. IIRC, the ART lower control arms are designed to fit a longer coil over to help fix that.

[tornadocaster]

I run 450 lb springs on my qa1's. Your 1st gen is probably lighter than my second gen so even with the V8 they could be a good fit for your application. For what it's worth they've started creaking a lot lately because the lower coils are rubbing across on another - I suspect they may be too light for heavy auto-X use so I'm moving up to 550's.

I've heard that an issue with coil overs on our trucks is that there isn't a lot of room for suspension travel. IIRC, the ART lower control arms are designed to fit a longer coil over to help fix that.

I agree there isnt a lot of travel left with coilovers as most of the spring is inside the pocket.
I am going to move to the 450 lb for a try.. truck is out of commission for now as I only have the 1 set of wheels and 1 is in the shop.
have a great weekend all!
Gio

[TRUK]

I feel your pain, my friend. Should be driving this weekend myself, but another setback in my project. Maybe you can buy one wheel? Then you will have a spare that you could mount on your roof:)

[Tig]

How the Blazer coming along?
Have you had a chance for the wheel to get fixed?

In for updates :)

[tornadocaster]

Got my wheel back on Friday. I'm just waiting to cut and shorten my lower control arms. I have those 3" drop ones that I will make 1" drop out of and go back to the lowered spindles.
I've been swamped with a couple of renos and a big concrete pad between the house and garage. I can't wait to drive the blazer again so hopefully this week I will make it happen.
Cheers
Giovanni

[Tig]

That's cool, how'd the wheel turnout?
Are you doing the control arms yourself? It should be a good project.
Oohh, sounds like some you have some cool projects going on around the homestead :)
I'm back on the lookout for a 2dr 2wd first gen, man, they are hard to find.

Lookin forward to your updates.
Later

[tornadocaster]

Hey Tig
The wheel turned out great. The guys at Wheelworks in Edmonton are great. $200 for re and re and balance tire plus the repair. I think i will pay a bit more attention. To the spacing... Duh!
Ryer from this site is going to give it a once over as he has a sick setup on his blazer he did himself. I am feverishly trying to finish a house reno so I can kick back for the rest of the summer and also help finance my shenanigans.
It hurts to see all the other s10's blasting around here. There is a show and shine in a week at my local speedshop I don't want to miss its the second annual and they block off a whole block in the industrial area by my shop and they even use our parking.
I just need to hook up with my welder friend to customize the LCAs
I don't want to risk the cuts or the welds on something so important.
Good luck with your search. I wish I bought mine on the coast before I moved here. Way less rust.
Cheers
Gio

[Tig]

That's great, I've heard great things about wheelworks. I had considered them for widening an old set of wheels I had. $200, that's not bad at all.
Does Ryer have a build thread?
Hah, I hear that, my wife has a honey do list about 3 pages long. It seems to get longer by the day.
That is something I don't see around here, other s10s Blazers. I just went to a local Cars & Coffee Saturday, great turnout but zero blazers. Its mostly Mustangs, Vettes, BMWs, Porsches for the most part but have been getting a wider range of imports and other domestic hot rods.
If you were local I'd look into doing your control arms, being a weldor and all, hah.
Thanks man, I found one locally. Its a 350 w/5spd I think its a NV3500, that's from peaking up from underneath. It smokes and leaks but is complete, worst come to worst a new rebuilt sbc is around $600 to get me going and I can transfer everything over and go.
Hah, no kidding. You must get tons of snow. Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from Boston and have family in Bouctouche, NB. Down here in NC, the cars are in incredible condition. I have an 84 Corolla that has almost no rust. Southern cars are awesome, hah.

[rentedmule]

Ryer's name on the forum is bbcc - I don't think he has a build thread but his blazer is amazing. Great to hear the wheel turned out well. I had those same guys fix one of my C5 Z06 wheels about 5 years ago and it's still going strong.

[tornadocaster]

Thank you. I just spoke with Ryer this week and for the life of me, couldn't remember his name on here. Funny thing is I ran across his name and pics on this site and tracked him down with a pm. This was after meeting him at a local gas station and thinking I would run into him again
Gio

[tornadocaster]

Thank you. I just spoke with Ryer this week and for the life of me, couldn't remember his name on here. Funny thing is I ran across his name and pics on this site and tracked him down with a pm. This was after meeting him at a local gas station and thinking I would run into him again
HerE is the page link

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?92986-S10-roll-call-bring-pics!&highlight=Bbcc

Scroll down a bit,and look for SSBC

Cheers
Gio

[Tig]

Hey Gio, any updates on the blazer?

[tornadocaster]

108635Hey Tig
It's been a while... I ended up selling the blazer.
Since the auto crossing group I belonged to moved to a legitimate track (castrol raceway) they weren't allowing trucks anywhere except the quarter mile track.
Also my last straw was one night I took my little boy out drifting and some spirited driving, after a set of tires (now mind you we were having a blast) we smelled like gasoline and burnt rubber, plus i realized this vehicle was too much for a "fun car" to enjoy with the family. My 12 and 13 yr old and my wife would rarely want to drive with me. So in two days I sold it.
Two days later (May 2014) I bought my wife a beat up 1980 Alfa Romeo spider. In 4 months I restored it and enjoyed it for the rest of the short summer we had..

On the flip side, I've just made a deal on an aluminum ls block which I should have in a week and start planning my next pro touring car.
Sounds nuts but I want to put the ls into another Alfa. Nobody's done it so I'll keep the forum informed.
Cheers
Giovanni

[dgrown]

cool little car nice to see another northern Alberta protouring fan

[Tig]

Hey Gio,

It certainly has been a loooong time. How have you been?
I'm sad and happy for yah, haha.
The new ride will be a blast, especially with an aluminum LS motor.
Did you find one in decent shape?
Are you going to start a build thread?

My wife never liked the S10 Blazer, after months of looking and finally finding one. I was going to buy it and she said "no, I hate them". We chatted about it for a while and went through a list of vehicles I'd like to build and it came down to a 67-72 C10. So, now I'm on the hunt for a one. Every time I find one, by the time I call. Its gone. In due time I guess. Just moved so I'm in no rush to fill the garage, yet ;) .

Looking forward to your updates on the Alfa

Later
Sam

[tornadocaster]

Hello Sam
Haven't been on this site in a while. I'm piecing together everything that I need. So far 1983 Alfa Romeo spider, 1998 5.7 ls6, t10 transmission, harness and EDM, race seats, fuel cell, battery box, full suspension and brake upgrade, steel chrome rimmed wheels with the vintage Alfa sombrero hubcaps.
I will be converting the brake and clutch pedals to a race setup either on the floor or remote hanging pedals. Also I will be changing from a steering box to a manual rack and pinion.
Too bad you weren't closer to alberta. There's quite a few c10's in good shape as this province has a lot of pick ups. They used to call them prairie Cadillacs. I don't have,any pics as I'm very impatient when it comes time to getting things done. Always in a rush. I restored 2 old Vespa scooters and now a 1946 Magneet road bicycle for my wife.
I'll get some pics tomorrow.
Cheers
Giovanni