Hi everyone!

about 2 months ago, I finally got my baby shipped out to me in my new home of denver! after a year of holding it, I finally got the chance to put this sticker on back (my political convictions withholding, I love the period correctness).



I was driving it every day, which in mind was perfectly reasonable. in reality, I was dumping a dollop of gas into the intake every morning and constantly living in fear of stop and go traffic lest I be cursed with the pegging temp gauge. after a few breakdowns and a few roadside fixes, I broke down and got a daily driver.

While I am going to miss driving Clifford every morning, this means I can finally get down to business about what I would like to do to the old girl. As of right now, I have three big projects in my head that I would love advice on, but we'll get to that later.

Recently I wanted to get a baseline to see what the truck could do, so I cruised down to bandimere Speedway with one of my best friends to see what the truck would run. on a clear, 85 degree day, the truck went down the track at a BLISTERING 22.9 seconds at 59 mph. So it is official, the 300 straight six and C6 auto are turds, and 4.11s don't help with highway cruising, but I had a blast finding this out, and met a new buddy with a sweet 360 powered bumpside!




so my next three "winter projects" I want is in order of priority, start building an engine (325whp 351w or 302w) that will be mild mannered and streetable, swap the C6 for an AOD automatic, and swap the I-Beams for a set with disk brakes.

if anyone has any thoughts or tips or just their $.02, I would love to hear it!

from,

A young guy with an old (and slow) truck

 

If I was a young man starting over, I would look at a 2010 or newer engine-trans likely Ecoboost. Mainly because 10 years from now there will be huge changes in vehicle power and much farther from your current 50 year old setup.

You are likely thinking a front end swap too, so plan plan plan, don't jump into anything that you might regret later.


John

 

Thanks John,

I dream of doing an Ecoboost swap, I was talking with my buddy about that. I just can't afford the engine, transmission, it associated computers and running to make the puppy run!

I'm thinking of doing a junkyard build with a truck 351 bottom end, rpm performer intake, some kind of hydraulic roller cam and gt40 heads. I just need to figure out what pistons and cam I want to go with!

 

Yes sir and by the time you are through spending all the money on that project, you will have more money in it than getting a setup from a totaled truck.

That 6 banger will run that truck for the time needed to find and install the newer setup.

It's your call, but I suggested plan plan plan.



John

 

Everyone has an opinion and tax bracket, in my thoughts, I would run a 320/Aod and up grade the to p/s brakes, and front disc. It's slowly getting hard to find these items in my area, but available. I've run Fe and 351 series both have there strengh and weakness ie gas hogs. The 302 combo is on the money, if you want a better fuel also consider EFI. But more work to do. These old rides are great cruisers and fun to have. Additionally items like delay wipers are a great item of comfort as well. All easy task with alittle research to do. Again my thoughts aren't inline with all.

 

Hi Customcab,

I would definitely consider a 302. I'm trying to avoid EFI just because that adds the complexity of a computer, and I'd have to get the truck professionally tuned. I definitely want a Windsor, but I just don't know enough about the aod. I know my c6 can take a beating but I don't know what the stock power limits of an aod is.

It all depends on what kind of deal I can find at the local pick n pull. All I know right now is that I want some gt40 heads and I think a lunati voodoo hydraulic roller cam, and some 9.5:1 Keith black hypereutectic pistons. Probably going to stick with the stock truck crank and rods but I'll replace the bearings. I need to research rockers and springs and whether or not I can keep the stock valves from the gt40 heads.

I'm looking forward to this build though, I wish i could do an Ecoboost buy after all is said and done, that's like a 5 grand minimum swap. My budget is going to be closer to a 1000-1500.

I just want my truck to be able to do a burnout!