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My name is Lonnie! I'm from Michigan/Massachusetts, 20 years old, and living my dream. I'm currently in the middle of building a 1986 Chevy C10. Story is my dad bought this truck 5 or so years ago from a local circle track guy in Massachusetts. It was originally a V6/4 speed manual. It was then converted to a BBC. It stayed like that until my dad bought it. He bought it as a roller with the hopes of putting another big block in it. He's been rather busy and hasn't touched it since the day it got rolled into its spot in the drive way. I decided I wanted a winter project in October. Planned out a motor and drivetrain and I started looking for an S10. Went and looked at a few and in typical Michigan fashion they were rotted to hell. After looking for a few my dad asked if I wanted a full sized truck. I said no at first, wanting something small and light. So I kept looking, until I was discussing the build with my dad on the phone one night. He asked again if I wanted a full sized truck. So I gave in and asked why what do you have in mind. That's when he told me he would give me the C10. I thought about it and told him I'd give him 500 for it but, he refused. We started brain storming about it and thats when it all started.
Here she is
As you can see my Z28 is on the side of the C10. She's next!
I had a motor planned out. It all came from the 06 TBSS I had. I wanted that twin but iron with a carb. I also wanted nitrous, reason being was its the only power adder I haven't really been around.
So, this is what I ended up with
Currently collecting some more driveline parts. Hopefully, the deal I have going on this T56 doesn't fall through. I don't get much time to work on anything during the summer. I work on a top fuel team and I'm constantly on the road. That's why I'm located in Michigan(race shop) and the truck is in Massachusetts(home). I'll get to work on during the holidays with my dad. Only good part is, I collect a ton of parts while I can't work on it. So, once I get to work on it, I have everything I need.
Lonnie, I love your project. Everything just looks awesome you got there bro. What I like even more about the truck it's a step side. I plan on putting a LS in a C10 73-79 step side after I finish my Camaro. I'm just partial to the to round headlights but that's me LOL. What mufflers you go run ?
Lonnie, I love your project. Everything just looks awesome you got there bro. What I like even more about the truck it's a step side. I plan on putting a LS in a C10 73-79 step side after I finish my Camaro. I'm just partial to the to round headlights but that's me LOL. What mufflers you go run ?
I have Dynomax Super Turbos. Its gonna be long tubes, cutouts, x pipe, and then Super Turbos that dump before the axle. If its not quiet enough I will add Dynomax Bullets. I want it to be a super quiet sleeper and then, I want the other guy to realize how bad he f'ed up when the cutouts are open.
I've paid for 3/4 of a TDP T56 from another member on here. The rest of the money is being transferred, should have it by Thursday. That was a large piece of the puzzle. Only big pieces left are the headers, drive shaft, and 9 inch rear. Smaller things are tranny cross member, gas tank, and wheels.
Man you're gonna need 4.88 or 5.13 gears to make 6th even usable. I was gonna put a T56 in my 87 and even had the trans, shifter, pedal, etc all ready to go. After doing the math, the t56 with the gears was gonna be a nightmare. Plus you can't tow much and I used my hitch often. I went with a built/stalled trans. BEST money I've ever spent on that truck
What headers you go use ? Just asking cause I heard f-body headers would work but I'm not 100 percent sure about that.......
I'm using Hedman Headers Muscle Rods headers with BRP Muscle Rods Mounts. Hedman bought BRP and made their LS Swap headers around these mounts.
Originally Posted by 98TA6.0
Man you're gonna need 4.88 or 5.13 gears to make 6th even usable. I was gonna put a T56 in my 87 and even had the trans, shifter, pedal, etc all ready to go. After doing the math, the t56 with the gears was gonna be a nightmare. Plus you can't tow much and I used my hitch often. I went with a built/stalled trans. BEST money I've ever spent on that truck
I don't think it should be that bad, especially with 4.11s. It should weigh about the same a 4th gen weighs and have plenty of power. Plus I plan on doing 0 towing with this. Only thing its gonna haul is ***.
EDIT: Went and redid the math on Tremec's website and even with a .50 6th gear with the combo I plan on running it should cruise at 1750 in 6th going 74 miles an hour
Originally Posted by jessmeistertc
Looking great. Did u make your engine mounts or buy them?
These are BRP Muscle Rods mounts from their LS Swap kit.
Last edited by 86LSC10; 02-01-2015 at 12:59 PM.
Reason: Redid the math
I had a C1500 with an LT1 T56 years ago and it was the same deal. I put in a 12 bolt with 4.56s and 1st-3rd was a blur. Cd of a truck is much higher and the taller gearing is very much noticeable.
Deep 11s? I don't want to sound pessimistic but you're gonna have a tough time rowing 11s with that truck on the stock rear suspension and tire. My truck with a stalled 5.3 wouldn't go quicker than 12.40s on the stock rear suspension and a 26x10.50 tire. You have a lot more motor than I did though. I'm excited to see how this turns out. After all you work on dragsters for a living.
Deep 11s? I don't want to sound pessimistic but you're gonna have a tough time rowing 11s with that truck on the stock rear suspension and tire. My truck with a stalled 5.3 wouldn't go quicker than 12.40s on the stock rear suspension and a 26x10.50 tire. You have a lot more motor than I did though. I'm excited to see how this turns out. After all you work on dragsters for a living.
That's the goal. Its going to have Cal-Tracs and an adjustable rear roll bar. I also plan on running a set of AFCO adjustable shocks front and rear. It'll be sitting on 27x10.5 radials. I wanted a four link but then my boss brought up the fact that there are guys running 10s with Cal-Tracs and leaf springs. That's what lead me to this setup.
01-25-2015, 10:01 PM
86 Stepside C10 LQ4 build 
