LS1 s10 83-93 or 94+
10-07-2008, 06:08 AM
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LS1 s10 83-93 or 94+ I'm contemplating dropping an ls1/t-56 into an s10 and possibly take out the sound deadening for a slight loss while I'm down there changing the carpet out. But I cannot choose between which generation s10, the 83-93 is about 300 lbs lighter if im not mistaken at around 2750 while the 2nd gen is around 3050 (2wd regular cab) <--correct me if I'm wrong. But to be honest the inside of the first gen is fairly ugly (just my opinion), while the 94+ is barable. Is there any reason I should go with one or the other? Can some people give me your facts or opinions that would make you choose one or the other. Thanks for the feedback!
10-07-2008, 08:22 AM
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The swap will probably be electrically more straightforward on the old truck, but not terribly difficult either. I know you can get the box s10s much cheaper than the rounded ones. Your call, no real difference.
10-07-2008, 08:59 AM
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I have a 98 Sonoma with ls1/t56 swap and if you are looking for stock appearing and functioning then the later will be better. If you are building a race truck that you want to be fast then the early models will be faster because of weight difference. If you check out www.s10forum.com they have a section jsut for LSX swaps. You can find post on swaps fromm all generations of s-series there
10-07-2008, 11:28 PM
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New ones look better with a cowl hood. It runs with the body lines better.
I would go 83-93, but the later model, with the different dash. I've been out of S10's for long enough I don't remember the switch date.
I would go 83-93, but the later model, with the different dash. I've been out of S10's for long enough I don't remember the switch date.
10-08-2008, 10:24 AM
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I would beg to differ that the first gens are cheaper..... They are very difficult to find a rust free nice cheap canidate..... I just bought a clean 94 for 300 bucks minus a engine..... Your obsticals with the first gen are going to be the Speedo if you use a earlier unit, not sure which rear the cluster went to vss in the first gen but the majority are cable driven.... Other than that the first gen is a cake swap and the best looking truck in imho....
My first gen with a 355, cut through with 10 10 inch subs, hard bed cover was 3020 pounds on a certified scale...I think with a ls1 I could have saved a few pounds
This was a ghetto lt1 s-10 I did for next to nothing.....
Here is our shop truck that we finished a few weeks ago....... Now this is a Heavy Heavy pig....
I carry the mounts for all s-10 chassis
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc.../88363/C/S2348
The headers
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc...d/93549/CSLS1P
If your truck was not originally equipped with a 2.8 I have the mounts that bolt right in place
http://s10v8.carshopinc.com/product_..._id/61/S10_28M
The radaiator and fan system we are using.....
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc.../95012/RADKIT1
My first gen with a 355, cut through with 10 10 inch subs, hard bed cover was 3020 pounds on a certified scale...I think with a ls1 I could have saved a few pounds
This was a ghetto lt1 s-10 I did for next to nothing.....
Here is our shop truck that we finished a few weeks ago....... Now this is a Heavy Heavy pig....
I carry the mounts for all s-10 chassis
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc.../88363/C/S2348
The headers
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc...d/93549/CSLS1P
If your truck was not originally equipped with a 2.8 I have the mounts that bolt right in place
http://s10v8.carshopinc.com/product_..._id/61/S10_28M
The radaiator and fan system we are using.....
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc.../95012/RADKIT1
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10-08-2008, 11:52 AM
#8
If you do a first gen s10 look for the 89-93, the frames are modified to fit the 4.3 in and make installation of a small block or lsx a much easier proposition. They made changes to the frame that were implemented when they added the 4.3 as an option in 1989.
10-08-2008, 02:30 PM
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The v8 kits we sell use 2.8 mounts that work on either the first or second gen frames, you just bolt the lower 2.8 units in....... sbc in any s10 with a stock configuration pan does not need modified...... Only the ls units need a little love.....
Last edited by Carshopinc.com; 10-08-2008 at 02:40 PM.
10-09-2008, 01:43 AM
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Ive got a 85 and a 97 frame out back and there is no difference untill you get to the bumper mounts, i think the cab and bed would swap either way pretty easy. Ive done LS, LT, and first gen small blocks in first and second gen trucks. Aside from some wiring the only diff. i have seen is that a second gen truck has more room for the distributor for an old small block and a little more clerance around the transmisson, however the first gen truck is lighter for a fact. Ill tote the #, I like my second gen
10-09-2008, 09:25 AM
#13
The changes were made in small areas for starter clearance, manifold exit locations. The frame is not completely different there is just a little more room where they opened up the back end of the frame to clear the wider 4.3 manifolds easier. Without measuring the difference is never noticeable like what we would do whenever notching the frame for a/c oilpans etc we change. The overall dimensions of the frame are identical from 82-till 03 when the discontinued the s-series as we know them side from little minor changes.
10-09-2008, 09:55 AM
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I like the rounder body a little better on the 2nd gens but I've seen some really sweet setup 1st gens too. I got a buddy with an LT4/T56 1st gen thats pretty cool.
10-09-2008, 10:08 AM
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We have never needed to notch a frame for any first gen sbc swap...... Now the lt1 if you are going to use the stock manifolds it makes it much easier to notch it out a touch.... ac on a lt1 for sure.... Ls1 notch notch notch away!
We carry everything in stock for our v8 swaps as we make it all in house!
We carry everything in stock for our v8 swaps as we make it all in house!
11-10-2008, 09:06 PM
#18
Ive got a 85 and a 97 frame out back and there is no difference untill you get to the bumper mounts, i think the cab and bed would swap either way pretty easy. Ive done LS, LT, and first gen small blocks in first and second gen trucks. Aside from some wiring the only diff. i have seen is that a second gen truck has more room for the distributor for an old small block and a little more clerance around the transmisson, however the first gen truck is lighter for a fact. Ill tote the #, I like my second gen
