[frmrbrown8206]

im starting to plan a 1989 chevy 1500 4x4 truck. i plan to use a 350 small block, but i dont know whether i should leave it a 350 or stroke it to a 383, using truck flow heads, supercharger, and a holley carb. id like to get 500 HP, have alot of low-end torque (1500-3500) and use it to pull a loaded car trailer with it. what gearing should i use in my diffs running 33" tires? what sutomatic 4-speed tranny should i use? i also might use a very small NOS system (50-75)? what torque converter should i use? help me please

[Bumpstick]

Save spending the money on the heads, super charger & stroker kit and just build an oval port 454 BBC and combo it with a 4L80... Low down gut wreching torque and plenty of HP without frills that can be done with all stock parts... (except for the stand alone computer for the trans but someone may be making a all hyd kit for it also...?)

Oh and around 4.11 gears should do the trick for the 33`s and a 2500-2800 stall at most...

[Henry Highrise]

I would not pull real heavy loaded trailers with a half ton pick-up. Get a 3/4 ton truck or a ton truck for that. It works a lot better that way.

[61bone]

The 454 is the way to go for power.Forget HP and build a torque monster. Lose the tall tires. Use a tire/wheel combo that will leave the pickup and trailer setting level when it is loaded. Lug and all terrain tires will fail quickly because of heat buildup. Use a hitch drop to make up the height difference. High towing rigs and trailers dont go well together. Your trailer will pass you sooner or later, probably sooner. Keep the center of gravity down. You didn't say what your normal load might be, but your half will be comfortable with 4500-5000 lbs. with stock suspension if you maintain a 10% tounge weight.

[Blazin72]

Originally Posted by 61bone

High towing rigs and trailers dont go well together. Your trailer will pass you sooner or later, probably sooner.

You mean to tell me that all of those posers with their diesel powered Super Duty Fords running 6-8" lifts with 35"+ tires on 20" rims towing trailers arent safe? Gee

On a serious note, Bumpstick has a good idea with a 4L80E behind a big block. It would work well for what you're wanting. You're looking at anywhere from $650-1000+ for a stand alone controller for it though, torque converters aren't cheap either. In order to use your existing transfer case you're probably going to want to look at a t-case adapter from Advance Adapters as well... However, I think if you're gonna run 33s and an overdrive tranny you might want to look at some gears slightly lower than 4.11, maybe 4.30s. Also, how long is the stock 1/2 ton running gear going to stand up to a 500hp big block with 33s and trailer duty? In the long run you may be better off finding a big block powered 2500 or 3500 series pickup like Henry Highrise suggested.

[61bone]

[QUOTE=Blazin72]You mean to tell me that all of those posers with their diesel powered Super Duty Fords running 6-8" lifts with 35"+ tires on 20" rims towing trailers arent safe? Gee

yup

[frmrbrown8206]

the reason i want 1/2 ton is bc i want a short bed truck, to make better corners. and i can always put on overload springs on it. will that 4L80E tranny work with a hurst or b&m floor shifter.

[Bryan59EC]

I have a 454 & man trans in my 79 1/2 ton-LWB 2-wd
I'll tow anything with it.
I have had this truck since it was new and have never had any issues with towing, other than making sure that the trailer is balanced correctly.
This truck has also been drastically lowered-( good for 2 mpg)
Properly balanced trailer, and adequate trailer brakes are the key for safe towing. My lil 1/2 ton has moved me and my 18ft flatbed car hauler on 5 interstate moves, and will take me back to where it all began if i ever hit the lottery.

Also having owned a 78 short bed 4x4, Perhaps I can tell you that a SWB pick-up does not make a good tow vehicle for a trailer that is 16 to 20 ft long. Just too damn squirilly. You would be amazed at the difference in directional stability between the long and short pickups.

My opinion

Bryan

[Blazin72]

Originally Posted by Bryan59EC

You would be amazed at the difference in directional stability between the long and short pickups.

Not only that but once you stick a trailer on the back the short wheelbase becomes irrelevant because you've got an additional 16-20 feet beig drug behind you...

[Blazin72]

I've towed my Blazer a couple times behind my 2500 extended cab long bed and you can hardly tell it's back there. A long pickup is nice and turning on city streets isn't that bad. However, parking lots are another story...

[454C10]

A 383 or 406cid is a good choice, but you should be trying to make 500 ftlbs of torque, not 500 hp. Maybe 400 hp.

Good set of small tube Tri-Y headers and 2.5 inch exhaust with a H pipe and Dynomax mufflers and high flow cats
Edlebrock RPM heads (70cc)
A mild cam with around 215 degrees duration at 0.050 with 110 to 112 LSA for a carb and 112 to 114 for efi.
Go for 9.75 to 10:1 cr.
750 holley with vacuum secondarys (3310)
Use a Performer RPM intake

4.56 gear with a 33 inch tire as long as you also have OD.
3.73 to 4.00 gear without OD. Your stock transmission should be OK and already have OD.

Use a Hughes Towing converter 1500 rpm stall