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S10 V8 Conversion pointers........

51K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  Rickracer 
#1 ·
Hi, I bought a 1988 Chevy S10, and have a 400 horse V8 that I would Like to stuff in it. The S10 weighs 3300, and is a manual. The trannsmission that I want to use is a automatic th 350. My biggest worry is finding a way to shift, because obviously the steering column doesnt have a shifter, but I have a Monte Carlo with a floor shifter. Thats hooked to a th 350 tranny. How would I go about shoving this V8 into the truck and having a shifter ? has any one came across this problem ? if so how did you do it ?.

Questions: How to Convert a Manual Chevy S10 into a Automatic.
Could I run long tubed Holley afterburner headers ?
How Could I weight the back down to get traction ?.


Thanks
 
#2 ·
chevy350_Camd said:
Hi, I bought a 1988 Chevy S10, and have a 400 horse V8 that I would Like to stuff in it. The S10 weighs 3300, and is a manual. The trannsmission that I want to use is a automatic th 350. My biggest worry is finding a way to shift, because obviously the steering column doesnt have a shifter, but I have a Monte Carlo with a floor shifter. Thats hooked to a th 350 tranny. How would I go about shoving this V8 into the truck and having a shifter ? has any one came across this problem ? if so how did you do it ?.

Questions: How to Convert a Manual Chevy S10 into a Automatic.
Could I run long tubed Holley afterburner headers ?
How Could I weight the back down to get traction ?.


Thanks
1.get rid of the pedal,And put the right trans. :thumbup:
2.no,Not and less you move the motor. :thumbup:
3.set up the back end right,where you don't need any weight. :thumbup:
 
#4 ·
S10 V8 Conversion

Thanks for the answers guys, I really am short on money now, so i think Id have to find a way to run the headers, when I put the motor in could I place it somewhere in the frame that would alow enough clearance ?.


Questions: Can I Weld v8 mounts to the frame instead of buying $60 mounts ?, how would I know that they are in the right place ?.

Lol, what are traction bars ?, how do they work ? costs ?

Would this S10 run like a beast with the following componets ?

1977 350 chevy, Holley 700cfm double pumper, edelbrock rpm manifold, 64cc edelbrock rpm heads, Summit Cam .498 on Intake .510 on exhaust, 282 292 adv duration. Afterburner headers, 80 gph fuel pump, flat top pistons, and 4.10 gears in the rear of the s 10. I was told this setup makes 410-430 horsepower.

Any clue on 1/4 times with drag radial tires, 4.10 gears and hopefully a 2200 stall ?
 
#9 · (Edited)
s10

just my opinion but if you can hook it up which I think you'll find is the trick, A true 400 horse smallblock s-10 combo should run 12's but again this is my opinion. with 4.10's you will definetely need traction bars and in my opinion adjustable caltracs traction bars are in my opinion some of the best. You will be happy for sure!!! good combo
 
#10 ·
chevy350_Camd said:
Hi, I bought a 1988 Chevy S10, and have a 400 horse V8 that I would Like to stuff in it. The S10 weighs 3300, and is a manual. The trannsmission that I want to use is a automatic th 350. My biggest worry is finding a way to shift, because obviously the steering column doesnt have a shifter, but I have a Monte Carlo with a floor shifter. Thats hooked to a th 350 tranny. How would I go about shoving this V8 into the truck and having a shifter ? has any one came across this problem ? if so how did you do it ?.

Questions: How to Convert a Manual Chevy S10 into a Automatic.
Could I run long tubed Holley afterburner headers ?
How Could I weight the back down to get traction ?.


Thanks
Get this book "Chassis Engineering" by Herb Adams, there's more to getting traction than adding weight to the rear. Amazon or where-ever.

Get these books by Mike Knell to save having to learn by doing on S-10/15 conversions.
"Chevrolet S-10 Truck V-8 Conversion Manual" and "Chevrolet TPI & TBI
V8 Engine Swapping" at http://www.jagsthatrun.com

Bogie
 
#14 ·
S-10 swap

Plan on trimming the firewall (not too bad) with that setup. I had to on my '85. Heddman and a few others make the headers that piece together around the steering , so you don't have to pull the column. I think the steering will be in the way of your current headers. I made some mounts, using others as a template, but have a tig, and the metal to do it. The 'bought' mounts are worth it! I use the B&M Pro Ratchet on my setup (sb350/th400). Works GREAT! Before this motor, I had a sb 400/th400, with the Heddmans, and 4.88's with 13" racemasters slicks, and put down consistent 11.00's, with no weight in the back, nor any traction problems. I now run on the street with my new setup, and the M/T Sportsman Pros, (17" ish x 2 tires with 8lbs of air) with a spool, and can't get her to hook very well without slicks. I use Hoosier 33x16x15's, and now she HOOKS!! Good luck! Pm me with Q's, and I'll give you my phone, 'cause all the typing sucks! Got a s-load of extra parts too! OR... Just buy this one!!! :pimp: john
 
#18 ·
just did one last year with my buddy. the headers was the only really tight spot. you can build them mounts purdy easy. the mounts you can buy work dang good too but you want the engine back as far as you can.we used a bfh alot too. course we moved the engine back 3" more so beat and cut it was.i think your gona like that s10.this one hauls ***.we added 2 long leaf springs to each side and slappers.it could still be better set up. still hops a bit at times.i think if theres any way you can build your headers youd be better off. this 383 puts out over 400 hp and the only headers we found to fit are shortys and they suck big time. way too small dia. too.we're gona have to build some.good luck and yes everthing will fit with the 60$ type mounts but it is a bit tight. this one fit but when we moved it back it was a pita.
 
#19 ·
If you follow the link I posted above, there are .pdf templates for the (Hooker) TransDapt 4689 motor mount adapters, which work with the regular V8 style motor mounts, and long tubes. (if you can't find it , P.M. me and I'll email them to you) The shorty (69520) header require the use of 2.8 V6 mounts and a crazy looking (adjustable???) mount adapter that isn't very strong. TransDapt also makes adapters to use the stock 4.3 mounts, which I strongly advise against, those mounts don't even hold up to v6 power very well. :cool:

My 93 shortbed S10 has a Vortec head hydraulic roller 363ci small block in it, I daily drive it, tow my Vega race car with it, and it goes 8.0s in the 1/8, on street tires. Oh yeah, it can get up to 20 mpg out on the road too, :D One of these days, after I swap out the stock 3.42 geared 7.5 rear for a 3.73 posi Exploder 8.8, I'm gonna put a 100 shot on it and see if it will get in the 6s. :D
 
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