[Surfer1130]

Hey everyone,
My friend and i are in the middle of a huge project our goal is to swap my 1988 GMC S15 i2.5 liter truck, we have a a980's 305 block that we are building for the rebuild. So far we have the block and have recently purchased heads and an intake. We would like to get this project done as soon as possible but need help and information on how to go about it and what parts would be recomended. We have created a site to try and get people to email us and leave messages or info on this project, we would appreciate any help that anyone can give. To do so visit us at

http://www.v8struck.com/

thank you for your help and support it is greatly appreciated

 

[flyfisher]

Jimmy Beam is in town tonight, so I'm sure I'll sound dislexic if I try and tell you what I did to my truck, but I'm sure I've written it down somewhere in this site. Try a search, there were a bunch of threads on the subject, and guys like TurboS-10 have done excellent work on their projects. All I'll tell you is that I had the engine in and running in a weekend, so it's not that huge of a project. Good luck.

OMG am I drunk or are you trying to put a 305 in an S-15? Oh yeah, Jimmy Beam. First piece of advice, dump the 305 in favor of a 350. The 350 has the same outer dimensions with a whole HE double hockey sticks of lot more power and available parts to make more power. Please, from one converter to another, reconsider the 305. The other guys who went to the bother of converting and shoehorned a 350 instead of a 305, will laugh at you from the other end of the strip if you don't.

 

[montea]

you should be able to find every thing you need to know in this forum. http://www.v8s10.org/forum/index.php

 

[leroy lucas]

Hey guys he is right dump the 395 they are the worst Chevy eng.I did the same thing to an 84 s 10 the 305 literally lasted 2 weeks. But I dog the hell out of her.First things first what trans are u using.Because your going to have to re drill new whole. Are you using headers or manifolds.On manifolds you are going to move the steering over about 1 in. Regulars starter housing will rest on the frame and crack eventually.Start thinking about A bigger radiator,exhaust and frame brackets I got mine from a place called gator fabrication in Frederick Maryland. the fire wall lip has to be beat back a little bit. good luck keep us posted

 

[Weimer]

Try these folks...
JTR
Later,
WEIMER

 

[Surfer1130]

s15 bulid

Everyone thank you for your help so far,
we are using hugger headers that we purchased and have heard that you dont need to use a mini starter but a regular one will work is this true? Also the radiator we are planning on using is the one that JTR sells it is the corvette radiator. I also wanted to know what rear end to use i have heard of several but no one has told what vehicle to get one from. Also looking for any transmission info you could give to me.
Thank you and i will keep you posted.

 

[leroy lucas]

Sounds like you coming along. What tranny are you using automatic would be easier.I used a turbo350 and all I had to do was redrill the trans mount holes and you want the one with the long taol shaft. for the rear keep the stock one until the old one breaks I dog the **** out of mine and the rear was fine.Also if you use the turbo 3590 with the long tail shaft you can use the stock drive shaft

 

[Surfer1130]

305 build

So far we are planning on using the TH350 transmission because we have heard that the auto is easier and the best way to go. I have heard that the rear end snaps easy though is it true that it wont? Also what should i use for the radiator i have heard of the one offered by JTR but that is rather expesive is there an alternate way to go? For now that is pretty much where we are held up trying to find a good transmission for decent money. Thank you for your help again any info is apreciated.

 

[bonuts]

No its not true the "Rear end will snap" My s-10 has had its current rear (stock) for over 2 years, and I have had no problems. Keep in mind, the S-10 will have very little traction with-out tubbing the rear for bigger tires, so you will have no problems with the rear end.

As for Radiators, I bought a aluminum 4 core from AFCO for mine, for around $225 CDN so they are pretty cheap. Just take your measurments of what you need, and order it up.


bonuts

 

[Rhansen]

The stock rear will be fine with street tires. If you plan on running slicks it will eventually break. BTW I've seen S10's with 9" wide tires cut 1.5xx 60' times so tubbing is not necessary, just have to get the chassis right.

 

[S10Fan]

I'm using the stock rear in mine with no problems. I also opted for the 350 automatic, but I do plan on going with an OD trans in the future. V-8 S-10's are a BLAST to drive!

Good Luck!

Oops! I'm also using a 4.3 V-6 Rad from a S-10 Blazer, again, no problems.

 

[Surfer1130]

S15 build

Yeah i think i will stick with the stock rear untill i can afford a posi. That would be awesome. And that is great that the 4.3 radiator will work, i will be able to get one of those pretty easy. But what about a tranny cooler do i just mount a remote one? And your right V8 s10s are awesome. People tell me jsut to get a camaro or a sports car but those are common V8 s10s are truely a bread of their own. Thanks everyone and keep the info coming it is proving very useful.
Thanks again.

 

[S10Fan]

I used an external tranny cooler.

 

[adtkart]

The one that S10Fan has really looks good. It looks like everything was designed for it. He apparently has a knack for finding the stuff that works. If he could just get rid of that annoying whine from the gear drive. LOL

 

[S10Fan]

The one that S10Fan has really looks good. It looks like everything was designed for it. He apparently has a knack for finding the stuff that works. If he could just get rid of that annoying whine from the gear drive. LOL

LOL!
That "whine" brings back memories of the ex-wife, however, this time I can stop the "whine" whenever I want! :thumbup:

 

[neeper74]

I saw your web site and I must say....congrats! There is one thing I would change though...at the top it says "Making something no one else has." I would change that. I am currently working on my second s10 v8 buildup. the first one was done with a friend of mine. he owns the truck and wanted cheap power. most of the brackets were made to make things work. not the best job..but reliable and running. now I am doing mine. (of course after making the mistakes on his) fuel injection is the way to go. check your web for parts. scrap the 2.8 radiator and find one from a camaro or vette 1988-90 will work just fine. for motor mounts use gm stock 2.8 mounts with the v8 adaptor plates.. for these contact the car shop (1-800-603-4359) they helped me out quite a bit. they can also provide you with good headders for the project that will fit nicely. keep the thread going and keep me updated. I would like to know how you are making out.l

 

[jeff355]

v-8 s-10 build

go with the 350 you"ll be glad you did. buy your engine mounts don't make'em. i got mine from hedman hedders for about $60(best $60 i spent) and they bolt to your fact s-10 mounts. i didn't make any firewall adjustments not even a dent and i can still pull my distributor out very easily. the bolt holes are slotted so you can move your motor forward. stick with the stock rear until it breaks the only thing i did was install an auburn carrier and 3.37 gears and wears 9" slicks at the track. i"ll try to help you with your questions if i can. good luck:thumbup: and keep us posted.

 

[Surfer1130]

v8 build

thanks i am sure i will have plenty of questions through the build. Here is a slightly dumb question but the gears you installed were those posi gears in the rear? also how hard would it be to put a posi on. Also did you make any suspension mods like heaveir springs so that the truck will handle well or are the stock good enough? thanks a ton and i will keep you posted. thanks for the help updates are now available on our website so check it out.

 

[jeff355]

v-8 s-10 build

my differential is posi. the gears are just richmond street gears. it's not very hard to install a posi diff either. as for my suspension i used 2" drop spindles and it wasn't low enough for me so i cut one coil off the bottom of each of my coil spings(that made it about 3" drop. in the rear i used 3" steel lowering blocks. i may pull one leaf spring out of each side this winter to get it a little lower

 

[Surfer1130]

S10 build

Hey everyone i have recently recieved an email on my site from a guy saying that he has some Camaro rims that he is willing ot sell me for a good price. They are the rims off of a 1997 Camaro 30th anniversary edition they are 16x8 i believe does anyone know if they will fit on a 1988 GMC s15(same as 1988 S10). I dont want to buy them if they will not fit. If they do please let me know or if they dont also let me know. If they dont is there some sort of adapter that i can put on to make them fit. Please let me know thanks