What should I do? Ver. Drivetrain options

NYSpeed Automotive
1

OK, before i start, this is NOT a MikeRi24 Thread. It will be the only one of it’s kind.

I am getting a first gen s-10 (I cant seem to move away from pickups) problem is, i really dont know what motor/tranny combo to go with.

So i pose the following questions/poll

Motor choices-

350/383 v8 - it will be built, this isnt gonna get done in 2 months

Pro’s - Great power, First gen V8 swaps are hot. Easy to work on. Carbed FTW. Cheaper than other choice. Bullet proof

Con’s - Heavier than the V6, sometimes more expensive than the v6, it would be a bitch to autocross (which i would like to get into)
a 300-400hp nose heavy truck

262 V6 - if i go this way i would end up Using stock syclone manifolds on a non balance shaft block converted to a 4 bolt main. Build the motor and boost it, could be fun.

Pro’s - who doesnt love boost?, variable power, Very few people actually go to the trouble of boosting the 4.3, so it would be unique. Its strong, reliable and many of the parts on the 350 blocks are interchangeable with the 4.3. Not to mention its light and if i do end up autocrossing it, i can trn the boost down to make it more controlable.

Con’s-
Its a split pin crank, and while the bottom end can be built to be made plenty strong, it still wont be as strong as a 350/383 bottom end. (as to what a split pin crank exactly is, see the writeup i did HERE). Id have to go with a standalone A/F controller, and convert it to multiport, while the multiport conversion would end up costing me only around 500, the standalone is what is what im really wondering about.

Transmission-

Turbo Th350 - Better for drag racing / dig racing / building boost, not so good for the autox, heavier,

Or

T-56 6 speed - better for autocrossing/roll racing, a tad bit more expensive/ fab work, but it would be fun.

Aight, so theres my options. Im more so leaning towards a Boosted 4.3 with a t-56 conversion. I like the whole straying away from the normal thing. And the fab work should be fun.

Just lemme know what ya think

2

Boosting a unique engine + transmission fabbing = a hot trip to a DOS. Go with the auto 383.
“Unique” combos are usually a synonym for “Pain in the ass”

3

I vote manual tranny for sure, as for which motor… What’d the actual weight different between the two be?

4

bout 60-100 Lbs

5

i have a 4.3 5speed in my truck now…im going to a 350 with a 4speed mc1 with about 400hp and maybe a 150shot…should be fun…with your choice ive seen some badass 4.3 builds with aluminum blocks made and everything but for the power i see alot more potential outta the v8…plus you can always lighten up the front end to even out from the extra motor.

6

Well either one’s going to be a pain for auto-x but can be done. Maybe with some suspension goodies and probably weighing down the back end to get some traction on the wheels and even out the weight distro to encourage neutral handling. :gotme:

I vote V8 with the T56. Yeah it might be 100 pounds more in the front, but it’s also going to be a stronger motor with more potential and easier to build. You’re not exactly shooting for the moon. That transmission should have no problem holding 400 whp and ??? torque, correct?

7

yea becuase a boosted 2jz is so uniqe

8

if you decide to got the turblo 4.3 swap … let me know cause i have a multi point setup in my Bravada parts truck …

or ill even sell ya the select trac setup out of it … then you could have a sweet wanna be Syclone … good for auto-x … pull the front shaft on the street and ya got a nice drag machine

9

Doh! Shouldve been more specific

To put a t-56 into an s-10, the shifter will be about 5-6 inches further back, (shorter throw FTW) so fab work would include a hole cut into the floor for the shifter, and the current one for the t-5 welded up. That and I just found out they sell custom t-56 tranny crossmembers. S basically a little bit of cutting and welding and thats it for fab work.

Building up the bottom end of a 4.3 isnt that hard. Like i sad 90% of the shit that works with the 350 will work for the 4.3

Dont forget, they boosted the syclone and that had stock internals :snky:

is it the stock fuel setup? or the Edelbrock 2114 conversion that boosted-thrills sells on s-seriesforum?

And on the AWD, it would have to be the whole front chassis, and the truck im lookin at would have to be 4x4 Chassis with torsion , which its not. Off topic a tad, is it a first gen bravada (94) and how good is the body/interior?

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nissan 3.5 liter swap

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seats are going into my Blazer project … body is Ehh … there are some usable parts … let me know if ya need anything …

BAck on topic … how about going off the charts with a boosted Straight 6 ( 4.2 Trailblazer) … or even the 3.5 colorado,canyon,H-3

12

straight six wont fit into an s-series, just too damn long

I dont think that theres any readily available turbo kits for the 3.5, that and i dont really know my way around these motors.

The 4.3 would be easy to boost. The only thing they never changed about the motors was the exhaust ports. Syclone manifolds and crossover pipe will bolt right up.

The 3.5 would be an awesome motor to build, but its new, and the aftermarket for them is slim to none , not to mention finding a block is damn near impossible

13

V6 + Twin Snails + 6SPD + S-10 = I Need New Underwear

14

350/383, because regardless you’ll be forced into a Auto-X class in which you won’t be able to be competitive in either way.

15

if its done right and is a quality job, then there should be no reason for it to break or anything

16

+1

I have glanced at those engines a couple times on random eBay auctions.

I must say everthing about that motor screams “through me in something and mod me”. I dunno, straight six, variable valve timing, it’s just begging for a snail.

17

anybody got the dimensions on the 4.2? (length and width)

i know they make turbo kits for em that are putting down like 5-600 RWHP.

EDIT::: Did I just read right? the heads and VVT on all new straight vortec motors (2.8, 3.5, 4.2) for GM were designed by honda! :rofl:

EDIT II:holy fuck, 4.2’s are going on car-part.com for under $500, if i could figure out a way to shoehorn it in the s-10, i would so do it.

S-10 straight six boosted with maddd vtec yo :stuck_out_tongue: hrmmm

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383/T56, for the simple reason that a peaky boosted motor in a rwd truck is a receipe for unlimited wheelspin and not much else. The big HP boosted honda guys talk about not having traction until 3rd on the highway, and their FWD with all the engine weight over those front wheels.

Smooth V8 torque will be much easier to manage. You’ll still spin, but you won’t be popping the BOV and waiting for boost every time you have to lift to stop those rear wheels from smoking.

6 speed because starting with an S10 you’re obviously not going for a 1/4 drag car (if you were, start with a lighter rwd car), but more of a fun project. Automatic and fun do not mix in my opinion.

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just lettin ya all know that i figured if i want something to autox, than i might as well go with a dsm or something comparable

therefore, it will be mini-tubbed (Not quite a full tub, but enough to make something decently wide fit.

20

^ even then, with the weight distribution of a small pickup, traction is going to be an issue. Even putting 10" of contact patch on each side isn’t going to help with no weight on that patch.