Need help with future plans

MCourson · August 26, 2003

Ok as most you you know I have a 1994 Chevy C1500 reg. cab sportside with a TBI 5.0L. In 5 or 6 years this truck should have well over 200,000 miles and I will have bought a newer OBS truck for a daily driver. I want to make the 94 a sleeper. For driveabilty purposes I want to limit it to about 425hp with an automatic transmission. I have the engine building part covered, thats no problem. What I want to have is a non computer controlled, carbureted SBC engine. We do not have emissions testing here so all that stuff doesnt worry me. Now here is what I am still thinking about. First, what kind of exhaust should I use? Most likely true duals with a scavenging pipe but should I uses cats or not? Or even better yet since I want the truck to be a complete sleeper, is there any way I could get a free flowing, quiet system that looks and sounds stock? Also on the transmission, my uncle is a GM automatic tranny guy so he can build whatever I need but since its going to be non computer controlled should I use a beefed up 700R4 or should I go old school and get a Turbo 400 or 350? Also, what computerization do I need to retain in order to keep my ABS and have all the electronics work properly. Or since this is going to be a job where I take my time should I contact Painless Performance, or Ron Francis' Wire Works and get a whole new wiring harness? Next, what rear gear should I use? Do I need to replace or modify the rear end to be able to handle the HP? Im sure there is more questions I will have to add later that I forgot.

Wingnut · August 26, 2003

I would go with a turbo 400, and 4:10s in the rear for a street setup. And yes, you need to beef up the rear with that much horsepower.

Not sure where the anti-lock brakes are controlled from on those years, but going without a computer at all...You might just have to live without it....Or die without it. I seem to remember the brake controller being seperate from the puter, so you just might be in luck though.

Headers?? Just run some Zoomies up through the hood....The ricers are low enough, they might not see them.

For my money though, I would squeeze a small supercharger in there though. There are some quiet ones out there (that don't require a hood mod)...that don't do anything below 2000K RPMs. That would keep it quiet until you are ready to show them your a$$.

Just my .02

MCourson · August 26, 2003

Not sure where the anti-lock brakes are controlled from on those years, but going without a computer at all...You might just have to live without it....Or die without it. I seem to remember the brake controller being seperate from the puter, so you just might be in luck though.

Yea thats another thing. While I have the rear end out is there any decent rear disc brake conversions? Id like to have a set of Baer 4 piston calipers all the way around.

mjsmith1223 · August 26, 2003

You may want to go over here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdi...3?s=&forumid=24

for those kind of questions. That's the general engines and drivetrains board. It's not limited to 67-72 trucks as the name might imply. Lots of experts on the non-comptuerized engines though. I seem to remember someone talking about a rear disc conversion over there not too long ago...

I believe the 700R4 was computer controlled. For the power you are talking about a TH400 would be the way to go.

Why go with a carb though? Why not one of the Edlebrock or Holley TBI units that don't need a seperate engine management computer? If I had the money I would throw my Quadra-Junk in the trash and switch over to one of those TBI systems in a heartbeat. In the meantime I'll rebuild the Q-jet and get a couple more years out of it.

Mike

Grand Haven, MI

MCourson · August 26, 2003

The carb deal is one thing I am sure about so far. I would like to have a Demon carb. from Barry Grant Fuel. But really it all depends of the technology then. I also really like the Edlebrock RPM AirGap manifold.

mjsmith1223 · August 26, 2003

The carb deal is one thing I am sure about so far. I would like to have a Demon carb. from Barry Grant Fuel. But really it all depends of the technology then. I also really like the Edlebrock RPM AirGap manifold.

Ah, a Demon carb. Why didn't you say so? That's completely different. I've seen lots of good things about that Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap manifold.

The underhood supercharger is a great idea. It would quietly lurk until needed and then POW! you're gone.

Just a guess, but if you go with a non-computer engine and transmission you'll probably have to go the Painless Performance route and get a harness to re-wire your truck.

As far as exhaust goes, I'm not sure free-flowing and quiet go together very well, but maybe there's a muffler shop near you that specializes in hot-rod and muscle car exhaust that could provide some guidance? It would be nice to have something quiet up to about 2500 rpms or so and then really start to bark after that. Once the exhaust starts to bark it's too late and the ricer already knows he's beat. Hehehehehehe.

Sounds like fun. Once it's done you should be able to kill Mustangs and Camaros regularly.

Mike

Grand Haven, MI