building s-10 drag truck...... info would be appriciated

[cbrandon2x]

we have a 01 gmc sonoma extra cab stepside that had a v8 swap. turning it into a race car. I'm an old dirt track guy that is sick of dirt, but have 3 really nice sbc alky motors. what would be the best trans, converter and rearend for a budget racer making 600 to 700 hp? i know there is nothing cheap about the word RACE, but I want to go play an an 1/8th mile without spending a fortune.

[cbrandon2x]

also .... what about engine placement? Is it necessary to cut the fire wall and move the engine back?

[andamo]

First off stick with the motor in the stock location. For all the work involved with pushing it back in the chassis for better traction, it's more work than is necessary. I don't know where you're located, but ask around the track and see who builds a good transmission and go with them. Having to ship a trans. back and forth to another state takes a lot of the fun, and track time, away from racing. But you might want to consider Abruzzi or Rossler transmissions. Call them and they'll give you the best combo to use. If you're going to bracket race consider a Glide. I know a Glide is a boring ride, but you're looking for consistancy. Your best bet is to back half the chassis with something from a well known manufacturer (S&W Chassis) and put a narrowed 9'' Ford under it with ladder bars. If you step up in hp you can go with a 4 link later. And don't forget all your safety equipment too like a cage tied into the chassis that will help stiffen the chassis.

[TheYellaBrick]

YEAH ! What he said ! ^^^^^^^^

[cbrandon2x]

thx and. will try to post a few pics just to show you where I am,

[shawnp]

85 S-10 extended cab. Motor in stock location with front motor plate and engine limiters. 355 on alky running a glide. Has a ford 9 inch on stock suspension and 29x9 tires on it. Gear is a 4.10. Best ET was 10.72 but normally a 11 second ride.

[cbrandon2x]

10.72.....thats 1/4, right?

[fast75vega]

10.72.....thats 1/4, right?

i hope so... unless he is being towed down the 1/8 track by a go-kart...... lmao

[shawnp]

Yes that is 1/4 mile.

[zipper06]

I did my own backhalf, 1998 Sonoma shortbed stepside prostreet truck, wasn't hard at all and the bed mounts on the original hold down holes. I bought a ladder bar setup and had a local person do the narrowed ford 9" with good axles all for less than $1,000.00. I have it setup for an LS! and 4l60e trans but as mentioned earlier, front motor plate and good cage, absolutly necessary for a hot drag truck, mine only has a roll bar and door swing out bars, but is tied to the back of the trunck frame for stiffness.
I have pics. if intrestested i'll post them.

Zip.

[sds10racer]

moved my engine back about 13.5". wasn't too tuff. like you, got tired of helping on dirt cars. if you built your own cars, you can mod all you want just as easy as it's a race truck. moving it back will take care of the split drive shaft. as far as converter, figure you probably have alot of mid to high rpm power as the engine were dirt use, 4-5000 stall will probably work fine. 9' ford,gear it to top end rpms. you can either back half or use leafs with caltracs. lot of trucks go fast on them. all depends how much work you want to do(or cash). maybe spib will chime in, i know he just got done with a lot of mods to his blazer that works really good.

[hammertime]

Moving the engine back really isnt needed. Did a 1999 S-10 with a S&W Backhalf Kit, very easy kits and worth every penny in the end.

[cbrandon2x]

Thanks for all the tips. Keep em coming. We just finished crossmember work and got the cab and front clip back on. Next will be rear end. Might be interestd in a 9 inch or cal track setup if anyone has for sale.