sleeper truck?

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
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I'm currently in the possession of what could be quite a nice sleeper vehicle. Its an '88 S-10. Its currently got a 2.5L 4-banger. It has a decal denoting this fact. My question is whether I can throw a Chevy 350 and a blower in there. I have a buddy at the place I work at that would do the work for free as long as I let him take it for a spin afterwards. The body is rusted to hell (I'm in Ohio, salt gets thrown on the roads during winter), but the body is still solid. I may have to switch the tranny too, which my buddy would also do. He knows where I can get one used, but in good shape (30,000 miles) for $75.

Another question I have: How much would the new engine and supercharger cost?
 

toph99

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2000
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superchargers are expensive. i'm not sure on a dollar amount, but it'll run you a few grand. if you're doing this cheaply, go to different auto wreckers and look for engines. Find a big block(i think they fit in S10's but don't quote me) and a used tranny. cheapest way to make it fast is to use big cubes :)
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,154
58
91
All you need is a hot small block in that truck. Easy 11's in the 1/4, while remaining very driveable.

There are plenty of available kits to convert to a V-8. Forget about a supercharger. You don't need it. If you want a little extra oomph, put it on the bottle for those "special" occasions.

Build up a 450 hp small block and you will be very happy.

 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
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Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
All you need is a hot small block in that truck. Easy 11's in the 1/4, while remaining very driveable.

There are plenty of available kits to convert to a V-8. Forget about a supercharger. You don't need it. If you want a little extra oomph, put it on the bottle for those "special" occasions.

Build up a 450 hp small block and you will be very happy.

But how much is it gonna cost me?
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
All you need is a hot small block in that truck. Easy 11's in the 1/4, while remaining very driveable.

There are plenty of available kits to convert to a V-8. Forget about a supercharger. You don't need it. If you want a little extra oomph, put it on the bottle for those "special" occasions.

Build up a 450 hp small block and you will be very happy.

But how much is it gonna cost me?


Well, these guys can get you the engine.

 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
0
0
Originally posted by: Squisher
Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
All you need is a hot small block in that truck. Easy 11's in the 1/4, while remaining very driveable.

There are plenty of available kits to convert to a V-8. Forget about a supercharger. You don't need it. If you want a little extra oomph, put it on the bottle for those "special" occasions.

Build up a 450 hp small block and you will be very happy.

But how much is it gonna cost me?


Well, these guys can get you the engine.

Did I mention I dont want to spend HUGE $$$
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
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if youre mechanically inclined you should be able to do it for near free. hehe

350's are damn cheap to work on. thats the beauty of having a engine that stays the same forever
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
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oh yeah.. no need for a blower in a S-10.

besides, if you had a blower it wouldnt be much of a sleeper anymore..
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
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A small block V-8 in an S-10 is going to give you some traction headaches, a blower could quite possibly make it undriveable. :)
 

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
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Are you prepared to spend over $1000 a year on gas if you do this? Not to mention new tires that can handle the amount of power you're talking about. You'll also want to think about fitting a bigger gas tank, since the one you have now would probably give you really crappy range. :p

As far as traction goes...dunno, maybe put the gas tank in the bed of the truck and drive around with a full tank? :D
 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
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Originally posted by: Colt45
oh yeah.. no need for a blower in a S-10.

besides, if you had a blower it wouldnt be much of a sleeper anymore..

Ummm... supercharger, not turbo, so there wouldnt be a turbo whine...
 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
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Originally posted by: KingNothing
Are you prepared to spend over $1000 a year on gas if you do this? Not to mention new tires that can handle the amount of power you're talking about. You'll also want to think about fitting a bigger gas tank, since the one you have now would probably give you really crappy range. :p

As far as traction goes...dunno, maybe put the gas tank in the bed of the truck and drive around with a full tank? :D

I need new tires as it is. And 80lbs bags of Quik-Mix are $2.50 at the Home Depot at the top of my street ;)

Edit: In regards to gas, since I'm still in college and I live quite close to campus, I spend hardly any $$ on gas as it is. Even if my gas costs tripled, I'd be fine.
 

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
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Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Colt45
oh yeah.. no need for a blower in a S-10.

besides, if you had a blower it wouldnt be much of a sleeper anymore..

Ummm... supercharger, not turbo, so there wouldnt be a turbo whine...

Superchargers whine too...;) Notfred's sig used to read "Z28 driver: Why's your car whine like that?" He drives a supercharged Mustang.
 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
0
0
Originally posted by: KingNothing
Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Colt45
oh yeah.. no need for a blower in a S-10.

besides, if you had a blower it wouldnt be much of a sleeper anymore..

Ummm... supercharger, not turbo, so there wouldnt be a turbo whine...

Superchargers whine too...;) Notfred's sig used to read "Z28 driver: Why's your car whine like that?" He drives a supercharged Mustang.

I thought the whine was much quieter/near nonexistent.
 

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
1
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AFAIK, the whine is about the same. The soundproofness of your car determines how much you hear, though. I mean, a supercharger and a turbocharger are the same thing, except the blades are driven by a belt on a supercharger and exhaust gases on a turbo. The design of the blower might make a noise difference, say Eaton vs Roots type for example.

I dunno, if I was gonna supercharge I'd be proud of the whine. :D
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
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Hell.. on second thought why dont you go all out.

put in a stroked and bored 454 with a blower.

new tranny. For rear end either get a 12 bolt chev or a 9" ford and put on some fat wheels in the back.. that should fix the traction problem..

of course now we're talking alot of work.. and you'll need a few 100 pounds of lead in the box;)


you might be getting 1 MPG, but it will be one fast mile :D
(yeah I know it won't actually suck down 1 MPG.. but it sure as hell isnt going to be effcient.)
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
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If youre going to do this on a budget you'd probably be best off getting a used 350..

check out wreckingyards and such, find a rolled truck or something. shouldnt be much $

You can always rebuild anyways..


Are you wanting a carb'd 350 or fuel injection?

I forget what my uncles sell used 350's for.. but it isn't much I don't think..