Big new project about to start

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Feb 14, 2007
13,712
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Texas!!!
I'm sure some of you were wondering what I had in the works with my post asking about slicks. Well, I'm working with my dad to build a race truck. This is going to be a very low budget prostock ride. Here's what is planned as of now.

The engine and transmission will be coming out of a Duramax powered van so we can use the 4L85E transmission without having to figure out a controller to work with the Duramax. The engine is going to be stock with nitrous. I'm hoping we can get it in the 650 HP range or maybe even a little higher. I did some searching online and found a shop that is in the Dallas area that seems to have a pretty good reputation with building 4L80s. We will be running a trans brake.

The body is going to be a Chevy Luv. The frame will be back halved with a full cage. I'm hoping the race weight will be under 3000 lbs.

This is not going to be the fastest entry out there by a long shot, but if we can get the chassis dialed in properly, I'm hoping it will at least be consistent and reliable. It will be a fun challenge and hopefully a good learning experience. We leave this weekend to pick up the van. We bought it at a Copart auction in New Jersey.
 

PAT

EASY DAY
Aug 21, 2011
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your back yard
I've seen some bad ass trucks in my days. But I've seen some WIIIIIIILD ASS LUVS! It's so tiny! Seen the typical 350 sbc's and another that had something larger. He wouldn't tell me though.
I've never heard of one with a dmax though. Good luck with getting it together. Will you have to stretch the front out at all to accommodate the duramax?
 

Burn Down

Hotrodder
Sep 14, 2008
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Boise Idaho
I would like to see the turbo sticking out of the hood instead of a supercharger. Sounds like a cool project. X2 on a build thread!
 

Stingpuller

The Pusher Man
Jan 11, 2007
2,019
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central Ohio
Do it!!!

I would rather be lucky than to be the fastest. It's worked pretty good for me. I always just want to go rounds and be consistent.
 

blk smoke lb7

<-----Lots of green $
Nov 8, 2010
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belvidere,ill
I would like to see the turbo sticking out of the hood instead of a supercharger. Sounds like a cool project. X2 on a build thread!
Thats what i say Albert the guy building the z28 and droping a dmax in wanted to know the total height of the turbo in the valley and i told him (i had 1 sitting here with turbo and all) and he said it was to tall i said let the turbo stick out the hood.
 

ChevyTruck

Boats an Hoes!
Oct 19, 2011
449
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Newark, De
If you don't mind me asking, who's the builder for the 85E?

It sounds like its going to be quality time with your pops turning wrenches, bleeding, cussing and drinking beers. :beer
 
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JoshH

Daggum farm truck
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Feb 14, 2007
13,712
773
113
Texas!!!
If you don't mind me asking, who's the builder for the 85E?

It sounds like its going to be quality time with your pops tiring wrenches, bleeding, cussing and drinking beers. :beer

Nothing is really set in stone yet, but the shop I'm looking at using is Jake's Performance. Have you heard of them before?
 

ChevyTruck

Boats an Hoes!
Oct 19, 2011
449
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Newark, De
Nothing is really set in stone yet, but the shop I'm looking at using is Jake's Performance. Have you heard of them before?

Not off had, I can ask around on the gas side on the other forum I get on if they recommend a trans shop in the Dallas area. Have you ever heard of a guy who goes by the name Flacco?
 

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Feb 14, 2007
13,712
773
113
Texas!!!
Not off had, I can ask around on the gas side on the other forum I get on if they recommend a trans shop in the Dallas area. Have you ever heard of a guy who goes by the name Flacco?

Yeah, I've heard of him.
 

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
11,249
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Norco CA
www.mcratracing.com
From my experience in the 2 years I ran the national events:

Attendance, and Reliability wins, not ET. The attrition rate is huge for a motorsport.

Build reliable, have spares, and show up, and you will win events. At Texas in 07, more than 1/2 the field were broke before the event was over, and this is typical AFAIK.