Budget Racer

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
11,249
26
38
64
Norco CA
www.mcratracing.com
If you want street legal, 1998-2002 Camaros and Firebirds are bargains now with the LS1.

A good driver can push the manual trans units into the high 12's WITH NO MODS.

Our 2000 SS Camaro, ended up running 12.52 with very minor changes. Cutout, airbox, 3.73's, ET Streets.

Stock engine cars have dipped into the 10's by adding a bottle and weight mods.

There is a lot of "hidden tech" in a LS1 Fbody. Glass front end and doors (yes, composite doors). Aluminum driveshaft. T56 Trans (Viper/Vette/Cobra R trans). All aluminum engine. Roller cam. Coil Per Plug ignition. 2.00/1.55 int/ex valves.

I regret selling our 2000. It was one of my favorite daily drivers.
 

JMDuramaxLB7

YOU SAID MEMBER!!!
Jun 3, 2007
744
0
0
Missouri
Find a LS series motor. They can be had for cheap on Ebay. Put it in the S-10 and have some fun. Those motors will make some big power with very little mods. Edelbrock makes a kit that comes with a intake and ignition system and you add your carb of choice.
 

blk smoke lb7

<-----Lots of green $
Nov 8, 2010
5,694
0
36
57
belvidere,ill
S 10s are nice and lite.Also dont forget about the lt1 motors they arent bad either and they are a bargin at times.I bought my neighbors 94 trans am with an lt1 and a 700r4 for $300 for the whole car after his wife tried to drive thru the passenger side of a newer grand prix still started and drove.Motor and trans will be used for a hot rod project some day:D
 

Akdiesel

IFS Hater
Aug 23, 2009
2,213
0
0
Fairbanks
Help with a little cost analysis:

S-10: Free (already have it)
SBC 350 or 400 (used vs crate): ???
Misc. performance parts: ???
NOS: ~$400
Slicks: ???
Rims: ???
Adjustable shocks: ???
Traction bars: ???

Any suggestions are welcome....
 

ripmf666

Active member
Sep 20, 2006
15,123
14
38
47
Wentzville Mo
Help with a little cost analysis:

S-10: Free (already have it)
SBC 350 or 400 (used vs crate): ???
Misc. performance parts: ???
NOS: ~$400
Slicks: ???
Rims: ???
Adjustable shocks: ???
Traction bars: ???

Any suggestions are welcome....

355 is nice 406 would be my pick just have to find a good used block. I think we have a few of both back home in the shop. Get the block bored 30 over and get the stock crank checked if it's a 400 stockers work good. Add 6" rods and some flate tops or very small dome and you can get Gm 292 turbo heads or buy some darts or something else. 250 nx kit and some wheels you like and M&H's and some caltracks.
 

Akdiesel

IFS Hater
Aug 23, 2009
2,213
0
0
Fairbanks
Pricing so far minus wheels/tires

400 SBC 2 bolt main block: $450
6" H beam rods: $255
GM 292 Heads: ??
Eagle 400 SBC internal balance crank: $125
Caltracs: $370
Flat top pistons/rings: $458
NOS: $400

Total minus heads/wheels/tires: $2058
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,627
5,759
113
Phoenix Az
your forgetting trans too tony :D. id definitly put something in that s-10. could be a very fun truck
 

THEREDDEVIL

A Bad seed
Jul 28, 2010
512
0
16
44
Godfrey, il
I run m&h cheater slicks, kinda like the et streets, I think they run about 160 apiece? I would have to check. U can prob find some drag lites or rod lites used. I have a 400 sbc 2 bolt main but I would like to keep it and build it. If u need a cheap 350th short shaft let me know. I have 3 of them. All good cores. NOt sure how much shipping would b though. If u do the s10 I have found that a rear end from a ford explorer will bolt in with minor mods. Width is very close to stock actually a tiny bit narrower Iirc. It's the 8.8 and I think they were limited slip.
 

JMDuramaxLB7

YOU SAID MEMBER!!!
Jun 3, 2007
744
0
0
Missouri
I have seen 6.0 LS engines on Ebay for less than a grand with 50k miles on them. These motors will make 400+ hp with a cam swap and the edelbrock kit i mentioned in my other post. Build a stout turbo 350 and that s-10 would be a blast and could be driven on the street very easily. You can't build a 355 or 400 that would make that kind of power without spending at least 3 times the money. This would be low budget for sure and be damn quick gauranteed.You could also run pump gas wich would be cheaper than any race gas i have seen lately. You could spray the hell out of it and if it blows buy another one for the same price and have more fun...
 

Akdiesel

IFS Hater
Aug 23, 2009
2,213
0
0
Fairbanks
That's a pretty good point...didn't realize a LS would be cheaper to make power out of...but haven't been around gassers in a long time. I like the simplicity of carb'd motors I know that much. I'll definitely have to keep my eyes open.
 

SmokeShow

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2006
6,818
34
48
43
Lawrenceburg, KY
I'd def find an LS engine to throw in the ol s-dime! I'd like to put one together as a fun dd that can get good fuel mileage & haul the mail when needed!

I'd keep it fuel inj too! Several places to get a simple stand alone harness - hook up 5 wires & fuel & coolant & she fires off like a champ! No need to tune the carb.. Just set the tuning from a reputable LS tuner for the mods you throw on it. Throw some bolt-ons on it & a 250 shot & go wear it out! The 6.0 would be badass!


That's what I'd like to do anyways. There's anything & everything imaginable for an s-10 so you can mod it over time to suit your needs/goals. ;)

Have fun!
 

Akdiesel

IFS Hater
Aug 23, 2009
2,213
0
0
Fairbanks
Holy shnikes!! Thanks a million times over for the links Henry. I wouldn't have even known they had V8 to S-10 swap kits. :D