Thread: big block s-10 conversion...

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HI new here just looking for someone that can help me not brake anything lol. I am trying to set up my 85 s-10 to put a 427 in it. I have never tried this sort of thing and thought maybe I might try asking someone who has attempted it before. I'v been trying to research into the subject but am having problems finding any kinda of manuel or anything on the subject. If anyone on here could help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you^_^

-krista.

One thing that I know you'll have to change is the steering shaft. On a small block conversion, it is V-E-R-Y close, so I'm sure you'll have to re-route the steering with new shafting and u-joints. I doubt that you'll have room for conventional headers, maybe you could cobble up some fenderwell headers. I would also think that you would have trouble fitting the radiator without either moving it forward or cutting the firewall and moving the engine back. Other than that, I don't think I've ever seen this done. Maybe some of the other members can chime in.....

I have seen a 454 in an '84 S-10. As mentioned the steering shaft was modified and the firewall was also cut to allow it to fit. I saw the truck just after the motor had been dropped in and the rest of the front end was off, so I can't give you much help with inner fender to motor or radiator to motor clearances. To give you some idea though, the top/front portion of the dizzy cap sat just a little aft of where a plumb bob would point to while attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror. I am not saying that this is an absolute necessity, just what I saw. This guy had drag racing in mind when building it, so that might have just been done for weight transfer.

You would also have to make some modifications to the motor mounts as well depending on your overall measurements. I would also suggest streangthening the suspension to accomodate the extra weight.

I haven't seen a kit to accomplish such a task, but then again I haven't been looking for one either.

Anyway, I hope this helps at least a little bit.

Cheers,
Firechicken

If you've never attempted this kind of swap before, you might want to just leave the 427 in the corner and put in a skinny block, lots of kits available. A bbc can be put in an S-10, but it takes some above average fabricating skills, (steering shaft, suspension, mounts, firewall, radiator support, headers and lots of others) you may not want to tackle on your first swap project.

thanks guys. we've decided to just go with a small block conersion kit and I found out that we don't hae to cut into the firewall or anything. We will have to move the radiator to the other side of the core support but other than that it should be fine. Y'all helped me out alot I appreciate the help. possibly once we get it into thier I'll be able to post some pictures and put up a little article or something on how we did it for the next guy that comes along lol. Thanks.

Congrats, think you made a very wise choice, 78.

If you want an S-10 that will run with the big dogs consider swapping in one of the new generation small blocks. You can get an LS2 6 liter crate motor for a little over 6 grand. 400 rear wheel horsepower, 100 pounds lighter than the original small block. Very streetable, will get close to 20 mpg. It will fit pretty much where a 350 will. If a new LS2 is out of your price range, an LS1 or a 6.0 out of a truck or Escalade works real well too. Go over to www.ls1tech.com and do some reading. There are a few guys over there that are doing the S-10 swap. Check out the Conversions and Hybrids forum there.

Pat

78,
There is an entire site specially dedicated to S-10 owners that want to do engine swaps.

www.v8s10.org

As for your engine, you'll find a vast amount of information on small as well as big block Chevy engines on the same site.

I'm a subsciber to it and I'm trying to get them to open a forum for information on using the S-10 frame under different bodies.

thanks, this site should be very helpful!!!!

and i thought the idea was to be dif. if somebody told me a 454 wouldnt go into a S10 pick-up, them guess what!!!!!!

oh no i have decided that i am definatly doing the big block. I have already bought the headers for the conersion which cost me $1,070!!!!!! so theres no turning back now lmao. great project to begin about the time I get laid off right ^_^ lmao!!!!

Funny thing about those S-10 frames, they'll fit under just about anything. Wheelbases come in three sizes: 108", 117", and 122". The frame is 31" wide at the front and spreads out to 40" wide just behind the bellhousing all the way back. The frame is boxed all the way back to the rear rise. It can be shortened by grinding off the weld at the flared junction, cutting the required amount, sliding it back into the flair and rewelding it. It comes stock with IFS, PB, PS, and front disc brakes. It can take just about any engine. Of course the rear needs to be beefed up, a Ford Explorer is a bolt in.
All us hot rodders with late 30s, 40s, and early 50s were running around in junkyards looking for parts that could possibly match or be modified, or spending serious money for aftermarket parts, and it all came stock on an S-10 frame. And all you S-10 guys kept this info to yourselves....

That does it!!!...All you S-10 guys...Go stand in the corner!!!

im having to have my rearend out of my camaro narrowed to fit the s10 that way i can atleast have an 8.5 rear itll last some what longer since oin bottle i should be breaking 6.0's to 5.8's.

i didnt know all that about the s10 though this is the first one ive ever really tried anything with its going to be a learning experience thats for sure.

i know a couple people at the race track that put a bbc in there s-10s ill talk to them this weekend

thank you.