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MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/2/13 2:58 p.m.

I've called this one Chimera, because it's a big, ugly monster that's put together from several different critters. The objective will be to swap this 4.8 van motor:

Into this truck:

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury MegaDork
7/2/13 3:01 p.m.

Nice. Keep us updated. What are the plans for stance and such?

I just posted in the hotlink thread...my FIL has a pair of C dimes. The green one is bone stock, straight six, power nothing...manual brakes, manual steering, manual column shift...the works! The other is a hodgepodge thing that just got dropped about 5 or 6 inches. Neat trucks.

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/2/13 3:26 p.m.

I'm probably going to leave the ride height stock, as this is going to be a working truck.

CarKid1989
CarKid1989 SuperDork
7/2/13 5:02 p.m.

i cant wait to see this project get going. Similar to something i would love to DD

moparman76_69
moparman76_69 Dork
7/2/13 5:10 p.m.
MadScientistMatt wrote: I'm probably going to leave the ride height stock, as this is going to be a working truck.

I do not agree, I would do a 2/2 drop. Normally you would do a 2/3 or 2/4 but if you're using the truck to haul loads then drop it evenly to keep the back from sagging down with a lot of weight in it.

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave MegaDork
7/2/13 6:09 p.m.

The C10's are great. They are greater on Corvette Rally's with a mild drop. :)

solfly
solfly New Reader
7/2/13 6:10 p.m.

following

06HHR
06HHR Reader
7/2/13 6:30 p.m.

Me too, this transplant may happen to my truck one day. I was considering a 2/4 drop for my 91 C1500, then thought about what it would look like while towing or with a load. I think a 2/2 would look great now that the 275/60-15s i put on it fill out the wheelwell pretty good

cdowd
cdowd Reader
7/3/13 9:41 a.m.

I am looking forward to following this build.

xflowgolf
xflowgolf HalfDork
7/3/13 9:42 a.m.

yes!

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/3/13 9:43 a.m.
moparman76_69 wrote:
MadScientistMatt wrote: I'm probably going to leave the ride height stock, as this is going to be a working truck.
I do not agree, I would do a 2/2 drop. Normally you would do a 2/3 or 2/4 but if you're using the truck to haul loads then drop it evenly to keep the back from sagging down with a lot of weight in it.

I'm not touching the springs for the engine swap, but I could always come back and lower it later. Right now I need to get the engine swapped, and quickly - SWMBO wants it back to being roadworthy and reliable enough for her to drive.

pres589
pres589 SuperDork
7/3/13 9:46 a.m.

What trans are you planning on using for this?

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/3/13 10:00 a.m.
pres589 wrote: What trans are you planning on using for this?

Stock TH350 for now.

bravenrace
bravenrace UltimaDork
7/3/13 10:06 a.m.

Sorry, the name is already taken. This is a Chimera:

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury MegaDork
7/3/13 12:18 p.m.

C10 Chimera > Silly TVR thing

its a well known fact

bravenrace
bravenrace UltimaDork
7/3/13 1:07 p.m.
4cylndrfury wrote: C10 Chimera > Silly TVR thing its a well known fact

So says the ignorant masses...

ultraclyde
ultraclyde Dork
7/3/13 1:14 p.m.

That TVR is the best looking Miata I've ever seen.

To the OP - great plan. I like working trucks, the 'stance' and tire choice are perfect as-is. Having seen the pics of the truck, I don't understand your reference to a "big, ugly monster."

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury MegaDork
7/3/13 1:20 p.m.
bravenrace wrote:
4cylndrfury wrote: C10 Chimera > Silly TVR thing its a well known fact
So says the ignorant masses...

no matter how beautiful and sexy she may be...no mater how alluring you find her...no matter how aroused she may make you, some guy somewhere is tired of dealing with that Brittish car's terrible electric system!

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/3/13 1:48 p.m.
ultraclyde wrote: That TVR is the best looking Miata I've ever seen. To the OP - great plan. I like working trucks, the 'stance' and tire choice are perfect as-is. Having seen the pics of the truck, I don't understand your reference to a "big, ugly monster."

It photographs better than it looks - the hood and roof are probably the only straight body panels on the truck.

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltraDork
7/3/13 2:14 p.m.

Ordered a conversion flexplate and spacer setup from Summit for putting a TH350 behind a LSx, and they came in today. Much to my surprise - the spacer was already on the engine! It must have been a somewhat odd combination of a 4.8 / 4L80E.

bravenrace
bravenrace UltimaDork
7/3/13 2:40 p.m.
ultraclyde wrote: That TVR is the best looking Miata I've ever seen.

That Chimera does 0-60 in 4 seconds. It's no Miata. And all these guys that claim to know about their terrible electrical systems have most likely never owned one or even worked on them. They are incredible cars to drive, and the electrics are no worse than any other fiberglass car. Just sayin'.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde Dork
7/3/13 2:48 p.m.
MadScientistMatt wrote:
ultraclyde wrote: That TVR is the best looking Miata I've ever seen. To the OP - great plan. I like working trucks, the 'stance' and tire choice are perfect as-is. Having seen the pics of the truck, I don't understand your reference to a "big, ugly monster."
It photographs better than it looks - the hood and roof are probably the only straight body panels on the truck.

ehh...still a good looking truck. From 20 feet you can't see any dents that will rest a full beer can. Hell, all the trim is still attached

Bravenrace - I reiterate. My statement stands.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua PowerDork
7/3/13 3:07 p.m.
MadScientistMatt wrote: Ordered a conversion flexplate and spacer setup from Summit for putting a TH350 behind a LSx, and they came in today. Much to my surprise - the spacer was already on the engine! It must have been a somewhat odd combination of a 4.8 / 4L80E.

IIRC it's the 4l80e that did it. A 4l60e trans motor wouldn't have it.

bravenrace
bravenrace UltimaDork
7/3/13 5:53 p.m.

In reply to ultraclyde:

It's all good. You are absolutely allowed to be wrong, and I have no problem with that.

Travis_K
Travis_K UltraDork
7/4/13 8:27 p.m.

A 3rd gen camaro rear swaybar will fit those with a little bit of work, I put one on the one I used to have. If I had kept it I would have done the same engine swap you are planning, Im curious to see how the exhaust works out, I wouldn't be comfortable with the amount of hacking on the frame I have seen on the ones with at least some types of stock manifolds.

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