I was reading around, and now I want your advice

[305chevy]

First of all- Which motor would be the best to swap into an 86 s10? I was thinking 350, but i really want an ls1 but then i saw one with an lt1 whats the difference? I know im a noob, but im 15 so i work on a tight schedule

second- can i use the camaro transmission? where would i get a driveshaft made? i live in pa, so idk if anyone knows a good shop or something

third- (again, sorry for making a big post, but i can only post once a day as far as i saw) any other tips that i should need? i was looking at the parts store for v8, but im not sure which parts go for what truck. under ls1, can i just use all of that stuff for my swap?

sorry for all the noobish questions, and please, let me know if you know where there is a project thread. by that i mean like the progress reported on a forum. thanks everyone! and by the way, the site is great

daniel

[racer1182]

a 350 will be your cheapest bet and will be able to make some good power from. you can use a camaro trans as long as it was from behind a V8. are you wanting to keep it a stick or go automatic? if you wanna go automatic and you have a standard cab short box then get a long shaft TH-350 and you will be able to use your stock drive shaft.. if you need any more help just ask or search past threads. also you need to upgradde your membership so you can post more than once a day.

Greg

[Shovelhead]

305 Chevy welcome to site.. You would wise to invest in a v8 conversion manual. They are aval. from the site's part store it will answer a lot of questions & help you too.

http://www.s10v8.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/44

[Ryoung68]

Welcome to S10V8.com! :icon_wave:

The swap manual is a good source of basic engine swap info and parts needed. But each swap produces its own problems, that is where this site comes in, and upgrading your membership will let you post as often as you need. Again welcome aboard. :headbang:

[-Deception-]

Welcome to the site.

[wild572s10]

welcome to site and good luck with build

[harleyboy]

welcome to the site and have fun with the truck. and I would say a 350 because you can get parts a dime a dozen.

[spacecadet]

My suggestion would be buying a donor car. It will have either a 305 or a 350. Buying a donor car like a caprice, monte would be the easyiest way to do it. You will have a lot of pieces like brackets and things. You will still have to buy conversion parts, liek the mounts and according to which donor, possible the headers. Like was said before, each swap is different, you could locate differnt brakets than someone else that will still work. Althought they may appear differently.
Other thing is suggest to upgrade your membership, you will be able to post more frequently.

Space

[RONSTPIS10]

I would have to agree with space if this is a first time a donor car will make things easier getting parts, comparing harness and mounting. also get the book and do some reading it will get you off to a good start. then when your knee deep in the project and have a problem ask the guys on here IF THEY DONT HAVE THE ANSWER YOU HAVE THE WRONG QUESTION!!!

[greenmachine_1]

For a first swap I would suggest the easiest setup which would be a carburated first gen small block with TH-350. It will be the least amount of fabrication that you will likely have to do and a great starter project. Also read through old posts because many questions have already been answered. Finally, from personal experience being 14 or 15 years old with a super high powered street machine isn't the best combination. Keep things simple and you'll still have a heck of street machine.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

[auroradan]

A lot depends on your skill level and the $$ you have to spend. My first [and only so far] conversion was an injected 94 LT1 from an old cop car. The cheapest part was the donar car, $950 in good running condition. Just pulling info from top of my head I probably spent $4k on my swap. Did most of the work myself but paid to have a harness built and PCM (computer) re programed. If I could go back in time and start again, I would opt for a much simpler swap like a carbed engine from some old granny wagon or truck. Which ever motor you use, you can get help for most any part of the swap here. My LT1 swap was not as popular a swap, but I was still able to gain knowledge from this great group!

A-Dan