Getting back into the game with a 90 GMC RCSB

**Thunderwagen** · 01-18-2012, 03:34 PM

I have taken a couple years off from screwing with anything fast. After I put my VHO back to stock and sold it to my brother. I had a 2010 Camaro SS with just real minor bolt ons. I got rid of it a year ago and have been jonesing for something quick again.

I bought an 89 Fox coupe and was planning on swapping in my motor and tranny from the VHO but I miss having a fast truck. So I decided to get off my ass and get to work on my 90 GMC RCSB. I bought the truck off my father in-law 10 years ago and he was the original owner. Between the two of us we racked up 246k miles before the tranny threw in the towel a few years ago. It has honestly been the best truck I ever owned. My original plans were to swap a 5.3 and 4L60 in it and build it for my sons first truck but I changed my mind and got him a single cab Colorado that gets great mpg.

I headed out to the shop Sunday and yanked the front clip, motor, and transmission. It took about 6 hours to get all that done. Next on the list is to get the frame cleaned up and degreased then blow the front suspension apart. Paint the frame and install new poly motor mounts.

I already have 2" DJM spindles, 2" Hotchkis springs, bilstien shocks, full pst poly graphite bushing kit, DJM 6" flip kit, and Hotchkis sway bars ready to go in. I will also be doing new ball joints and tie rod ends. Gotta figure out what im going to do as far as brakes.

I'm trying to decide how crazy I want to get with this thing. The truck is just going to be a street/strip weekend toy. I definetly want to keep it driveable so I can enjoy it. I have a couple of options to go with. I will be using my built 4L80 out of the VHO with a new converter either way.

I have a couple of motor choices and two different directions to go depending on what motor I go with. I have both motors sitting in the shop. The first option is a 32k mile Ls1 out of a 2000 f body. If I go with this one I'm planning on a healthy cam, long tubes, and the Nitrous outlet plate kit I never installed on the other truck. This one would be easier to do and cheaper since I could stick with the stock tank and an in tank 255 for fuel. If I go this route I would like to dip into the 10's with it.

My other option is the 9.5 cr 370 with compstar rods, weisco pistons, and 225 AFR heads i had built at LME. If I go with this motor I'm looking at doing a big single or twin turbo set up. Obviously the fuel system will have to be a bit more elaborate and I will probably end up doing a fuel cell. And I can see other things snowballing from there like the rear end and rear suspension. I may do a 14 bolt and cal tracs or go with a 9 inch and either ladder bars or a 4 link I don't know yet. If I go with the 370 I would like to try and squeeze a 9.99 out of it. Im leaning towards the 370 at the moment.

For now I'm going to concentrate on getting the suspension done and cleaning up the frame. This project isn't going to get completed over night and I will work on it as time and money are available. I will throw up some pictures as soon as I figure out how to on this site.