[Dmaxs10]

Following this as I got one this year to start on. Yours looks awesome!
How many rpms you plan on turning the engine? I ran into a issue with my s10 and a smaller power steering pulley with burning the power steering fluid at high rpm (6500+). I ended up shaving down the bolt on the steering gear and slotted the holes for the power steering pump mount up to raise the pump some to clear everything with the stock truck pulley.

 

[71350SS]

Found I could order direct from Auto Custom Carpets Inc. at a greatly reduced price.
Putting my front end back together. Looking for a place I can buy springs for my wagon? Don't want a tail drager. Should I upgrade the springs? Any advice on the shocks? Putting the 350 engine back in, and I have AC.

Thanks for the help.

You can buy your shocks and springs from any auto parts store but for a good price Rock Auto still sells Moog springs and shocks for your wagon but you can save a few bucks buying them here.

More Information for MOOG 5390

More Information for MEVOTECH SMS6381

I can't vouch for mevotech try Summit Racing for the springs too.I bought front and rears there and by the time I included shipping (Summit was free) I was within $5 of RA.

For shocks Bilstein is your best choice but they are a hard to find item and some places overcharge for them.
Sorry these are genetic Chevelle parts as I couldn't find what yr your wagon is.

 

[Philip]

Ran into issues with the 6.0 liter engine. Might be cam or lifters, anyway it is out and on a stand. Pulled the fresh 5.3 from our Nova wagon and dropped it in. It is running really well but has not been tuned yet. Since the engine is smaller the 4L80 is being swapped out for 4L60. Better gear ratios and less weight. The steel driveshaft will also be replaced with an aluminum shaft. Hoping these changes, when tuned, will get me the power and fuel economy I want. The 5.3 is from a 2010 Suburban. Performed the DOD delete and switched it to a 24x. The cam specs are in the attached photo, other than that the engine is stock. Right now it has the truck intake with the small throttle body but before tuning the TBSS intake with a 92mm throttle body will be installed. Have run both 91 octane and 87 with no difference in power or mileage. Currently it is getting a consistent 16.6 mpg.

 

[CBMU302]

Finally bought an engine and trans for my wagon. Going with a LT1 and 4l60 from a 97 Camaro in great condition. Paid $2400.00 for the entire setup, Computer, wiring, and all accessories. Hoping to get about 20 mpg hyway. Any ideas on rear gear ratio?

Thanks,

 

[Philip]

Finally bought an engine and trans for my wagon. Going with a LT1 and 4l60 from a 97 Camaro in great condition. Paid $2400.00 for the entire setup, Computer, wiring, and all accessories. Hoping to get about 20 mpg hyway. Any ideas on rear gear ratio?

Thanks,

I would think around a 3.55 gear would be good. I have a 3.31 and it is a little high. This also depends on the tire size. I will be dropping tire diameter by 1 inch when new tires are purchased to help with the high gear.

Well it seems my mileage has improved. After the last tank with a mix of 91 and 87 there wasn't much change. Having just 87 octane has given me 17.7 mpg. Way better than the 11-12 mpg of the big block, but there was a noticeable loss of torque (from the engine swap. not the fuel change). Since it is just a cruiser no big deal. The Nova wagon will be my hot rod. With the 5.3L being replaced by 6.0L and only weighing 3000 pounds it should be fun. Now to decide how I want to build the 6.0. A Tremec T56 will be behind the engine feeding power into a Moser 12 bolt.

 

[usc2001gc]

I've committed to taking my wagon in the Power Tour this year in my wagon. Already booked the rooms. Have the 6.0/4l80e in it, but need to pull the rear to have a 3.55 posi unit installed. Still have a long way to go to complete it. I'll try to take pictures along the way but not sure I'll be able to keep my build thread updated.
Actually pulled a 5.3/4l60e out for the 6.0 upgrade.

 

[Philip]

My car is ready to do that, my wallet isn't. We're adding a 24x24 room on the house to have a place for all Mary's books. We've been paying cash and doing most of the work ourselves. Should be done by spring. So maybe next year.

 

[deserttaco]

Shoot, I haven't even touched my car since October. It's sitting in the garage on a trickle charger, while the new engine is on a stand. I keep collecting projects, and although I'm finishing projects, I keep getting them quicker than I'm finishing them. I hope to do Power Tour some day, but it won't be this year, probably won't be next year.