Project truck

[Angry Perch]

I bought a 1986 GMC C15 for a budget midlife crisis project.
Plan is to install a 383 stroker, but the driveline needs some upgrades first. It has a factory 3.42 rear end, but I need to install posi. I know I can get the parts for +/- $500, but it sounds like a bit of a technical install. Any advice for DIY, or cost estimate to have it done?

I know the 700R4 needs a rebuild/ replace to handle 400+ HP and 425+ TQ, but costs are all over the board. Anywhere from $1300 on Amazon to my local transmission guy who says $3-4K.

Just looking for any advice or experience with either.

[2MANY]

Add weight to the bed.

[Angry Perch]

Add weight to the bed.

The end goal is to turn money-into-rubber-into-smoke, so that might be counter productive! 

Although keeping a few sets of rear wheels and tires in the bed might kill two birds with one stone!

[Zardoz]

Making quality - reliable smoke always costs money.   

[Westside88]

You may want to see if you can find a kit to replace the rear end with a 9" ford rearend kit. More expensive than you've stated, but strong and if you want to swap gear ratio's they're easier to deal with. I put one in a 68' elCamino, very happy with it

[2MANY]

Add weight to the bed.

The end goal is to turn money-into-rubber-into-smoke, so that might be counter productive! 

Although keeping a few sets of rear wheels and tires in the bed might kill two birds with one stone!

Buy a diesel, make smoke, and save on the rubber.

[Angry Perch]

Add weight to the bed.

The end goal is to turn money-into-rubber-into-smoke, so that might be counter productive! 

Although keeping a few sets of rear wheels and tires in the bed might kill two birds with one stone!

Buy a diesel, make smoke, and save on the rubber.

That stuff stinks!

[Angry Perch]

You may want to see if you can find a kit to replace the rear end with a 9" ford rearend kit. More expensive than you've stated, but strong and if you want to swap gear ratio's they're easier to deal with. I put one in a 68' elCamino, very happy with it

I can't ever see it hooking up well enough to blow through an 8.5" 10 bolt.

[Thehowler]

Sounds like that local transmission guy got a big bone when you told him what you were doing. Sounds like a fun build project.

[Angry Perch]

Sounds like that local transmission guy got a big bone when you told him what you were doing. Sounds like a fun build project.

Ya, everything sounded great until he through out that number! I try not to come across as a guy that has fat stacks of cash, which is pretty easy when you don't have fat stacks of cash!

Here she is. Plan is to keep the look completely stock, with the possible exception of a very slight lowering.

[Mudman]

383 is great choice.  Get good heads on it for power.  Its all about the head.  Spend your $ on good Heads... 10 bolt is fine (300hp) and plenty strong, spool or Detroit it.  Or find a 3/4 or 1ton rear which may solve your gear issue too!  Watch frame by PS as prone to cracking. Had a few Ol Chevs over the years.  favorite was 1971.  A 350 with good parts (head) is good choice as well.  Don't buy some cheap Box crate engine, they lack power(heads).  700 is good trans when rebuilt by exp techs.  I would think 1200-1600$.  My guy did a T350 for me for 600$ and I shoved a 455 through it no problems.  But he retired and was a friend.  Honestly if you plan to keep it under 100mph a 3/4 ton gear with locker/spool and tubbed with 400+HP would be very quick and kill tires.

[Angry Perch]

Currently looking at a GM Performance Parts SP383, rated at 435HP, 445TQ, brand new straight from the factory with warranty.

Other is a Smeding Performance 383 rated at 400HP, 440TQ. They also use brand new GM blocks, and nothing re-manufactured.

Time (and $) will tell...

[jdb]

You gonna call out the 405 when it's done?

[Skillet]

TCI has a street fighter 700R4 that will easily handle what you're doing for around $2k.     If they're still producing the same quality they were 20-ish years ago, I think you'd be happy. 

What engine is coming out?

[Stein]

Don't even paint it and put an old canopy on it.  That will make it all the sweeter when you blow the doors off all the imports puffing their chest these days.