The Official "GMC INDY HAULER" build thread (Page 22/26)
motoracer838 JUL 16, 10:47 AM
At this point I'm liking how it looks with the wheels grey, the cool thing is that they're done with paint over rustoleum's version of plasti dip, easy to change.

Joe
MinnGreenGT JUL 18, 12:07 PM
Nice to see/hear that this is on the road again - I've been periodically following this thread for years now!

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Looking for Fiero posters?

motoracer838 AUG 18, 08:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by motoracer838:

Reality check time, jeez I can be my own worst enemy. By the time I've done either the Ramjet Vortec or the LS-1 the cost and complexity have gotten totally out of control, this is to be a daily driver, and needs to be done in a reasonable amount of time. So, back to the TBI 350, I really do have enough to do on the truck with what it'll take to get the truck at the ride height shown above without killing off suspension travel and ride quality.
What was I saying about being my own worst enemy?!?

Joe



Right choices, wrong reasons, a choice I hadn't mentioned, related to the LS-1. The Vortec 4.8-6.2 engines were of consideration at the time, I was operating that because I had the TBI350 and thought I was going to get the truck done in a reasonable amount to time, yeah about that...ultimately, my mission creep pushed the cost of the swap into LQ-4 ( 6.0 ) territory.

I'm just bringing this up because I have had some time behind the wheel of a truck equipped with a 6.0, the truck is a 1 ton chevy service truck, utility body, miller bobcat welder/generator and full load of tools. This thing has to weigh at least 10,000 lbs and can still get out of it's own way, I'm impressed.

Don't get me wrong, the Hauler aka Frankenstine is a hoot to drive and gets plenty of attention, it's just that I really missed an opportunity here. The whole LS engine family has changed the game, I've done my last old school sbc...

Joe

[This message has been edited by motoracer838 (edited 08-18-2014).]

fieroguru AUG 18, 09:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by motoracer838:
The whole LS engine family has changed the game, I've done my last old school sbc...



I know the feeling!
motoracer838 OCT 14, 08:11 PM
Update, for the last couple of months I've been using the Hauler as my daily driver (that'll change as the weather changes.) What a hoot, gas mileage sucks around town, can't keep my foot out of the throttle.

There are a couple of things that need refining, such as stiffer front springs and a mellower muffler, I'm on my 3rd, a Flowmaster super 50 and am still dealing with droning but overall very pleased with the results.

Joe
johnyrottin OCT 26, 01:47 PM
Status update? Do you have any complete pictures?
johnyrottin JUN 19, 06:26 AM
We haven't heard anything about this project in a long time. Does anyone know what it's status is?
motoracer838 JUN 25, 08:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by johnyrottin:

We haven't heard anything about this project in a long time. Does anyone know what it's status is?



Yeah I've been using it as my daily driver, since getting the tune sorted out, the truck has given me zero problems (unlike my Cadillac SRX waaayyy more fun to drive to. ) and never fails to put a big grin on my face, no matter what kind of day I've had.

Still need to take care of some minor details as mentioned before, and I'm having soo much fun driving this one, that I want to build another one much more focused at the Pro Touring style going on (details latter ).

Thanks for the interest.

Cheers Beers n Gearz. Joe
Darth Z JUN 27, 01:48 AM
This is a sweet build! I would love to see the finished product.

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2010 Jeep Wrangler
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
1987 Pontiac Fiero
1957 Chevrolet Corvette LS6-swapped (LOOOOOOONG-term project)

motoracer838 OCT 10, 05:20 PM
I've had a ton of fun driving the "Hauler" for the last year and a half, there are some issues I want to address, The big one is horse power, the way I built the engine it should be making about 300 at the crank or about 240 at the wheels, at a recent trip to a local dyno, it only made 191. I've felt it wasn't quite right, it has what I think is a flat and lazy feel to it, I suspect it wiped the cam on break in.

So, I'm going to pull it down for the winter, adding LT-1 flat top pistons, replacing the TBI pistons that have a dish and a 45degree back cut at the od, giving a big bump in compression, and converting to a roller hyd cam that is just a tick smaller than the GM LT-4 hot cam. Once I have that sorted out and drive it for a while, it will come out and an LS 5.3 will go in. Yes I am my own worst enemy...

Joe