Very informative forum here. I've been reading through old threads and donig searches and I have a couple questions that I haven't found through old threads.

First, I have to introduce myself. My name's Jeremy and I'm from Central WI. I've always been fond of trucks, my family has mostly trucks. Right now I have a beater Chevy Beretta which is actually pretty reliable. I saw Parish's videos though and I've wanted to have a street truck like that. Then I found this forum and read a lot.

I'm a senior in high school, 17 y/o, and I just had shoulder surgery with another one coming up so I don't have a job yet. So I don't exactly have a lot of money at the moment. I'm also really into bodybuilding. It's more than a hobby to me and it costs a lot. 5k a year for food isn't unusual, then there's gym fees, etc etc. I have to state now that this is top priority. I will unhappily stick with my beater if things would be too expensive to have a fun truck.

I don't know a whole lot about cars/trucks. Just some very basic stuff. Internal engine stuff and stuff like that is Greek to me. I'd really like to learn, but I don't know where to start. I'm reading a lot, but it's kind of overwhelming.


Would it work alright to buy a newer 4x4 4.8 V6 and do a 6.0 swap? What's the earliest year the v6 would have to be for a 6.0 to go in? (Money is a HUGE issue with me). What kind of trannies do the v6's have? I'm guessing that would have to be swapped also with my future mods in mind (cam, turbo, spray, etc). What else would be needed to do this and how much would I be looking at for a cost?

Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it. Great board here.

 

you dont buy a v6 and do a v8 swap money is the thing and the 4.8 is a v8 not a v6 in these trucks and a very good v8 as well the trannys are not the best thing in the world but can be made to hold up decently especially if ou are not puting a lot of power down go and buy a v8 truck 4x4 is your preference and start with basics like tuning converters etc. then you can go with a 6.0 liter if you want to because the other mods will fit the 6.0 just my opinion

 

Like he said, man, go ahead and buy a truck with a v8. I've seen tons of stripped down trucks(base model, no carpet,etc.) with both the 4.8L and the 5.3L. Both of these engines are great bases for a beast of a street truck. You can get a 1999-2001 truck pretty cheap these days. You would end up spending alot of money swapping a v6 with a v8. Like sfj said, start off with a 4.8L or 5.3L, do your bolt on mods(intake,exhaust,etc.) as well as any appearance mods, then later on when the funds start rolling in, you can start thinking about cam swaps,headwork,forced induction of some sort, or a motor swap. I got my truck when I was in highschool, so I know where you're coming from. It's taken me 6 yrs to get it where it is now, and it's nowhere near where I want it to be. It just takes time and more importantly an understanding significant other and money. My girlfriend still gets alittle pissed when I spend my time and money on it, but that's the way it goes.
Good luck on your decisions, and welcome to the board!!!

 

thanks

my bad on the 4800 being a v8 not a v6 lol. i got it confused with a 3800. been doing a lot of beretta reading also.

what kind of trannies come with the 4.8 or 5.3?

and a late 90s truck will work with a swapped 6.0 w/ mods and 4L80E (if it doesnt already come with it)?

 

Auto 4l60e comes with the 4.8L and the 5.3L. Some 4.8L come with a manual. You can do a swap in a late 90s truck, but again, you'll run into the same thing about needing pretty good cash to buy all of the accessories,etc to make it all work. If you go with a new body style(99+), all the parts for the 4.8L,5.3L, and 6.0L are interchangeable. That way, if you do get a truck with a 4.8L or 5.3L, do some bolt ons, then decide to go with a 6.0L, the bolt ons will swap over, therefore you won't be out any money there.

 

oh, ok. thanks