Does GM have a new truck for me?

[Scotty_S-15]

My old friend, & everyday driver, my '94 C1500 (Silverado) is starting to show it's age. It's now got only 125K, but it's starting to feel "old". I bought it new with the Sport Equipment/Sport handling package with 275/60/15s, and when new, handled like a dream, could chase down Porsches on the interstate ramps. It's 2wd, 350 w/4l60E that I've beaten unmercifully, and it never complained.
........ Problem is, I don't see ANYTHING that I like. I doubt if the Colorado/Canyon will have the 5.3 anytime soon..... Ideally, I'd like the same truck, circa 2008.
........ Any ideas? Am I missing something GM has hidden from me? Or, do I spend some $$ on my old '94, do some work on the suspension, and then slip in an LS3?

[11 6.2]

I say fix up the 94 and drop an LS based motor in that thing will come allive

[RedHeartbeat]

depends on how you like the old truck. If you're tired of it then sell it off and get something else, maybe the Trailblazer SS. There are quite a few nice truck type vehicles out there. If you're not a tree hugger then you have lots of good options right now since they're discounting trucks deeply to get them off the car lots. I'd wait a little while and get an 09 RCSB, slam it and then put a front mount turbo on it. You'll scare the pants off your grandma!

[zeake]

depends on how you like the old truck. If you're tired of it then sell it off and get something else, maybe the Trailblazer SS. There are quite a few nice truck type vehicles out there. If you're not a tree hugger then you have lots of good options right now since they're discounting trucks deeply to get them off the car lots. I'd wait a little while and get an 09 RCSB, slam it and then put a front mount turbo on it. You'll scare the pants off your grandma!

+1

TBSS or 09RCSB + Trick turbo. but for just motor TBSS is it. I love my wifes

[Scotty_S-15]

Wow! That's a lot of info and opinions! Thanks for all of that. Ya know, I had never considered a TBSS. But no reason I can't..... Hmmm.
....... And regarding keeping the '94........ there's another factor involved..... I've got an '82 S-15 (that I also bought new) that got a 350 transplant about 10 years ago. At first, it was the ideal, mild street/strip truck, a blast on the street, yet would run 13.2, and Grandma quiet. Over the years, the pace kept picking up, and last autumn, it ran 11.42 @ 117. (that being a no-no, limited to 11.50 w-no roll bar) And guess what, it's no longer "fun" on the street, loud as hell with the Dynomax X-Flo muffler, and with a cam that idles, well, barely. But it's still quite a sleeper.
......... So, there is an LS3 in my future....... just not sure if it's going to be in the S-15, or the Silverado. My goal with the S-15 would be to still run 11.5 flat, be quiet so I can sneak up on those Mustangs.... LOL. Problem with the Silverado, is abut 1,500 lbs. difference vs. the old '82 S-15. But what the Silverado has going for it, is the A/C, PS, and all the amenities. But alas, there can be only one "toy". Space and "quality time" under my truck being the limiting factors.

[GoFastPadre]

Hey Man, I agree with the others. Keep the 94 cause you can do a lot of "fixing" with the dough they want for a new one. I say drop a 6.0 in the S15 and a 408 Stroker in the Silvy. Just my 2 cents

[Chevy-Art]

Keep it and fix it up. Buy another pre-owned vehicle and drive it while working on the 94. If you get rid of it you will regret it. There is a lot of information here that will help you convert it to an LS based truck. Good luck and welcome to the site.

[yellowdemon327]

I think 99-02 reg cab short bed with a 4.8 or 5.3 would more than please you. great power, good handling, and a newer interior would def make you fall in love all over again. if you think the 350 runs good, wait till you get a truck with a LS motor. I think you would do just fine with one of these.

[txarkitekt]

Dude...an LS3 in ANYTHING would be badass. But good luck finding an LS3 for anything cheaper than $10k-$12k. I would sell the 94. Get yourself a 99-02 GMC RCSB and drop in a LS1/T-56 combo. Do every bolt on and cam, gears, Posi. You could get the truck AND do all the mods to it for less than the cost of the LS3 by itself...

[ImpoSStor SS]

........ Problem is, I don't see ANYTHING that I like. I doubt if the Colorado/Canyon will have the 5.3 anytime soon.....

The Colorado/Canyon is scheduled to receive the 5.3 in some versions for 2009.
Click here for details.