shopping for a truck...

[buttons]

a few years ago I had a 2000 firebird LS1, bolt ons and cam (auto) ran mid 12's at 113mph with 2.1 60'

I want to trade my mazdaspeed 6 in for a Regular Cab short box truck. while im leaning towards a silverado, i would consider others. I would love a 4.8 rcsb with a 5 speed (i enjoy shifting, but also love the sound when a v8 makes when mated to a manual) Within a 350 mile radius there is only one truck, i dont feel like going 350 miles to look at it.

finding a RCSB truck with a v8 seems like a pretty tough task even without the manual option! There is an 04 hemi ram rcsb for $10,900 with 26,000 miles. If i get a 4.8 or 5.3 im pretty sure id end up swapping a LQ4 in with L92 heads and a hot cam ... should I just shop for a LQ4 equipped truck, or are they going to be to heavy to get out of their own way?

(i never plan on towing more then 3500 lbs and very rare occasion anyhow) this truck would mostly be for cruising and light duty chores

[nighthawk]

dont get a HD, they are heavy. there are plenty of 4.8 and 5.3 RCSB that you should be able to find one. Manual would be harder, but I think the manual would be a headache in the long run.

[buttons]

I read a few posts from guys that had the manual... they said it wouldnt shift into 3rd over 5,000rpms and the throws were really long. Im sure your right, its just had an automatic with my trans am and i ALWAYS regretted it no matter how fast i made the car.

What are you stances on 5.3 vs a hemi? a few RCSB hemis around here for a cheap price.

[ducky]

5.3 has a better platform to modify. its easier, its cheaper, a better bang for the buck for you to go faster

[nighthawk]

5.3 has a better platform to modify. its easier, its cheaper, a better bang for the buck for you to go faster

yeah. and a 02 Ram vs a 02 Silverado there is a BIG weight difference. The GM's just have a lot more potential.

[buttons]

Yeah, the cheaper and heavy aftermarket has me attracted to the silverado. Well, they look better too! :-)

I saw a heads/cam hemi go 12.7@106 but the parts looked like mega $$$ im not in a super hurry so im going to wait for the right rcsb 5.3 to pop up, any particular years I should look for? I was thinking 2004+

[nighthawk]

Yeah, the cheaper and heavy aftermarket has me attracted to the silverado. Well, they look better too! :-)

I saw a heads/cam hemi go 12.7@106 but the parts looked like mega $$$ im not in a super hurry so im going to wait for the right rcsb 5.3 to pop up, any particular years I should look for? I was thinking 2004+

03-04 are the same.
05 look the same but had efans and rear drum brakes
06-07 changed the front grille and HD hood.

[foggy]

there's an 04 for sale here in the classifieds.

[C-WAY]

Get the new Silverado concept with the LS7

[Wtfan18]

a few years ago I had a 2000 firebird LS1, bolt ons and cam (auto) ran mid 12's at 113mph with 2.1 60'

I want to trade my mazdaspeed 6 in for a Regular Cab short box truck. while im leaning towards a silverado, i would consider others. I would love a 4.8 rcsb with a 5 speed (i enjoy shifting, but also love the sound when a v8 makes when mated to a manual) Within a 350 mile radius there is only one truck, i dont feel like going 350 miles to look at it.

finding a RCSB truck with a v8 seems like a pretty tough task even without the manual option! There is an 04 hemi ram rcsb for $10,900 with 26,000 miles. If i get a 4.8 or 5.3 im pretty sure id end up swapping a LQ4 in with L92 heads and a hot cam ... should I just shop for a LQ4 equipped truck, or are they going to be to heavy to get out of their own way?

(i never plan on towing more then 3500 lbs and very rare occasion anyhow) this truck would mostly be for cruising and light duty chores

i feel ya on this one man! i was born to drive a standard, autos really put me to sleep. BUT they are getting better and better every year and its real hard to match the consistency of an auto. ive been looking for quite some time for a SBRC 4.8 5 speed 99-07 classic but they are pretty damn rare... especially up north where everyone has 4wd trucks. id pretty much just swap all my stuff over into the NBS truck but prolly will never happen. some people just need the fun and complete control on a manual. im one of them. nothing better. good luck on your search