Hello and thoughts on my project idea

CarRacer · Post by **CarRacer** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:51 pm

Hello, introducing myself after lurking on this site for a while. I currently own a 1991 Galant VR4 and enjoy driving it on a daily basis. It's a simple 16g car that I did a metric shitton of maintaince to. It's paid off though and it's a blast to drive.

This is extremely preliminary and just in the information gathering stages but I'd like to pursue a 4g63 powered Chevy S10. Hearing the thoughts of members here would be interesting.

My findings to this point:

Use a 95+ 4.3 V6 manual 2WD donor chassis. This has the stronger 8.5" rearend

Use a badass bellhousing made by Bill for a T56 (That guy is a huge asset to the rwd project community, he does amazing work)

Plan on a build timeline measured in months, probably a year to complete working my ass off.

Plan on a $5,000 build budget. I'm not sure if this will include the chassis or not. I was thinking of using an older donor until I found the info on the rearend.

Thanks for reading and any input you guys have.

boise-nic · Post by **boise-nic** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:34 pm

Sounds like a cool project. My first question is if the tunnel will be large enough to fit that transmission.

CarRacer · Post by **CarRacer** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:56 pm

Yeah, that may be an issue. If it is, I have no issue chopping it up and forming a new tunnel from sheet metal.

I guess I should add researching the dimensions for a T56 to my list. Thanks for the input.

jeffball610 · Post by **jeffball610** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:31 pm

$5k doesn't sound realistic. A T56 alone will run $1500+. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you might want to run some numbers first. You won't even need a T56 until you get past 350hp or so. (I'm sure someone will dispute this) To get that kind of HP out of the 4G63, figure in the cost of a stock bottom end, some cams, fuel, turbo (16g or bigger), ECU, clutch setup, custom parts for driveshaft etc., fabricated parts for exhaust, intake, intercooler, intake manifold....

Run some numbers first. I'm sure this would be a cool project (anyone ever seen a S10 with a 4 cylinder?) but be real with yourself. My project goal is $10k and includes the cost of body work and interior. Albeit, I have much lower HP goals and use lots of second hand and junk yard parts.

Let us know if it gets off the ground. Welcome to the forum. Share what you can with your GVR4 and I'm sure that experience will come in handy with this project.

CarRacer · Post by **CarRacer** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:28 am

Here's the build thread with pictures of the work done on my Galant.

http://www.galantvr4.org/ubbthreads/sho ... o=&fpart=1

Johnboy72 · Post by **Johnboy72** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:03 am

As much as I hate S10's for the sole purpose they are just too damn easy to build, it sounds interesting! Looks like you have the equipment at home to make it work. Hopefully the S10 doesn't bite like your galant did. I did see your valve cover and it's making me wonder if I should shave my JDM cover...I already painted it Ford blue to cover the red! Figured it would upset some diehard JDM tuners!

CarRacer · Post by **CarRacer** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:17 am

Thanks for the info and advice, I appreciate it.

If a t56 is far too exspensive isn't what I want, what should I be looking for? It'll most likely be a healthy 16g car and be street driven, so nothing too exciting but being able to rev above 7k is a tall order for any tranny. The Toyota transmissions seem like a viable alternative but they seem a bit spendy too.

Thanks.