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"Ladybird" The journey of an '81 C10.

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  • "Ladybird" The journey of an '81 C10.

    Hey guys,

    I have been pretty much just lurking her for a few years, never really started any threads. I guess I figured I didn't have much to showoff...anyway, I bought a '81 Chevy C10 a few months ago, and given the "enthusiast" vibe of S|W (and the sucky vibes of any Chevy related forums) I figured I would post this build in here.

    I drive past the garage where the previous owner works every single day on my way to work and I used to just drool every time I passed this thing. Its ugly, its big, and it is awesome. I had been looking for quite a long time for an old piece of American Iron to call my own so I was totally stoked to hear that this was for sale and after some haggling I rumbled away, much to my wife's chagrin. So here goes...

    I apologize in advance for the lack of picture quality that will be posted in here, it will most likely all be iPhone shots, so give me a break.

    These are the only pictures that I have right now though so bear with me.
    Untitled

    photo-3

    photo-2

    Currently has a (very) mild 350ci out of a mid 70's Camaro in front of a TH350. Edlebrock carb, headers, mild cam and a few other little things, all done by the PO. It is pretty tired but runs like a champ. It is lowered a few inches, springs in the front and shackles in the back. I probably wont go too much lower, but who knows. The current plans are as follows in order of importance:

    -fix PO's handiwork (wiring/sound system/basic tune up stuff)
    -patch/repair/destroy all rust and paint undecided color
    -find a suitable 4/5 speed to swap in that will handle decent power
    -build a hot 355ci, hoping for 400/425 but...we will see.
    -Hotchkis suspension components to do some auto-x

    I come from 6 Honda vehicles previous to this, so it is hard to drive something that handles like a 50 ft yacht. This is hopefully going to be a very well rounded truck, though I don't plan to take it to the drags or anything, well...maybe once.

    Oh, yeah.....I also daily drive this so things will be a little bit slow. I just want to build a truck I can drive, quite possibly, for the rest of my life.

    I hope to have some updates soon.
    Last edited by xAHx; 07-12-2013, 05:40 PM.

  • #2
    Well that sucks...I guess the photos are too big for the site. Ill try to fix that.




    Fixed
    Last edited by xAHx; 07-12-2013, 05:40 PM.

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    • #3
      its nice to see another c10 on here, looks like a good start man

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Belvader View Post
        its nice to see another c10 on here, looks like a good start man
        Thanks man! Link yours on here if you have a thread for it. Id love to check it out.

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        • #5
          Your gonna have to lower it some more if your wanting some of those sweet S|W vibes, but looks like you have a nice canvas to start with. Good luck man, I love C10's.

          BTW, with just some minor modifications that 350 turbo you have can handle any amount of power you can throw at it. Really for a street truck with some balls a th350 would be my first choice.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by MrNiceGuy View Post
            Your gonna have to lower it some more if your wanting some of those sweet S|W vibes, but looks like you have a nice canvas to start with. Good luck man, I love C10's.

            BTW, with just some minor modifications that 350 turbo you have can handle any amount of power you can throw at it. Really for a street truck with some balls a th350 would be my first choice.
            It won't be going much lower...as far as the th350, I am very aware of the potential, but I **** driving automatic. It will stay as long as I can stand it...but I don't think that will be long.

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            • #7
              Looks identical to mine except mines some odd blue color and manual.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Skraight. View Post
                Looks identical to mine except mines some odd blue color and manual.
                Nice! I love the '81+ facelift.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by xAHx View Post
                  It won't be going much lower...as far as the th350, I am very aware of the potential, but I **** driving automatic. It will stay as long as I can stand it...but I don't think that will be long.
                  Ah I see, im a manual trans fan myself. Carry on

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by MrNiceGuy View Post
                    Ah I see, im a manual trans fan myself. Carry on
                    Haha exactly. I really want to take on the challenge of doing a bunch of auto-x with this rig and a manual trans is a lot more conducive to "spirited driving" in my opinion.

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                    • #11
                      Haven't updated this in a while. Sourced another small block to start the motor build. Was originally planning on just an overbore and a decent set of heads. But now I'm looking into a possibly a 383 stroker kit. What I really want is to source a 3.875 Dart crank and build a 396 small block stroker. But we will see what the wallet allows. Picture updates soon.

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                      • #12
                        Nice truck. Check out my c10 build..
                        Flickr
                        Muscle Truck Build

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                        • #13
                          Been a really slow start with this. It's a real pain to daily drive this and get any serious work done. Hopefully getting the rotating assembly in from Northern Auto soon to start the engine build.

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                          • #14
                            For the last few years I've wanted to find one of these and dump it on on steelies. Good luck with the build man, I can't wait to see the progress. We're semi-local too, I'm from up in the Scranton/WB area.
                            I don't belong here...

                            1996 Camaro RS
                            1980 Camaro

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