I picked this one up a couple of months ago while I was working on the El Camino. This is not only a Holy Grail build for me but also would be a Holy Grail 1:1 vehicle for me. If I could ever get my hands on one for the right price……. . To be very honest about it, these were not fast trucks from the factory. I think the horsepower rating was right about 225 hp and in 1990 it had a TH400 transmission behind it with 3:73 gears. The transmission being only 3 speed automatic made things difficult in an everyday driver due to the 3:73 gears. I guess GM wanted to captivate a middle age audience with the 454 and the nostalgia of the Turbo 400 automatic. In any case in 1991 they got smart and stuck a 4 speed overdrive transmission behind it to help the driveablity out some. In any case they produced on heckuva good looking vehicle and opened the gate for a slew of fast trucks to follow… and they are HIGHLY sought after now.
I wouldn’t consider it classic, that would be reserved for anything up to the mid 70s, but it’s not modern either. Looking forward to it Joe. Ya gonna build it stock? I dare ya!
Thanks Greg. Well…it’s not necessarily like a classic muscle car but it does have its place in automotive performance history. It was like a re-awakening of the “ol’ brutus” style of performance with a big block and all since all the performance cars of the era all had small blocks.
Just cracked into the box yesterday morning and started sorting parts…starting with the engine. Really looking forward to building this truck and will try to add as much detail as possible and will be going for an O.E.M look. I might do a Day 2 build and add some wheels and tires but that’ll be about all.
I’m at no shortage for a reference because I actually own a 1994 Silverado Extended Cab truck. Late last year I got the hankerin’ to yank the 350 and replace it with a warmed over 383 (that still utilizes TBI injection but with Vortec heads) with a freshened up 4L60E, 2000 rpm stall converter and 3:90 gears. It’s alot of fun.
I imagine that 383 with the rear gearing roasts a lot of tires!
The 454 @ 225 HP … - but a nice 385 torque was a burn-out special as well. My 65 mustang 289 GT had 225 HP. I’m guessing some thoughtful mods on that 454 would get it up in the serious horsepower range.
Looking forward to the build - great looking truck
I envy you guys who can do stuff like put a new engine in a vehicle. My dad was able to do that sort of thing. Dunno what happened to me except I got the lazy genes from somewhere else in the family tree.
I had a fold-out poster of a black 91 454 SS over my bed when I was in high school. They had a red option and a white option in 91 but nothing looked as good as vivid black!
Ok folks…update time.
This kit has a pretty decent engine with lots of parts. The chrome parts all got stripped to include the rocker covers but other than that it’s a pretty complete and detailed engine.
And here we are with the assembled base engine and transmission. Believe it or not…this IS some big time progress for me. I spend a lot of time in research and trying to get the details and colors down.
Oh, Gee Christmas is commin’ and Joe is doin’ the “build 'em like you wished you could of had 'em” treatment to a ChevyTruck ! What to do? watch or shop or shop while I watch the cell phone or…
That is a terrific looking start Joe. I have to say that that kit engine is one of the better looking ones you’ve had to work with OOB. Did you create that textured look on the engine? If so, how did you do it? Looking for that next update to come along.
. To be very honest about it, these were not fast trucks from the factory. I think the horsepower rating was right about 225 hp and in 1990 it had a TH400 transmission behind it with 3:73 gears. The transmission being only 3 speed automatic made things difficult in an everyday driver due to the 3:73 gears. I guess GM wanted to captivate a middle age audience with the 454 and the nostalgia of the Turbo 400 automatic. In any case in 1991 they got smart and stuck a 4 speed overdrive transmission behind it to help the driveablity out some. In any case they produced on heckuva good looking vehicle and opened the gate for a slew of fast trucks to follow… and they are HIGHLY sought after now.
