CK5
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The Shop Truck

1971 Chevy C20 with a custom flat bed.
the /4 mile times might be slower with the rowing, depends on the operator I suppose. If you were turely after the best 1/4 time then a 2 speed and 8000+ rpm would be the thing
 
the /4 mile times might be slower with the rowing, depends on the operator I suppose. If you were turely after the best 1/4 time then a 2 speed and 8000+ rpm would be the thing
I am pretty sure he wants a nice shop truck that can also perform well on the track
 
T56, it will add more wtf to the truck and make people wonder what’s going on.

Also with the way the truck is aiming it would be more fun on the auto cross course.

Also comes with two extra gears for those long highway cruises.
Whoa there Mr I’m only an automatic guy. You need to lead by example
 
the /4 mile times might be slower with the rowing, depends on the operator I suppose. If you were turely after the best 1/4 time then a 2 speed and 8000+ rpm would be the thing
I doubt it would be slower. The variable speed launch controller is faster until you get into the 4k or higher range on a converter. I mean if you know how to shift it…
 
This won't be a pure drag truck, it will do drag and drive, general shop truck things, autocross/track days.

4l80E considerations
-Cheaper option
-Less work to install, I will just need a new driveshaft.
-More difficult to wire and program (I've never programmed an auto).
-Faster on the drag strip.
-Torque converter will be a compromise between street and track, won't be ideal for either.
-Will work better with the turbo setup that will eventually end up in the truck long term.
-More prone to failure than a manual.
-Trans brake option
-Unlikely to have a "money shift" problem

T56 considerations:
-MANual is awesome
-A clutch will work fine on and off the track.
-no ATF in the vehicle (I hate the smell of ATF)
-Less likely to leak
-More reliable
-More downtime for swap (Center console needs modified, tranny tunnel needs modified, clutch pedals need to be installed and converted to hydraulic, etc.)
-Minimal wiring and programming
-Way more $$$
-Will be harder to keep the turbo(s) spooled on shifts and takes longer for initial spool up.
 
Something to keep in mind is that the Smeddings 427 is only going to live in the shop truck temporarily. Eventually it will go into a dedicated drag car and get towed by the shop truck. I plan on building up a 408 with the current block that's in the truck and slapping a couple turbos on it. The trans will need to work well in both applications.

I don't want to build a cage that lets me go faster than a 10 in the shop truck, that would be too intrusive for using it as a general purpose truck.
 
The spool up thing may not be an issue

Also, the 4L80 will likely need some sfi upgrades for boost or e85. You may have to check into that stuff

I’m presuming you’re using sfi spec for flywheel clutch can pricing
 
I have been looking at built 4l80s, whatever I get needs to handle about 1000rwhp. I haven't made a decision on which one to get yet, I keep going back to the manual.

My Silverado is a manual turbodiesel. Even with the upgrades to make it spool quicker, it's still a dog off the line in normal driving. I understand I can use launch control at the track, but for daily driving an auto is going to spool the turbos much quicker.

Yes, anything I put in (flywheel or flex plate) will be SFI rated. I like having feet.
 
I have been looking at built 4l80s, whatever I get needs to handle about 1000rwhp. I haven't made a decision on which one to get yet, I keep going back to the manual.

My Silverado is a manual turbodiesel. Even with the upgrades to make it spool quicker, it's still a dog off the line in normal driving. I understand I can use launch control at the track, but for daily driving an auto is going to spool the turbos much quicker.

Yes, anything I put in (flywheel or flex plate) will be SFI rated. I like having feet.
A turbo diesel doesn't have the same characteristics as a gas turbo engine, you can't compare that way
 
My T56 uses dex..

My vehicles are like a tool box - ea tool has a purpose. My truck is an auto. as I prefer to tow/drive long distances w/ comfort. My wifes vehicle is an auto because she cant drive stick. My Camaro is a t56 because I like corner carving, and it's a toy. Same w/ my old Firebird, Muncie m21 because it was a toy.

What's your end-goal use of the truck and what's gonna fit that better for you.
 
My T56 uses dex..

My vehicles are like a tool box - ea tool has a purpose. My truck is an auto. as I prefer to tow/drive long distances w/ comfort. My wifes vehicle is an auto because she cant drive stick. My Camaro is a t56 because I like corner carving, and it's a toy. Same w/ my old Firebird, Muncie m21 because it was a toy.

What's your end-goal use of the truck and what's gonna fit that better for you.
TKX specs Mobil 1 or synchromesh also
 
I say if this is a truck you want to just jump in and drive down to the store or some other random spontaneous reason, go 4l80. If this is a truck for driving on "special" occasions where you're taking it out is a big deal then do whatever that fancy whowhatchit manual trans is.
 
My T56 uses dex..

My vehicles are like a tool box - ea tool has a purpose. My truck is an auto. as I prefer to tow/drive long distances w/ comfort. My wifes vehicle is an auto because she cant drive stick. My Camaro is a t56 because I like corner carving, and it's a toy. Same w/ my old Firebird, Muncie m21 because it was a toy.

What's your end-goal use of the truck and what's gonna fit that better for you.
I know, the T56 uses trans fluid, but it's generally not pressurised. My vehicles are more multi-purpose, other than the S-10. As I mentioned, this will get driven frequently, it's currently our 2nd vehicle. My wife and I both work from home most of the time, but I go in once a week. When I have our commuter, she drives the shop truck. My wife drives stick so that's not an issue, all of our previous commuter cars have been manual, technically our current commuter is a push button manual (Chevy Bolt), but it only has 2 gears, forward and reverse.

I agree with the towing comment, I think auto is better for that, although I've towed with my Silverado for a decade with a manual. I honestly think the decision may come down to time/money. I'm thinking the manual option will cost almost as much as the Smedding 427, where the 4L80 option would be closer to half that.
I say if this is a truck you want to just jump in and drive down to the store or some other random spontaneous reason, go 4l80. If this is a truck for driving on "special" occasions where you're taking it out is a big deal then do whatever that fancy whowhatchit manual trans is.
Both my wife and I prefer manual for just jumping in and driving, although the older we get that may be sliding more towards auto, the Shop truck is really easy and nice to drive.

One thing that may not be apparent in my posts is that my wife is always out in the shop with me when I'm working on the truck, she is not afraid of most tools and gets greasy along side me. She also helps decide on which direction to go with the truck and loves driving it, although she hasn't taken it down the strip yet.
 
I know, the T56 uses trans fluid, but it's generally not pressurised. My vehicles are more multi-purpose, other than the S-10. As I mentioned, this will get driven frequently, it's currently our 2nd vehicle. My wife and I both work from home most of the time, but I go in once a week. When I have our commuter, she drives the shop truck. My wife drives stick so that's not an issue, all of our previous commuter cars have been manual, technically our current commuter is a push button manual (Chevy Bolt), but it only has 2 gears, forward and reverse.

I agree with the towing comment, I think auto is better for that, although I've towed with my Silverado for a decade with a manual. I honestly think the decision may come down to time/money. I'm thinking the manual option will cost almost as much as the Smedding 427, where the 4L80 option would be closer to half that.

Both my wife and I prefer manual for just jumping in and driving, although the older we get that may be sliding more towards auto, the Shop truck is really easy and nice to drive.

One thing that may not be apparent in my posts is that my wife is always out in the shop with me when I'm working on the truck, she is not afraid of most tools and gets greasy along side me. She also helps decide on which direction to go with the truck and loves driving it, although she hasn't taken it down the strip yet.
One blazerbash she was talking about run out on something, I think it was your driveshaft. My buddy was like who is that and she seems to know what she talking about. I was like yeah don’t mess with her cause she probably will out smart you. :haha:
 

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