How much HP can the "stock" suspension handle?

[chase1873]

70' C10 Short frame step side.

Hey guys, just doing a little brain storming action about future plans and I am curious how much HP and TQ the truck handles with a relativity stock suspension set up.

Now stock was put in quotations because I have purchased a complete ECE rear drop kit as well as CPP drop spindles and springs and such. I have retained the stock cross members, trailing arms, A-arms and things of the manor.

Basic static 4.5/6 drop truck, with all the goodies up front and out back replaced, ball joints, tie rods, the whole nine yards.

I'm curious what kind of HP you guys are running with similar set ups and how the truck behaves.

Traction, Wheel hop, push / understeer, oversteer, powerslide.

[cubber]

I have 450+ hp, and my only problem so far has been getting traction, lol. I have drop spindles, air bags, and mainly stock everything else. I do have disc brakes, which I highly recommend, especially if you are planning to add power.

[chase1873]

Originally Posted by cubber

I have 450+ hp, and my only problem so far has been getting traction, lol. I have drop spindles, air bags, and mainly stock everything else. I do have disc brakes, which I highly recommend, especially if you are planning to add power.

Yup, I upgraded to power disk 5 lug breaks, new stock components from 73-87 gms. I purchased the complete hub assemblies from NAPA.

I am powering the truck by a recently purchased 2001 lq4 bolted to a sm456 and then power to the ground through the original 12 bolt.

Im trying to decided how to build the LQ4 and keep the truck street worthy.
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[chase1873]

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[andrewmp6]

I see a u joint or the rear end giving out first over anything else.Just depends on how you drive it.

[N2TRUX]

Its really easy to build an LQ4 up to 500hp on pump gas if you keep the injection system. If you run some sticky tires along with the sm456 your first concern will be u-joints, drive shaft, then pinion.

[chase1873]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Its really easy to build an LQ4 up to 500hp on pump gas if you keep the injection system. If you run some sticky tires along with the sm456 your first concern will be u-joints, drive shaft, then pinion.

I was aiming in the neighborhood of 450 rwhp.

Just curious how many guys are running that kind of power without substancial chassie modifications and how the truck behaves.

My father is a corvette enthuisest. He has owned countless midyear and c3's. He warns/believes that the truck will not be enjoyable or drivable with 450rwhp.

Im trying to see how true this is. I dont plan to beat the truck, maybe take it down the strip a few days to see what she has, but generally just enjoy driving it.

The sm456 was essentially free that is the only reason it is being bolted it. I am trying to maintain a low build cost.

[KQQL IT]

Will be tons of fun. Corvette guys are scared of fast pickups
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[BigDan3131]

Like my boss and I were talking the other day unless your racing it with sticky street tires or slicks your very unlikely to start tearing parts up. Burning up tires, yes.

[andrewmp6]

Stock i doubt it will catch enough traction to really break anything.Do you have a 10 bolt or 12 bolt now?

[chase1873]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Stock i doubt it will catch enough traction to really break anything.Do you have a 10 bolt or 12 bolt now?

LQ4, sm456, 12 bolt w 373 or 410's havnt decided yet.

6'' ECE rear drop kit and I flipped the trailing arm brackets.

disk breaks.

everything up front is new, 2'' springs and 2.5 cpp spindles.

I know nothing about chassis bracing, but I am planing to do what I can with a welder and some tlc to stiffen her up alittle based on what I have seen on here.

Throw some tubes and metal and box something and cross something else kind of deal. Lots of info on here thanks to you guys on how to do that.

[andrewmp6]

You could build a x brace under the cab take a look at this frame http://nolimit.net/gallery/category/3-big-10.html

[N2TRUX]

If your going to carb it, then 450hp on a street truck might be a concern. If you keep it injected, 500hp is VERY drivable. Old school vs New School

[chase1873]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Will be tons of fun. Corvette guys are scared of fast pickups
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Ahahaha, I will be sure to pass the message on to my Father. He will not be happy when my little old truck out runs hits vette.

Originally Posted by BigDan3131

Like my boss and I were talking the other day unless your racing it with sticky street tires or slicks your very unlikely to start tearing parts up. Burning up tires, yes.

I plan on running 275 to 325 / 30 range tire on american racing outlaw II's

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

You could build a x brace under the cab take a look at this frame http://nolimit.net/gallery/category/3-big-10.html

I'll do what I can, I can hardly call my self a welder and have limited tools. when there is a will there is a way.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If your going to carb it, then 450hp on a street truck might be a concern. If you keep it injected, 500hp is VERY drivable. Old school vs New School

Fuel injected for sure. Just preliminary thinking about some 243/799 heads, cam, and 5.3L intake.

Appreciate the info guys. Thinking about these trucks always redirects my blood flow.

[Jon01]

I've been wondering the same thing as I'll likely be around the same power level. My build is very similar other than a stalled 4L80E behind it vs. an SM456.

[moggey01]

Umm , trying some pump gas stuff with nitrous . Should make a little over 1300 h.p. ..Its a stock frame with some reinforcements , hopefully finished in the next month. Anywho its Porterbuilt coilover stuff with a few mods. We will see how it turns out.

[chevyrestoguy]

Not to worry, you'll be fine.

A very good friend of mine has a '79 Silverado 1/2 ton shortbed, fully loaded (A/C, PB, PS, Cruise, power windows) that has ran as fast a 9.66 with a stock frame, leafs, and 10.5" wide slicks.

It has an 11:1 406 small block with AFR 227s, Comp solid roller, 850 Holley, th400, 12-bolt with 3.42s, and CalTracs. It has 2 stages of nitrous (it leaves on the plate (150hp) and on the fogger (350hp) in 2nd gear. It hooks hard with the slicks and Caltracs, and 60fts @ 1.61. It runs down the track nice and straight. We estimated that the engine was putting out around 525 on the motor and approximately 1000 on the 'juice. It's a white knuckle ride if you're a passenger and you're geting pinned in that huge comfy Silverado seat.

After hundreds of pounds of nitrous and countless passes, the only issue is the the driver's side frame rail is starting to crack right in front of the forward cab mount. Easily fixed, but he recently retired the truck from drag duty because he was tired of dealing with all of the smog hassles. His fear was being pulled over on a random smog inspection and having the truck impounded. It now has a 350 with AFR 195s, a Q-Jet, and teeny-tiny hydraulic roller.