Blown Carb V8/727 swap is still in the plan. Waiting for money. Going to use a 5 spd PCM to make the CEL go away for the transmission. Also going to put a dana 60 in it.

I'm thinking to build another toy with the V6/42re/8.25 and PCM. But would it run without the cluster and PCM?

 

That should be doable.

How are you planning to control the fuel and ignition? Sure you can put a carb on it but what will you use to control the spark?

 

truck is getting a 408 R3 block with 8-71 on top, dual E-85 dominators, Holley Roots nitrous plate, MSD GRID ignition with crank trigger, 727, and Dana 60 with 3.54 gears on 28x10.5 tires on 15" double beadlocks.

5 speed PCM to ignore the 727, dummy loads on injectors and coil wires, EVAP system left intact re-plumbed to fuel cell, IAC zip-tied to firewall, homebrew TPS, MAP sensor plumbed to carb spacer, haven't decided what I'm going to do with the dana 60 for the rear wheel speed sensor. Goal is to keep the CEL off and be able to pass OBD2 inspection.

Doing the tall gear so I can cross 1/8 mile at 7500 RPM in second gear (abt 100 MPH) and run 1/4 mile with 3rd gear around 135 MPH or so in the 5500 RPM range.

Thinking to use the V6 drivetrain in a rat rod type toy running off the PCM standalone using an OBD2 scanner as a "dashboard".