Topic may have been discussed already but I've been thinking, is it worth putting money towards a 360 rebuild then lift afterwards or putting some money into my 318( 1.7's, diff. cam, and maybe LT's rather than my shorties)? Money is not an overall issue now but I'd rather have some left over than scraping stuff together. The lift I'm getting is a RC 3" or 4.5" (haven't deciced yet) and running 33's then w/ 4.10's when I regear. Anybody give me some insight in a decision? Thanks

 

As they always say there is NO REPLACEMENT for DISPLACEMENT..........................
That being said with your wanting a lift and larger tires I would find a CHEAP 360 and rebuild it. While I was rebuilding the 360 I would do all the other things you're wanting to do to the truck. If you do it over time the hit to your wallet won't be as much.
With a 3 or 4.5" lift why only 33" tires? I'd shoot for 35" tires and do a long arm lift as that will make it ride and handle better. Good luck with your project and make sure you start a thread about the truck and what your doing to it.

 

I'm trying to stay "cheap" on tires and such. Since I was only doing 33's I'm thinking my 318 w/ some other stuff should be plenty for them. With college coming next year and still need to pay off my truck, money is sort of an issue with how much I can throw at this project. Another thing I don't want to put too much $$ towards this truck since I'm also planning on getting a diesel later. This truck you could say will be mild with most things. This guy has the lift I want and I like how it looks, 33's also wont wear out things so much either which is why I chose them too. But once I get things figured out on what I want I'll make a thread on it

 

Blue,
Now you've changed course mid stream. How much longer do you plan on keeping this truck before you sell/trade it off for a diesel? You understand that any money you spend on the truck in lifts/performance/looks/whatever has if not ZERO then almost zero return on it monetary wise? Means that if you spend $20,000.00 on your truck and then try to sell it next year you MIGHT get $2,000.00 back. So as long as you're ok with that.

Hop up your 5.2;
1)Headers-Long tube w/Y-pipe and 2.5-3" cat back exhaust
2)52mm Throttle Body
3)CAI of your choice
4)New heads-Iron or Aluminum
5)Roller Rockers-1.65 Ratio from Hughes Engines
6)Cam-Since you got new heads make sure your springs will handle the lift you want to run.
7)Intake Manifold-M1 or Air Gap

Still recommend you get a long arm lift 3" or 4.5" if your going to do it do it RIGHT.

I wouldn't spend all that money on a rig to go and sell it off 1 year later.

 

Thanks wild for the info but I plan on keeping this truck still but don't want to spend a ton of cash on it, since I'll be getting a diesel down the road. I'm probably just gunna stay w/ my 318 and add some more performance mods to it and keep the tires at 33's maybe 34's at most. That'll be enough tire for me and the engine.

 

I have a truck like you do Blue, but do some serious thinking on that diesel of your dreams. You do know that diesel is a big Big BIG price tag, not only on buying it, but maintaining it, parts, all the above. I would love one to, but the price tag that is not small on anything diesel is pricey. If you really want a diesel, why not get that 01 of yours 4BT swap? Its a diesel, and you still have your truck with lift and such? Plus, it wont cost you 20-40K for a real good shape one.

 

Yeh I know diesels are expensive in everyway lol I've always wanted a diesel. But I've thought about a 4bt swap before but I still want a gas truck around and I don't really have the ***** to tear my truck apart for a 4bt.

 

Then do what Wombat did, have both.

 

Kinda what my thoughts are