LG Billet USA Interior Grab Handles for 1999-2006 Chevy/GMC NBS (New Body Style) Silverado pickups are made from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, and have been engineered and precision-machined to have a fitment that closely resembles the factory part while also improving the aesthetics of your interior. The factory grab handle consists of a rubber material that deteriorates over time, and chances are, the one in your truck is already crusty and in need of replacement. The LG Billet USA NBS grab handle is the perfect option for you since it installs in less than 5 minutes using the custom hardware that is included in the package. Each handle is sold individually and is available in a machined or black anodized finish.
LG Billet USA
480-590-2537
www.lgbilletusa.com
Classic Industries announces the arrival of the new OER premier reproduction of the chrome front bumper designed for use on 1967-’70 Chevrolet pickup, sedan delivery Blazer, and Suburban models. This reproduction bumper is designed exclusively for the restorer who demands the best the market has to offer. The front bumper features superior triple chrome plating that exceeds OE standards, and features all the original style contours and pre-drilled mounting holes. Replace your old or worn-out original bumper with this show-quality reproduction.
Classic Industries
800-854-1280
www.classicindustries.com
Performance Online’s disc brake conversion kit is for 1947-’59 Chevy and GMC trucks is a great way to upgrade your straight axle to disc brakes while keeping the original 8-lug bolt pattern. Performance Online’s disc brake conversion also utilizes all-new components. There is no more having to use “old” original hubs or shouldering the added expense of upgrading to tapered roller bearings. This kit will not work with 15-inch stock-type wheels unless they are modified for disc brakes, but it will work with 16-inch artillery wheels, modified or not. This conversion is great for the enthusiast who wants added safety with a classic look.
Performance Online
888-638-1703
www.performanceonline.com
AFR proudly presents the Magnum intake manifold—the ultimate power upgrade for your Big Block Chevy engine. Crafted with precision and engineered to perfection, this manifold is the key to unlocking a new level of performance for your street vehicle. Designed to seamlessly integrate with AFR’s acclaimed Magnum oval port cylinder heads, this manifold promises a hassle-free enhancement to your engine’s capabilities. Say goodbye to the painstaking task of port matching, as it’s a direct bolt-on solution for our select cylinder heads. The Magnum intake manifold utilizes a dual-plane design, featuring runners that are custom-tailored for high-horsepower applications thriving in the 1,800-6,200 rpm range.
Air Flow Research
661-257-8124
www.airflowresearch.com
A lot of throttle bodies are available for GM LS engines, and Edelbrock’s Victor Series Pro-Flo XT throttle body is definitely a worthy selection. CNC-machined from billet aluminum, the 90mm cable-driven throttle body has progressive throttle linkage and a parabolic bore design to increase power and enhance low-speed drivability. The thick throttle blade eliminates deflection due to large amounts of airflow—a big plus for boosted applications. Edelbrock even includes the throttle position sensor and idle air control motor, which is another bonus. The Edelbrock Victor Series Pro-Flo XT throttle body fits Gen III and Gen IV LS engines and is available in satin aluminum or black anodized finishes.
Summit Racing Equipment
800-230-3030
www.summitracing.com
These custom, billet, electronic control panels from Vintage Air make an economical but beautiful upgrade for 1964-’66 and 1967-’72 GM C10 trucks running the company’s Gen IV and Gen V SureFit climate control systems. Bolt-in units are available with polished bezel as shown or in black anodized bezel, and work on Gen IV and Gen V SureFit systems only.
Vintage Air
800-862-6658
www.vintageair.com
NEW PRODUCTS
Improve the handling, styling and braking capacity on your 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC C10 pickups with Wilwood’s 2.50” drop ProSpindle and disc brake upgrade kits. Your 1963-1972 models that have been updated with the later model ball joints are covered too. A safer, sturdier and more lightweight alternative, ProSpindles feature forged aluminum bolt-on steering arms and forged aluminum knuckles with fortified caliper mounting bosses for the full range of Superlite and Aerolite disc brake kit options. The modular late model style bearing and hub assembly is multi-pattern drilled to accommodate both the 5 on 4.75” and 5 on 5.00” wheel lug mount patterns.
Wilwood
Wilwood.com
Aeromotive has an all-new belt-drive EFI regulator, now with -12 ports. The new regulator, part number 13137, is designed for use with both a belt and a hex-drive fuel pump. It has two AN-12 ports and an AN-12 return port, along with dual springs that expand operating pressure range while maintaining a low profile and reduced weight. The standard spring (installed) supports a 30-75 psi base, while the high-pressure spring (included) supports a 75-120 psi base. The regulator supports a 1:1 vacuum and boost reference.
Aeromotive
Aeromotiveinc.com
Swapping an overdrive manual transmission into a classic hot rod or musclecar is a smart way to increase fuel economy and improve highway drivability. Problem was, those transmissions are pretty chunky, so the swap involved a lot of hacking and fabrication.
McLeod’s new Musclecar 5 five-speed changes all that. It provides that all-important overdrive gear in a smaller, more compact package. The case is small enough to fit nicely inside most transmission tunnels, which virtually eliminates expensive or tricky modifications.
The Musclecar 5 has synchronized 8620 forged gears that allow the transmission to handle up to 500 ft.-lbs. of torque. The Musclecar 5 features a 2.95 first and 0.63 fifth gear, ideally suited for street cars. An internal rail shifter delivers quick, smooth, actuate shifting, and the transmission uses the common GM 32-spline output shaft—identical to a GM TH-400. Get it through Summit.
Summit racing
Summitracing.com
Total Control Products patented line of high performance center-take-off rack and pinions enables correct geometry and a level of positive, direct steering that is not possible with adapted OEM units. Both manual and power versions feature quick ratio, straightcut gears, requiring only three turns lock-to-lock. The unique modular design utilizes an assortment of mounting brackets and centerlinks to adapt to various classic Ford/Mercury vehicles including Mustangs, Cougars, Falcons, Comets and Rancheros.
Total control products
Totalcontrolproducts.com
This kit comes with all you need to install a 6R80 transmission in any 79-98 Mustang/Cobra. At the core of the kit is Stifflers single tube crossmember. Add to that a set of adjustable bolt-on mounting brackets that allow the optimum placement of the crossmember with no modifications required. Top all that off with a custom designed multi-adjustable transmission mount with integrated polyurethane bushing and you have the 6R80 Install Kit!
Stifflers
Buystifflers.com
Vintage Air has released its all-new ProLine Louver Balls for 1965-1977 GM cars and trucks equipped with factory air. These CNC-machined billet aluminum louver balls are drop-in replacements for the round factory vents and replace the plastic originals. The new GM ProLine Louver Balls are precision CNC machined from T-6061 billet aluminum and come in the factory 3.050-inch diameter. They deliver maximized air flow and stylistic designs that will complement your stock dash and are multi-directional, rotating with ease within the aluminum bezel.
Vintage air
Vintageair.com
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the December 2016 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
The classic movie, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” was recently selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Lately, it seems that ’88-’98 Chevy trucks are quickly being known to have the same qualities in the truck enthusiast world. GMT400 trucks were on every street corner and car show in the ’90s. With massive production numbers and excellent engineering, these Chevy trucks are still pretty easy to come by and available in many different forms, including shortbed, longbed, quad cab and even two different SUV platforms. Oftentimes, the guy who’s buying and restoring these trucks wanted one in his teen years, and now he’s older, generally successful and more financially stable than when he was 16 years old. These factors also drive custom parts manufacturers to focus on making products for the industry icons and get ahead of the popularity curve.
It’s easy to talk the talk and say you’re a fan of this body style, but it’s far more impactful to walk the walk and own one yourself. So, we took the challenge and jumped into the deep end of desire by picking up a running, driving ’95 Chevy C/K truck from the original owner for a smooth $2,000. Cold A/C and a solid cranking 4.3-liter V-6 gave this truck the appeal, but the full gas tank and a fresh oil change showed us that the previous owner still had love for this 20-plus-year-old family member.
To quickly explain the project’s name: “Stella” is a Latin term meaning “star.” The name popped in our heads after we ordered our 22-inch American Racing Nova wheels. The word “Nova” is a female name of Latin origin that has a definition of both “newness” and “of great energy.” It’s also an astronomical term for a star that suddenly increases in brightness, just like this truck’s future. (Plus, Stella was a pretty stellar character in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”) So, with all that in mind, the name Stella just fits, don’t you think?
Over the next few pages, we’re going to take you through the process of giving this truck new life on the same old roads it’s been cruising down since its inception, first starting with a new suspension, upgraded disc brakes and a new set of wheels and tires. That’s only the beginning, but you have to follow along to see the rest. If this truck doesn’t motivate you to go out and start wrenching on your own OBS project, I’m not sure you picked up the right publication. Now let’s get to the good stuff!
To control our fuel delivery system, we chose to go with Edelbrock’s new Pro-Flo 4 electronic fuel injection. The Pro-Flo 4 is not just a replacement for your carburetor. It’s a complete engineered system that provides the ultimate in performance, drivability and quality. This will result in a smoother idle, faster acceleration, better peak power, improved fuel economy and the ability to control detonation, all in the E-Tuner 4 app.
The key to the improved performance is the fuel injector location, which is at the end of the runner on the intake manifold right before the airflow stream enters the combustion chamber. This location provides a more efficient mixture control that’s unaffected by varying intake manifold runner temperatures and length.
Next to be bolted to the block are our Hedman Hedders designed for the SBC 350ci engine. Hedman Hedders began as a one-man shop in 1954. Bob Hedman, founder of Hedman Hedders, sold his highly sought-after exhaust tubes to fellow racers on the salt flats of the Mojave Desert. But what started out as a way to make a few bucks to pay for Bob’s racing hobby quickly turned into the premier header manufacturer for both the racing and street header marketplaces.
Centerforce is the clutch of choice for our project and recommended by American Powertrain. The Centerforce II Clutch Series utilizes a full facing disc with premium friction materials and a pressure plate with centrifugal weights. It offers superb holding power and maximum clutch life, making this clutch ideal for selected street/strip, off-road and towing applications.
• Patented centrifugal weight design
• Patented ball bearing pressure plate
• High quality friction material
• Light pedal effort
• Increased holding capacity
• Smooth engagement
American Powertrain’s Pro-Fit kits for 88-98 Chevy/GMC C1500 OBS GMT400 trucks come in either 5 or 6-speed. There is no need to cut the floor if your truck is already manual since it fits in the factory location. This kit reuses the original cross-member. It’s actually a very easy install!
Benefits Include:
30-50% increase in fuel economy
Low RPM cruising for greatly reduced driver fatigue and an improved highway driving experience.
Reduced engine wear leading to longer engine life
Cooler engine operating temperature
The 88-98 Chevy kit includes
AP Revolution Shifter Mechanism locates shifter that will fit bench or bucket seats
Seamless DOM Driveshaft Assembly that has been race balanced
Solid U-Joints
A Driveshaft Slip Yoke made from Cryogenically hardened steel
Polyurethane Transmission Mount
Greased and pre-packed pilot bearing with stainless rollers
Reverse Light Harness
Electronic Speedometer Conversion
Shifter Knob and all the Hardware and instructions you need.
With the engine fully assembled, Trey can slide the engine into the bay and start prepping the cooling system. We used a set of factory V-8 motor mounts to bolt it to the frame and Mishimoto radiators and electric fans. This is a 6.2-liter (383ci) diesel cooling system that Trey recommended for additional cooling. To make it all work correctly, Trey installed a factory OEM diesel coolant reservoir and made a trick aluminum coolant transfer pipe.
Project Sources
American Powertrain
americanpowertrain.com
American Racing
www.americanracing.com
Autometal Direct
www.autometaldirect.com
Automotive Touchup Paint
www.automotivetouchup.com
AVS on the Web
www.avsontheweb.com
AZ Pro Performance
azproperformance.com
Blueprint Engines
blueprintengines.com
Centerforce Clutch
www.centerforce.com
Classic Industries
www.classicindustries.com
Dakota Digital
www.dakotadigital.com
Dynomax Exhaust
www.dynomax.com
Edelbrock
www.edelbrock.com
Forever Sharp
fssteeringwheels.com
Full Pen Fabrication
www.fullpenfab.com
Hedman Performance Group
www.hedman.com
LMC Truck
www.lmctruck.com
Lokar
www.lokar.com
Mishimoto
www.mishimoto.com
MrTailLight
www.mrtaillight.com
Nitto Tire
www.nittotire.com
Optima Batteries
www.optimabatteries.com/en-us
Overpower Customs
overpowercustoms.com
Red Line Oil
www.redlineoil.com
RideTech Suspension
www.ridetech.com
TMI Interiors
www.tmiproducts.com
Vintage Air
www.vintageair.com
