Wareagle81
Junior Member
I have a 96 5.9 gas 2wd that has been sitting under the carport for 3 years. The wife wants it gone or fixed. I'm looking for a project to do in spare time so I'm going to get it up running.
The details of why the truck is sitting. Heater core went out a year or 2 before it sat and I just had mostly water in the engine. I was scared of removing the dash to change the HC and having to replace the dash in the process. I'm in the South but had a bad freeze 3 years ago and it spit some freeze plugs out. The engine has over 220k on the odometer.
What I would like to accomplish is to get the truck running with some more performance. I have a budget of 4-6k to do just engine and tranny work. This really is just a project to give me something to do in my spare time to get a truck that will only be used occasionally 4-5 a month probably. Towing/MPG/having heat or Ac are the least of my concerns. I don't really have a desired HP or TQ parameter that I'm trying to reach. I just want a dependable build with more power than stock and good sounding exhaust. I want a mild street performer. I plan to drop it and put and new wheels and tires at some point.
Assuming my block is serviceable how would you build this motor? I'm thinking cam, heads, intake, tune, headers, and TB. I have no idea what specs I would need for the parts though specifically the cam. I've read the EQ heads are good option for what I'm looking for. Thoughts? Give me your opinion on what would be a good build for what I'm looking for. I'm not opposed to anything I'm just throwing money at a 20 year old truck just get my hands dirty and make my wife happy. I just want be able to do truck things occasionally but when I put my foot in it I smile and maybe turn a head or two.
Things I'm aware of.
Hughes TB is supposedly not true to there claims but they offer a decent intake.
I should I get a tune and should definitely check with a guy named Ryan.
That's really what I can remember from reading over other posts. Also plan on changing the gears in rear end maybe to 4.10 unless there's a better recommendation.
I'm open to all reasonable builds but if you have recommendations please be specific with part or vendor so I can do a little research. Also if anyone knows of a quality machine shop in Southeast preferably AL or GA I could send my block and other parts to please let me know because there isn't really anything local that I'm aware of.
Thanks
The details of why the truck is sitting. Heater core went out a year or 2 before it sat and I just had mostly water in the engine. I was scared of removing the dash to change the HC and having to replace the dash in the process. I'm in the South but had a bad freeze 3 years ago and it spit some freeze plugs out. The engine has over 220k on the odometer.
What I would like to accomplish is to get the truck running with some more performance. I have a budget of 4-6k to do just engine and tranny work. This really is just a project to give me something to do in my spare time to get a truck that will only be used occasionally 4-5 a month probably. Towing/MPG/having heat or Ac are the least of my concerns. I don't really have a desired HP or TQ parameter that I'm trying to reach. I just want a dependable build with more power than stock and good sounding exhaust. I want a mild street performer. I plan to drop it and put and new wheels and tires at some point.
Assuming my block is serviceable how would you build this motor? I'm thinking cam, heads, intake, tune, headers, and TB. I have no idea what specs I would need for the parts though specifically the cam. I've read the EQ heads are good option for what I'm looking for. Thoughts? Give me your opinion on what would be a good build for what I'm looking for. I'm not opposed to anything I'm just throwing money at a 20 year old truck just get my hands dirty and make my wife happy. I just want be able to do truck things occasionally but when I put my foot in it I smile and maybe turn a head or two.
Things I'm aware of.
Hughes TB is supposedly not true to there claims but they offer a decent intake.
I should I get a tune and should definitely check with a guy named Ryan.
That's really what I can remember from reading over other posts. Also plan on changing the gears in rear end maybe to 4.10 unless there's a better recommendation.
I'm open to all reasonable builds but if you have recommendations please be specific with part or vendor so I can do a little research. Also if anyone knows of a quality machine shop in Southeast preferably AL or GA I could send my block and other parts to please let me know because there isn't really anything local that I'm aware of.
Thanks