Engine for offroading

[Domgb]

Im currently building another 1976 k10 i recently bought and its main purpose is going to be offroading it doesnt need to be street legal , where i live and mostly go offroading there are a couple mudholes not very deep and a bit thick, there are some slight hillclimbs not too much crawling involved, regardless scince im tearing the whole thing down i was wondering if i should swap the motor. It, just like my other truck has the inline 292 with a 4 speed, I never had a 4x4 with a big v8 and I dont know if.i should swap out the motor or not because my truck right now has a 292 and seems to handle everything just fine i just never beat the hell out of it like i plan this one. The question is can a 292 power an offroad vehicle with not too many difficulties

 

[87scotty]

With some good gears it can a 5hrs brigs could power it if you could low gear enough

 

[HotRodPC]

Around here, you're probably going to be told to keep that 292 in it if it's running good and not wore out ,which they're hard to kill so it probably is running good. 292 is a Torque Monster, but not fast. It's probably Zero to 60 in 10 minutes flat if the wind is behind you, but will pull you straight up a hill. I'd probably keep the 292 4 speed just because it's not seen very often these days.
As far as part availability, mod ability, if that's what you want, then small block is probably the way to go.

 

[K20offroad]

I honestly think you could have a bit more fun with more power, but that motor will handle anything you throw at it I'm sure.

I say either sbc or maybe lightly modify the straight 6.

 

[CSFJ]

Will the 292 rev high enough to keep wheel speed up in the mud holes though?

 

[Mr. Gutwrench]

What's your budget, tire size and gear ratio? For the type of wheeling you want to do wheel speed is king. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, start off with the 292 and see how it works. However, don't spend a bunch of money on the 292, cause you'll most likely be moving up to a V8.

 

[HotRodPC]

In the above statement, that's the BIG question. WHAT TYPE OF WHEELING do you intend to do? That will help determine which engine to use. Nothing wrong with the 292 IMO for a 4x4, but as some types of wheeling, need the rpms, then I'd say the 292 isn't the one. It makes a ton of torque but at low rpms. Other thing to consider about I6 vs small block V8, is aftermarket speed parts are so damn cheap and plentiful for the SBC so that could be the better choice in the long run. I just hate to hear of someone taking out a 292. I'd run it in my K10/K20 with the Th400 and 4.10 gears without a doubt. But I'm not intending on doing mud bogging with it either.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Well he asked like a year ago, so I'm sure he's settled the issue by now lol.

 

[HotRodPC]

Well he asked like a year ago, so I'm sure he's settled the issue by now lol.

WTF man??? Don't go raining on our parade. I was enjoying thinking about a 292 in my K10/20 and hoping he'd say, I want a 350, you can have this 292 hotrodpc. Always gotta be a phukin clown in the group to blow the party all to hell huh?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

WTF man??? Don't go raining on our parade. I was enjoying thinking about a 292 in my K10/20 and hoping he'd say, I want a 350, you can have this 292 hotrodpc. Always gotta be a phukin clown in the group to blow the party all to hell huh?

It's not like he can't still come back and say, "it's sitting in a corner, free to the first taker"

 

[HotRodPC]

It's not like he can't still come back and say, "it's sitting in a corner, free to the first taker"

True, but being in PA.... Maybe 89Suburban or @Honky Kong jr can get it.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

True, but being in PA.... Maybe 89Suburban or @Honky Kong jr can get it.

I don't want it lol.

 

[Mr. Gutwrench]

Ha! I'll remember to check the post date next time.

 

[HotRodPC]

I don't want it lol.

Hold it for me, I'll come visit some damn day.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Hold it for me, I'll come visit some damn day.

Lol my big blocks will make fun of it tho it may have very low self asteme till you get here.