What needs to be done?

[Rusty Nail]

I wouldn't dream of ever suggesting that you remove the TBI unit. That is one of the best, most durable, bulletproof fuel delivery designs ever created that requires absolutely ZERO user input. Ever.
You won't improve upon it.
This ain't a max speed race truck..
The camshaft is small however and can be run out of breath without much effort. HOWEVER, I believe that for YOU, it is completely too expensive and totally unreasonable at this point in time.

Moving forward..

Cylinder head swapping CAN BE a weekend project done in the driveway. I MAY NOT be the best person to ask according to some, but on the other hand I may be.
I bought a pair of Tuned Port Camaro cylinder heads I think i'll put on my truck. Everybody else says vortex this and aftermarket that but i'm not the type.
Vortex heads swap is even MORE expensive and unreasonable to a budget and purpose like yours.
Keep it cheap and simple. Easy.Quick.
Learn how-to. Teach yourself.
These other things are kind of advanced.
Pick ya up a pair of GM casting #14101083 cylinder heads for as cheap as you can find em.
Be patient and buy a set that was already rebuilt.
$300-$400 dollars and they are direct bolt-on replacements.. they WILL make more power.

But dude... That's for the parts. That job can run $5-600 easy.

I suggest that you start smaller.

Buy some headers. Flowtech 1.5" headers is what you want..they run around $100.
Buy some VHT paint and spray em down real good.
Spend some money on new spark plugs and wires, buy some header bolts, grab a hacksaw and put em on one day.
You'll have fun driving to the exhaust shop with open headers to get your Flows welded up.

THAT is also an improvement and in my opinion, the BEST place to start outside of a tune up with more gooder ignition parts.

Hmm. That reminds me of some other super gooder post I made it one time about the bestest way to start f*ckin with your truck and ensuring you never have any money...i'll see if I can find it - later.

I've got to get ready for work.

 

[Orange]

I wouldn't dream of evef suggesting that you rdmivr the TBI unit. Thaf us ond of the best, most durable, bulletproof fuel delivery designs ever created that requires absolutely ZERO user input. Ever.
You won't improve upon it.
This ain't a max speed race truck..
The camshaft is small however and can be run out of breath eithout much effort. HOWEVER, I believe that for YOU, it is completely too expensive and totally unreasonable at the point in time.

Moving forward..

Cylinder head swapping CAN BE a weekend project done in the driveway. I MAY NOT be the best person to ask according to some but on the other hand I may be.
I bought a pair of Tuned port Camaro cylinder heads I think i'll put on my truck. Everybody rlse says vortex this and aftermarket that but i'm not that type.
Vortex heads swap is even MORE expensive and unreasonable to a budget and purpose like yours.
Keep it cheap and simple. Easy.Quick.
Learn how-to. Teach yourself.
These other things are kind of advanced.
Pick ya up a pair of GM casting #14101083 cylinder heads for as cheap as you can find em.
Be patient and buy a set that was already rebuilt.
$300-$400 dollars and they are direct bolt-on replacements.. they WILL make more power.

But dude... That's for the parts. That job can run $5-600 easy.

I suggest that you start smaller.

Buy some headers. Flowtech 1.5" headers is what you want..they run around $100.
Buy some VHT paint snd spray em down real good.
Spend some money on new spark plugs and wires, buy some header bolts, grab a hacksaw and put em on one day.
You'll have fun driving to the exhaust shop with open headers to get your Flows welded up.

THAT is also an improvement and in my opinion, the BEST place to start outside of a tune up with more gooder ingition parts.

Hmm. That reminds me of some other super good post I made one time about the best way to start f*ckin with your truck and ensuring you never have any money...i'll see if I can find it - later.

I've got to get ready for work.

My first improvement I made was headers and exhaust. I'll start looking at heads and such. Everything on my truck has been done by myself execpt for welding the piping to the headers and exhaust. My uncle owns a mechanic shop 3 hours away so if I ever need to go up there for the weekend and use his tools to put a cam in, I can. I just don't know much about them. I'd love one that'll make it lope and rumble, but also make it fast. I feel like the cam would he worthless if I didn't replace the heads first, so that's number 1 on the list.

 

[Rusty Nail]

When I do mine i'll most likely put an LT-1 cam in it.
(Z-28/Trans-Am)
Again I may not be the best person to ask, almost everybody else will say something different than what I think. We each have our own style of hotrodding...it should be celebrated.
I like to use oldschool and factory parts. it's a dying art..and WAY cooler
everybody is SO FAST to rush into the aftermarket.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I’d start with all the often overlooked maintenance items.

If you haven’t already:

check booster, check MC, calipers, WCs, prop valve and brake lines for condition

Check all the vacuum lines

Check fuel lines—especially in and around the engine compartment.

Swap fluids: ps, radiator, brake fluid, drain-n-fill on the trans pan, differential

Check ignition

Valve lash

In other words, all the stuff most people aren’t thinking about but will actually make a good difference.

 

[bucket]

Advance the base timing to 8-12 degrees BTDC, whatever you can get away with running on 87/89 octane with no pinging. It will make a difference.


I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing me harp about TBI ignition timing, but so be it

 

[Rusty Nail]

Omg I found it.
Posted around December 15, 2018.

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I could add windshield wipers plus breather filter to that list...and ?

I get you've been workin on it already but you keep adding stuff since the first post and it makes it more difficult to reply smartly.
Matter of fact i'm not gonna play that game
Good luck.

*edit*
If you have a roller motor all you gotta do is put an LT-1 cam in it with Tuned Port heads. You'll be happy.

 

[Orange]

Omg I found it.
Posted around December 15, 2018.

You must be registered for see images attach

I could add windshield wipers to that list...and ?

Lol, still have a cheesy paper filter that came with the air cleaner I got

 

[Orange]

Another thing on the to-do list- get another gas tank for the other side. It's only got one gas tank because it's a salvage build. You can't see it in pictures, but it's always squatting to one side. Replaced the leaf springs and all, but the squat won't stop because of the gas tank on the driver side

 

[dajn37]

Advance the base timing to 8-12 degrees BTDC, whatever you can get away with running on 87/89 octane with no pinging. It will make a difference.


I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing me harp about TBI ignition timing, but so be it

We appreciate it.

 

[75Cheyenne]

Motor build is a must, but not possible with the job I have rn. I'd like to put in a 5.3L or Lq9 cammed and all. Right now there's a 350 TBI with headers going down to flowmaster 40s that are dumped behind the rear axle. Sounds nice, makes no power. For the time being, I'd have to keep the 350. It only has about 80k miles. I want to make it quick but wanna keep the 350, any suggestions besides engine swap?

Your truck doesn't "need" anything. I think you are like me and always have the next vision of what is next in your head LOL... I would daily drive your truck right now as is if I lived in texas. To make a vehicle of this weight quick depends on what you define as quick. You can definitely keep your sbc and up it's hp, that is a loaded question because there are so many routes and options to take.

You make more power than stock you blow trans and rear ends among other parts that aren't meant for the power increase, then you gotta add fuel mods, brakes and better suspension/steering it's a costly thing to do right and not cookie cut.

Just leave it as is for now, save up and figure out what heads/intake/cam/distributor/FI works best for your needs and add a part when you can. If you know for sure you have big plans in a few years for the truck and will definitely be modding it, save your money up and do it all at once, your needs/wants may change in time. I worked 60 hour weeks for the last 2 1/2 years it was rough but it is going to allow me to have some fun with this c10.

Don't try to budget an LS swap from a junkyard it never works youll get really good at removing and installing LS engines. Cleetus Mcfarland gets maybe 2 passes per LS engine on his corvette ruby. He has tried 6.0,5.3s, now he is going to try a 4.8 since it should handle boost a bit better.

 

[Backfoot100]

Can't even imagine spending so much money on a truck. So many features and such but no matter what, it's still just a truck. I don't need a tailgate that can transform into 5 different things. I don't want a tablet in my truck. I don't want a $5000 climate control system. Everyday I see kids at my school pull up in $60,000 trucks and I just laugh. They'll never know the feeling I feel everyday I go out and crank my truck. The dumped exhaust that you can feel in your chest. New trucks have no soul or story.

OMFG...
A young'un who gets it!!!!!
I could go on and on with more examples but I won't bore you with details.

Awesome looking ride by the way. That thing rocks.

 

[peats]

my '81 short step came with a Lund visor, i like the look. you have a nice clean truck now, maybe spend some $ on the interior. wheel,gauges,seats, etc.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Tinting is a must. In the summer my A/C can't keep up and it feels like hell in the cab. As for the front bumper, Its extremely scratched, got holes at the bottom, and those stupid guards. I'll end up getting a new one from LMC. It's less than $200 and looks brand new. I'll rob the bolts from the original bumper and go with that. Headlights need to be brighter, LED or not. I want to keep the classic, stock look but want to be able to see at night. Do y'all have any suggestions? It's a daily driver btw. First truck for me. Parents bought it as a Salvage when I was 14. About to be 17 now and I love all the heads it turns. I'll be a squarebody fanatic for life

Sealed beams deteriorate in brightness over time. I would recommend the Sylvania XtraVision sealed beams. They have the same lifespan as the basics, but the brightness is enough to annoy oncoming traffic if you leave them bright. I’m happy with them. I wouldn’t do LED either. The hicks around me really annoy me with their ********. For the civilized, I understand there’s a safety concern, but for many others, it’s just the fashionable thing to do when you’re 17, have nothing to do, and you’re racing down the town boulevard with your pals.

 

[Snoots]

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[bucket]

Sealed beams deteriorate in brightness over time. I would recommend the Sylvania XtraVision sealed beams. They have the same lifespan as the basics, but the brightness is enough to annoy oncoming traffic if you leave them bright. I’m happy with them. I wouldn’t do LED either. The hicks around me really annoy me with their ********. For the civilized, I understand there’s a safety concern, but for many others, it’s just the fashionable thing to do when you’re 17, have nothing to do, and you’re racing down the town boulevard with your pals.

Yeah, those Xtra Visions are a real bargain for the lighting improvement.