Figured I'd show off my baby. Still not on the road yet since the engine swap, but once the snow all melts and I can get it back down to work to iron out the rest of the issues I plan to have it on the road by May.

Bought this truck in January 2007 with 180,000km on it. Drove it til 247,000km with 0 issues but acquired an updated engine for it which had been my dream since I bought the truck.

2000 Chevy Silverado, 2wd, regular cab short box. 4.3L V6 and manual transmission.

The day I brought it home


That spring I added chrome wheels, tonneau cover and clear corner signals. This is right after a fresh wax job.


Other than that it was stock, eventually added a magnaflow catback dual exhaust. Actually sounded pretty good for a V6!

I work at a GM dealer as a mechanic, a 2005 CTS-V came in that dropped a valve. I replaced the engine with a brand new one. Popped the head off and surprisingly there was no cylinder damage. So I rebuilt the whole thing from the ground up with a Lunati Cam (220/224 .575/.575 112LSA), put some edelbrock shorty headers on it. 2 new heads and a new intake manifold and CTS-V accessory drive and yanked the 4.3 out and put this sucker in it'* place!

LS6 engine build...




Heart surgery in progress...












Finally got it running, but the clutch/flywheel combo didn't work out, clutch wouldn't disengage. Swapped it out now the clutch disengages but the starter hits the flywheel. Gave up last summer. Did some research and turns out I need a flywheel spacer, which I will put in in the spring and she'll be ready to tear up the streets. Estimated ~450-475hp. Can't wait to drive it.

Video of it running, you'll have to turn the volume up loud to hear it.

That is an awesome project! I can't wait to see it finished

Thanks Travis, I can't wait either! Can't wait to be able to stomp on that throttle for the first time and feel those ponies roar.

looks like fun

nice project thanks for sharing

Kudos on the engine score, but I gotta ask, doesn't GM have like a core return system? Or was this not a warranty repair?

Wish I could ****** parts up like that!! LOL!

That'* a nice little truck

i dont think they would want to fool with it. the engines probably damaged more often then not and they arent going to over bore the engines and keep stock of different pistons and rings. you would think they could sell them as crate engines though.

No this wasn't a warranty repair, I was quite surprised too that there was no core on it. I know all of the transmissions I change at work have a core on them, warranty or not.

Well finally got my starter and clutch issues ironed out, fired it up yesterday and took it for it'* first cruise. Man does it ever fly! Fun little truck to drive.