Positve P's 283 post inspired me to share my daydreaming. SBC only at this point.Low cubes.
As well as hoping to buy an Astro/Safari I also hope to complete a V8 swap someday. Been wanting to build up an engine also.
Be nice to have the extra funds to set up TBI and Vortec heads. Wonder if that GMP kit has the upward or downward manifold, worth the trouble or just homebrew the egr?
Anyhow here is the fun stuff:
Displacements;
L99 4.3 liter SBC (Mini LT1) short block only so not to use reverse cooling heads.
283 Classic, allways wanted one, should out pull 4.3 V6 if Vortec headed.(V6 converter)
305 Skip the early bad heads and small cam, should be fine but boring.
302 Now here is the real fun! (I know, just build a 350 but I'm thinking smaller cubes here)
Take a '96 and up 350 Vortec (need external cooling bypass for most manifolds) and install reballanced crank and rods from L99 4.3 V8. The rods from that one have the correct length to allow use of 350 pistons. You can check me on this 350= 3.48 stroke and 5.7 rod, 4.3 liter = 3" stroke and PM 5.94 rod. .240" is the magic number! Imagine being able to build up a 302 having the piston options from the highest selection of pistons available just like the 350.
From my research you get the one pc rear main seal, windage tray, roller lifter set up for a roller cam. I'm fairly clear the 3" crank has the correct nose set up for the common ballancers.
When the economy pulls back up gas should go back up also so I would build a TBI set up for low end power but you all could build a screamer!
I'm leaning most to the 283 or 302.
Cheers!
P.S. the 4.3 liter L99 was found in Roadmasters and Caprice's.