1982 S10 "Wildside" - Coil per Cylinder Gen 1 Small Block

History | Engine | Transmission | All Wheel Drive | Suspension | Interior | Exterior

History

This S10 was originally a 1982 GMC Sonoma that went through the following changes:

• 1986 S10 4x4 Frame
• 1986 S10 Dash
• 1986 2.8L V6 Engine
• 1993 S10 Grille
• Choo Choo Customs Fiberglass "Wildside" Bed
• Choo Choo Customs Fiberglass Front Fascia
• 1987 5.7L Tuned Port Injection Engine
• 700R4 Transmission
• 1993 Typhoon Drivetrain
• 1996 Z-28 Rear Disc Brakes
• 1995 S10 4x4 Frame
• 1993 S10 Digital Instrument Cluster
• 5.7L Engine, LT1 Intake Manifold, LT4 HOT Cam
• 4L60E Transmission
• 5.7L Ram Jet 350 Intake Manifold, Coil per Cylinder, Electronic Throttle

This page was last updated 9/10/08.

Coil Per Cylinder This S10 has been used to prototype our LS1 coil per cylinder system! The truck pulls strong and smooth, making 311hp @ 5300rpm and 334tq @ 3800rpm. We used a set of LS1 coils, LS1 PCM with Corvette calibration, a custom engine harness, and our custom crankshaft reluctor ring. Engine Changes The current engine configuration is a Ram Jet 350 intake manifold, GM Vortec heads, and an LT4 HOT cam. The LS1 ignition system out performs the early, single coil and distributor, ignition system. Drive-by-Wire and Cruise Control Because the Ram Jet 350 intake manifold accepts the LS1 throttle body, an electronic Corvette LS1 throttle body was used. Cruise control is built into the system, so all of the older vacuum controlled equipment was removed and replaced with the electronic throttle control module. Connecting cruise control to the truck was simple, only four wires were involved with the original cruise control switch and brake switch. There is no delay; when you set cruise control, it is instant. The truck does not experience the MPH lag of the early vacuum operated cruise control.

Previous V8 Engines

Transmission The 700R4 transmission was replaced with a 4L60E after the coil per cylinder installation. The 700R4 uses a throttle valve cable to control shifts, where the 4L60E is shifted by the PCM. The all wheel drive transfer case, transmission crossmember, and even the transmission fluid lines were a direct fit. The 700R4 has much in common with the 4L60E. The flexibility and control of the 4L60E made it a great choice.

All Wheel Drive The drivetrain was pulled from a wrecked 1993 GMC Typhoon. The all wheel drive system makes the truck much more enjoyable to drive. The all wheel drive front differential, propshaft, transfer case, and rear end simply bolt on to the 4x4 S10 frame. Traction is excellent...even in the rain!

Suspension The truck was lowered with a Belltech kit that consisted of lowering torsion bar keys and drop leaf springs. The All Wheel Drive system and vehicle stance has always provided good cornerning.

Interior
The interior was updated with a 1986 S10 dash and 1994 bench seat. The instrument cluster was replaced with a digital cluster from an 89-94 Jimmy/Blazer/Bravada.

Digital Instrument Cluster
We put the best looking GM instrument cluster into the truck. The illumination of the 80s and early 90s S10 intstrument clusters is very poor, but the digital instrument cluster is sharp and bright. Everything works! The battery, fuel, speedometer, oil pressure, temperature, tachometer, and telltale lights function like they should.

Tachometer
The Corvette tach signal from the PCM is not compatible with the instrument cluster's tachometer. This problem was very easily resolved with a Dakota Digital SGI-8 (D) Tachometer Calibration unit. We connected 12v ignition, ground, tach in, and tach out. We set the unit to receive a 4 cyl tach signal and output a 6 cyl tach signal to the instrument cluster. The tachometer was displaying the correct signal in no time.

Cruise Control Telltale
While not significant, it's worth mentioning that some S10 digital clusters have an unused "CRUISE" telltale light. One of our clusters had it, so we put a bulb in the back of the cluster and ran a ground to the instrument cluster connector to illuminate the telltale when the cruise control switch is turned on. The Corvette telltale is operated by the Class 2 data stream to illuminate only when cruise control is set. Our instrument cluster is not so advanced, so our telltale is illuminated when cruise is on, whether set or not set.

Exterior The most notable part about the exterior is the Choo Choo Customs "Wildside" bed. For a limited time, Choo Choo Customs sold new S10 pickups with their conversion package and called the truck "Wildside". During the 90s they offered some of the Wildside pieces to the public. This truck uses the Wildside bed and Wildside fascia. The bed is fiberglass and fitted with Corvette ZR1 lights. Most people say it looks like a hot tub.