Ok, I'm actually not sure as to whether or not Ultimate Customs is still around or not. While any ideas I have about GM may be considered to be my opinions, please be advised that I do not specialize in any paticular make, but GM has directly offended me many times with their politics. Their quality is is hit and miss on some models just as everyone else is. I could write a book about GMs internal politics that have led to their current financial situations. They spearheaded the SUV revolution, with a blatant disregard for practicality. Their cars have NOT improved in step with the various imports. And now, most GM vehicles are not even American. Yes you heard me, most of GMs cars, excludeing the Saturns are actually imported. Same with Ford. GM built the most fuel efficient production car of all time, and then discontinued it within 3 weeks of their aquasition of Hummer. The best way I can communicate to them that tradeing an ultra efficient practical commuter car for a lumbering gas guzzleing inept ego trip like the Hummer, is to simply not buy their products. Some good alternative engines are the V6 Hemi or turbochargeing what you have. The Hemi will give you more base power than the 350. If you want to go with a GM engine, the 5.3 is a better engine than the 5.7. It is more reliable, and has a better power curve, which means that you will get better all around performance especially if you are going to use it on the street a lot. Fords 4.0 and 5.0 engines are good choices too. And you could also look at some of Mitsubishi offerings.
However you look at it, we live in a free country, and while we may have many differing opinions, if we convince ourselves that we have to be right and impose our self righteousness on others, we are wrong. I would support you in whatever decision you make and good luck to you on your venture. I made my earlier comment to get you to think about your engine choice. Being a chevy is not a good reason. GM vehicles have not been significantly better than any other truck since the early eighties. Sure a lot of the simplicity was great, but they are less technologically advance. The engine in the early eighties was roughly designed to last to last 150,000 - 200,000 miles. The design has changed little. Most of the competition has replaced the engine with much better designed that are meant to last at least 300,000 miles if properly cared for. GM has replaced the 350 as well, so you might want to consider opting for a much more resilient design that gets better power and economy output. By the way, Chevy has not built any engines since the late eighties when they shut down their own independant R&D department and focused on the Corvette. Every newer chevy engine is created by the GM team.
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10-14-2006, 10:55 AM
