Immediate plans for the truck:
-I've got a Flowmaster Super 10 on it's way from Summit to replace the ugly sounding dumped Thrush.
-Flowmaster has dual 2-1/2" outlets, so I want to have a shop run the piping out the back at a 45* angle, and bolt on some black tips.
-Truck needs repainted in a few spots. Mainly the driver-side bedside, the tailgate, and the hood.
-Want to get a cowl hood probably soon since I'm getting paid very well at work now and cross-trained in several departments (more hours!)
-Need to repaint the grille, it's chipping.
-NEED NEED NEED a new dash.
-Need to remove the bed and the engine and paint the frame. Years of dirt and mud looks ugly.
-Flowtech shorty headers.
-New y-pipe.
-Clean carpet or replace it, maybe just a molded rubber mat.
-Twin Sony 10" subs under the seat, waiting for the custom boxes.
-Add a third brake light. Got a pretty sweet idea for that one. Stay tuned.
As for engine plans. I still haven't decided to keep the 355 or do the motor swap right away. I kinda want to do the motor swap, but the 355 is still a very solid motor and the only problems it has are a possible bad ECM, a few vacuum problems, possibly a worn distributor gear, and a few wiring issues.
I have three ideas that I could roll with.
-1. A TPI swap, probably unrealistic with my 700r4 TV cable, and completely unnecessary, but hey, anything's possible.
-2. 454 throttle body with a 350 injector pod and police caprice 65lb/hr injectors, with a ported or 454 intake, maybe a badass single-plane four-barrel intake with an adapter to keep the TBI, and possible Vortec or aftermarket heads and a custom tune to make it all work well together.
-3. Motor swap. I want to go with a 5.3, but I would be happy with a 4.8, and even happier with a 6.0. This option works out for me, since all of the problems that my truck has are engine, tranny, or general driveline-related, and a new motor and tranny would get rid of it all in one shot.
Only problem is funding, and even that isn't a big problem since I just graduated and have all the time in the world to work this kind of stuff into my budget while I am still at home and don't have bills to pay and no kids.
Phew, that was alot of typing. This thread is open, and I am very much open to criticism, ideas, and tips. If you guys see anything wrong, or something you would do differently, be my guest and point it out!