We also added a couple more underhood details to convert Jake into a fully dependable daily driver. First, we bolted in an Optima red-top battery for excellent hot-weather starting power. We also spent most of one day under Tim Moore's hoist bolting in a B&M 4L60-E shift improver kit, choosing the least aggressive heavy-duty version and also installing a B&M trans cooler to take some of the heat out the transmission. We also added a Trans Dapt air inlet kit that replaced the factory air inlet silencer and included a high-flow K&N filter and a chrome lid. You can get the lid separately as well.
This whole process required a little longer than just three months to assemble, but now that it's completed, we couldn't be happier. Jake has gone from Cal-Trans freeway parolee to a stylish version of a Southern California cruiser. It tows our trailer and 3,500-pound '65 Chevelle with ease and can handle a serious payload without complaint. It runs great, looks good, handles better, and has been an all-around budget-based success. We bought Jake at an auction for $2,600, and for a total investment of under $8,500 we have an outstanding pickup that can manage 14 mpg while towing a car, makes a perfect junkyard parts-chaser, and yet can also look good at the neighborhood car show. This has been such a fun project that we can't imagine our car-crafting world without Jake.
| Power Pulls |
| Configuration | HP | LB-FT |
| Test 1, baseline | 140 @ 3,850 | 200 @ 3,850 |
| Test 2, after-cat exhaust, tune-up | 168 @ 4,100 | 229 @ 3,800 |
| Test 3, above w/headers | 167 @ 3,500 | 237 @ 3,500 |
| Test 4, above w/Hypertech chip | 176 @ 4,050 | 260 @ 3,300 |
| Test 5, above w/Power Charger | 184 @ 4,100 | 268 @ 3,400 |
|
| Total improvement | 44 | 68 |
| Percentage gain overall | 31% | 34% |
| Component | Manufacturer | Part Number |
| Wheels, Billet Rally | Wheel Vintiques | 90-780505 |
| Billet disc brake cap | Wheel Vintiques | 1047 |
| Tires, Ventus ST | Hankook | 255/50R17 |
| Locking lug nuts | McGard | 24109 |
| Steel cowl hood | Goodmark | 4146-200-881 |
| GM TBI fuel regulator | Turbo City | 630-130 |
| TBI injector spacer | Turbo City | 630-105 |
| Air cleaner kit | Trans Dapt | 2452 |
| Throttle-body spacer | Trans Dapt | 2534 |
| Truck cover | Covercraft | see catalog |
| Shift improver kit | B&M | 70239 |
| Trick Shift ATF | B&M | 80286 |
| Trans Supercooler | B&M | 70266 |
| Hi-temp hose kit | Summit/Goodyear | GTR-5005 |
| Battery, spiral cell | Optima | 8004-003 |
| Carpet, black | Auto Custom Carpet | see Web site |