Not sure what's in the GT2 kit, but the rest of that is a damn good foundation to bulletproof. I would get the opinion of whoever does it on the billet flexplate, as a lot of people have had problems with them, to the extent that many people go with stock even in high power builds. The best option I'm aware of is a laminated non-billet plate, but I haven't seen one in a few years and I'm not sure if they're still available.

 

I in no way disagree with anything you JBearSVT say.

I will say however that i was given the option for billet everything. Being the kind of person Dave is; we discussed my goals and uses for the truck.
I told him I wanted a solid 400-500 hp daily driver. I tow a lawn/landscape trailer all summer and push snow in the winter. Maybe a track visit here or there but no major racing.
I towed my own vehicle to his shop to get a transmission because I know of no good local shops. I am not full of money and at the time the truck was completely stock and would not move under its own power.
We (Dave & I) elected to wait for billet shafts and a flexplate until if and when I ever need them. He said so long as I do not abuse it there is no real threat.
IIRC 600hp was the number for needing shafts for longevity. but again it is the torque that kills these parts not HP

 

Agreed, the torque... and what you do with it. A little common sense goes a long way.
That's awesome that Dave is local for you.

 

David,
You say your eventual goal is 700hp.
What will the main use of the truck be? Daily Driver, tow, drag racing, sled pulling?
It can make a huge difference in your choice...
DD

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Well, if you consider a 6 hour trip across the entire state of Iowa local haha
It was well worth the trip. We got away from home for a few days. I learned a hell of a lot talking with them and touring the shop. Very good people.
DD

 

mostly street / strip, i dont plan on pulling anything behind it besides the occasional lawnmower on a trailer if need be, and i wish sled pulling but its 2wd so i dont think that will work out very well...

 

Local enough that you can do business face to face. I couldn't bring my truck to him to do the work, and having that ability is huge. Particularly with a built transmission, every truck handles them a little differently. My guy had my VB out three times making changes before he was happy with how my truck responded to it. If I got a mail order tranny and installed it myself, that wouldn't have happened. Not saying it wouldn't have been fine, only that if I had the skill to set it up right, I wouldn't be paying someone else to build it. Dave is physically accessible to you, and if you have problems you can access him to work them out. Not as convenient as a few blocks away maybe, but not the cross country warranty song and dance either.

 

I am not trying to be rude. If you truly need/desire 700 hp I hope you are ready for some time and money. Oh, and likely a huge loss in road manners. I am not trying to ruin your plans.

Here is what I am saying.
*700 hp engine- Easily done. Current cost: unknown as I am not a builder. If full rebuild is not done on a build that size you will exacerbate every little weak link and constantly be tinkering "fixing" little things
*transmission- again fairly easy but costly. I believe the parts you chose will do the job. Biggest thing after quality parts is the installer.
*chassis- This is where things get tricky... 700hp in a 2wd street truck may be difficult to live with.

It can and had been done.
All I am saying I guess is I see a lot of people say "I should of left it at --- hp because now it is hard to drive on the streets"

Just my $0.02. Sorry for the rant.
DD

 

Indeed. Crazy as it sounds, I think one of the unfortunate points to these trucks is how cheap and easy it is to make insane power with them. I've seen it more times than I can believe: a guy buys a nice little 12V and starts tinkering, want's more, and more, and more, and more, and the next thing you know the thing is making godlike power... and it's for sale because he doesn't like to drive it anymore and he's looking for another one to start over with. I can't quite get my head around it, but there it is.

 

thats another thing ive been looking into, the most thats done to the truck as of now is a #100 plate and afc slid forward, and a little tinkering with the smoke screw / star wheel, ill admit about 6 years ago i had an s10 we slid a mild built 454 into, with everything done we could think of to get it to hook. ladder bars, wider tires, posi, ect ect... it would snap em loose at 70 without a problem, im not too worried about driving the truck every day but one thing i am keeping in mind.

have a guy local to me whos selling his rig for just that reason, he wants to start over, but iirc, hes pushing close to 1200 hp,

 

Yeah, it's great for bragging to your friends, but not so great for driving to work.