The 87 SS Safari

[SSSafari480]

As my name applies I own an 87 GMC Safari Van that I call the SS Safari. We salvaged the van still running strong after sitting for 3 years with the stock 4.3 V6 for only $300. Drove it for a little bit but something was missing, something along the lines of a little bit of Chevy Small Block, we searched around and found a barn fresh 72 'Vette (only 7,000 miles!) and pulled the motor and transmission out of it (currently we are not using the 'Vette transmission for fear of ripping the stock rear end in two. The stock Rear end isn't exchangeable as it's an offset and would require engineering a new whole rear end and well we're poor.) for only $500. The motor is a High output 350Ci and pushed around 350 to 375 horsepower. We soon there after put an Edelbrock aluminum intake and an Edelbrock high performance Carb. this amongst other simple tuneups and bolt-ons have raised the horsepower to around 480 with ungodly amounts of torque. We don't have to much money but the van has around $1700 in including the purchase of the van. It's good cheap American fun. (sorry for the van not being clean it's a daily driver)

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Nice Safari! Never seen or thought about an unorthodox projcct like this! You should drag race some people and raise their eyebrows with it.

One question: Where's the free candy sign?

 

[the_stig_1]

You might want to edit the 6th photo because of the language. Nice van too.

 

[SSSafari480]

Nice Safari! Never seen or thought about an unorthodox projcct like this! You should drag race some people and raise their eyebrows with it.

One question: Where's the free candy sign?

Left it on the passenger seat, and and I've done a little bit of drag racing on private roads, love smashin' mustangs

 

[Cano]

hahaha this thing is awesome, very very cool sleeper.

 

[Joey D]

That's ridiculously cool, I love projects that go against the norm.

 

[Ibonibo]

One question: Where's the free candy sign?

Treed. Lol

Was going to post the same. tint windows and free candy sign. 👍 and a pedobear coming out of one of the doors.

 

[Thatman]

Whats it sound like, wheres the burnout video...

 

[Patrick]

That's awesome dude. 👍

 

[Antonisbob]

I thought this was going to be about the Pontiac Safari Instead there's this awesome sleeper van! I like the Chev rally rims. 👍

 

[Adamgp]

Nice project, but no '72 Corvette had a HO 350, nor did they come close to generating 350-375hp. Not stock anyway.

Engine options for the 1972 'Vette were:

350 ci 200hp base engine
350 ci 255 hp (LT1)
454 ci 270 hp (LS5)

 

[SSSafari480]

Nice project, but no '72 Corvette had a HO 350, nor did they come close to generating 350-375hp. Not stock anyway.

Engine options for the 1972 'Vette were:

350 ci 200hp base engine
350 ci 255 hp (LT1)
454 ci 270 hp (LS5)

We pulled it out of a 'vette and ran the vin number and it turned out those numbers so it was probably a very early motor swap

Whats it sound like, wheres the burnout video...

Soon (need new tires anyways so when we get them its roastin' time

 

[dudeguy]

looks like someone tried to break in, missing lock and crowbar damage.

cool project, it's different. Maybe it's time for an A-Team stripe, wrong van but still would be cool.

 

[SSSafari480]

looks like someone tried to break in, missing lock and crowbar damage.

cool project, it's different. Maybe it's time for an A-Team stripe, wrong van but still would be cool.

yeah we got it like that, and if we do repaint the van we're gonna do the original maroon with white chevelle/camaro style double racing stripes

 

[GasolineJunkie]

Cool project man. Like others have said, it's cool to see something different. I did something similar with a 78 chevy pickup about 15 years ago. It's not a van, but still. I found a smallblock 350 out of a 90's model vette, ('91 if I'm not mistaken) had her rebuilt, and dropped her in. Put some aluminum heads and a few other upgrades and had a blast with her.

It must be pricy for a daily, huh? I'm sure you can't get great mileage with that setup. I think I was getting about 11-13 mpg but I also had a holley 750 double pumper. I miss that truck. She got flooded.

Yea, that van would look sick if you paint it like you say. Good luck with it! 👍 This thread makes me want to start up another builder.

 

[AMCNUT]

I bet it makes a great sleeper. Interesting how the most fun projects are usually the oddball vehicles - hopefully you can make it look even cooler! 👍

 

[SSSafari480]

It must be pricy for a daily, huh?

Well when it's something you love it makes it a lot easier but yeah I'm getting around the same gas mileage as you were.