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Interesting build for sure. Like others have stated I like the idea of the twin cam engine. You kept a lot of the romance of the Cosworth which is important yet with all members H-Body you gotta modify to give the car that personal feel and touch. Good Job.

sooper dooper job.

clean as a whistle

i have only seen one of these cars ( cosworth vega )

over 25 years ago at a car auction in goldsboro, NC

i remember seeing the number plate inside

i was approx 15 yrs old then and did not know what the heck it was.

you did a great job. good going !!!! dave in Benson, NC

I have about 2000 miles now on the Ecotec Cosworth. I have never been impressed with the stock brakes and have been looking for the right upgrade. I decided to go with the S10 brakes but found out the 1998++ S10 Blazer has much better brakes than the pick-up. If you are looking, find a 1998 or newer S10 Blazer, 2-wheel drive OR 1998 or newer S10 Extreme. This setup uses a 2-piston caliper and 10.75 inch rotors. I got everything from a junk yard for $100. Now these do not have a traditional spindle but use a separate, non-greasable hub. These hub replacements are a bit pricey. All of the other parts (rotors, calipers, pads) are all available readily at auto parts stores. I am planning to use the master cylinder from a 1976 Camaro with manual brakes (1" bore). The upgrade project is moving along nicely. Hope to have it back on the road soon. Photos are more meaningful than words, so here is a bunch.

More photos. Also, any 15" wheel will clear this setup as the stock Blazer had a 15" steel wheel option.

There's been a lot of discussion(and complaining) about the S-10 spindle's long steering arm making the steering response slow and the turning circle large after the swap. These later Blazer/Extreme spindles look like they might actually have a slightly shorter arm; as I recall the Extreme were a pretty decently handling little truck.
Please let us know how things work out.

Nice, yes I would like to know what your driving impressions are once you have it back together.

Bumping this up for answers to the following below. Does the spindle have a shorter arm vs standard s10 pu and blazers?

spencerforhire wrote:There's been a lot of discussion(and complaining) about the S-10 spindle's long steering arm making the steering response slow and the turning circle large after the swap. These later Blazer/Extreme spindles look like they might actually have a slightly shorter arm; as I recall the Extreme were a pretty decently handling little truck.
Please let us know how things work out.

Xtreme pickups and regular pickups with the ZQ8 handling package came with a faster ratio steering box. I believe Xtreme Blazers had the regular one.

Dick

The steering arms are within 1/8" of the Vega length. I notice no difference in the steering at all. The stopping is incredible. I would recommend this swap to anyone.

Very nice

Did this push you wheel further out toward the fender lip?

Yes, maybe 1/8"

I am doing the same swap and was referred to this post. I am relieved to see that it is actually possible.

Could you please show me how you fit the pan around the steering and crossmember? It looks like your engine is set farther forward than where I was thinking it needed to go. I was trying to get the pan far enough back to have the stock steering go in front of the sump. I had planned to machine a thermostat housing to get some room at the firewall and make the hose connection at least face forward, but it looks like you used the stock one. I'm in the very early stages of this swap, so any help you could offer would be most appreciated.

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Hey Todd when you get the chance tell me how the caster is now? I see you kept your stock arms and just wondered if this spindle setup made any difference. Great job! Brian

Caster still sucks. It is still at 0 degrees.