Home-Built Hero: Mid-Engine C10 Will Be True Terror

We’ve all been around long enough to realize that anything is possible. If you don’t believe that to be true, just think of something outrageous and then search the Internet. I would be willing to bet you’ll find it. Sometimes, though, you can even find stuff you hadn’t thought of. Such is the case with this mid-engine C10 truck being assembled at Mars Auto Parts and Engine Swaps in Mogadore, Ohio.

mid engine c10

It might not have looked like much when the auction ended, but we’re certain this will be a true show stopper when completed.

By looking at the images, we can tell the project is well underway, and according to John Martin, sales manager at Mars, the project will utilize a Corvette transaxle to make this mid-engine vision a reality.

John states the project began when he picked up this 1986 C10 from a local auction for the paltry sum of $700. It is a long-bed hauler, and the length will offer plenty of room for the engine, transmission, and Corvette rear carrier/suspension.

The first task on the list was to remove the bed from the truck. The frame was in excellent condition and not rotted out as one would expect of an Ohio-based work truck. However, John did learn the bottom edges of the doors were rotted out as well as the rockers and cab corners.

mid engine c10

To create this cool hauler, John was fortunate in that there was a C5 Corvette’s T56 rear cradle taking up residence in the back of the shop. The first task at hand was to make sure the rear cradle was a viable option. John says the transaxle did need to be modified to accept the engine and mounting for this application.

“My thoughts are to change the front plate to a GTO unit and then install a bell housing,” says John. The next piece of the puzzle is to figure out how to shift the transmission since its location will be in the bed of the truck. Currently, the guys are thinking of using a modified manual shifter with cables from a front-wheel-drive car to control the shifter at the “mid-shift” location.

John located an engine from a 2012 CTS-V that spun freely, however, the rear left corned got fractured during an accident. “The damage did not appear to go deep, and we opened the bottom end to inspect for further damage before deciding we would give it a go,” affirms John.

The engine block had a fracture where the bellhousing connects to the driver's side. John and the guys were able to weld the piece back on.

The project has a long way to go to reach completion, and we are certain that creating this masterpiece is going to take some time. But rest assured, we’re also certain the finished product will surely be one that stands out at any car show or racetrack. To find out more about this monster, you can click here.

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About the author

Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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