What's the largest engine I...
 

... could potentially drop in a 1992 C1500?

I'm not racing perse, but hot-dogging in designated areas wouldn't be out of the question.

What other things would I have to upgrade to avoid exploding parts on the road and would it help to lower the suspension etc etc?

Everything is currently stock. 305, 4 speed trans.

Personally, the easiest thing to do would be to get a 350 vortec engine from a salvage yard and build it up a little. A high flow exhaust will also help. As far as the drivetrain, I wouldn't mess with it as long as the tranny's still shifting smooth. You might benefit from differential cap with fins on it ... like any of these: Search Results for differential cap - SummitRacing.com

I honestly don't know anything about hot rodding drivetrains, but perhaps a transmission cooler would help keep the tranny healthy while you "hot-dogg" it ;)

Make sure your U-joints are good too.

You can hot dog with a 4 speed but what kind of budget are you working with and I can give a few suggestions.

If you want wild, go with a 615 cu in PAW racing motor. Land a built powerglide behind it and a 5.21 rear end. Don't forget to go with a 4 link, narrowed Ford 9" and Strange axle and spool

well, going to see if rebuilding the 305 is possible (as per symptoms on my latest thread)... if not, I'll aim for $5000-6000, make deals with friends to use their tools and stay away from shops doing the work.

Can find some good deals on 350s and the odd 454 once in a while that just need a little love.

If the bottom end on your 305 is solid, there's a bolt on kit (heads, intake, cam and lifters) that when mated with a good carb and exhaust is a 400hp setup. Granted, it's not insane power but for a 305 motor and around $1500 it's one helluva upgrade. Throw in a taller rear end and you'll roll the tires till you shift into third.

if youve got about 6,000 bucks you can drop a 572 bigblock v8 in it its the biggest production crate motor gm has to offer if built right it can get up to 675 horse power on pump gas with an 11.1 comp ratio
go on you tube and search stacey david copperhead its a 67 c10 with one in it he does a great job of explaining what it can do
butif your on a small budget your best bet is build up a gm 350 sb there are so many options on the 350 you can do and in your truck alls you gotta do is change the motor mounts and computer if your going with tbi or efi or go easy no computer carb it

Yeah IF the bottom end is solid on that 305. A stock LSX Vortec 5.3 or 6.0 with low miles could cost around $600 with the computer harness. Also these Vortec motors stock can handle up to 500 hp on the bottom end. The 305 is gonna take more to build than a Vortec motor. With my 2001 5.3 I have a cam, lt headers, exhaust, and I am pushing bout 370 hp. The cam alone with the headers and tuned add about 98 hp. Just sayin, better off and cheaper with a newer Vortec motor.

Damn good point Ruff. I just got the impression he was wanting to stay simple and not get into computer controls.

Which kit might this be?

I'll end up having two 305SBCs on my hands ... I'm thinking toy around with one before I go to swapping the whole thing.