Believe it or not, it is a very easy swap for someone with some knowledge in mechanics, electrics and electronics. I don't consider myself a technician or anything close. I just love turbocharged engines and S10's. I've read a few books on these subjects and thats all my theorical expirience. As you can see in the picture above (this is my S10 blazer) everything fits in a regular GM S truck engine bay. The only thing missing here is the ABS unit and the a/c hose not installed at time of this photo.
I stongly recomend browsing the Sy/Ty home page for complete information on several terms used in the following parragraphs.
First here is a list of things you'll need:
1. S10 Chevy pickup, GMC Sonoma( S15 ) for a Syclone, or a S10 Blazer, GMC Jimmy for a Typhoon: I strongly recomend finding a 1988 to1993 units because electrical wiring for the gauges and other electrical stuff it's much the same as the Sy/Ty, although the gauge cluster of the turbo trucks is completely different, except for the saudi's. An automatic or a standard transmision makes no difference cause you must change it anyway. What's really important is that you decide if you want and AWD or a 2wd Turbocharged monster, because you CAN NOT make a 2wd S10 an AWD turbotruck*, . If you want the AWD from the Typhoon YOU MUST find a 4x4 S10 or S15.. The chassis on the Typhoon is exactly the same as a 2 door 4x4 Jimmy or a S10 Blazer. The Syclone chassis is the same a S10, S15 or Sonoma 4x4 short bed pickup.
*Well actually you can, but you must deal with transforming the chassis to accept the 4wd components and suspension
2. Typhoon or Syclone engine: The 4.3 liters (262 c.i.) engine on the turbo trucks is a turbocharged version of the normal 4.3 (code Z) TBI engine. The Syclone engine has a differnet Fuel injection system(Multiport Fuel Injection), exahaust and intake manifolds, compresion ratio, cylinder heads, and head gasket. When you find the engine check if it includes the following (If not. you may have a hard time finding these parts):
3.Tramsmision: The typhoon uses an upgraded THM700r4 (4L60). I've heard the turbotrucks have a corvette tranny., but I am not sure. You could use a regular THM700 and upgrade it with many stronger kits available on the market. I think the 360 lb/ft of torque coming from a stock sy/ty engine is too much for a regular 700r4.
You may also use a THM400 (3 speed), its a much stronger transmision but you would need to modify the driveline. Its not so difficult if you go the 2wd way, but if you go AWD you most find ,if available, an adapter to fit the borgwagner transfercase.
. I don't see an obstacle in using a standard gearbox ( a 6speed from an F car sound an interesting idea) from another 4.3, 5.0 or 5.7 GM engine.but i don't have any expirience in this type of swaps.
4.Transfer Case: The transfer case in the typhoon its a BorgWagner unit. It is not a typhoon or syclone exclusive, you could find one from a Oldsmobile bravada (1991-1994) or an AWD Astro or Safari (1991-1994).. This stuff is what makes the trucks AWD. Its has a viscous clutch inside with lets the front and rear axels to rotate at different speeds. This is what makes the difference from 4WD to AWD.If you want the AWD system you must use the correct front shaft to fit the transfer ,because its different from a regular 4x4 S10 shaft.
5.Front/Rear differential. You must find the front and rear differential from a Typhoon or Syclone if you want the AWD. They must be the same ring and pinion ratio (Front = Rear ). If you use different ratios the transfercase may not support the different axels speeds and blow your transfer.
The rear differential in the Sy/Ty is a limited slip differential.
The list may grow if you would like to come closer to the real thing, You may wish the steering box for a quicker response, you may want the ABS for a shorter stopping distance..
I've read that the torsion bars are also different, maybe stiffer.
Thats about what you need for the mechanical / electrical parts to turn your S truck into a mustang killer. It's a very good idea to buy the manuals for the Syclone or Typhoon from Helm Inc The chilton for the 1982-1994 Blazer/Bravada/Typhoon it will be a great help to join the two electrical-mechanical systems (old-new).