Is it me or are people getting a little ahead of themselves pricing these trucks. I am looking to buy a 90-93 454ss to do a kind of resto mod on but even the beat up trucks are rediculously priced. Maybe ill just buy a 350 model and do a swap . opinions anyone?

They are priced a little crazy. If you are wanting to get 1 just for the power, go with a 350 vortec they'll out run that truck. I have a 97 Sierra, 350vortec, and I've beatin a 454ss by a couple truck lengths and I paid a lot less for my truck and my truck had low miles and body in really good condition.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/Steve_q/97sle.jpg

that's a good suggestion- I dont really care about the collectability of the 454ss, I just want a fast truck and i like the 88-98 body style best, also i want something i can work on,
i wonder how much power can be pulled from a 1996 350 without killing the smoggability, at any cost, any ideas? Supercharger? ect

I'd say cam, headers, intake and exhaust and that would be a good start without spending tons of cash. Before supercharging I would build up the motor a little bit. There is a Vortech Supercharger for that truck on vortechsupercharger.com for $4,400

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/Steve_q/97sle.jpg

you are right.... i would do the intake exhaust in my daily driver, i am looking to get scary on on some back roads but still pull into the smog machine and be safe ( cause i dont like the older models) maybe im asking too much to stay legal with a '96