I have a 1969 Chevy C10 weighing around 4000lbs. My goal is to have this thing run solidly in the 12's and yet keep it a daily driver. What kind of HP will this take and what path/combination would you use to get it there? Also, I'm thinking something EFI.  

BIG engine (540-555) blower.  

A larger engine to be sure. Some gearing in the back, maybe 3.73's and an O.D. trans for the freeway.
If you can go the 502 EFI route, that would be a good start. 500hp isn't hard to come by that way (not to mention the torque)and you need at least that much to go 12's without running a ton of gearing and a huge stall.
Or supercharge it like prostock1 suggests.  

I have a 72 GMC long bed that i run 12.8's in, with just a 355, small converter and 3.73 gears.  

The biggest progblem with getting any truck to run fast is getting the rear to hook up. Because of the light weight over the rear axle, traction is always a problem with a stock/slightly modified rear suspension.

You can do 12s with a small block and the right gears, but a blower or turbo on a 355 or 383 would most likely get you in the 12s with no problem, and not hurt your daily driving.  

How much do you want to spend? That is the first question.
douglas  

Here is the math to get started.
hp=(mph/234)³ x weight

12-second quarter mile= about 112 mph
hp=(112/234)³ x 4000

422hp at the wheel should do it
Soooo 550 engine hp!
A 350 with nitrous or a N/A 383 should do it.
douglas  

GLAD:
How much do you want to spend? That is the first question.
douglas

Douglas, I will do what it takes to make it happen. I'm just tired of shops that love to help you spend your money, but don't really know that right combination of parts. I was origally tempted with the 454HO with a blower (Car Craft "Import Killer" but don't like what I've been reading about it being an oil burner. Now I'm considering EFI but that's a new direction for me. I read a recent Hot Rod Engines build-up where they super-charged the Chevy 6.0 truck engine (etc). I'm leaning that direction, but am pretty open to some other ideas too. Thanks for the interest.
Randy  

A 550hp 383 is a lot of engine. Might lay outside the daily driver category. I'm not saying people don't do it, just understand what your definition of daily driver is.
Bigger is definitely better.  

406 then? I have no idea what the budget is. I'll drive anything  
douglas  

I used a 100 shot of giggle juice to get there with a SB.  But a fairly mild BB with worked over peanut heads will get you there without any problems, that is where I am headed now.  

GLAD:
406 then? I have no idea what the budget is. I'll drive anything  
douglas

Douglas, first I want to let you know what a great mag Car Craft is these days. Also, make sure you hang on to Trosley. I've still got some CarToons from when I was 13.
Last night I was reading the November 06 Car Craft about 500hp combos. You and Jeff Smith put the article together. One of the engines in the mix was an LS1. But there weren't any HP numbers. Can you look this up? Would this have enough torque to do it?
How about supercharging a 6.0 LQ9?  

You're a bit vaige @ the question,but in a truck sbc's are bad choice's.The bigger the load,the bigger the engine need B.Grab a genIV 454 BBC with 4bolt mains and forged crank.Its duty cycle rating is way higher than any sbc,and will last a while,as the sbc will wear faster and require bearing maintanance in the near future.World Products Merlin III heads will make a 454 pull your truck the way you want with the other matching parts without an oxidizer(blower,turbo,NOS,etc.).Luck 2 Ya!  

Yeah, there's nothing like cubes. Does anyone out there have the 454HO crate engine? I've heard they are oil burners but would like to confirm or disregard that.
I know I didn't put a $ figure on this but that's why I asked "What would YOU do". I know there are lots of ways to get this result but what would you set-up based on your funds available?  

55_Hardtop_Guy:
The biggest progblem with getting any truck to run fast is getting the rear to hook up. Because of the light weight over the rear axle, traction is always a problem with a stock/slightly modified rear suspension.

You can do 12s with a small block and the right gears, but a blower or turbo on a 355 or 383 would most likely get you in the 12s with no problem, and not hurt your daily driving.

Adding & dropping numbers...lose some weight! There is a fiberglass manufacture that makes body parts for the street.(not just thin race ony parts)And they have cabs & bodies.If your cab needs or has filler,you can cut out that good part of the dash(w/the number plate on it)and repace the rest. New, lite & dosen't rust. For apx. $5,000.   WWW.USBODYSOURCE.COM   You can drop a lot of weight! The parts are about the same price as replaceing with metal. I have a 71'step and plan on doing all "glass" with a GMPP-ETECH 2.0SC. Rollcage for added saftey,and air susp. That will do for my daily driver/hotrod pickup/usable truck,without govt. restrictions. Do some number crunching,with weight-to-power ratio.You will get in the 12's with a SB.Or even a mod. 4.3v6! Eather way,more power to ya! C-kid