I had a 95 s10 4cyl 5sp, and it is slooooow. You'd be much happier with the 4.3 even if it is automatic.

Also I believe the extremes come with ZQ8 suspension so they ride pretty nice.

I live in Detroit, I couldn't give a **** how good my car is in the "twisties." "I could use a hundred people who don't know there is such a word as impossible." ~Henry Ford