Talking "new school" engine and trans, you need to look into the LS engine family, 4.8L to 6.2L in trucks, plus others in Camaro/Corvette... Choice of cast iron or aluminium block or heads...
A 6-speed manual was available in Camaros/Firebirds, I do not know about trucks manual...
Keep the EFI/ drive-by-wire... and you will have the "newest new school" engine! And dead reliable too!
Check LS1Tech forum for lots of infos.
