Chevelle restoration

Coltdefender1911

Coltdefender1911

On the couch
Charter Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
4,161
Location
Charlotte, NC
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
So I'm restoring a classic peice of American muscle. Some from NCGO may remember the start of this project. For the others, I will start from the beginning.
Front clip removed.
Frame being stripped, prepped for media blasting and powder coating. Clean stripped frame freshy powder coated. Suspension built. Engine and trans ready for install. Engine and tranny installed. Back to a roller. Headers installed, radiator installed, cooling fans installed. Cooling hoses installed. What a pain in the @$$. Driveshaft installed, exhaust fabbed and welded. Few more kinks to work out and the body goes back on. Stay tuned!
 
Looking great! What manner of LS is that you've bolted in there? I have a 6.2 in my Sierra but I can't tell one from another...
 
JohnFreeman;n82343 said:
Looking great! What manner of LS is that you've bolted in there? I have a 6.2 in my Sierra but I can't tell one from another...
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's a LS3. 6.2L Crete engine outta a '15 Camero.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I notice you've replaced the 12 bolt with a 9". Are you going to install some sort of power adder, or just playing it safe?
 
JohnFreeman;n82354 said:
I notice you've replaced the 12 bolt with a 9". Are you going to install some sort of power adder, or just playing it safe?
Click to expand...

Just playin it safe. Plus I love the 9". The stock engine has ~430hp. After an intake swap, ecm reprogram of fuel and ignition curves and a few other things, it'll make a few more ponies. I'm also looking at bumpsticks now. Just incase I don't like the one in the Crete engine. Although a power adder isn't out of the picture just yet.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Looking nice. I noticed you installed an H pipe. I still find it amazing how many folks there are out there running a street rod or whatever without an H pipe. You can always tell when their going down the road and let off the gas and you hear all the popping out the exhaust. Nice work.
 
Qball;n82599 said:
Looking nice. I noticed you installed an H pipe. I still find it amazing how many folks there are out there running a street rod or whatever without an H pipe. You can always tell when their going down the road and let off the gas and you hear all the popping out the exhaust. Nice work.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes a "H" or "X" pipe is a must. There is chatter that "H" is better. I dunno... I do know there must be one or the other.
 
I have some other close up shots of differentials, suspension, brakes etc if anyone is interested in any certain parts. I just posted the major milestones.
 
Thanks for the info. That is fantastic work. A couple of questions if you have time:

* When you install the motor/trans on the frame as you did, how are you sure that the location/angle etc is correct and that the body will fit? Are you using pre-engineered components (like the trans mount) that someone has already determined the answer? I know that far from guarantees everything fits, and that a certain amount of hammering/bending/cutting seems inevitable with such a complicated swap.

* How are you going to handle engine control? Are you getting a harness kit/ECM from GM, or thru the aftermarket? I

I'm curious as I have a C3 Corvette and plans (ok, dreams) of engine rebuild/renew and like everyone else I'm looking at LS options. I know my truck weighs a TON more than your Chevelle and even so, that 6.2 really pulls strong even in stock form. In a lighter car with tune and a cam, you'll end up with big power and reliability.

Then there's always a bolt on turbo.... ;-)
 
Very nice man. I like the modern plant under the hood. My dad once had a 69 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible. Dark blue with white leather button tuck interior, grave yard scene painted on the dash (it sounds cheesy, but looked cool), and a pretty decent build on the motor. Car was a beast. He traded it for a 72 K-20 4-wd, 30 years ago, that he still has to this day. He loves that truck, but says he wished he would have kept the SS.
 
JohnFreeman;n82653 said:
Thanks for the info. That is fantastic work. A couple of questions if you have time:

* When you install the motor/trans on the frame as you did, how are you sure that the location/angle etc is correct and that the body will fit? Are you using pre-engineered components (like the trans mount) that someone has already determined the answer? I know that far from guarantees everything fits, and that a certain amount of hammering/bending/cutting seems inevitable with such a complicated swap.

* How are you going to handle engine control? Are you getting a harness kit/ECM from GM, or thru the aftermarket? I

I'm curious as I have a C3 Corvette and plans (ok, dreams) of engine rebuild/renew and like everyone else I'm looking at LS options. I know my truck weighs a TON more than your Chevelle and even so, that 6.2 really pulls strong even in stock form. In a lighter car with tune and a cam, you'll end up with big power and reliability.

Then there's always a bolt on turbo.... ;-)
Click to expand...

The engine mounts are pre made. They place the engine in the stock location. There are literally a ton of engine mount/bracket options. You can get adjustable engine mount brackets that move engine forward or rearward up to like 4 inches each way. I opted for a stock location. Measure twice cut once.

Engine control. There is again literally a ton of options. I went with a GM kit (came with engine). I got a smoking deal on the total power package from my local GM dealer. I do ALOT of busimess with them. Came with wiring harness, fuse box, ECM, TCM, engine, transmission, flexplate, O2 sensor, MA sensor, APP pedal etc. The control modules already have a basic program to get everything running. Then comes a custom tune. The GM kit is always an option, but there are much cheaper options out there if you are willing to put in the "sweat equity" I have done custom wiring harness from salvage yard harnesses before. Get the ECM from same donor vehicle. Send ECM out to a programmer with info on your application and they will custom tune it for about 150. It's easy to get your ECM and homemade wiring harness for less than 300.00.

The LS series engines light and powerfull. That's why they have become so popular. Feel free to ask any questions. I like to help as much as I can. Also I'm in the middle of a 1982 C3 cross fire injected restoration also. Don't have quite as many pics of that one. I'll look and see what I've got. She got a polished 383 stroker though. I tried to push the LS, but the owner is old school.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Stick Man;n82679 said:
Very nice man. I like the modern plant under the hood. My dad once had a 69 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible. Dark blue with white leather button tuck interior, grave yard scene painted on the dash (it sounds cheesy, but looked cool), and a pretty decent build on the motor. Car was a beast. He traded it for a 72 K-20 4-wd, 30 years ago, that he still has to this day. He loves that truck, but says he wished he would have kept the SS.
Click to expand...

Thanks. This project is gonna be different, modern so the LS was a must. I'm doing digital gauges, touch screen HVAC, radio, navigation, auto one touch power windows etc. Pops should have held on to that SS.
 
Coltdefender1911;n82745 said:
Thanks. This project is gonna be different, modern so the LS was a must. I'm doing digital gauges, touch screen HVAC, radio, navigation, auto one touch power windows etc. Pops should have held on to that SS.
Click to expand...

Last C3 I had 77L82 4sp I had 31 in and sold it for 15. Lot cheaper to buy one restored than to do it yourself,lol,,The ironic thing is when everything was finished I was kinda of lost. The journey was more fun than the destination.
 
Majicmike;n82747 said:
Last C3 I had 77L82 4sp I had 31 in and sold it for 15. Lot cheaper to buy one restored than to do it yourself,lol,,The ironic thing is when everything was finished I was kinda of lost. The journey was more fun than the destination.
Click to expand...

If it ain't fun it ain't worth doing. Yes most times it is cheaper to buy than build. But when you build, you build what you want. When you buy, you buy someone else's design, dream, vision. When you build it it's your vision.
 
JohnFreeman
383 for the C3 Vette. Car is in background. Before we sent to paint.
 

Attachments

  • 2017-02-05 11.01.03.png
    2017-02-05 11.01.03.png
    164.6 KB · Views: 23
  • 2017-02-05 11.01.28.png
    2017-02-05 11.01.28.png
    167.4 KB · Views: 24
  • Like
Reactions: NKD
Coltdefender1911;n82739 said:
The engine mounts are pre made. They place the engine in the stock location. There are literally a ton of engine mount/bracket options. You can get adjustable engine mount brackets that move engine forward or rearward up to like 4 inches each way. I opted for a stock location. Measure twice cut once.

Engine control. There is again literally a ton of options. I went with a GM kit (came with engine). I got a smoking deal on the total power package from my local GM dealer. I do ALOT of busimess with them. Came with wiring harness, fuse box, ECM, TCM, engine, transmission, flexplate, O2 sensor, MA sensor, APP pedal etc. The control modules already have a basic program to get everything running. Then comes a custom tune. The GM kit is always an option, but there are much cheaper options out there if you are willing to put in the "sweat equity" I have done custom wiring harness from salvage yard harnesses before. Get the ECM from same donor vehicle. Send ECM out to a programmer with info on your application and they will custom tune it for about 150. It's easy to get your ECM and homemade wiring harness for less than 300.00.

The LS series engines light and powerfull. That's why they have become so popular. Feel free to ask any questions. I like to help as much as I can. Also I'm in the middle of a 1982 C3 cross fire injected restoration also. Don't have quite as many pics of that one. I'll look and see what I've got. She got a polished 383 stroker though. I tried to push the LS, but the owner is old school.
Click to expand...

Did you actually speak the forbidden words Cross Fire Injection. Omg I had hoped they where all dead. The worst fuel system gm ever produced. I will pray for you.
 
Short Fuse;n84596 said:
Did you actually speak the forbidden words Cross Fire Injection. Omg I had hoped they where all dead. The worst fuel system gm ever produced. I will pray for you.
Click to expand...

It's gone now. Customer insisted it was removed. So I did. Removed all traces of it. Even the emblems!
 
I just want to come watch and hand you tools. I love stuff like this but don't have the time or the complete skill set. But I'll drink beer and say stuff like "Hey I think you missed a bolt" or "You sure you torqued that to spec?".
 
Chdamn;n85008 said:
I just want to come watch and hand you tools. I love stuff like this but don't have the time or the complete skill set. But I'll drink beer and say stuff like "Hey I think you missed a bolt" or "You sure you torqued that to spec?".
Click to expand...

Free help. Hell yeah come on let's do it.
 
Vintage air conditioning system arrived today. Got condenser and hard lines, and dryer installed. Also mounted compressor.

The body is close to being put back on. Finshed up some loose ends. No pics of that yet.
 

Attachments

  • 2017-02-23 22.59.02.jpg
    2017-02-23 22.59.02.jpg
    144.2 KB · Views: 20
  • 2017-02-23 22.59.02.jpg
    2017-02-23 22.59.02.jpg
    144.2 KB · Views: 19
  • image_5716.jpg
    image_5716.jpg
    177.1 KB · Views: 19
Vintage Air systems are good stuff.
I wanted to do a big block in this Cutlass but since my wife claims this car gotta go FE. Plus she is heavy footed. I'll be in touch about an LS swap later.
 
gunbelt;n98285 said:
Vintage Air systems are good stuff.
I wanted to do a big block in this Cutlass but since my wife claims this car gotta go FE. Plus she is heavy footed. I'll be in touch about an LS swap later.
Click to expand...

Let me know
 
spittinfire;n98312 said:
You need to upgrade the suspension.

www.detroitspeed.com
Click to expand...

For anyone in the area, Detroit Speed has an annual open house the Thursday before the fall Good Guys show at the Charlotte speedway in October. They serve BBQ, the entire facility is open for you to wander around in and a couple hundred cars in town for the Good Guys event show up. It's gotten to be a pretty big deal, one helluva car show.

.
 
IMG_0147.JPG IMG_0146.JPG So it's been awhile since I've updated this thread. It's been awhile since I've worked on it. I've about got the firewall shaved and filled. The complete underbody has been sprayed with POR-15 and undercoated. I've been so busy with the race car and the grandkids seems like this will never get done. Next up is paint and marry to rolling chassis.
 
Last edited:
55323775-0BAE-4E62-980E-8E332FB8D807.jpeg So this thread is looooonnnnggggg overdue for an up date. I’ve been so busy with other projects, this one has taken a back burner for far too long. The body is married back to the frame. Fire wall is painted. Heat/sound insulation is in. Fuel system is installed, battery is relocated to trunk. I have to make a removable cover to access the transmission cooling lines if/when the transmission requires removal. -6 AN cooling lines. No way to access those from underneath. That may be tomorrow’s project, still gotta hang the booster and master cylinder..... I’m thinking dzus fasteners for the cover? Well here’s some pics to look at.

55323775-0BAE-4E62-980E-8E332FB8D807.jpeg
1818C99A-2B1B-4D92-9BC8-06AEBE47D850.jpeg 55323775-0BAE-4E62-980E-8E332FB8D807.jpeg D77A2940-0AAF-4D16-AA04-0065A5BC27B8.jpeg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom