Bought a “New” Car today

[Harleydave]

1969 Chevelle SS
”Real” SS Car
warmed over 396 with a healthy Cam
T-56 5 speed manual trans
Wilwood disc brakes all around (Hydro power steering assist,with proportioning valve)
12 bolt rear 3.73 gear??
Rear suspension has air bags inside the coil springs??
Edelbrock boxed lower control arms with a beefy sway bar
Pro Car bucket seats
Full Autometer Gauges
Vintage A/C

Car has like new 12 year old Date Coded tires.
Staggered 17”/18” AR “Cragar” looking wheels I am looking to upgrade.
Also will be upgrading to coil overs all around with tubular control arms up front.

The Gas Tank has a rear sump boxed into it with -6 braided lines up to the Fuel Pump.

I am thinking about a LS Swap
LS2 or LS3,or upgraded 6.0?
I may eventually want to add a Blower and take the car to the next level.

I previously owned a modded CTS-V and really liked the LSA.

Any helpful advice?

[68conv455]

Sounds like a pretty nice car the way it is. What's your budget for upgrades?

[Just 1 More]

I thought a T-56 is a 6 Speed

[Tynitty]

It’s a real SS, is the 396 the one that came from the factory or a replacement? If it is I hope you’ll save the engine. If it’s a 5 spd trans probably a tko 5 or 600, which is are great I’ve got a 5 spd in my 69 chevelle and I love it! Congrats on the new ride

[Harleydave]

My bad…
My Wife’s Challenger is a T-56.
It is a 5spd,probably TKO??
Is there a way to identify which Tremec it is?

Still trying to decipher the engine codes.
If it’s numbers matching I will definitely keep it.
It runs pretty well,but needs some tuning.only driven 2k miles in the last 9yrs!

My Buddy has a ‘68 he just built a nasty 454 for and he says he has a better intake for me and it has a Quick Fuel carb that seems to be running very rich.

If It is the Original engine and I can get it to run well I may just add a Holley Sniper system and forgo the LS swap idea??

As far as budget I made out pretty well selling my AMX,so I’ve got about $15k left over to upgrade the Chevelle.
I realize I will need more $$ if I go with a high end LSA swap,but the return will be there if I decide to sell the car.

[Harleydave]

196928196929

[79 Camaro]

Looks good. I'd go LS but that's just me.

[68conv455]

A bunch of AMC folks just groaned that you sold your AMX to buy a chevelle. LOL

[Harleydave]

A bunch of AMC folks just groaned that you sold your AMX to buy a chevelle. LOL

I know….
I grew up in Wisconsin,1st 5-6 cars were all AMC.
I drove a Javelin AMX when my Wife and I dated in High School.
I definitely have an emotional attachment to AMCs.

That being said out here in AZ parts are REALLY scarce and there is only one AMC specific specialist in town.
I spent a TON of money with this Shop (constant arguing for over a year) to build/install an Engine.
The car turned out nice but the final bill was almost double what was initially discussed.
I have such a bad taste in my mouth I have decided to do a more mainstream build this time.

[Tynitty]

196928196929
I love that color! I like the big block, I have an old Holley terminator efi on my 69 chevelle (427 big block) and it works so well. Night and day difference over the carb. You could always install a nice roller cam (hyd or solid) maybe even some heads depending on what you want to spend. I mean either way the car is gonna be awesome lsa or bbc. I don’t know how to identify if it’s a tko 500 vs 600 I think the only difference is gear ratios.

[79 Camaro]

The TKO 600 is rated for more torque and HP. There must be a stamping number or part number some where on the trans. If you can find it call one of the vendors on this site and ask them if they can help.

[Harleydave]

I looked things over a bit today and found out..

Rear end is a 4.10 Gear. Runs at 2400 rpm @ 80mph ��
KYB Gas shocks out back
Driveshaft safety loop
1969 Oval Port heads
Appears to be a Solid Lifter Cam (Poly Lock retainers)
1.72 Roller Rockers
Wilwood Forged Dynalight front Drag Race brakes

Still no idea as to which Tremec TKO 5spd this is,no I’d tag??
It does have a blue Billet block with “Keisler” engraved in it on top where the shifter goes through the floor.
It also has a Hydraulic assist throw out bearing and a newer looking blue pressure plate.
Does Keisler even sell bare shifters or only complete Bad Ass TKO 600s?

Also unable to identify the Quick Fuel carb??
It looks new,shiny billet polished aluminum but it is running PIG RICH!
The oil although supposedly changed is black and has a strong gas smell to it.
if I let the car idle in the garage more than a few seconds it will make your eyes water.

[Lonnies Performance]

Beautiful color... I would love to have it.
I always wanted a 69 Chevelle.

Tune up the big block & let people admire it.

[Harleydave]

Thank You ☺️

[Vimes]

https://www.4secondsflat.com/Carburetor%20Sizing%20and%20Series%20Charts.htm

Might help ID the carb. Your best fix (IMO) would be a fuel injection conversion.

[Harleydave]

https://www.4secondsflat.com/Carburetor%20Sizing%20and%20Series%20Charts.htm

Might help ID the carb. Your best fix (IMO) would be a fuel injection conversion.

I agree,but need to decode/identity the numbers on this engine.
If is not original numbers matching i may just do an LS swap.

[Tynitty]

Or if the numbers aren’t matching you could always do a bigger big block :firefire:

[Dc2x4drvr]

I thought Keisler was out of business, I bought a Legend GT-700 5spd OD from them years ago..