Introducing my '69 Chevelle

[gmorris]

I held off on creating a project post as I ran into a lot of major setbacks and issues that dragged this out longer than planned (just like every project car). It started 2 1/2 years ago when I mistakenly purchased somebody else's project that they didn't have time to finish. The car had been fully disassembled and the frame, suspension and miscellaneous parts powdercoated. It came with a th400 and a fairly fresh small block. Everything was there and while I knew it needed new rear quarters the body seemed decent. I got a decent price for around here and took my prize home in 2 trips with a trailer and about a thousand boxes. The plan was to assemble what I had and to get it on the road and then make the changes I wanted later.

This is what it looked like then:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377218361_c7f0abc396_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377218361/" title="1 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3377218361_c7f0abc396_o.jpg" width="800" height="604" alt="1 (Medium)" /></a>)

The problems started right away when I decided I wanted to get rid of the 350 and auto go big block/5speed right away. I sold the small block and most of the stock suspension and tranny right away. That freed up some room in the garage and some cash which was great. I then went ahead and ordered a fresh moser 12 bolt with trutrack and ford axle ends from Frank at GP superstore. I also ordered a 540 from Wolfplace to power the beast. The next major problem came up then. When I installed the dif and started measuring for the backspacing I discovered the frame seemed out of whack in the rear. I had measured the diamond when I bought the car and it was square so I was baffled. I took it to a frame shop and asked him to check/square the rear and correct the fame sag in the front. He measured the same stuff I did and thought it was good enough to fix. After 2 days he called me and told me he was giving up. His best guess was that it had been hit right on the rear wheel at some point and repaired poorly. When he started pulling the frame back welds started breaking all over and all kinds of ugliness was covered up with the powdercoat. It might have been salvageable but I didn't want to have a suspect frame under this thing and decided to scrap it. This was a major setback as new frames are very hard to find up here in any kind of condition. It took me about 6 months to find another one and it looked like this:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378025638_a89ce43921_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378025638/" title="2 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3378025638_a89ce43921_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="2 (Medium)" /></a>)

I spent 2 moths grinding, welding, gusseting and painting with por15. I reinforced all the week points - front LCA mounts, rear LCA mounts, rear crossmember etc. I decided not to box the full frame rails as I do not believe the benefit is worth the hassle of changing the tranny crossmember mounts and brake and fuel line routing. Once the frame was done I installed twin 1/2" SS fuel lines (supply and return) and new ss brake lines from inline tube, sc&c stage 2+ front suspension plus SPC lca's, edelbrock adjustable uppers and UMI adjustable lowers in the rear.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378025848_d187d62624_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378025848/" title="3 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3378025848_d187d62624_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="3 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378026140_3e7b2fe7ac_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378026140/" title="4 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3378026140_3e7b2fe7ac_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="4 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377209717_4231160319_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377209717/" title="5 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3377209717_4231160319_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="5 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377209979_268ddd80b6_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377209979/" title="6 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3377209979_268ddd80b6_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="6 (Medium)" /></a>)

For now I'm running bilstein shocks with circle track springs with adjusters in the front. Next winter I may go coilover or at least varishocks depending on how it performs this summer. I also ordered up some c5 Z06 front brakes from Kore3 along with their al hubs. I found some LS1 rear brakes for the back .

Next to arrive were some more driveline goodies:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378026774_dc53524d98_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378026774/" title="7 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3378026774_dc53524d98_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="7 (Medium)" /></a>)

Followed by some pretty forgelines (18/9.5 front, 18X11 rear)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378026996_252750d0fd_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378026996/" title="7.5 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3378026996_252750d0fd_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="7.5 (Medium)" /></a>)

The real excitement arrived in a really big crate from northern California:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378027292_30c8b17e92_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378027292/" title="8 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3378027292_30c8b17e92_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="8 (Medium)" /></a>)

To be continued...

[gmorris]

That allowed me to finish the chassis with the help of a 3.5/3" torque tech exhaust which I added some extra flanges for easy removal into and later removed to have fully ceramic coated. I also got a set of beautiful lemons 2 1/8" X 3.5" pro touring inside the frame headers. Those things are a work of art! Finishing the front end off is an alumatech rad with twin spal fans.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377211057_1d0ff962ec_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377211057/" title="9 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3377211057_1d0ff962ec_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="9 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377211431_7a6c8e02f6_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377211431/" title="10 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3377211431_7a6c8e02f6_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="10 (Medium)" /></a>)

I had stashed the body with a guy from my home town that has a great reputation for paint and body. He had recently quit the shop he had worked at for years to start doing his own thing on his farm. He was a little backed up but I finally got to the front of the line last fall. Once he started digging into it he found a "few" more issues that resulted in more metal being ordered. Basically all that's left is the roof, firewall and floor. New full rear quarters, tail pan, door skins, fenders, hood, front filler, inner and outer wheelhouses, trunk lid and rear filler beneath rear window. Since his shop is 5 hours away from where I live now I trailered the chassis out to him to fit the shell onto.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378028356_f495c8e50b_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378028356/" title="11 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3378028356_f495c8e50b_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="11 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377212033_408572cd47_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377212033/" title="12 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3377212033_408572cd47_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="12 (Medium)" /></a>)

Once it arrived at the body shop he tore into it like a madman.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378028848_0c91ba0436_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378028848/" title="13 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3378028848_0c91ba0436_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="13 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377212529_1cf938fb35_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377212529/" title="14 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3377212529_1cf938fb35_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="14 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378029390_a422c11c7f_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378029390/" title="15 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3378029390_a422c11c7f_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="15 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378029652_84827600d7_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378029652/" title="16 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3378029652_84827600d7_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="16 (Medium)" /></a>)

Seeing that was almost enough to change my mind to flat black...but into primer it went:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377213331_be243bc0ec_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377213331/" title="17 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3377213331_be243bc0ec_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="17 (Medium)" /></a>)

Then I got some teaser pics from him

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377213885_ac2770fffb_o-1.jpg (http://<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377213885/" title="19 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3377213885_ac2770fffb_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="19 (Medium)" /></a>)

[gmorris]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377214091_a317b7e1da_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377214091/" title="20 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3377214091_a317b7e1da_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="20 (Medium)" /></a>)

I went and picked it up the weekend before Christmas...what a present. I was ecstatic with the quality of the body work, especially since he did it in 2 months. You can also see that he managed to flush mount the front and rear windows with modern rubber seals and eliminate the majority of the trim on the car. The color is of course prowler orange from the 2001 Plymouth prowler. The last thing I wanted to do was use a color that somebody else has uses so successfully but the car was always going to be orange. Originally I planned on gm atomic or sunset orange but after seeing pics of Penny I just couldn’t get the color out of my mind. Then I saw a prowler on the street and fell completely in love with the color.

I then moved on to the sound deadening. I covered the entire car with second skin damplifier pro. It took 2 bulk packs but I did from the top of the firewall all the way to the tail pan plus the inside and outside of the doors, entire roof and as far into the 1/4 panels as I could reach. What a difference! The thing sounds like solid lead when you knock on a panel and the doors close like a Mercedes. Then I put a layer of luxury liner pro on the entire floor and firewall, including the trunk. That stuff is thick and is supposed to block noise plus absorb heat.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378031162_7017346bc0_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378031162/" title="21 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3378031162_7017346bc0_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="21 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377214829_5f22cdbc46_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377214829/" title="22 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3377214829_5f22cdbc46_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="22 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378031740_8aa26bd1e8_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378031740/" title="23 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/3378031740_8aa26bd1e8_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="23 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378031964_f90140be7d_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378031964/" title="24 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3378031964_f90140be7d_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="24 (Medium)" /></a>)

I then continued with the interior install, exterior trim and stereo. I managed to get 6.5' separates into the stock kick panels by removing a bit of kick panel structure and surface mounting the tweeters on the cable pull area. The seats are Arizen with perforated suede on the seating surface for grip and a bit of cooling. The are ridiculously comfortable and good quality for the price.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378034188_4a0d1a83c3_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378034188/" title="32 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3378034188_4a0d1a83c3_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="32 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377218053_151b33dd5c_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377218053/" title="33 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3377218053_151b33dd5c_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="33 (Medium)" /></a>)

And here she is after it's first washing on Friday. Now I just need to get an appraisal so I can insure and license it and actually drive it!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377216095_3329d2612f_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377216095/" title="26 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3377216095_3329d2612f_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="26 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378032920_87d2ff0f2b_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378032920/" title="27 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3378032920_87d2ff0f2b_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="27 (Medium)" /></a>)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378033424_5c7192d6d0_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378033424/" title="29 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3378033424_5c7192d6d0_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="29 (Medium)" /></a>)

[gmorris]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377217221_deafcfecf3_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377217221/" title="30 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3377217221_deafcfecf3_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="30 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3377217481_2382f98797_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3377217481/" title="31 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3377217481_2382f98797_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="31 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378033162_7b0b366899_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378033162/" title="28 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3378033162_7b0b366899_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="28 (Medium)" /></a>)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3378032312_5abbc171af_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3378032312/" title="25 (Medium) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3378032312_5abbc171af_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="25 (Medium)" /></a>)


There you have it...the complete story in high speed. It has turned out to be a bit of an oddball car. Pro-touring with a carbed big block. I always wanted a car with too much power and when I started almost 3 years ago not many people were making big power with LS transplants yet, especially up here. For more details on the 540 check out this post on the chevelle forum:

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224314

It made 746HP at just over 7000RPM and 680ft-lbs. Should be a handful to say the least.

[Rag-Rat]

Nice job, nice pictures. I'm so jealous, I wish I could get my car to that stage of completion.

[BIGX69]

SHE LOOKS AWESOME:twothumbs

[78 Type-LT]

Nice ride

[1971CHEVELLE]

Wow awesome car :1st:

[1969CamaroRS]

One awesome build! Post more pics, love to see more detail!

[srh3trinity]

That is the nicest 69 Chevelle that I have seen. The Forgeline wheels look perfect and the Prowler orange is just right.

[jilge71]

very nice

[Motown 454]

Real nice 69

[joe440]

great lookin ride! i want a chevelle...

[shortrack]

VERY cool......!!

as are all '69 Chevelles :1st::1st:

[gmorris]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. It's nice to finally post some pics of it here. I'll try to post some more detail shots and a more thorough list of parts etc. Let me know if there's anything you want to see in particular.

[rlplive]

we need vids!

[dmc69]

very nice ride!

[CruizinKev]

wow very nice man :twothumbs

[1badchevelle]

do you have more details on the build? PIC's PIC's

[monza]

Great looking car, nice job!!

[gmorris]

No video yet. I have a couple but need to sort out my video card at some point to download them.

Here's a couple more random shots I had on my computer at work:

Another shot of the Arizen seats:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3381525341_da80a06c7a_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3381525341/" title="IMG_2440_5 by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3381525341_da80a06c7a_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="IMG_2440_5" /></a>)

Better shot of the JL components in the stock kick panels:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3381525255_78c4d94134_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3381525255/" title="IMG_2436_4 by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3381525255_78c4d94134_o.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="IMG_2436_4" /></a>)

Custom tranny tunnel to clear the TKO

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3382343756_bc2b363994_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3382343756/" title="IMG_2359 (Large) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3382343756_bc2b363994_o.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_2359 (Large)" /></a>)

A shot from the body shop that I liked

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/3382357582_ca5f00d771_o-1.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15642230@N06/3382357582/" title="IMG_2358 (Large) by garymtb, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3382357582_ca5f00d771_o.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_2358 (Large)" /></a>)

I'll upload some more detail shots tonight from home.


1badchevelle - What kind of details do you want? It's hard to think of what to post after this long.

[wickedred]

Super Nice Car. I had intentions of doing a Chevelle, but couldnt pass the deal I got on my 70 Camaro.

[nightrunner]

beautiful car! what size tires are those? especially looking at the rears.

[gmorris]

beautiful car! what size tires are those? especially looking at the rears.

315/30/18 rear, 275/35/18 front

[hechtrod]

Ah, that's a sick Chev'. Love the wheel/tire combe and paint!

[Tony_SS]

Its the Chevelle version of Bad Penny!

[Krazed]

Its the Chevelle version of Bad Penny!

haha thats exactly what I was thinking!

Though we really shouldnt group them together like that. Steve hates it :razz:

[Young Gun]

looks sweet! I wanna build a 68 chevelle myself one day...

[CamaroJesse]

O man that thing is awesome! Love the color.

[Roadbuster]

Fantastic car!

Very clean and meant too!

Jon

[68Formula]

Ah, that's a sick Chev'. Love the wheel/tire combe and paint!

Yeah, but according the "Coolest hot rod and custom car website", it could look "so much more aggressive" if he Hellaflushed it.

http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/pro-touring-hellaflush-ill-touring/

:barf:

[gmorris]

Wow, I don't know if I should laugh or insist that he take my picture off the piece of crap page. What a complete idiot.

[68Formula]

Wow, I don't know if I should laugh or insist that he take my picture off the piece of crap page. What a complete idiot.

I'd do both. They need to Hellaflush that idea right down the toilet.

BTW, that is a sweet ride (even without the recommended mod, LOL).

[woodbeecat]

nice job great pics im doing my 69 the same way only driffrent wheels whats with the two layers of sound proofing I thought one layer would be sufichent.

[70ssracer]

Everytime I see a chevelle I wished I never sold my 71 ss454. Good job on your ride

[gmorris]

nice job great pics im doing my 69 the same way only driffrent wheels whats with the two layers of sound proofing I thought one layer would be sufichent.

What's "sufficient" to you? A lot of people run one or 2 more layers than I did to really do it well. Check out secondskinaudio for more info on deadening.

[gmorris]

Wow, it's been a very long time so I figured it was time for an update.

After I finished the car in 2009 and enjoying it all summer I decided to make a few changes in the spring of 2010. This included a big Setrab oil cooler with thermostat and Holley HP efi system. The EFI install dragged into the summer of 2010 due to early run parts issues and some mods needed to make the crank trigger work properly. Once I got it all sorted out and tuned the car ran better than ever but due to the usual work etc I didn't get much time to drive it that summer.

Turn to fall 2010 when we decide to pack up and move to Fernie BC in order to be able to enjoy our non working hours a lot more. We buy a house that needs a ton of work and we start a complete gut and reno in Jan 2011. That drags on to Sept 2011 when we finally finish it. This whole time the car sat in my enclosed trailer and I got one drive in that fall before putting it away for the winter.

Now it's Jan 1 2012 wen I'm in a very bad biking accident resulting in me breaking my back in several places and 4 months in the hospital. After a lot of complications I get out mid April but I'm not a T4 level paraplegic with no feeling/movement below my chest. I spent the rest of 2012 renoing the house again and trying to figure my life out. I strongly considered selling the chevelle to help pay for things but decided to hold onto it. I was back at work full time by July 1st but haven't yet figured out how to work on cars and stuff so the velle collects dust for another year.

Now it's 2013 and we've decided to move back to Calgary this summer and I'm starting planning to make the chevelle driveable for me again. The heavy twin disc clutch and manual are obviously out now that I use hand controls so I'm planning a swap to a paddle shifted 4l65 and likely an LS3 for simplicity. Being back in Calgary will help as we are buying a house with a 3 car garage and I have lots of friends there to help with the heavy work. I will need to try and figure out how to sell the Lewis 540 and tko600 but that will be tough in the local market for sure. The engine is mint with 1700 miles on it. At least I have something to do now trying to figure out engine mount/header/accessory combinations that will work.

Anyway, that's the update and I hope to be able to start posting pics again this summer.

[Jon69RagTop]

Geez Gary. Sorry to hear about the accident and difficult recovery. Kudos to you for getting back on the project and making it work for your current condition. Best of luck too you and your wife,

[Mommy Wagon]

Hello Gary, It really is great to see another Calgarian here. I am very sorry to hear of your recent misfortunes - Calgary really is a great place to be right now, glad you're back.

I don't know how I overlooked your thread before, when it get's a little nicer out I'd love to see your car in the sun. Might be years before I get my 2 cars completed, seems like there never is enough time.

Beautiful Ride.

[gmorris]

Made some major updates to the beast this summer. Just swapped the 540 out for a 630HP 418 LS3 from TSP with a full manumatic system from Twist...4l60e, compushift and paddle shifters. I'm incredibly happy with how it all turned out. It idles in traffic beautifully, gets 21mpg on the highway and is still fast as hell. Now I'm waiting for my full ridetech level 2 air suspension and new CV driveshaft to show up. I also ordered a console from classictruckconsoles to try and make something work for it.

I also did a RnD swap radiator with 17" derale fan that seems to be working well.

[68Formula]

But did you ever Hellaflush it? :)

[Barrrf]

Sweeeeeeeeeet.

But 4L60e tho?

[gmorris]

Sweeeeeeeeeet.

But 4L60e tho?

Why not? I'm not launching it with slicks so it should survive. Twist/phoenix says it's good to 600ft-lbs with the build they did. Going to an 80 just makes it harder to stuff in the tunnel.

[gmorris]

Photoshoot with a friend's Impala. Thanks to @sam_orr1 for the pics. Follow him on instagram for some great photography.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102639&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102635&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102636&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102637&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102638&stc=1

[bonecrrusher]

That thing is bad ass.

[amoosenamedhank]

Not to steal your thunder, because your car looks amazing.... but any details on the Impala?

[gmorris]

The Impala is a buddy's. '66 with a 468 and muncie 4 speed on bags. It's a work in progress and needs interior and paint but is a sweet car.

[killer396]

That Chevelle looks amazing, it was what inspired my build I saw it on team chevelle a few years ago and I now have it as my screen back ground. It sucks about the accident but we are all very glad that you could make the best of it. Please let all of us know if you are coming to an event in the us some time all of us would love to see it in person!!!

[gmorris]

Thanks! I have to say I'm in love with this drivetrain. As much as I loved the pure brutality and top end power of the 540 the LS3 is just so much more civilized. I've been driving it to work most days and sitting in traffic etc is no problem, gets 21mpg on the highway and is still bloody fast. I've put more miles on it in the last month than I did the first 3 years it was on the road. I'm somewhat regretting not doing the 4l80 because the idea of a blower is always in the back of my head but I should just stop with what's working lol. I have a lot of small stuff to clean up over the winter...finish the console, some wiring and switch cleanup, maybe build a better dash insert, new tires, etc etc.

[youngmuscle]

Man what a bad ass build. I love my 454 and Holley efi combo, but I hear ya on the gas lol. I'm still tuning so hoping it gets better. Idk if I'll ever go LS, I've considered that same 540 for a while as an upgrade eventually. I like the seats and noticed you have the stock buckles which are way better than some that have the big plastic seat belt modules with the red button (I hate modern plastic in the interior lol). What was your personal best with the Holley efi as far as gas mileage? And is the handling that much more noticeable? Just curious as we have pretty much the same set up lol. I drive mine every day, rain or shine, until they salt the roads soon.

Really sorry to hear about the accident, and your a hell of a guy to Soldier on like that. All in all really inspiring. Keep up the posts!

[Auto Rod Technologies]

Sweet looking car!!!

[Motown 454]

The car looks awesome. I'm wishing for a TSP 416 or 427 for my Camaro. Did you but the turn key package ?

[gmorris]

The car looks awesome. I'm wishing for a TSP 416 or 427 for my Camaro. Did you but the turn key package ?

Yup, the turnkey 418 ls3 630HP package with an autokraft pan (needed some dimpling for tie rod ends but lots of crossmember clearance), corvette accessories and holley valve covers with the angled coil mounts. They missed their promised ship date by about a month which really screwed me but the build seems quality so far.

[gmorris]

What was your personal best with the Holley efi as far as gas mileage? And is the handling that much more noticeable? Just curious as we have pretty much the same set up lol. I drive mine every day, rain or shine, until they salt the roads soon.

I didn't check it much after I put the efi on it but I would guess 12-15mpg if I babied it. Now I'm consistently getting 21mpg highway and about 17 in the city...nuts. The handling with the air ride is pretty much the same as it was before but it rides so much better so it's a great compromise.

[85coupe50]

That thing is super nice! I hope my friends car turns out half as nice.

[ibcreativeone]

Gary, Great looking Chevelle. Question. do you have any problems with the back tires rubbing. What size are your wheels and tires and what is the wheel back spacing. Looks like you did not mini tub the car. Thanks for your help!!!

Butch

[gmorris]

Gary, Great looking Chevelle. Question. do you have any problems with the back tires rubbing. What size are your wheels and tires and what is the wheel back spacing. Looks like you did not mini tub the car. Thanks for your help!!!

Butch

No, I have no rubbing anywhere at normal ride height. Backspacing off the top of my head is 5.5 front with the 9.5" wheel and 6.5 rear with an 11" wheel., I really thought I would be tight to the frame if anything in the rear but I have some room on the inside and about a finger between the tire and fender lip. Tubbing a chevelle does nothing unless you also narrow the rear frame rails...which I didn't. Tire clearance is stock aside form jonny joints and poly bushings to keep the rear dif from moving around much.

[gmorris]

I guess a mini update is in order. The summer was successful after the engine swap and I did about 2500 miles in 2 months. Unfortunately the last couple drives were bad...I hit a deer on the highway and blew the whole front end off. Bumper, griller, all trim, header panel, passenger fender, passenger door and front edge of hood damaged. It will go to the body shop in a couple weeks here. I also had a truck in front of me kick up a piece of concrete that tumbled and made it under my front xmember. It rolled and punched up into the tranny pan. It wasn't leaking bad so I drove it home and when I pulled the pan I realized it had broken the filter pickup and starved the tranny. I have now lost 3rd and 4th from the 4l60 and it will have to come out. Finally, the stock c6 corvette PS pump finally died from the hydroboost load and a bit of restriction in the intake hose. As a result I have done a lot of work...new turn one pump and filtered PSC reservoir and a full re-plumb, ordered a stage 2 4l80e from north texas converter along with a triple disc converter to handle wot lockup. I also did a full new stock gage panel with VHX gages and installed a console from classic truck consoles with all switches and controller mounted on it. Finally Tobin at Kore3 hooked me up with a Z51 brake setup and i stuffed as much brake as possible front and rear. I will post update pics soon!

I also dumped the RnD fabrication radiator that could not handle the 418 even with the upgraded 17" fan. It ran on the verge of overheating (230 ish) all summer and the fan never stopped. I went to a C&R racing module and now it runs beautifully at 195 with no other changes and the fans rarely even cut in.

[deejai35]

Sorry to hear about the rough turn of events, but glad you are getting it back together with improvements. Your car is one of my favorites!

[gmorris]

Yeah I'm starting tho think this car is cursed...2 frames, 2 engines, 3 tranny's, 3 full suspensions, 3 radiators, 2 interiors.

[1nastyZ06]

Any pics of the brake setup specifically behind the wheels and closeups? Sorry to hear about your bad luck

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

The car came out gorgeous. Great job!

[Onebad78ta]

Bitchen,,,,,love it man.

[gmorris]

Any pics of the brake setup specifically behind the wheels and closeups? Sorry to hear about your bad luck

I'll take some close-ups once it gets back from the body shop. I hit a deer last fall and it's just finally getting fixed now.

[gmorris]

The car is finally in the shop so I'm lacking pictures but I did swap the seats out for power BMW e46 M3 seats. They have good bolstering and are super adjustable and comfy. They blend in the interior really well and just have a very subtle M3 embossed in the headrest which isn't noticeable. I have a 100mm MAF and NW 102mm throttle body ready to go on in Vararam would ever release the VHX intake manifold so someone can compare it to the MSD and I can swap out he stocker. Should be good for 20-30HP total with the intake changes I have planned.

Assuming I get the car back in the next 2 weeks we are planning a 4000mile road trip down the west coast and back up through CO to visit a buddy in Denver. I'm really looking forward to getting back to the Pac NW and driving the beast should be fun.

[Motown 454]

I hope you get it back in time it sounds like a nice trip you have planned.

[looter]

nice to see a fellow Calgarian.
Super nice car, sorry to hear about the run of bad luck.
hope to see you around this summer.
Warren

[mc84_zz4]

Killer ride! I'm joining the 69 Beast fan club.
I'd love to see pics of the brake setup as well.
If that were my car I would be great at making any excuse to drive it, that's got to be a rush!
:bananna2:

[Crashflow]

Any updates??? I absolutely love the car. If my 68 comes out half as nice as you had it I will be happy.

[gmorris]

The car is still going stong-ish lol. We've done 21,000km in the last 3 summers...drove the pacific coast highway from the Canadian border to Santa Cruz 2 years ago then drove to Denver this summer as well as a short trip over to Whistler. The Texas Speed 418 shipped with their EHT .675 valve springs which turned out to be terrible (and now discontinued). I broke 6 I think the first summer so they sent me a replacement set of the same springs. I installed them and then heard about the recall so they sent me a second set of PAC .660's which I put in. Car ran great for a bit then lost a lifter and took out a cam lobe likely due to the broken spring losing control of the valve. I pulled the heads and changed the cam, lifters, oil pump and all gaskets. Now I'm fighting an oil burning issue on the same cylinder that lost the lifter. I changed the valve seals twice with no luck so I'm assuming wither a slightly bent valve (leakdown test was fine) or maybe a valve guide is gone. I'll have to pull the head again this winter and get it checked out.

[csouth]

The car is still going stong-ish lol. We've done 21,000km in the last 3 summers...drove the pacific coast highway from the Canadian border to Santa Cruz 2 years ago then drove to Denver this summer as well as a short trip over to Whistler. The Texas Speed 418 shipped with their EHT .675 valve springs which turned out to be terrible (and now discontinued). I broke 6 I think the first summer so they sent me a replacement set of the same springs. I installed them and then heard about the recall so they sent me a second set of PAC .660's which I put in. Car ran great for a bit then lost a lifter and took out a cam lobe likely due to the broken spring losing control of the valve. I pulled the heads and changed the cam, lifters, oil pump and all gaskets. Now I'm fighting an oil burning issue on the same cylinder that lost the lifter. I changed the valve seals twice with no luck so I'm assuming wither a slightly bent valve (leakdown test was fine) or maybe a valve guide is gone. I'll have to pull the head again this winter and get it checked out.

Thats sucks, but its good to hear you're out enjoying that beast! I have a TSP Torquer 2 planned for install in my car once its on the road. It shipped with the PAC .660, so I should be good...

[Motown 454]

Sorry to hear about the spring issue, but glad your getting to use it and having fun.

[gmorris]

Yeah the motor issues are getting annoying but overall it's been a great package.

I also switched from the ridetech air to their coilovers. I got tired of the self levelling moving the car around if you started it on uneven pavement and the compressor was loud and took up a lot of trunk space. I'm much happier overall with the coilovers plus I was able to re-route the tailpipes over the rear axle and put my big rear swaybar back on.