66 Chevelle PT build (ours)

[CruizinKev]

sounds and looks good!

[Tucks69]

The Chevelle looks and sounds great Tommy! My wife tells me don't even tell me what it costs, I don't want to know! LOL

[tommycomfort]

Just posted this on Chevelles.com since some people were choking on the money we've spent...

There are definitely less expensive ways to go about the swap, but we chose to some fairly expensive items. A gen III would've been less expensive than the gen IV that we chose. Modifying a B-body fuel tank, doing our own wiring harness, modifying the original accessory drive system and not doing a cam swap would have saved a ton of money, but these were just things we opted for. Some things we did were just for convenience, looks, or overall performance. I hope our choices don't deter anyone from doing their own research and making their own decision based on needs and desires. We just figured showing the cash we've thrown at the swap and the individual parts would help with the choices.

[Tucks69]

I think you will really like the improved drivability. Thats why I decided to go the LS route as well. I decided to spend the money up front and get what I want instead of settling! I just ordered my Ricks narrowed tank, and narrowed 9 inch ford. Mine will hopefully be a roller in a couple weeks. I am however doing my own wiring harness, I just wanted to learn and so I could do a ls swap on my 68 Camaro, and my DD when it quits! I am looking forward to seeing the Chevelle this fall.

[Yelcamino]

Just posted this on Chevelles.com since some people were choking on the money we've spent...

There are definitely less expensive ways to go about the swap, but we chose to some fairly expensive items. A gen III would've been less expensive than the gen IV that we chose. Modifying a B-body fuel tank, doing our own wiring harness, modifying the original accessory drive system and not doing a cam swap would have saved a ton of money, but these were just things we opted for. Some things we did were just for convenience, looks, or overall performance. I hope our choices don't deter anyone from doing their own research and making their own decision based on needs and desires. We just figured showing the cash we've thrown at the swap and the individual parts would help with the choices.

No worries Tom! It's what makes you and your family happy so it's worth every penny! I don't even bother telling non-car/non-pt car people what I spent on wheels, they'll never understand and it's not worth trying to make them understand!

Besides, with RTMC just around the corner you have to make sure the Chevelle is ready to roll damn the costs!

[tommycomfort]

No worries Tom! It's what makes you and your family happy so it's worth every penny! I don't even bother telling non-car/non-pt car people what I spent on wheels, they'll never understand and it's not worth trying to make them understand!

Besides, with RTMC just around the corner you have to make sure the Chevelle is ready to roll damn the costs!

So much for guys like us talking each other out of spending big money on our hobby!

[Yelcamino]

So much for guys like us talking each other out of spending big money on our hobby!

That's a funny concept. I think we prefer to egg each other on whether we have the money or not! I find it just as satisfying to spend someone else's money as is to spend my own!

[sr73bu]

Just posted this on Chevelles.com since some people were choking on the money we've spent...

There are definitely less expensive ways to go about the swap, but we chose to some fairly expensive items. A gen III would've been less expensive than the gen IV that we chose. Modifying a B-body fuel tank, doing our own wiring harness, modifying the original accessory drive system and not doing a cam swap would have saved a ton of money, but these were just things we opted for. Some things we did were just for convenience, looks, or overall performance. I hope our choices don't deter anyone from doing their own research and making their own decision based on needs and desires. We just figured showing the cash we've thrown at the swap and the individual parts would help with the choices.

No matter the cost.. look at the investment you have... not just in a beautiful car, but all the good times and memories you can look forward to... thats priceless in my opinion.


ya know Tom, i've been saving that one for my wife... but something tells me your not gonna roll your eyes and laugh... LOL ;)

-Sean

[tommycomfort]

No matter the cost.. look at the investment you have... not just in a beautiful car, but all the good times and memories you can look forward to... thats priceless in my opinion.


ya know Tom, i've been saving that one for my wife... but something tells me your not gonna roll your eyes and laugh... LOL ;)

-Sean

Don't worry Sean, you can still use it on the wife, I don't think she's a member here... LOL

[tommycomfort]

We had this great idea last year when we installed the accusump, but ran out of time before heading to Vegas. Now, with a little more time and since I've been in the wiring mode, I've installed this red LED light on the A-post (windshield pillar) right at eye level to let me know if the accusump is activated. Seems like it's something I might want to know...

[protouring70]

Hey now that is an idea. with out it you ASSUME it is working. And we know what that means (ASS U ME) Yea it hurts to say that!!HAHA

[tommycomfort]

Here's the latest...
I failed to post this previously because I was so sick about it. When we originally started the "new" LS motor I was shocked at the 23 pounds of oil pressure at cold idle. It really had me perplexed (and worried) for a couple of days. Once I started going over all the possibilities in my head I realized that the Dakota Digital gauge would read EE then flash to 90 back and forth when I turned the key on, but when I started it, it would go straight to 23 and go down if I revved it. So, I called Dakota Digital and talked to a tech guy who immediately informed me that the oil pressure and water temperature would not read correctly using the LS senders. Which also meant figuring out a way to adapt the 1/8 NPT oil sender that came with the dash and coming up with an adapter for the water temperature sender. I ordered a 16mm extension that was tapped for the 1/8 sender from Street and Performance and Dakota Digital came up with a metric VDO sending unit for the temp gauge. Dakota Digital really impressed me with their customer service in both the tech and sales department. I can see another one of their dashes in our wagon or Sam's 67 in the future.

Alright, bottom line, after I sorted out the new sender, I had 60 psi at cold idle. Whew!!!

Here's the 16mm x 16mm x 1/8 NPT fitting (it was polished, but that really isn't our thing...)

[tommycomfort]

Here's an interior picture that shows the dash (recently cleaned!), the new shifter lever from the Roadster Shop, and pedals that we pictured before. It just all looks better now that it is running again!

[tommycomfort]

After getting the sending units installed on Thursday afternoon I took the Chevelle for a spin around the block. Apparently the bleeding of the brakes that Deb, Kaytlin and Sam did a month ago wasn't so good because I had to pump them a few times just to stop. So, later on that night we headed back over to the shop to re-bleed the brakes and hydraulic clutch. Took it for another spin and all seemed well.
Friday I had a some National Guard stuff going on so I decided to take the Chevelle and shake it out on the highway a little. It ran great and really tracked well considering it still needs an alignment. I really really tried to not beat on it during the trip, but my "Guard" buddies thought two wide stripes left in the freshly resurfaced parking lot would be cool so I did a moderate burnout to show what a man I am. It really sounds good as it twists up the RPMs. All said and done, that was about a 120 mile round trip and with taking it to the local cruises on Friday and Saturday nights we've racked up about 150 miles on it and it is running stellar. The LS swap was very well received at the local cruises too.

Here's a rear picture. I never thought we would worry about ground clearance in the back. We're thinking about cranking the coilovers up 1/2-3/4" just to be safe.

[Yelcamino]

After getting the sending units installed on Thursday afternoon I took the Chevelle for a spin around the block. Apparently the bleeding of the brakes that Deb, Kaytlin and Sam did a month ago wasn't so good because I had to pump them a few times just to stop. So, later on that night we headed back over to the shop to re-bleed the brakes and hydraulic clutch. Took it for another spin and all seemed well.
Friday I had a some National Guard stuff going on so I decided to take the Chevelle and shake it out on the highway a little. It ran great and really tracked well considering it still needs an alignment. I really really tried to not beat on it during the trip, but my "Guard" buddies thought two wide stripes left in the freshly resurfaced parking lot would be cool so I did a moderate burnout to show what a man I am. It really sounds good as it twists up the RPMs. All said and done, that was about a 120 mile round trip and with taking it to the local cruises on Friday and Saturday nights we've racked up about 150 miles on it and it is running stellar. The LS swap was very well received at the local cruises too.

Here's a rear picture. I never thought we would worry about ground clearance in the back. We're thinking about cranking the coilovers up 1/2-3/4" just to be safe.

Don't you dare raise the rear on this thing! It sits PERFECT!!!

[tommycomfort]

Don't you dare raise the rear on this thing! It sits PERFECT!!!

Yeah, who am I kidding, we love the way it sits! LOL

[Phaeton]

That's my issue with the tank. It hangs down but damn i want it.

[Debington]

we do have a skid plate that is not being used....LOL

[Scott Parkhurst]

Does the tank hang below the axle? It looks odd in that photo.

[Yelcamino]

Does the tank hang below the axle? It looks odd in that photo.

Maybe it has added capacity which will make it hang lower.