Chevelle 2.0

[jetmech442]

I love the "Project Updates" section- I keep finding gems like this-great progress man! I love the offset 3 Link too! I fabbed my 3 link with the body on the car which was not ideal for sure!-Maybe one day I'll get a lift and do the whole frame like you.

I can't tell from the pics, but did you build any adjustability into the upper link for Anti squat? I set mine up for 30 degree increments from 40-160% antisquat by having 2 positions on the axle end, and 3 on the frame end. I'm always curious to see how other people approach their custom suspensions. Anyways, this thread was great motivation, thanks!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Not sure if I'd call myself a skilled fabricator. I read a lot, look at lots of pictures from real fabricators, and trial and error. So far, so good!

Don't let Herb's modesty fool you, he's a very knowledgeable/skilled guy! He's made me feel like I was an idiot since the day I met him.

[Yelcamino]

I love the "Project Updates" section- I keep finding gems like this-great progress man! I love the offset 3 Link too! I fabbed my 3 link with the body on the car which was not ideal for sure!-Maybe one day I'll get a lift and do the whole frame like you.

I can't tell from the pics, but did you build any adjustability into the upper link for Anti squat? I set mine up for 30 degree increments from 40-160% antisquat by having 2 positions on the axle end, and 3 on the frame end. I'm always curious to see how other people approach their custom suspensions. Anyways, this thread was great motivation, thanks!

Thanks! Not sure if I posted this pic or not, but you can see the forward end of the upper link has multiple positions, plus all three links are length adjustable.

10043 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

[Yelcamino]

Don't let Herb's modesty fool you, he's a very knowledgeable/skilled guy! He's made me feel like I was an idiot since the day I met him.

Funny Josh!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Funny Josh!

[Yelcamino]

In an effort to keep this project moving forward, I set the trans and bellhousing in place.

10112 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

This enabled me to make sure I had the engine where it needed to be, specifically to be sure the return line for the power steering reservoir cleared the shock mount.

10113 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

To help figure out driveline angles, I cut 10-3/8” off of a damaged driveshaft from the El Camino and welded it together for mock up. In case you're wondering, the El Camino and Chevelle used the same length driveshafts, so that means the Chevelle's engine is 10-3/8" back from stock location.

10114 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

10115 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With an actual driveshaft in place, I now see the rear hoop needs to be raised… so there’s my next project within a project!

10116 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

[Yelcamino]

I'm finally back at on the Chevelle. Since my last update a lot of things have been pushing this project on to the back burner. We replaced the gravel driveway with concrete (around 146 yds!), got a new front door on the house, I converted the El Camino over to a ridetech coilover system with a set of custom built (by me) triple adjustable shocks, and we drove to Vegas to attend SEMA. Over the last few days I was able to get most of the main cage structure tacked in place. I've never installed a cage before and I'm using a kit (from Ron Sutton). I don't have any experience to say whether or not the kit is any good (not that it matters anymore), but I think it will be ok for my use.

20181114_114640 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20181114_114652 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Once I'm done with the main cage, the body is coming off and the chassis is going on a rotisserie that I'm borrowing from Tom Farrington. With access to all the tight joints I should be able to weld it much better than in the car. While it's on the rotisserie, I'll also address some areas under the chassis that were hard to get at while it was on the table.

It may not be Vorshlag quality, but I'm trying my best!

[Yelcamino]

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still plugging away on the Chevelle but I've been very lazy with thread updates. Instead of boring you with all the little details, I'll just post the most current stuff...

Here it is on the ground for the first time in a while. I had the Forgelines widened to 18x11 and 18x12. The tires are a used set of 315s and 335s I got from ridetech. They're good enough to roll around the shop and even for some test drives when the time comes. I have the mock up engine in place mounted to the Quicktime bell and T56. Engine set back looks good too.

20190317_210712 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190318_101809 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190318_101754 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190317_210552 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190317_210727 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With the help of some friends, I made new steering arms.

20190318_101949 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

I've also been busy bending sheetmetal for the interior. Right now it's just screwed together to make sure it all fits.

20190214_190154 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Finally, I got the fuel cell mounts figured out.

20190112_170316 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190112_170248 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

The next big task will be removing the body again, mounting the chassis on a rotisserie so I can complete all the cage welding and other various things that are currently tacked together.

[andrewb70]

#racecar :-)

Andrew

[Motown 454]

Wow that's a lot of progress!

It may not be Vorshlag quality, but I'm trying my best!

It looks like your doing a damn fine job to me!
Very nice Herb

[Yelcamino]

#racecar :-)

Andrew

In street car clothes!

- - - Updated - - -

Wow that's a lot of progress!

It may not be Vorshlag quality, but I'm trying my best!

It looks like your doing a damn fine job to me!
Very nice Herb

Thanks Wayne! My goal is to have it on the road by summer 2020.

[Yelcamino]

It's been a while, so this is where I'm at...

20190606_163319 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190607_180422 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190609_183741 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190609_183753 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

I've been welding the joints that I can reach. Now with everything removed, I'm putting it on a rotisserie so I can get to all the hard to reach places and get this thing buttoned up!

[andrewb70]

Incredible work! #racecar :-)

Andrew

[Yelcamino]

Incredible work! #racecar :-)

Andrew

Thanks!

[Pingar]

This is amazing! I can’t wait to see more.

[Yelcamino]

This is amazing! I can’t wait to see more.

Thanks! I'm in the shop almost every day for 6-8 hours trying to get this thing moving along.

[Yelcamino]

The new intake showed up yesterday and I thought you guys might like some engine porn!

20190613_185419 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190613_185519 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190613_185540 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190613_185546 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

20190613_185626 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

[andrewb70]

Drool


Andrew

[ryeguy2006a]

I just found this thread, fantastic work! You know I was thinking while I was reading that that Holley efi manifold looked out of place on that motor, and then I scroll down to the last page and you've updated to the Hogan intake. Nice choice!

[wayne70]

Nice work Herb. Glad to see you stayed with the big block!