"Dreamchaser" Finally got me a 72 Chevelle

[Sebambam]

Hey guys long time no see/hear

i am back here to report about my recent purchase and NEW PROJECT



i was always a fan of the 70-72 Chevelles but as a younger guy i was not able to afford one...
With that said i ventured out in the GM A- Body worked and got a 68 BUICK GS (Skylark)
that i had for years now and formed it into a really cool Street car
short specs on that :
Buick 350 with a Mark burton twin turbo Kit, controlled by Holley Sniper/hyperspark
good tubular rear suspension, th400, Weld draglites (15x10/15x7) converted to DOG DISH wheels (cant se the weld style)
its a great car i really like it


BUT the truth is i always wanted a chevelle and NOW I FOUND ONE, obviously in 2024 it is even more expensive than back then but i am also older and more established so i pulled the trigger.
ITS A FULL ON PROJECT
and i am good with that, because i can build it as i want it
i have to fix body panels , Body & paint , good handling Suspension and a good drive train ( i have one)
i plan on putting a fresh cammed NA LS2 in it with a Nissan CD009 6-speed ( i have this parts already) with Hydraulic clutch.
i am very familiar with the LS platform and i am most likely use the Holley terminator platform for engine management.

goal is a RELIABLE NA street car that i could put on a road race course ( yes i know its a chevelle and big and heavy ) WITH AC ( getting older and this TX heat is no joke)
a no headache car.

I have turbo LS cars and i love them but i want the simplicity of NA and if i can get around 450-500max whp with the Chevelle i believe this will be enough, otherwise you challenge the handling even more.
Suspension wise i will look into : fully adjustable coilovers of course , tubular control arms and needed sway bars, i will probably piece it together for my needs.
which leads me to the question is there a Panhard bar setup or watts links Bolt Ons for chevelles ( are those needed?)

I will beef up my existing 10 bolt with C Clip delete and Spool or a Posi (depends on what makes more sense)

I will go as far ass my Budget carries me , i will not spend thousands on not needed parts or brand names just to have it...

it will be a pricey adventure for my Budget , you guys might laugh about the budget part but im sure i can put it together how i want it with what i have ( btw that's hot rodding )

here she is



wish me luck lol

[Shipwreck]

Good luck with it, looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[Sebambam]

Transmission choice ???

I have a AR5. AND A CD001 both will be capable to manage the Na power,
Which one would be your choice.
FABBOT offers straight bolt on adapters with hydraulic clutch for both.

[TitanFox]

Looks like a solid project should be fun, Good luck with the build.

[Sebambam]

well now is the Drivetrain conflict

i have a

-cammed LS2 (all new Bottom end)
with ported 799 heads and nice sheet metal intake + a cd009 Trans ( 6 speed)
i would Holley Term X or ACES Jackpot this NA LS
*Very reliable and great power ,but to be honest in the meantime boring i think.

Or

-468 Gen 4 BIG BLOCK ALL NEW roller setup with a strong Howards cam , nice ALU top end , that i could pair with a
Super T10 ( 4speed) or for convenience OR with a TH400 ( i have sitting around and that will hold the torque)
i would EFI this Big Block
* a 5 or 6 speed manual that could hold the BBC torque is to much $$$ for me to justify the BBC then , so i would only go with what i have or the mentioned T10( since they are stout behind BBCs)

i know 2 very different approaches, i love both, the LS is the reliability KING, the Big Block is just THE engine in a CHEVELLE.

with all the parts that i have in the shop
the BBC is the more pricey approach.
I still need a Super T10 ( 700-1000) and the EFI Sniper with Hyper spark Dizzy for full control (2.5K)

for the LS i only need the Engine management and the CD009 adapter/clutch setup ( around 3K)

decissions , decissions

[craulston]

I just had a friend with this same decision on a 70 Chevelle. He decided to go LT4!
its hard to go wrong with an LS\LT power plant but I know there is much love for the Big Block.

[ryeguy2006a]

While not as exotic as EFI, my suggestion would be to run the 468 BBC, save the EFI for down the road, buy a nice carb and spend the coin on a T56 Magnum. While strong, I've heard that the CD009 gear ratios leave a lot to be desired.

[Sebambam]

I Had my success with LS and i love them the lil LS2 i have will have plenty of power
However a Big Block is a Big Block...
and i see the trend of Big blocks coming back, a lot of guys who went LS going back to EFI Big blocks and i have to admit i was SURE i use the LS2 , and now i am on the BBC train again ahahah..