72 Chevelle Conv. SS LS6/ Tremec 5-speed
07-22-2010, 07:06 PM
#1
72 Chevelle Conv. SS LS6/ Tremec 5-speed Just wrapping up a 72 Chevelle SS. This car came to me as a big block (402)/ 4-speed with the following complaints, poor fuel mileage, not enough power, horrible exhaust drone, and no air conditioning. We pulled it all apart, ended up upgrading all the suspension and brakes, installing a Tremec 5 speed behind a new crate LS6 engine. Along the way the car was filled with sound deadening, new stereo, full exhaust, new axles, brake lines, air conditioning added and many other things. The car purrs like a kitten now, with 405 horsepower on tap. It runs at 180 degrees while idling for LONG periods of time with the air conditioning on full blast keeping the inside super cool. It's a great all around driver now! Enjoy:
Here is what I started with....a relatively freshly restored 72 Chevelle SS convertible. Big-block/ 4 speed are gone....parts are stacking up
fresh GM LS6 crate engine
New Tremec TKO600 5-speed transmission.
Started tearing out all the suspension getting ready for all new BMR tubular/ boxed upper and lower control arms for front and rear, Bilstein shocks all around, lowering coil springs and bigger sway bars with all new poly bushings.
Threw new wilwood disc brakes all the way around too while we were in there..
Tore the interior out to rewire everything/ install sound deadening everywhere/ added Vintage Air A/C kit and a full Alpine stereo.
Got the mockup engine in and setup all the brackets and A/C stuff and tested fit many other components at that time.
Then it was time for the real engine:
and finished.....
Here is what I started with....a relatively freshly restored 72 Chevelle SS convertible. Big-block/ 4 speed are gone....parts are stacking up
fresh GM LS6 crate engine
New Tremec TKO600 5-speed transmission.
Started tearing out all the suspension getting ready for all new BMR tubular/ boxed upper and lower control arms for front and rear, Bilstein shocks all around, lowering coil springs and bigger sway bars with all new poly bushings.
Threw new wilwood disc brakes all the way around too while we were in there..
Tore the interior out to rewire everything/ install sound deadening everywhere/ added Vintage Air A/C kit and a full Alpine stereo.
Got the mockup engine in and setup all the brackets and A/C stuff and tested fit many other components at that time.
Then it was time for the real engine:
and finished.....
07-22-2010, 07:51 PM
#2
TECH Enthusiast
REALLY nice and neat job , got me thinkin' bout doin my 70. did you have any issues with the vintage air? ( my belt seems to be slipping around the compressor sometimes ). JOHN
07-23-2010, 01:04 PM
#7
Out of curiosity why did you select an LS6 motor instead of an LS2?
Although now that I look it seems like both LS2 and LS6 crate motors are getting hard to find new. Maybe you already had one?
Although now that I look it seems like both LS2 and LS6 crate motors are getting hard to find new. Maybe you already had one?
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07-25-2010, 12:51 PM
#14
We used the CarshopINC 1" setback plate which is the same dimensions as the Edelbrock plates. Tunnel mods were relatively minimal (hammer) since its a sure-fit (ha) TKO kit with case modifications. Clutch hydraulics are the kit from American Powertrain using a Wilwood master. Turnaround time on this project was 10 weeks.
