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.....

 

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

 

super clean..nice work...

 

Thats a good looking car!!

 

Randy

car looks good and now only needs an induction and dyno tune to wrap it up

 

wish I had more time with this one, I would love to see what power could be pulled out of the stock Z06 engine.

 

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?

 

Turned out great!

 

Great job and the transformation is right on !

Which mounting plates did you use.. ?

Suggestion, get your body guy to do something about the coil cover.. (remove the Corvette and add Chevelle or ???)

 

Yep Felser is making some billet inserts that say Chevelle.

 

Looks good

What did you do with the clutch linkage, What motor mounts, Trans tunnel mods to get the drive line angels correct?

I am collecting parts to do a swap on dads 71 this winter

Tim

 

Interested as well.....

 

Very nice project!

how fast was the turnaround from the car arriving to being finished?

 

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.

 

Another fine Yates creation!

Nicely done! Keep up the good work bro!

 

Thank you sir....this one is a damn fun car to cruise around.... doesn't have any issues...truly drives like a new car.