Goodbye stock engine, hopefully I'll be deep in the 10's next time out.

 

Finished pulling the engine this afternoon. I'm going to try to re-design the exhaust before it goes back in. I've got an idea but didn't spend too much time looking at it was just focused on getting the engine out.

 

Parts are trickling in. And quickly adding up to a very expensive Chevette.

 

Badass build, any chance c6 manifolds will fit with the exhaust coming from the rear?

and any pics of rear control arm brackets before welding into floor?

also is the rear end custom or out of something?

i have an 83 t1000 im planning on doing the same thing to. Literally have an ls1, 4l60 with yank converter, and a fast intake LOL

 

Awesome project. Keep up the good work!

 

I actually did purchase a set of C6 manifolds, and block hugger hedders. The frame rails are only 22.5" inside width. After trying those two and them being no where close to working, I made my own. After the long block returns I'm going to try and make them a little more efficient.

The control arm "brackets" are just some 2"x3" box tubing cut to fit and welded like crazy to the rear frame rails. Then boxed in from below a little. This is about the best picture I have



The rear end is custom from Moser. All suspension brackets from stock rear removed and welded on. I went the expensive but less frustrating and easy route. In a lightweight car this rear will withstand anything I could dream of putting in front of it.



Look forward to seeing another fast "Chevette/T1000" such a stupid little car but I love them.



Thanks man. I'm looking forward to getting it back together. Got my 102 eBay throttle body in. Not bad at all for $65 shipped.

 

It's been a while. The engine should be done soon so I'm tidying up the small things. I finally shortened the spaghetti factory of the harness.




And while I was under the hood I made a removable core support radiator mount. Still need to mount the trans cooler when I get more material. And lastly some hood pins to hold it down.




I also managed to take close to 50 lbs off the front end alone. More details about that later.

 

"High flow" Chevette exhaust lol









A look back at the old exhaust. I got rid of the 3bolt flanges to ease with install.

 

I would not have run the right side header in at a 90degree angle like that. Should have merged them at a shallow angle. This way induces turbulence that causes backpressure.

 

Are you talking about the very bottom picture? If so I agree. The bottom two pictures are the previous setup. The top three are the re-design.

Here's the new setup off the engine.

 

Ahhhhh! MUCH better!! lol Yeah, that's a BIG improvement! Hopefully a difference you could feel!
Edit- Wow. Didn't even look far enough above to see the new setup! DOH!!

 

Just waiting on a few more things before I can button the last couple things up. Can't wait to get this setup on the road.

 

Everything is wrapped up. Should be soon now.

 

I'd look for some steel rims. Why draw attention to it. LOL.

 

I spent too much time looking for compatible wheels. Besides, I don't think this car is fooling anyone to thinking it's a stock Chevette. It'll be getting a cage soon.

 

Back in the early 90's (?) Hot Rod magazine did an article called "The Bad Seed". They took the smallest American rwd car and put the largest production engine in it. They through a 500 Cadillac with 472 heads and a cam into that beast. I was instantly in love! Unfortunately I've never built one. I love your car! Keep it up!

 

Thanks man.
I remember the article. If I recall though it was late 90's or even early 00's. Was definitely an interesting car. Easily way more sketchy than mine. I remember reading other stories of him racing the car and getting covered in oil cause the engine was half in the cabin and it had no firewall of any sort.


Here's a short video of the car idling. Still needs more tuning before I post a better video.

 

I looked it up. It was April 2000. Dang im feeling old lately...

 

I believe I'd heat shield that starter...

 

I took some of the clips he had of the car and a couple that I had and tossed them all into one video.

The car definitely sounds good with that cam.