Scott inspired me to do this. Yours, looks great Scott! We're at about the same stage, looks like.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4512/cat/500/ppuser/12028

Hope this works!

Andy

Guess it didn't work. I posted pics in the showroom and tried to drop a link from there into the pop-up url address box. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4512/cat/500/ppuser/12028

Let's try it the old fashion way:

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4512/cat/500/ppuser/12028


http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4511/cat/500/ppuser/12028


http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4513/cat/500/ppuser/12028

Hope this works. It's hell to be old with all this new technology!

Andy

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/DCP_1090.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/DCP_1081.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/DCP_1092.JPG

Looks great :thumbsup: Looks like there's a few of us at this stage in the project :cool:

Thanks, Derrick. Someday I'll figure it out.

looking good.....wish I was that far along!!!

purdy.

Thanks!

looks good,keep us informed on progress

What kind of rear springs are those? They don't look "normal"......

Made by Coil Spring Specialties. Made the fronts and backs 2" shorter than stock.


http://www.coilsprings.com/index.html

Don't look stock to me :D but very cool none the less.

ALbert

looks evil already!! whos headers are you using and can you get to the #8 plug ?

They're Doug's headers - 2" primaries/3 1/2" collectors, into 3" reducers, ceramic coated. Yes you can get to #8.

Thanks, Al!

Andy,
What size wheel and tire combo are you running? What about backspacing?
Car looks great, keep up the good work!!!
Sean

Where did you get the shiny exhaust pipes? Are they coated with something or did you actually polish them :eek:

Sean - Thanks! The wheels are 18X8X4.75 in front and 18X10X5.75 in back.

Lance - The pipes are from Pypes and are ceramic coated. They haven't been polished.

Sorry, Sean.

Forgot the tires. They're 255X45X18 in front and 295X45X18 in back.

Looks great man, what size are those wheels and tires? What backspace?

That is helarious, you posted that while I was asking the question!:D:D:D

LS5, What year chevelle is this?

Thanks, Gearbanger!

It's a '70.

Andy

BTW, just so there's no misunderstanding, the work on this is being done by Micky Hale. We've been working closely together on what goes on it, but Micky and his guys are turning the wrenches and doing the body & paint work.

I would feel guilty if anyone gave me credit for his hard work!

Here's his website:

http://www.haleperformance.com/

Andy

More pictures of Andys ride. Got the body on for mock up, found out we are going to change rear springs to set down in the back just a bit more.

More with front end back on for sheet metal mock up.

I asked Micky to post the in progress pics since I haven't got it down yet. lol!!

Here's some other info about the car:

Engine (Transfer Performance Machine):

454, LS 5 2 bolt
Fresh .030 over
Factory Crank & Rods
Wiseco Pistons - 36cc Domed
Comp Cams - Solid Roller (Custom Grind from FTI)
Morel billet solid roller lifters
AFR 305cc aluminum heads
2.25/1.88 stainless valves
Dual Springs
Comp push rods & roller rockers
Steve Schmidt Racing Valve Covers
Edelbrock Airgap intake
Holley 4150 - 830 DP
10.5 CR

Bored & honed block
Line honed
Balanced

Estimated HP: 550-600 (really hoping for 600! Will get it dyno'ed and power tuned this summer and we'll know for sure)

Exhaust: 3" from headers back
Mufflers: Pypes "Race Pro"
Clutch: McCleod Racing
Bell: Lakewood Scattershield
Transmission: Tremec 5 speed (TKO 600)
Driveshaft: Matrix Aluminum
Rear Gears: Richmond 3.73 Posi

Suspension: Global West all around, Dellalum bushings
Brakes: Wilwood (Front: 13" rotors/6 piston calipers Rear: 12"/4 piston)
Wheels: BOZE "Fatal"
Tires: Nitto 555

That covers the highlights so far. Someday when I can talk about it without crying, I'll go over the sheet metal and body work that has gone into this thing! lol!!

Andy

ps Forgot a few things:

Serpentine: March pulleys and belts
Alternator & PS Pump: March Billet
Water Pump: Edelbrock, Long Style

I'd seriously think about losing that cam unless it's on a billet core.

Cool ride, makes me want to start my camaro sooner.

I'd seriously think about losing that cam unless it's on a billet core.



LS_5's son Mike here - the cam is a billet core and was custom ground by Ed Curtis at FTI. We have complete faith in he and the cam. http://www.flowtechinduction.com/

Looks great man!!!!!

Thanks, Freddy! I can't wait till it's done!! It's been about 17 months to get to this point, including 1 month to pull it apart here, 12 months for blasting and sheet metal work and 4 months at Micky's, so far - but there was at least another year before that planning for it.

Hopefully it'll be all done by the end of May.

Andy

Andys bottom all primered and smoothed out and almost ready to paint. Should have color on the bottom early next week along with some small parts.

Bottom in blue.

Oh, man I'm uber-jealous :eek:

After spending the whole weekend brushing on POR-15, I can only wish my floors looked that good. :thumbsup:

If you are switching the springs out and want to sell the old ones, shoot me a PM. I might be in the market soon.

If you are switching the springs out and want to sell the old ones, shoot me a PM. I might be in the market soon.

I'll be in touch in a week or two. The first set is still on the chassis.

Oh, man I'm uber-jealous :eek:

After spending the whole weekend brushing on POR-15, I can only wish my floors looked that good. :thumbsup:

Thanks Derek. Micky deserves the credit. He's doing a great job!!!!!!!

Andy

Wow :thumbsup:

Clutch: McCleod Racing
Bell: Lakewood Scattershield
Transmission: Tremec 5 speed (TKO 600)
Driveshaft: Matrix Aluminum
Rear Gears: Richmond 3.73 Posi




First - hot DAMN that car is gonne be sick! Just one sweet ride and I dig the hell out of it. Everything above that I quoted is killer stuff, especially happy to see someone else running what I consider to be the best clutch out there.

Having said that - what made you go with the 3.73's with the TKO 5 speed? Wont that limit you out a bit on the top end and get a bit harsh over any kind of long distance? (although, not certain a car like this will see those long distance rides and all)

Im planning to runone later on as I have a M22W sitting on the garage floor, but going to go with 3.42's, maybe even numerically lower.

Just curious. Again - fantastic car there.:thumbsup: :beers:

Thanks, Beaux! I appreciate it.

To be honest the decision to use the Tremec was made after the rearend was built. I had originally intended to use the numbers M22 I have for the car but got nervous about using it after the engine build was complete and realized we were going to be in the 600 hp range. I really don't want to gernade that M22 case!

I don't intend to do much interstate type driving, but who knows until I have it back. And if I do, I figured the 5 speed would help tame the rpms necessary for a steady 65 plus with the 3.73's. I'm not sure yet how all these new parts are going to work together until I play with it some. You're probably right about the gear ratio, though. After I get it back and use it awhile and see where the limits are, that could be a changin, too.

So much of this car has evolved from the engine build. I didn't start out with the intention of having a pro touring type car. If we had known where we were going to be at the end, some other decisions would have been made (notably a Ford 9"), but when it was planned, I wanted to do just a more or less stock resto with a beefed-up power plant and a different factory color. But then as it went, having the hot motor led me to wanting safety related upgrades - especially since my 26 year old Son and I will both be driving it (he's my partner in anything cars!) - modern suspension, lowered ride height, 4 wheel discs, big wheels (due to the rotor sizes), hydroboost brake system, wide tires, the TKO, the McCleod 12", scattershield, etc. etc. etc. The further away from stock we got, the easier it got to make decisions about non-stock bolt-on's. Hell, we were even planning a factory Fathom Blue body color, but Micky talked us into the '03 factory color you see in the pics. Am I glad he did! It should look great with HOK white pearl stripes and factory '70 pearl interior.

Horsepower is at the root of all evil!! :D

I gotta tell you, I can't wait for this thing to be done! Hopefully it'll be home here in the garage by July and we'll get in at least a half of the cruisin season here to enjoy it, de-bug what needs de-bugged and break it in good. Then head to the track next year to see where those limits might be! ;)

Thanks again for the kind words.

Andy

Some more color today on some small parts.

Very cool. I am interested to see it all together given that things like the underside, core support, etc are going body color instead of the standard black. "Something different this way comes" :D

Very cool project you have.

Thanks!

The inner fenders and firewall will be blue, too. Should make motor gleam when the hood is opened.

Micky tells me we should be in paint by the end of next week, beginning of the following. I'm really anxious to see it come to life!

Well, we finally got the paint on it, now the wetsanding and buffing begins.

OMG, I'm gunna hurl.. That is disgusting...











J/K looks great! Wish Mine looked like that :thumbsup: :D

that is one nice color man I have my car in the body shop as well and it is taking abou the same amount as time as yours. Hope my car turns out as nice as yours.

Thanks!

Andy

Yoni

How about posting some pics?

Andy

NASTY!!!!!!! Wow that looks good. :eek: Did you mention what brand wheels those were?

Thanks!

They're BOZE "Fatals".

Here's a link to their website:

http://www.bozeforged.com/

It's a family owned business in Orange County, California. BOZE is an acronym for the 4 family members who run it. If I remember right it's - Barbara (Mother), Old man (Father), Zak (son), Erika (daughter). I've talked to Zak several times. He's been really helpful!

Andy

WOW !!! That car is going to be nothing short of STUNNING.. Looks great :thumbsup: ..

Although I'd have to assume that the smiles may turn to frowns when you get done adding up the receipts ;) :D .. AHHHH, you can't take it with you.. HAVE FUN WITH IT :thumbsup:

Thanks, Scott!

Yes it has been a real financial experience, too. I'm so far over my original budget now, I don't want to know the total. That way I can honestly say "I don't know" when the wife asks! :D

That snowball everyone talks about just keeps getting bigger and bigger, but at least now it's starting to look like a car again and the cost doesn't seem as bad as it did when it was all gray and in little pieces for months and months and months.

Andy

Good Lordy Miss Molly:

Andy/Mic - looks good....now dawg gone it, get that chevelle out of there and make room for, let's see, hmmm, how about....let me think here......


a CAMARO!!! :D

Looks like A lot of hard work - and when quality comes thru in pics you know you have yourself a winner....

BZ

BZ

It'll be worth the wait! As good as the pics look, they honestly don't do it justice when you're standing there looking at it (was there yesterday). The lines are perfect. The jams are pristine. The top of the cowl is spectacular! His painter and body man, Lee, also paints OCC type choppers and motorcycles. He's as maticulous as Micky! Not my thing, but if you're into flames and other special effects, he can do that too. They do excellent work! You won't be sorry. :thumbsup:

If you want to see how much has been done to this thing (and you're a TC member), check out my showroom.

I hope to have my spot open for your Camaro in about 3 months. :D

Andy

He's as maticulous as Micky!


IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!;) That's like saying I'm more catholic than the Pope Himslef..:D

Sounds like another happy camper....

how do you post pics
I am new to the forum

Yoni

Sorry I can't help you there. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the PM's about your wheel/tire stats.

I just found this posting about your Chevelle this morning and I can't wait to see it finished.

Super Nice job!

Thanks, Jody!

Very nice, just a super looking car. Would you please tell me where you got the power steering pump. I have the same set up on my El Camino, but still need a nice power steering pump. Thanks!

Thanks!

It's a March billet ps pump/resovoir.

Andy

Here's a link

http://www.marchperf.com/pg52.html

You can get them through Summit.

Body is going on the chassis Monday. Hope to have some new pics soon.

Andys body on chassis

that's the way to do it! Wow. Everything looks fantastic. I especially like the tires and rims.

Thanks!

Engine bright stuff

Some outside pics

Its beginning to look like a finished car and looking good too.

WOW, looking better every day.. That ride is sure going to turn some heads..

I really need to build me a turing car, just cant bring myself to do it with my SS car.. Looks like I may have to get another Chevelle :D

Thanks! It's coming along. Can't wait to get it cranked up, now. :D

what color blue is that and do u kno the paint code? by the way the car is awsome!

I PM'ed you. Thanks!

Andy

Sweeeet. Like the blue. Stance looks great.

Thanks!

Finally. After 2 years, 6 months, the car was started and warmed to normal operating temps. The videos below are it's first run for more than a few seconds. Turn up the volume!

It's running rich and the dump butterfly valve on the right side wasn't bolted on and popped off mid test - so there's one side with an open header and one side with a muffler and no tailpipe. The exhaust is still an issue that will hopefully be resolved over the next week, or so. There's also a 3000 chip in the MSD box to limit the rpms during testing.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/2a55eab8-4210-4648-8d62-990200ffbb34.htm

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/0112e87e-4407-48dc-bcd9-99020100c4cc.htm

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/65ee6eca-475e-4f47-859e-9902010144fc.htm

The test went great. No fuel, oil, power steering or brake fluid leaks so far. The brand new heater core let go and leaked onto the right side carpet, but fortunately, Micky runs these tests with water - not coolant - so the carpet can be pulled back out to let it air dry. No residue or musty smell.

Can't wait to get it fine tuned and on the road - hopefully by the end of the month.

Hey Andy,
Your car sounds awesome! It gets my blood pumping just hearing it run.:thumbsup:
One of my favorite colors to.
Sorry I won't be able to see it at Chevellabration this year.
We have to much going on this summer, so I won't be able to make the show. :(
Love to see pictures when it's completed. :hurray:

Brian

Thanks, Brian! It's been a long time coming. We're planning on going to CB'07 - but then we planned on going to CB'06?!? Hope to catch you at one down the road.

Take care.

Andy

Wow what a great car.

Thanks, Brett!

Sounds like a beast. Very nice.

Thanks! But it sounds like that because of having one open header and 1 pipe with a muffler and no tailpipe. I'm anxious to hear it once the exhaust system is complete. I hope the cam lumpiness still comes through!

what color blue is that and do u kno the paint code? by the way the car is awsome!

Did anyone ever answer what blue that is?? I thougt it said it was an '03 color... but from what?

To be honest, it's an '03 GM truck color - Arrival Blue Metallic. It's the same color as my '03 Chevy pick-up. I think it's still being used. Had orginally planned to do Fathom Blue, but everytime I got to Micky's place on a sunny day, he'd work on me to use it. He was right. I'm glad I caved. Plus now, touch-up's and/or other paint work are no big deal since it's a new factory color.

Looks wicked and sounds awesome!

Thanks!

Nice choice in control arms and axle cover! Looks a little like mine.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7627/dscn0171zv4.jpg

Thanks! They do look similar.

Do you have any pics of the Pypes exhaust system installed?

We ended up using stainless works exhaust on it. The Pypes wasnt the best in fit.

Actually, it's a hybrid. There's Stainless Works slip on headers, QTP electric dumps, Pypes X Pipe, Pypes Race Pro mufflers and Stainless Works tailpipes and tips. 3" from the collectors to the tips. It's a long story as to why.

I don't have any pics that I know of and the exhaust is off the car at the moment for winter projects or I would go out and take a pic for you.

Sorry.

Here's a video of the first dyno run we did with the new motor (new this past summer), but the same exhaust. First pull is with the dumps closed. Second is with them open. The operator quit graphing when max tq was achieved (600 hp and tq) at around 5500. Based on the engine dyno results when the engine was built, max hp wouldn't happen until about 6700 rpm. We figure it has about 650 at the wheels.

YouTube - '70 chevelle dyno

Here's the best pic I can find, fwiw.

18519

The 12 bolt in the pic is being replaced with a Strange 9" this winter. If I can find something better I'll post it.

Boy you should really clean that undercarriage :p


Looks fantastic, very nice work you did there .

Boy you should really clean that undercarriage :p


Looks fantastic, very nice work you did there .

Thanks, I think!? ;):D

The resto was done in June '07, but between de-bugging and deciding on a new motor and then a new power train, it only has about 1000 miles on it. Probably about 500 when that pic was taken. Each time it's apart, which seems like most of the time, so far, it gets a thorough cleaning. Micky has the underside painted just as nice as the rest of the car, so it needs some tlc every now and again to keep it looking nice.

Andy,
What do you have for fuel supply? I notice the nice stainless tank, but anything else going on behind the scenes? electric pump? If so, how is it fed?

Are you coming down for chevelle-abration this year? I think I can learn a lot from your setup and save me some grief on my turbo project. Just so I have it straight, DU302 aka "mike" is your son?

Andy,
What do you have for fuel supply? I notice the nice stainless tank, but anything else going on behind the scenes? electric pump? If so, how is it fed?

Are you coming down for chevelle-abration this year? I think I can learn a lot from your setup and save me some grief on my turbo project. Just so I have it straight, DU302 aka "mike" is your son?

The tank is from Rick's Hot Rod. It's got an Aeromotive A1000 electric pump (in tank). We now have a 1/2" supply/3/8" return stainless fuel lines.

We originally had braided fuel lines, but the fuel fumes were terrible in the garage in the Summer. The smell was so strong it gave you an instant headache. So they were replaced.

We have an Aeromotive regulator mounted to the inner fender up front that feeds a fuel log to the carb. If I remember right, you're planning an EFI set up so that part wouldn't matter to you.

You are correct Mike (DU302) is my son. He's the brains of the outfit and he and his wife are about to make us grandparents for the first time in April (thought I'd slip that in, not that we're excited, or anything! :D)

We're not coming to CB this year. My wife is a school teacher and yet again her end of the year schedule conflicts with Chuck's dates. Plus Mike will be a brand new Dad and I'm not sure he could get away, anyway.

If you'd like to invest in a trip up this way, you're more than welcome to come visit for a weekend, stay here and pick our brains. We could spend it out in the shop going over all the "lessons learned" the hard way over the last 3 years. I can tell you we've wasted alot of time and money revisiting things that we should have just committed to doing in the first place. I could write a book on that proverbial snowball rolling down hill everyone talks about!

PA is a bit of a drive from here. I do appreciate the offer though. :D I might have to pick your collective brains a time or two over the next several months.

What gear box and steering linkage (from firewall to box) did you use?

It has a Flaming River quick ratio (12:1) box:

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/Category_ID=191/home_id=80/mode=cat/cat191.htm

and Global West suspension and steering linkage. Micky got the steering shaft and knuckles custom made. It's polished stainless.

EDIT: Now that I'm looking at their site, the knuckles came from Flaming River, too. The shaft was custom made and is similar to what street rods use.

Just let us know if we can help.

Everything steering was Flaming River, good stuff.

Actually, it's a hybrid. There's Stainless Works slip on headers, QTP electric dumps, Pypes X Pipe, Pypes Race Pro mufflers and Stainless Works tailpipes and tips. 3" from the collectors to the tips. It's a long story as to why.

I don't have any pics that I know of and the exhaust is off the car at the moment for winter projects or I would go out and take a pic for you.

Sorry.
I would amagine that you didn't use the Pypes tailpipes because of aftermarket parts?

I would amagine that you didn't use the Pypes tailpipes because of aftermarket parts?

Yes. But there were multiple aftermarket parts that all contributed. Both motors have/had AFR heads. AFR's, like all aluminum heads I think, have raised exhaust ports. Plus we have a solid motor mount on the driver's side to control the amount of tq twist the motor makes, that together with the raised exhaust ports, changed the geometry all the way back. And of course there's the Rick's Stealth fuel tank that's a bit larger, side to side, than a stock tank.

We orginally had Doug's headers and could not get them to clear the tranny crossmember without modifying the crossmember (which was done). The Pypes X pipe and mufflers fit but were extremely tight to the body to the point of touching in a couple places. The Pypes tails never stood a chance.

We replaced the Doug's headers with a set of Stainless Works headers with slip on collector ends to eliminate the big flanges and things improved. But the tails still wouldn't work. So we conceded and hauled the car to Stainless Works' shop and they custom made the tails to fit.

Definitely a case where just a small change in dimensions up front, gets exponentially bigger as you work your way back.

Yes. But there were multiple aftermarket parts that all contributed. Both motors have/had AFR heads. AFR's, like all aluminum heads I think, have raised exhaust ports. Plus we have a solid motor mount on the driver's side to control the amount of tq twist the motor makes, that together with the raised exhaust ports, changed the geometry all the way back. And of course there's the Rick's Stealth fuel tank that's a bit larger, side to side, than a stock tank.

We orginally had Doug's headers and could not get them to clear the tranny crossmember without modifying the crossmember (which was done). The Pypes X pipe and mufflers fit but were extremely tight to the body to the point of touching in a couple places. The Pypes tails never stood a chance.

We replaced the Doug's headers with a set of Stainless Works headers with slip on collector ends to eliminate the big flanges and things improved. But the tails still wouldn't work. So we conceded and hauled the car to Stainless Works' shop and they custom made the tails to fit.

Definitely a case where just a small change in dimensions up front, gets exponentially bigger as you work your way back.
WOW! The exhaust seems like it was quite a challenge. I am glad that you got it together! Must have pics as soon as you get it back together!

WOW! The exhaust seems like it was quite a challenge. I am glad that you got it together! Must have pics as soon as you get it back together!

Sure. But it'll be a couple months, at least, I'm sure. The rearend won't be here until mid February and the driveshaft can't be ordered until the new transmssion and rearend are installed to get measurements. The exhaust will be the last thing to go back in after the new transmission, driveshaft and rearend go in. We are replacing a TKO 600 with a G Force GF-5R transmission, the 12 bolt is being replaced with a 9", as mentioned above, and 1350 series U joints are being introduced for the first time. This, I'm sure, will tirgger a whole new round of aftermarket nightmares. The 5R looks to be just a bit smaller than the tko, so hopefully it will fit with no problem, but the 5R has a Long shifter in a slightly different location than the Pro 5.0 that was on the TKO, so we don't know yet if they'll be metal and console problems? In addition, I've heard horror stories already about 1350 series U-joints and pinion/floor interferences, so some metal work may be needed there, too. Plus the 9" is physically alot bigger than the 12 bolt, so I don't know what new issues come from that? Exhaust problems again? No way to know until we dive in.

The good news is - and Mike and I are agreed on this - this is the last of the major upgrades! After this, it's time to spend time driving and enjoying it for many years to come!

Hmm, I believe that the 12 bolt axle tubes are 2-3/4" and I am pretty sure but not positive that the 9" axle tubes are 3"