I'm currently in the process of rebuilding a 67 Chevelle drag car and have a question concerning the stock motor height for a bbc (454 block). My car has front and mid motor plates with the cross member cut out. The motor looks like it's lower than stock but I'm not sure how much. The best place I found to take a measurement was from the center of the Right Front Lower A-Arm bolt to the center of the Top Front Motor Mount bolt. This came out to be 6 1/4". If any one could take a measurement on their car I'd really appreciate it. If anyone can think of a better place to measure from please let me know.

Thanks

Mike

Hi, Mike and welcome to Team Chevelle.

When you ask about engine height, is it because you are looking to replace the crossmember and put this car back to stock configuration or is this going to remain a track-only car?

The reason I ask is depending on application, there will be VERY different correct answers.

If you're just looking for the measurement so you can rebuild this car back to stock configuration, I would have to go down to my shop and measure the dimension on my stock '67.

OTOH, if you're setting up for a drag only application, that is VERY different. Engine height determines, for a large part, the height of the center of gravity in the vehicle. It is measured at rest fully loaded. The dimension is usually from the centerline of the crankshaft to the ground on a flat, level surface.

Generally high horsepower cars like a lower engine position. Moderate powered cars like the motor a little higher. If you have a very high powered car with the engine mounted high, it will tend to wheelstand violently. A low powered and noseheavy car needs the engine mounted higher just to help enable it to transfer weight more quickly.

An example would be my Super Gas/Super Pro Vega. The car runs 9.30's with a mild 355" small block. I decided that I wanted the car to pick the front wheels out of the starting beams rather than roll them forward. We put the engine in at 12.5" crank to ground height (rather high) because the car is low powered (about 540 hp). This, combined with the car's 4-link suspension and 97" wheelbase, allows the car to yank the front wheels nearly straight up out of the lights as it goes forward. It is very consistent in this configuration and can steadily go .370-.375 red on a Pro tree in daylight with no delay in the box.

When I build a new engine at the end of next year, I'm going to add about 200 horsepower. I'll then need to lower the engine about an inch and a half. If I don't, the car WILL become extremely violent on the starting line even with IC and shock adjustments.

If you're planning to mostly race this car, I would consult with a good chassis guy in your area and get his input on your setup as far as what the crank to ground height should be for your power level.

Feel free to PM me if you think I can be of any further help.

Randy

I currently have no plans to put this car back to stock. The main reason I asked about engine height was because of the header situation. I had stumbled across a set of used 2 1/8" slip tube headers with evac tubes but not all the tubes fit.

I'm trying to track down a local shop that does custom headers but haven't had any luck, so I was thinking of calling Lemons Headers and talk to them. I just wanted to be able to give them all the information that I could.

I did take a measurement from my garage floor to the center of the crankshaft bolt and came up with 14 1/4". This was just a rough measurement since I haven't set the rear ride height yet.

Thank for the info Randy.

Mike

Have you run this car before or did you just buy it?

Did you run this car with the engine combo that's in it before or did you ever see it run with another owner? How did it work?

What's the engine combo you're planning to use? How about suspension..... ladder bar or 4-link?

Has the car been lightened? Has the nose been lightened? How much power do yo figure you're going to put into the car HONESTLY?

Randy

How low does the pan typically hang down in relation to the framrails, is there anyone that could take a measurement for him?