Hello, I'm new to this board and was hoping to get some opinions about the motor going in my 66 chevelle. I've had the motor a couple of years now. It was in a late model camaro that was built pretty strong as far as the chassis. Never really finished the camaro so it never made it to the track. I've always wanted to put the motor in a chevelle so I recently went out and found one. Anyway here are the specs:

* 454 bored and stroked to 505.
* 10.5 : 1 static compression.
* edelbrock performer rpm heads and intake.
* holley hp 950.
* Isky hydraulic roller .595 - .624 lift, 238-248 @.050, 110 lobe center.
* full msd digital ignition.

I'm also looking for suggestions on strengthening the chassis without putting a cage in it. I have full fabrication capabilities so that won't be a problem. I already have a moser rearend in the car as well as aftermarket trailing arms and bushings. And if I have to I'll take the body off the chassis. Thanks for any help.

Anyone? graemlins/waving.gif I'm really interested in your opinions. Although I'm not new to cars, I am new to chevelles and I figure what better than to rely on the experience of people who have already been there.

I'm by no means an expert here, but seeing that no one wants to chip in here I will. My uneducated guess... 550 f/wheel hp, 11.50@130mph in a full wieghted chevelle.

Maybe some of the other guys that have been there can give their opinions. Happy chevelling graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks OzRod. I guess I probably just asked a question everyone hears all the time. Anyway, I'd be pretty happy with your guess. Seems like making the car hook will be one of my biggest issues. Anyone with advice on the chassis? Like to box or not to box? Thanks again.

Yikes! Compression, cam, is great street with occasional strip use. I agree mostly with hp rating but dragstrip mph figure is a little optimistic. Need to know gearing, oval/rect heads? Suspension would have to be able to handle the power, slicks. I think high 11's are possible! Please give us more info on your setup. Goodluck! :cool:

what stroke what lenth rods? i would use a victor jr instead of a rpm intake...mike

Blazerbob, I currently have 4:10 gears but I might change them eventually to 3:73. My heads are rectangle port. I was gonna go oval but I figured with the size of the motor i wouldn't have any low end torque problems. I have 2" headers with 3 1/2" exhaust from torque tech. B & M turbo 400 w/around 3000 stall. moser 9", 31 spline detoit locker. Currie enterprises upper and lower trailing arms with johnny joints spherical ends. I'm probably going to box in the frame but I really don't want a cage in the car. Hope this helps and thanks for the reply.

69ralleygreen, 4.25 stroke, 4.35 bore, 6.385 length rods. Thanks.

Ok! now we have more to work with! Got some good parts there ebe! Headers are perfect! Stall good for street/strip but would need more stall for serious strip use! Chevelle wt. needs those gears to get it moving. I think you have a good basic combo now. If your want 11sec or faster will need at least 6pt. cage to run at track! Really helps tying in the whole car to prevent so much flexing. Now for my own stupid question! My Camaro had to have frame rails welded in,front to back to solidify suspension. Is 66'Chevelle solid frame front to back? Wow! I feel dumb that I don't know that! Also, with more info I would further agree you have a potential low 11sec combo there! but at low 120mph in 1/4! :D

yes the 66 has a full frame front to back but the center area from about the firewall to around the front of the rear wheelwells is only a 'C' channel, not a full box on hardtops. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna box it in though. A lot of work but I think it'll be worth it. It'll mainly be a street car which is why I chose the lower stall. Thanks for the comment on the headers. Did a lot of research on that decision. I feel like there is a good amount of 'free' horsepower there if you just choose the right primary size. Ended up going with Stahl's. Thanks again.

Some people use an Elcamino or convertible frame that is already boxed. I've considered doing this on my 71 but haven't dug into the project that far yet. I've been keeping my eyes open for some donor side rails from an elcamino to use for boxing my original frame, I guess the transmission crossmember is different as well. A cage may be installed in my car as well if I can get one in there and if the kids will still be able to use the rear seat without jumping through hoops.