Hello folks,

Been a lurker here for awhile now, and I've finally been bitten by the Chevelle bug, hard.

I've worked on a lot of other projects, including building up a 1966 Checker Cab that now sports a 350 horse / 350 smallblock and Muncie M20 (soon to be changed to an M22 gearset).

I grew up with a neighbor who owned two Chevelles, one was a 1970 SS, the other a 1971 Malibu that he dropped a blown 350 into. I have fond memories of being thrown back in the passenger seat as he stomped on the gas.

Point blank, I know there's several postings of what combos worked for other people here - but they really seem to differ - some quite a bit. I'm interested in putting together a Chevelle that will see *very* low 12s and preferably high 11s - any help here would be greatly appreciated. And, here's the kicker, still be street legal.

Why? Simply put I'm not a hater of the import tuning scene - I fully support anyone's love for what they believe in. That said and done, in a world of modern cars that don't truly come across as hairy, it would be nice to bring something back that would really show the younger set what owning a muscle car is all about - and be able to back it up on the strip.

Thanks and best regards,

-James Smith

if you hate imports im suprised you support throwing a turbo or supercharger on an engine.

If you want to show them how its done you have to do it naturally aspirated, otherwise you are no better than them ;)

I'd say an eleven second Chevelle is pretty ambitious, for a first effort.
But there are several ways to pull it off.
Firstly, a big engine will help, because Chevelles are heavy.
That is why drag racers tend to prefer early Camaros.

You can make a heavy car, very quick, but it takes power.
I’d say in excess of 500 hp to get a 3800 lb Chevelle into the elevens.

You can lighten the car, but you can only get so light before, you really compromise
the streetabiltiy of it.

I’d say a nice healthy 454 is you best starting point.
This site has several guy running 11s and even 10s with streetable 454 cubic inch engines.

It can be done with a small block, but you’d better be pretty sharp, or have some sort of power adder. (Blower, Nitrous Oxide, Turbo)

Personally, I like the big engine method, because its simple.
I’ve got a 72 with a ZZ-502 that if I can get it together this summer,
I’m hoping to run low 12s.
Maybe I'll put a bottle in the trunk just to get an 11 second slip.

My 68 is a 396 4speed car, that scares my friends, and its best time so far is a 13.53 @ 106 mph.
Doesn’t sound all that fast, but its pretty quick for a street car, and like I said, it’ll scare my Taurus driving friends.

Anyway Welcome to the best car site on the web,
and Dude, Dig the mohawk. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

As the saying goes,'there's no replacement for displacement'.

Originally posted by Chirp08:
if you hate imports im suprised you support throwing a turbo or supercharger on an engine.

If you want to show them how its done you have to do it naturally aspirated, otherwise you are no better than them ;) *grin* Nah, not a hater - like I said, if it calls to you, then more power to you - either blown or through cubes. Anyone who can run a fast car, consistently and reliably, import or not gets my respect. smile.gif

Do you own a Malibu/Chevelle? - if so what year etc? If you haven't made a purchase yet, then consider getting an earlier year - they weigh less. Next up, what is your budget? More money makes more easy. Also, consider becoming friends with your local drag racers and tap into their knowledge pool of who the good local shops are - you'll need help at some point.

The bigger hammer theory is usually foolproof - just be sure to spend time on suspension development to effectively use all your power.

Thomas

Originally posted by Thad:
I'd say an eleven second Chevelle is pretty ambitious, for a first effort.
But there are several ways to pull it off.
Firstly, a big engine will help, because Chevelles are heavy.
That is why drag racers tend to prefer early Camaros.

You can make a heavy car, very quick, but it takes power.
I’d say in excess of 500 hp to get a 3800 lb Chevelle into the elevens.

You can lighten the car, but you can only get so light before, you really compromise
the streetabiltiy of it.

I’d say a nice healthy 454 is you best starting point.
This site has several guy running 11s and even 10s with streetable 454 cubic inch engines.

It can be done with a small block, but you’d better be pretty sharp, or have some sort of power adder. (Blower, Nitrous Oxide, Turbo)

Personally, I like the big engine method, because its simple.
I’ve got a 72 with a ZZ-502 that if I can get it together this summer,
I’m hoping to run low 12s.
Maybe I'll put a bottle in the trunk just to get an 11 second slip.

My 68 is a 396 4speed car, that scares my friends, and its best time so far is a 13.53 @ 106 mph.
Doesn’t sound all that fast, but its pretty quick for a street car, and like I said, it’ll scare my Taurus driving friends.

Anyway Welcome to the best car site on the web,
and Dude, Dig the mohawk. graemlins/thumbsup.gif *Grin* many thanks! 'hawk's gotten a lot larger since that pic, hehe. I think that it's going to be a big block, from what I've read here - that 502 should be a killer.

Originally posted by Bomber '67:
Do you own a Malibu/Chevelle? - if so what year etc? If you haven't made a purchase yet, then consider getting an earlier year - they weigh less. Next up, what is your budget? More money makes more easy. Also, consider becoming friends with your local drag racers and tap into their knowledge pool of who the good local shops are - you'll need help at some point.

The bigger hammer theory is usually foolproof - just be sure to spend time on suspension development to effectively use all your power.

Thomas Thanks Thomas - nope, don't own one yet - looking to ASAP (and as soon as the snow goes away). Is there a particular suspention combo that you'd recommend (Hotchkis, special bushings, etc.)?

"Tips on creating an 11 Second Chevelle"Buy a 10 sec Chevelle and pull one of the plug wires off... ;)

The easiest way is cubic inches, 454+ ,10.5-1 compression,nice solid lift cam,Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and 1.75" tube headers,topped off with a 950HP, TH350 and 3.73 gears. I ran a best of 11.78 a couple years ago open headers and slicks, switched to 3" exhaust with crossover and ran a best of 11.84 last november, and that was after running the motor for 5.5 years. This coming year I will be running a 505 and shooting for 10's :D

While you are developing a plan go visit www.dickmillerracing.com (http://www.dickmillerracing.com) - he has a bitchin little suspension book for $10.

Let us know when you have made a car purchase, lots of knowledge here in Team Chevelle.

Thomas

Lightweight as possible. Good weight distribution. A big block with cast iron heads/intake, A/C, big fat battery, all wrapped in big steel body panels. Thats a LOT of weight on the front end.

I agree with the big inches. It doesnt have to be a big block, but its usually a lot cheaper to go with a BB454 and iron oval heads, than go 400+ inches in a small block with aftermarket heads. Dont listen to that superchargers/turbos are for import garbage. If Warren Johnson could throw a turbo on his prostock motor, i garantee he would. Use whats available to reach your goals.

Automatic transmission. Wont be as fun as a manual, but usually much stronger, and quicker in the 1/4. You will lose more power through the driveline, and not MPH as high, but you'll gain a lot of time in the quick shifting of an auto and the better lauches with the torque converter, etc.

Dont throw all ur money in engine. Build the car to support it. Thats transmission, differential, suspension etc. 600 hp means nothing if your sitting at the line spewing fluid all over the track and tickin everyone off.

I dont know if its all that difficult. Built the Chevelle as a "period" car with a high revving, high stepping, 427 and it runs deep 12s. Paid attention to chassis details, and use a decent amount of gear. Mill is old school hp-type,high compression, solid cam,big ports,etc. A good racer figures the 427 will go 11.60ET in a good chassis and high stall automatic. Build a revving 427, use a 5/6 sp or OD gearset to give it plenty of room to rev in the lower gears, and throw a 150 shot at it to get downright stupid. Eat rice for breakfast and not guzzle gas.

so what are ya waiting for Gene :D Then you could race every weekend and not worry about breaking anything graemlins/thumbsup.gif

smile.gif I'm stuck on that stick Bob! In all seriousness, its only a 'period resto' like I say above, not a drag car. Isn't quite 'legal to run as fast as it does. Working on that. But because I can't afford to break anything, we'll stick to the once-in-a-while nostalgic drag thing.

It'd be neat to see what the motor did working 4700 stall/T350 and 4.30s or 4.56s. It would never run as strong turning 4.10s as your 454 did. 427s are "gear-challenged"!

Originally posted by BillsCamino:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />"Tips on creating an 11 Second Chevelle"Buy a 10 sec Chevelle and pull one of the plug wires off... ;) </font>[/QUOTE]That got me laughing for a good minute or so; thanks - I needed that!

Ugh. Back to shoveling snow.

*Many* thanks for all of the help!!

I'm seriously blown away by the positive vibe - damn if this has done nothing but stoked the fire hotter; now better start looking at putting together a plan for engine, driveline and suspension.

-James

I got mine in the 10s with no power adder but I lost some streetability in the last round of upgrades. Sure is fun around town though!

If you're gonna go big, go BIG!

http://www.shafiroff.com/ultrastreet.asp

I've got one of their 540s. I hope to be on the road in the next week or two. I figured if I go 502, might as well stroke it and get a few more cubes out of it!

Happy hunting! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Buy a 10 sec Chevelle and pull one of the plug wires off...

LOL.

I'll chime in with the bigger cubes is better crowd. My cousin's 68 is running 10.5s @ 130mph, is street legal (has cage) and does it on pump gas, no bottle. He's running a 509 bbc built by a local builder, th400, and 4:11 12 bolt. Car is a bit hairy on the street, but considering you're looking at 11's, you could be a lot more streetable.

Again - thanks to all of the members here contributing; it's a great help.

Now, when it comes time to build up an engine, should I go with normal deck or tall deck? I've read of many people using the 'truck' tall-deck blocks - but I'm sure there are tradeoffs there too.

And for normal deck height, should I go for a block with the 'hi perf' passenger car stamp, or not? I'm assuming 4-bolt mains would be desireable - or is that overkill?

Best regards,

-James

You don't need a tall deck to make 11's. There are even TC'ers who make mid 11's with naturally aspirated 355 small blocks - like Pat Kelley. Tall deck big blocks are usually found in a more hard core buildup. Tall deck engines usually can't use off the shelf headers, and often require a taller cowl hood scoop to clear everything.

The "Hi Perf Pass" casting does NOT denote 4 bolt mains. You don't need 4 bolt mains for an 11 second big block. Even 2 bolt big blocks have beefier main caps that any regular 4 bolt small block. My 496 uses a studded two bolt main block. Lots of Super Gas cars use 2 bolt main big blocks.

Did you find a car yet?

Thomas

11 sec Chevelle here with an overdrive and tight lockup converter.
If you building a BBC from scratch why not make it as big as possible in a 9.8 deck block.
Of course, you can have TOO much low end torque
I can't beleive I actualy said that!
like having too much money... HA HA

Just buy my mild turn key small block and put it in an early Chevelle. Low 12's will be a cake walk. :D
I'm skipping the 11's and heading for deep in the 10's with my new combo graemlins/thumbsup.gif