Not meaning to start any kind of flame war or anything but....

First off, my idea of performance is something that can run well on the drag strip....say 11's or so. We all know a ligher weight car can go faster than a heavier car with the same amount of torque and horse, right?

I've been reading about how these cars run in the 3400-3800 lb range. And while it's possible to make one run like a stallion, it seems the same amount of power could push a lighter car (Camaro, Nova) alot farther and an even lighter vehicle (Vega, S-10, Luv, Chevette) even farther.

The few advantages I could gather are (1) It's a full framed vehicle and (2.) A former Chevelle owner said the way the rear is built (lack of leaf springs) can act sort of like a 4 link. (not sure if this is true or not)

A current Chevelle owner even said so hisself that a Chevelle is more of a cruiser.

So that's just got me wondering....if it's worth it to make a 3400-3800 lb car into the 11's? What's your take?

Thanks.

There's a lot of cars out there that you can make fast. But to me, the Chevelle is all about styyyyle graemlins/thumbsup.gif Kirk

Its a good question and I for one won't take offence. I saw a really fast 66 chevelle when I was 13 and was hooked. Even today I still get excited to see one on the road(ratty or clean). They are kind of in my blood. I know a lighter car makes sense from a performance standpoint, but sometimes you have to go with what you like. I like other cars also but would only have another model if I owned two hotrods(or more). But they do make good hotrods, they will accept a big block better than a camaro and have room for a good exhaust and can be made light if you want to put them on a diet and the suspension can work pretty well. My 70 has a pretty much smooth idle small block that runs low 12s, its a pretty good deal in my book.

To me the Chevelle is the epitome of the term "MUSCLE CAR". The size of the Chevelle oozes the feeling of "BRUTE FORCE", not just a quick car in a small package. To each his own... graemlins/beers.gif

If you have to ask, you'll never understand. graemlins/clonk.gif

Originally posted by Bad Rat 414:
If you have to ask, you'll never understand. graemlins/clonk.gif Couldn't have said it better myself! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Rod

If you really want to go fast on the cheap,
I can't think of a better platform,
than an 82, to 93 Mustang.
They are light,
have a short wheelbase,
any automobile engine Ford ever made will fit,
and aftermarket parts, are plentiful, new and used.

But they will never be as "Cool" as a Chevelle.

Look at the Factory Apearing Stock Tire drag race series.
Not a Chevelle to be seen. :(

Buick GS's are present and kicking but, where the heck, are the SS 454s ?

But its back to the same thing,
a Chevelle is like a Harley,
Not necessarly better, Just Cooler. :cool:

And you've been on this board long enough to know,
a Chevelle can be made to run very Quick, and very Fast.

Originally posted by Bad Rat 414:
If you have to ask, you'll never understand. graemlins/clonk.gif What a small world bad rat 414....I happen to reside in Fayetteville NC.

It's not that I understand but let me compare apples and oranges for a second...

I own an S-10 with a 9.0:1 c.r. 350 with a .030 bore. I've not had the engine on a dyno yet but it's making an estimated 240 hp at the wheels. (Yeah I know, what a wuss right?) Yet I can run a mid 13 1/4 mile pass at just over 100 mph on a n/a engine with street tires. Add slicks and we're looking at low 13's/possibly high 12's. I run a stock converter, stock 993 heads with dual exaust/headers and it all runs off 87 unleaded.

So what's my big secret....

*Weight!* Believe it or not this truck, w/o a driver and 7 gallons of fuel weighs in at 2690!! I had this done at a scrap yard. And what's more is most of the truck itself is stock....I don't have fiberglass this and lexan that.

Now just think what a 350-400 rwhp and slicks on this truck could do? It wouldn't take much to get there and I've even considered keeping it just for that, but I really want a classic. And since I really can't have the truck and a classic I'm gonna have to part with it. (eventually) I already have a nicely restored Nova as a weekend driver (not gonna use it as a weekend warrior) so I then thought I either wanted a '67-'69 Camaro or a '67-'72 Chevelle for a project. ('67 and '70 are my top picks)

I've been doing my homework and asking folks here about how much power it would take to make a Chevelle run an 11 second 1/4 mile time. (My big goal) Most have told me somewhere between 440-475 rwhp. I'm guestimating the engine itself would take at least 500 hp or so at the flywheel to make this kind of power. Ok, so 500 hp it is.

Now I'm pricing how much a 500 hp sbc would be...the prices I'm seeing are somewhere betwwen $7500-$10,000. I'm not even sure about the big blocks. Much to my suprise I was shocked to see what it would take to get to where I wanted it. Maybe I'm too used to the truck?

Don't get me wrong I really like Chevelles. I think they're very cool cars. I'm in the process of getting a '71 if all goes well. And of course if I do get it I want to make it an 11 second car. And yes I do know a Chevelle can be made very fast very quick....heck a full size Cadillac I'm sure could be made to go very fast. But because of the weight issue it suprises me on what it's gonna take to get there.

And BTW, Ford Mustangs are out of the question. I bleed Chevrolet blood. Not to mention everyone and their brother owns a Mustang. Besides if I'm gonna be kicking someones butt I'd rather it be a Chevy to show off my true pride.

When your that pretty, you can't help but look fast

Dawg , (Name ?)

One of my better friends suggested that "we"
build a Chevelle bracket race car. :rolleyes:

I told him there a lot of better choices
when it comes to bracket race cars.

As you've mentioned an S-10 is a good Choice,
and actually was my suggestion.

Why hack up a Chevelle, when there are so many less valuable canidates, that weigh alot less ?

For me, a Chevelle or any car, is about the car itself, the way they look, and the way I feel when I drive it.

You asked:
Are Chevelles and Malibus really that good for performance? I'd say there are a lot of more practical choices, but its really up to the guy doing the work, and paying the tab.

Well, they certainly don't defy any laws of physics. The lighter cars you mentioned will run quicker given the same power and traction. But, there is something about a Chevelle that has more appeal (for me anyhow). The muscular shape and stance is much more appealing than the Nova or Vega. The only other muscle car I would care to own would have to be a 69 Camaro with the hide-away headlights.

It'll be a loooong time before I give up my 67.

I asked myself the same question as I was racing my Chevelle SS396, with toooo much money invested to mention. I decided to get a '78 Malibu. It has all the good points, full frame, plenty of room under the hood (if A/C delete), and can be bought very cheap now adays. They're lighter, but not as light as I'd like. There are much better platforms for racing. If all you want to do is go fast, then anything light will work. If you want to go fast and look :cool: then it makes things a little more difficult. That's all there is to it, as far as I'm concerned.

At least I picked a car that still says 'Malibu'... tongue.gif

Junkyard Dog, I understand your point but let's take it to it's logical extension:

Why even use a car? Just go to your local Suzuki dealership and buy a rice rocket that does low 10s for under $6000.

You'll blow the doors off a Ferrari Enzo that only does low 11s and costs a million clams.

HERETIC tongue.gif :mad: No bikes here :D

For me, the only other car i would consider a first gen Camaro...Im only 19 and this is my second Chevelle...first was a small block auto at 16

Okay then, what about that project that one of the car mags did about ten years back where they used a plasma torch to cut just about everything off a tired old 1975 Lincoln Town Car with a smogger mill and it ran 10s on whitewall tires before it sagged apart?

They paid something like $600 for the whole project. After they were done cutting, all that was left was the floorpan, a seat, and a steering wheel sitting on the bare frame.

MY first chevelle was 72 then i went to a 66 impala then a 78 malibu 454 9" rear real deal but i was still missing something so i got a sweet 80 corvette that was F@@king bad (still have pics)BUT I COULDN'T STOP THE CHEVELLE BUG
FROM BITTING.I gave up the corvette and got a project 70 chevelle eveyone thought that i lost my mind getting rid of a complet kick ass vett for something that i had to pice together, well now they see what i was planning in my mind and know
that THE CHEVELLE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST! NOTHING
SAY "POWER"LIKE A CHEVELLE!!! graemlins/beers.gif

Like everyone else said....there are more practical choices, but chevelles are just sooo much more bad ass if you ask me. Let me put it this way........ if you are cruising around in a S10 that is fast, or cruisin around in a chevelle that is nice, but slower than the S10.....what do you think is going to get more looks, thumbs up, and attention in general? I mean a lot of people like that. I bought my chevelle because I really like the cars. I love the shape of the body and all the potential. They are unique and beautiful cars in my opinion. My favorite year is the 71' and then the 70' taking second place. To me, there just aren't any cars like them. It's basically just about what you like. I'd say that most of the people who own chevelles own them because they love the cars, and they just end up making them fast later. They don't buy them because it's the perfect car to make fast. If you just want something to make fast, not to mention that is cool, get an old chevy II. Am I right here guys? To me it's funny that the car I drive around is old enough to be considered an antique.....that in itself is cool, and deserves some respect. graemlins/thumbsup.gif If you buy one....you will not regret it. But your asking if they are worth buying.....well that's just personal opinion.

"Nothing says power like a chevelle!"

Right on man!!! graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/hurray.gif :D graemlins/beers.gif :cool:

Always loved A body cars..don't care if they're heavier than a G body or whatever..something about the body style..and my dream car was always a 70 SS454..love the muscular stance graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Why is "Performance" so often defined as "Low ET in the Quarter-Mile"?

There are so many more ways for a car to perform.

My '68 El Camino performs exactly as I want it to, but it's not a 1/4-mile terror.

I want to build a drag car someday using the body of a Disco Nova. Plentiful, cheap, light, and relatively easy to get low ET's out of.

It takes "muscle" to make a heavier car a killer 1/4-mile contender. Maybe that's why big block Chevelles and other GM A-bodies are called "musclecars". They have brute horsepower, so they don't rely on light weight.

And it doesn't hurt that they come from the factory with 4-link rear suspensions.

You can go fast for cheap with a lighter car. But there is nothing like two tons of glass and steel that gets up and goes. Just ask the MOPAR guys. They get it. :D

If I wanted to build a street/ strip terror i'd take a Chevette, put a small block with a blower ontop and tub the poop out of it. rip ALL seats and carpet out. But...how many graemlins/thumbsup.gif do you think i'd get...i'd be fast but a joke. To ME its all about the style and pride of such a wonderful and beautiful machine...true, it takes a little more to get them moving. But, like money, if it comes easy it isn't appreciated.

Pvt. Cowboy you have brought up a point, but I'm really not into crotch rockets. Yeah they might be fast but I'd rather have a car or truck. Much more practical IMO.

I do agree the Chevelle is a beautiful car and yes you're right I would get alot more thumbs up driving one than I would an S-10. But that's simply because Chevelles are not seen as much anymore and people tend to appreciate and admire them alot more. I even get those same compliments while in my Nova so I know where you're coming from.

S-10's on the other hand can be found anywhere and everywhere plus unless you have a blower sticking out of the hood or you have a 3 inch exaust with straight pipes and a loping cam, no one really knows that you have a V8. But once I have the hood open people start gathering around and staring, then start asking things like "How fast is it?" or "How hard was it to put that engine in there?" I've even gotten compliments on how well the swap was done.

If I saw a Chevette with a blower on top of an sbc and tubbed I'd surely check it out, especially if done right. I'm actually thinking about doing this to a Chevette someday.

I had considered an early Chevy II although I'm not that fond of the boxy style they also make good candidates.

I like to look good and go fast at the same time. My ultimate goal is to have a nice older Chevy (Camaro, Chevelle) with a very well built V8 engine, a chambered 3 inch exaust system and be able to run 11's or faster. Something I can run at the track on thursday, then drive to the cruise in on friday. Doesn't have to be a show car cuz it's gonna be driven pretty frequently.

first gen camaro and second gen Nova are much better cars to start with in a race application, much lighter and better weight distribution, as well a shorter wheel base.

I ran Novas in my early days along with the other nova clones- Apollo, Omega and Venturas. The 68-72 Novas always had my attention. I liked the Chevelles from 64-72 but they were outta my price range back then. The Chevelle is top dog in my book, nothing says POWER better. It's purpose can't be confused with that of prissy cars like corvettes etc. I'm ramblin----- :D

Yes Chevelles are too heavy but the full frame and excellent suspension make them real nice street cars. The nicest street car I ever owned was a 66 SS that I put an L-72 into. For quite a long time I have been playing with early Nova street cars. Sure it takes very little motor to make one fly but somethimes I really wonder if it is worth the other assorted problems that a cheaply built uni-body car has.

The designed the F-body around the fact that they wanted a solid contenter for trans-am racing, and they did very well.

welding or bolting in subframe connectors, and building a roll bar for the car makes them an awsome stock body race car, they can easily fit BBC power, and have less weight over the nose with a shorter wheel base.

Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg:
Pvt. Cowboy you have brought up a point, but I'm really not into crotch rockets. Yeah they might be fast but I'd rather have a car or truck. Much more practical IMO. Well, there is one way to have an undeniably light Chevelle:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4007431&a=31189018&f=

A few years back Hot Rod Magazine voted the '70 Chevelle SS LS6 as the king of the muscle cars. I know there's plenty lighter but none better.

A few years back Hot Rod Magazine voted the '70 Chevelle SS LS6 as the king of the muscle cars. I know there's plenty lighter but none better.
I can't lie I LOVE 66-67 ,70-72 GTO's or even a very nice LeMans. And since there the same suspension and build as a chevelle they are fully capable and with a 400 or a 455 they fly aswell.
My dad owned a 71 GTO with a 400 it was not a Ram Air model but said it would blow away 396's and built small blocks. He had a hard time with the vettes and the 454's

Here in Ottawa there was sorta a famous street race area where even the cops stood back and watched and some nights they would get out the water hose and spray water all over that particular blacktop to prevent any racing. I wish I was 19 then with a donut shop and two parking lots full of muscle and a set of lights to top it off. This was around 68-76 and then it all went away.

At that time the 2 fastest cars on the street were both cammaro's both small blocks also.

one was a 350 with a blower and the other a GM 302 that rev'ed to the moon. one would win only from a traction problem or missed shift.

my dad also said the worst he had ever bin beat was from a 66-67 vette with a 350 fuel injection with solid lifters. uncomin combo for that time ??

some times I wish I had bin born for that time.
anyway im just babling on

Chevelles are amazing looking cars they even look good standing still and unless your gonna be driving through town at 120 MPH you'll look alot :cool: 'er in a chevelle than in a s10 or other.

Just my take on it. :D

ok, in an S-10 can you cruise with 4 people in your car to dinner or the movies or_______ and get 10 looks pulling up and people coming up asking what motor you got in there? Ill answer for you no. Just because its fast doesent mean its cool in my book. A classic VW bus or bug are cool if original and cherry, but definately not fast. To answer your question Chevelles have performance capability but you can get better performance out of other cars. The chevelle is the ultimate combo COOL & POWERFUL. Although i didnt grow up in the 60's im only 18 i wish would have because the chevelle is the ultimate muscle car, the look, the power, and most of all the beauty of a chevelle is unbeatable by any other car. (unless your willing to spend more than 250 g's, Ferrari Enzo and the new Porsche GT goddam!!!!)

Originally posted by Purs:
To me the Chevelle is the epitome of the term "MUSCLE CAR". The size of the Chevelle oozes the feeling of "BRUTE FORCE", not just a quick car in a small package. To each his own... graemlins/beers.gif Agree 100%
Positives,
Full frame so no sub frame connectors, no control arm boxes to rip off, great ride.
Factory 4 link very good to start with for performance and ride, only the bushings are so/so.
Drivetrain from the factory was pretty much it, atleast a th-350 for auto's and bb's fit like a charm. More 12 bolts for A-bodys then any car I think. The front suspension is great imo, I've had mine for close to ten years which included some wild you days. Yes their have been a few curbs and off roading plus all 4 wheels off the ground at once tongue.gif . Never a wimper,do that in a mustang :D . Steel front 15's plenty heavy control arms, good geometry imo. It's like a Taxi chassie, built to work but yet have a decent ride. Install large sway bars it still rides good but the handling is there.
Looks, they are what they are.... A-bodys... graemlins/beers.gif
If I wanted a lite car I get a Vega, but I want a Chevelle (A-body). They aren't even that heavy imo.

Someday there may be serious academic cultural studies that delve deep into what social juxtapositions came together in creating the first musclecars (originally popularly called supercars).

I always thought that a Top Fuel dragster was the best drag racing platform, everything else is just a warm up to the main event. I guess that it has been so long since the last of the muscle era cars (more or less from '64 to '72) were made that the reasons behind their market place popularity, then and now, is an increasingly obtuse idea.

But before you spend any time deep thinking the matter, you might want to remember that a hobby must be fun above all else. It does not matter but for the few professional racers that there are other potentially better combos of parts. Fact of the matter has always been that only a very small percentage of enthusiasts will ever set foot on a track.

The way it has always been: looks and sex appeal will generally trump actual performance for most enthusiasts. It has been proven over and over again.

Thomas

When I see a tricked out Chevelle, I think Big Block . . .

When I see a tricked out 1st gen Camaro, I think hot small block . . .

When I see a tricked out 5.0 Mustang I think Fairmont ;)

Chevelle's are about that classic muscle car theme. They are by far the best car to go the quarter faster than the other guy but they can hold that v8 and they can go fast. So it boils down to if you really want a chevelle or not. In my personal opinion I think that the 240z with a built sbc would be the best car to get that v8 power with light wieght capability. They also have the classic sports car look, with a little muscle stuffed under the bonnett.

Junkyard you have a goal of an 11 sec time slip at that it will take 500 hp to get the chevelle there. A 500 hp small block cost $7500 - $10,000 your numbers.
A 500 hp big block could be built for $4000 give or take depending on how much you do yourself, plus a big block will have the torque needed to get that time slip. You have the right idea, but wrong approach.

Light weight car = high winding small block
Heavy car = Torque making (6500 max rpm) big block

Don't get too caught up in HP numbers, Torque is the other side of the equation and it just as important. At what RPM range is the torque / HP made. It takes a very different kind of motor to make 500 ft/lbs of torque and 500 hp at 5800 rpm (Big block ) verses at 8000 rpm (small block ) and what does the torque curve look like on that small block motor.

Plus the Chevelle will always be way cooler and appreciate in value verses the s-10.

I have a 67 chevelle convertible with a big block and was looking for a 66-67 chevelle to set up for drag racing. I came across a 69 camaro at a good price so I am building that for racing instead. I am building a 454 +.100 and 4.25 stroke ( 505 cu in ). I will have around $3000 in the whole motor and it should run in the 10's.

Here's a link that was posted on a Honda Civic forum a while back. The car is a 78/79 Civic with a Chevy 427 in it, runs low 5's in the 1/8 mile.

http://www.mustangforums.com/albumphoto.asp?albumid=2&asortType=1&apage=3

You can't get better power to weight ratios than that smile.gif .

To throw my $0.02 in about Chevelles and performance, I guess it all depends on how you define performance. The stock suspensions of the day weren't up to cornering very well, but they did give a very smooth ride. With enough money, any car can be made to handle and accelerate well. It may be more economical to start out with something lighter than a Chevelle, but there's just something about Chevelles that make people go "OOOH" when they see them. Plenty of room under the hood for bigger engines helps too smile.gif . The under-hood space is one of the reasons I have a '82 Caprice as my next project. I've got a 350 to put in it for now, but there's enough room for a big block! If I get a 502 (maybe 572?) to put in the Chevelle, I think I can find a way to put the 454 in the Caprice. It's still a rear wheel drive, full frame car, and the best thing is all the parts are still available from the dealer.

Are Chevelles really that good for performance?

I can guarantee you (well, almost :D ) that you will not find one person that has a Chevelle simply because it is the "best performance" option.

Most Chevelle owners, even the racers, probably chose the Chevelle primarily for its looks versus being the best candidate for performance.

That doesn't mean you can't make it perform great.

As for Chevelles being heavy, its true, but I don't think a Camaro/Nova is really that much lighter (200-400 pounds?). Yes, that weight will make a difference, but its not a huge difference, and their are endless combinations of parts and tuning so that one heavy Chevelle might beat a much lighter car...

This also says nothing for driver ability. How many times have you seen what should be a great car that just doesn't perform well becasue the driver doesn't know how to properly handle his own car?


As for the Factory Appearing Stock drags with no Chevelles. I don't know why, but alot probably has to do with weight and torque... The Chevelle is heavier than the Camaro, and with the strict rules, the combos are limited... The Buicks probably do better because they have alot of torque to get the heavier car moving in the 1/4 mile...

I used to enjoy racing my Chevelle, but I never fooled myself into thinking it was the best performing car around... But for the different cars I like, the Chevelle has the best combination of styling and performance...

Junkyard dawg, I've had both a early (67) and late (68) model chevelle and can tell you they seemed like totally different cars. The '67 was a 375 H.P. four speed car with tons of power and the 68 a 350 H.P. with an automatic. The '67 ate plugs like a small child eats candy but drove and rode much better than the later 68. It's was also about 100 lbs. lighter. That being said i still think a 67-68 Camaro makes a much better race car primarily because there is so much more available equipment for them. The '67 Camaro is roughly 300 pounds lighter than a Chevelle, has much wider frame rails so you can fit bigger headers easily and has quite a bit less frontal area so can go faster with the same power. A program i had says 8 hundreths with same weight. Truth of the matter is it's no trick to get a '67 Camaro to 3000 lbs. with a big block. Add a pair of Cal-Tracs to the leaf springs and fly. If you just got to have a Chevelle i've always liked the 65 SS with a bad small block (3200 lbs.) and now available (472" - 675 H.P.) from Scott Shafaroff. Forgot to say it is a lot easier to get big tires on the Camaro also.

Describing chevelles hum one of the hardest questions for me to answer. Is it a performance car. Depends on what you are looking for. If you are wanting just to be fast then you can make it fast. Some speed will come from engine, trans, suspension, and weight. It depends on what you are willing togo thru to get it there.

I think 11's wouldn't be hard. My 66 wieghed w/o me and bumpers and with a fiberglass hood and all the heating and ac equipment weighed 3350 pounds with a iron headed big block.

Install an all aluminum ls1 from a wrecked corvette. Thats what 400 something hp (not far from 500hp) and weighs about 300 pounds less? I am guessing at the weight reduction of the al. ls1. ( my bbc wieghed 750 fully loaded).

Let's see thats approx. pounds we are down to 3050 pounds. A used aluminum radiator from the junk yard or from one of the racing websites for used parts. Thats a couple of pounds. I am sure you can scour the junkyards for lighter seats. Some that can save at least 40 pounds combined for the front buckets. 3010 pounds.

Just trying to give you an idea.

A chevelle is style, and brute strength and even those words aren't accurate enough.

A chevelle is a chevelle and nothing compares. Id rather have a car I can look good in, take some buddies with me in comfort, and play with to make fast.

It all comes down to this. If you really loved the chevelle or malibu youd just buy it without worrying about it's performance capabilities. You buy it out of love and find a way to make it fast period.

fast Camaros, mustangs, novas are like a$$holes everyone has one. Be unigue

Todd

My '65 300(no power equip and radio delete) w/L79 weighed in @ 3015#s with headers and scattershield, and ran 12.7s @ 107mph with the first series M&H wrinklewalls available for stock classes (7" tread width). Chassis mods were front and rear shocks and one airbag, engine untouched internally.

My '67 Z28 weighed 2910#s with headers and scattershield and ran 12.6s @ 109+. Chassis mods were 4 shocks and homemade "slapper" bars with adjustable front snubbers for preload adjustments. Engine untouched internally.

My wife's '67 Malibu L79 weighed 3095#s equiped with headers/shield/PDB/AM radio. Equiped with four shocks/the other airbag it ran 12.9s with an occasional high 12.8 @ 107mph with my wife behind the wheel. It also had no internal engine mods.

All cars were weighed on the same certified scale without drivers. Both Chevelles would lift the left front tire an inch or two off while the Z never did.

The two L79s ran A/S along with the BigBlock everything else and although won consistantly locally, were a few tenths off the national records. In '68 NHRA allowed them into B/S. The Z ran C/S and held the National record for sometime. All three of these cars would ET better with their SBCs than my '64 MaxWedge Plym did before them.

Chevelle................."Lots" of room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....A-body rules!! :eek: :cool:

It's the complete car we loved!!!!!! graemlins/beers.gif

EDDY merlin.

Originally posted by Thad:
If you really want to go fast on the cheap,
I can't think of a better platform,
than an 82, to 93 Mustang.
They are light,
have a short wheelbase,
any automobile engine Ford ever made will fit,
and aftermarket parts, are plentiful, new and used. And a Chevy motor drops right in when you want to put some serious power in it graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The ultimate in sacrilege.........


Chevelles are about doin' it in style........And the ones that don't own one seem to look at all Chevelles and reference them to the LS6- the end all be all to the musclecar era.....Nuff said!

Why is this even being debated,
People here have a passion for chevelles.
Every person here has their own reason why they choose to be interested in these cars.
Maybe will consider admiration for the S-10
when there are as many devoted S-10 fans as there are chevelle fans,
But then that should be discussed
over on TEAM S-10 :D :D :D

I just love summer cruizin' and flokes,young and old male and female yell from the curb "Nice car!"or pull up at a light and ask "whats under the hood ?" My chevelle is nice from 15' away and one day when I retire I will do her justice, but there is no other way of drawing that type of "nice" attention to yourself. And I can take my whole familly (wife and 3 kids) out for ice cream on those warm summer nights. Those are some of the memories that will make me smile on my deathbed! My times are below as well as my budget. I dont know I would get that "whole package" from any other platform. Oh then there is always the "Combat Rat" :D

Milan

This thread wasn't really intended to be a debate but rather a question, and I think it's already been answered....Camaros, Novas, etc. make better race cars and Chevelles make better cruising cars. Plain and simple, cut and dry. Nothing more, nothing less. Sure you can make them fast providing you have the $$.

I had considered big blocking a Chevelle. I think it would be awesome. But where did you get a price of $4k for a bbc? Last I checked those things fetch higher $$'s than a sbc.

Alright enuff of the S-10 stuff. Yeah I already know it'll never be as cool as a Chevelle or any other old car. To me it's nothing more than a hauler/sleeper. But it's nice that I don't have to live in constant fear when I leave it alone for hours on end.

Please don't dog the Novas.....they're very nice cars. (except for the 80's wanna-be's)

(Vega, S-10, Luv, Chevette)

who would drive these?

What's wrong with an S-10? Inexpensive easy to drive, good for short trips....overall very good trucks. May not be the hottest thing on earth but it's a truck...who cares?

Luv and Vega....rust buckets, otherwise alright

Chevette...cheaply built death trap

All four of them....great for racing!

Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg:
So that's just got me wondering....if it's worth it to make a 3400-3800 lb car into the 11's? What's your take?

Thanks. Actually I think is just as much fun to take a 4000 pound car into the 10's.. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Well...while I know it's possible to do it's obviously going to take more $$ to push it than something lighter.

The thing is when I'm cruising down the street you know some dumb schmuck in his 5.0 is gonna start acting like he wants to race. As a hot rodder you know I'm gonna be tempted to put him in his place. (not that I street race but you get the idea) While most 5.0's probably don't run but maybe a low 14 on a good day when I build my car I wanna build it up to hit the 11's from the get go.

I like the muscular stance of the Chevelle....it just screams out "macho." The thought of a big block in one sounds nice.

Perhaps I'd be better off to just build a Chevelle as a nice driver and not get so hell bent over making it fast.

Hmm, Yeah it may not be the best thing for performance, I agree with just about everything everyone has said here. I think it's a good thing that it isnt the best performer "right off the lot" it's a heavy steel car, if someone crashes into you, you'll be the one walking away smile.gif And it's a good challenge to an already great start! It's so easy to buy a cheapie import and put some steriods in it, and go. You miss out on so much! I cant even begin on how much is missed out... Im glad ive had so many rust buckets and heavy steal machines. I always think about the racer honda kids who come into the place I work and just buy the cheapest NOS kit and put it on, or a spoiler (which we proudly dont sell) And lord knows those spoilers make em' go fast dont they :D ::sarcasm:: But as everyone here says to each his own. I dont dog the import kids anymore everyone likes different stuff.
But a Chevelle,
All Im Saying Is Damn
graemlins/beers.gif
I cant wait to go home and have a beer.
And do body work....

What the HECK is a Chevette anyways? :eek:

Originally posted by pnutkemist:
What the HECK is a Chevette anyways? :eek: Chevelle and a Corvette mated together?

Oh don't worry. I'm not into imports at all. I'm a Chevy guy but I'd proudly take a 5.0 over an import any day.

Originally posted by pnutkemist:
What the HECK is a Chevette anyways? :eek: A Chevette , was Chevrolets late 70's attempt at an economy car.
It was about the size and shape of a Horizon/Omni, or a VW Rabbit,
but they were rear drive.

A friend in college, stuffed a junkyard 350 into one, and had a bunch of fun untill the rear end failed.

Just buy a new 10k bike and run high 9's.

My nova is not stripped of any stock parts, and with a bar and myself it weighs around 3450, so it's no lightweight. Strip any car down so that it is not a street car and you can take out several hundred pounds, but then it's not a street car smile.gif

So a Nova isn't necessarily "light".

Decided to weigh the wife's 6 cylinder 94 mustang. Hot damn its 3372 pounds without anyone in it and a half a tank of gas.

I guess those things arn't that light either.

todd

Personal choice. I thought about a Camaro, but man, there are so mnay up here it's not funny. Nice ones too. But too many. Vette was not only high dollar,but from a few knowledgable guys, wouldn't hold up to the level of driving I wanted to do with 500hp on tap.

I think tubbed pickups are cool, but I wanted an old vehicle.

Debate it all you wnat, but for a reasonable bbc budget ( other than the 3X2 ), the big sled gets 15+ mpg on the road, and is knocking on 11's. Pretty much takes care of most Stangs/imports you see running around.

And most importantly, it looks like a nice old car.

A bunch of fellas here have their ledsleds into the 10's. That takes some doing or a big inch $$$ motor. But 11's can be done in relatively stock trim. Without alot of frame braces/mods, etc.

I've thought about what the 427/5 speed combo would do in a 2500lbs Vega! But I like the big back seat ;) tongue.gif

This thread wasn't really intended to be a debate but rather a question, and I think it's already been answered....Camaros, Novas, etc. make better race cars and Chevelles make better cruising cars. Plain and simple, cut and dry. Nothing more, nothing less. Sure you can make them fast providing you have the $$.
Personally the question seems flawed. You say lighter cars make better race cars and talk about $ to et performance yet in the same sentence say you don't want anything but a Chevy. To me this defeats the argument of the cheap fast car. You are limiting your self to one maker of car for personal favoritism, the same way we favor the heaver A body. A Mustang guy could be making the same argument to you about buying a Camaro over a Mustang. I am not attacking you just pointing out the fact that your very argument would beg for the lightest performance car. That is not a Chevelle true, but there are lighter cars then a Camaro yet you like the Chevy style and want to stick with it.

I do see your point of view but like your Chevy preference I don't think other cars hold a candle to my Chevelle.

One young mans opinion.

Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg:


I had considered big blocking a Chevelle. I think it would be awesome. But where did you get a price of $4k for a bbc? Last I checked those things fetch higher $$'s than a sbc.

(except for the 80's wanna-be's) Not for higher power levels. Look at paw get a 468 long block for like $2400-26. 4k for 500 hp is very realistic

I have not read a single post from this thread,
but With a question like Are Chevelles and Malibus really that good for performance?
I can't belive that 58 people answered it. Not trying to slam anyone, but that's got to be one silly a$$ question. That has got to come from someone who drives a eight year old Honda with a Folgers size fart can exhaust.


Rocky

Originally posted by rocks66ss:
I have not read a single post from this thread,
but With a question like Are Chevelles and Malibus really that good for performance?
I can't belive that 58 people answered it. Not trying to slam anyone, but that's got to be one silly a$$ question. That has got to come from someone who drives a eight year old Honda with a Folgers size fart can exhaust.Apparently you haven't read, for you would've read my opening line, which stated I wasn't trying to start a flame war but asking a simple question.

And for the record, no this is not a silly ass question. It's a very legitimate question if you ask me.
I wanted to build something for both show and go. Obviously there are factors to play into the "go" part. Not all automobiles are created equal. Some are better for 1/4 mile performance while others are good for driving around comfortably.

Would it be more wise to just go ahead and not do my homework before making an attempt to build what I want? Maybe I could end up with something I really don't want? Ask yourself that one.

The whole point of this topic was me doing my homework. I wanted to build a car for street and strip but since I've heard they weigh so much I wanted to hear from those who have done it, maybe there's a few tricks to the trade....I don't know.

The question has already been answered; this topic is now beating a dead horse, especially those of you who feel your rude comments are neccessary.

Whap! Whap! Whap! (I just want to flog on the dead horse a bit more). ;)

When I'm cruising in my Chevelle (El Camino), I'm already where I want to be. There's no hurry to reach any other destination.

But it's sure nice to show that "super-fast" (insert imported car name here) how a 36 year old car/truck can hang with them up top on the open road. Freaks 'em out when you're driving beside them up to around 110 and then put the pedal the rest of the way down. graemlins/waving.gif

I've only done this a few times, but it sure felt good. :cool:

Have I been rude?

Well put Chad!
It just seems my answers to silly ass questions come off as being rude, go figure beings your on a Chevelle, Malibu, Elcamino site!
Are Chevelles and Malibus really that good for performance? I don't know? maybe you should check out a nice Vega or Pinto to build. Sorry I did read the last three posts. My guess is that there are more than a few folks on this site who could give you all the show and go you could handle.


Rocky

Originally posted by Pvt.Cowboy:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg:
Pvt. Cowboy you have brought up a point, but I'm really not into crotch rockets. Yeah they might be fast but I'd rather have a car or truck. Much more practical IMO. Well, there is one way to have an undeniably light Chevelle:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4007431&a=31189018&f= </font>[/QUOTE]:eek: GEEZ!
:D graemlins/hurray.gif :D graemlins/hurray.gif
This is the funniest Chevelle I've ever seen! LMFAO! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

And I thought I cut and welded too much. :rolleyes: Sheesh!