Which engine to choose for Chevelle?

[mlcraven]

x2

just because theyre in the magazines doesnt mean there are a million of them rolling around on the streets

throw an iron 6.0 in it with a good set of heads and a cam and be happy, carb or efi is up to you

Your final choice -- a classic stroker small block -- makes good sense; barrels of fun without spending buckets of $$$. For those concerned about "boring", quite frankly I think the BBC option is overdone and over-hyped. As for the LS phenomena, its popularity in enthusiast mags is probably a reflection of the influence of the advertising department and the desire to have fresh content (but not so fresh anymore, now that the next gen Chevy 'small block' is coming out!).

[yellomalibu]

Decision made and engine built....383 stroker.

Tell us about it. What heads, cam, intake? Carb or bolt-on EFI?

[Beagle]

Modern aluminum heads on an "old school" 383 will be a hoot. It's hard to argue with the torque you can make with the inches!

The LS's big benefit in my mind is decent heads right off the bat. You don't have to go out and buy heads, but that's the biggest benefit I see. You put decent heads on a roller cammed 383, and I don't think you're giving up much of anything to "new" school - at least at the 500 hp mark. Beyond that, yeah, we've all heard plenty of boost it to the moon stories.

I can't see what manifold but it's got a helluva pad on it - if it's a single plane I would definitely agree with P-body on EFI...

I was gonna answer Boss '9 but ... grin. Nevermind. haha. Need Details!

[MR P-BODY]

While I see you went old school you could at least put a Fast injection
system on it and pick up power and mileage... IF I owned a GM I would
have gone with a LS... more power and lighter weight on the nose... if
you wanted more power yet.. a single or twin turbo with 8-10 pounds
of boost and still get the mileage..... I am finishing up a Mopar right
now(a Dodge Rampage little PU) its old school with a 416ci SB but I
am in the process of picking up a Gen 3 hemi for it

[sycopath]

big chevy

alumanium head 540 9 or10. to 1 tire frier

[oldsman71]

that will work!!

[Big Dave]

Decision made and engine built....383 stroker.

[Buckeye]

5.3 with twin turbo's 500-600hp with 5k or less and 20+mpg and ac

[Bucky67]

Here are the specs to the BB that I had built:

468 Cubic Inches (Dyno’d at 611 HP and 618 FT LBS of TQ Dyno'd by Comp Cams, Memphis TN)
• Full MSD Digital Ignition to include a MSD Pro-Billet Distributer (Entire Ignition is custom mounted under the dash)
• Holley 4150HP 870 CFM Carburetor (Custom Tuned)
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake (Ported to match Heads)
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads (Ported & Polished, Gasket Matched)
• Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Waterpump
• Pete Jackson “Noisy” Geardrive
• Speed Pro 10.44 Forged Piston
• Comp Cams Hydraulic Roller Cam (Magnum- 278/278 Lift Intake/Exhaust, 232/232 Duration @ .50”, 110 Lobe Seperation)
• Comp Cams Hydraulic Lifters, Valve Springs, & Titanium Push Rods
• Crane Gold Series Roller Rockers
• Custom Hand-Made Tig-Welded Valve Covers
• Custom Spectre Dual Plenum Air Intake System (Completely Polished)
• Summit Stage II Connecting Rods (Pressed Fit)
• Forged Crank (Been completely balanced and hand/machine polished)
• Griffin Aluminum Radiator with Electric Fan
• Hooker Super Comp Heads- Jet Hot Coated by Nitro Plate in Nashville
• Full 3” Flowmaster Exhaust W/ Supper 44 Mufflers

[Bucky67]

I have a 468 in Jade and I Love it!! I wouldn't go LS if someone paid me. Well, I guess it all depends on how much.... Ha Ha.

But in all seriousness, the 468 is backed by a TKO600 built by Keisler Engineering and I Love that combo. The only thing I wish I would have done was go with an EFI set up instead of carburated. Don't get me wrong, I Love the HP870 sitting on top of my Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake, but it'd be nice to just to start Jade up and go. Not only that, but fuel mileage would improve slightly.

I average around 15 MPG on each tank with the best coming in at 17.3. I have 4.10:1 gears out back and I'm running a 18" wheel combo. For me, cruising at 70 MPH is right around 2300 RPM's... For next year's Power Tour, I'm probably going to install 3.73:1 in the 12-bolt.

[bishir]

You'll regret the BB if you're building it for power tour type drives. Hello 10 mpg and a quart of oil every two or three fill ups...
Been there... Though you can't beat the sound...

I've pondered swapping my BB out for an lq4 or lq9 for sometime but it just doesn't seem right. An aftermarket efi and a gear vendor unit would make drive ability much better and retain the period look, but definitely at a cost...

[BOOOGHAR]

LS1TECH.COM will have all your answers

[Big Dave]

Thanks for your offer oj. I'm sure we'll have many conversations. I'm meeting with Jeff Skinner of Engines Power Systems next week. He's suppose to be the LS guru in my part of the country. I plan to have the drivetrain all in and working properly before moving on the the suspension. If everything goes well I plan to take the Chevelle on PT next year. Again thanks for the offer.

[oj]

I'm reading these comments and thanks so much for them. I haven't decided what direction to in yet. I've got to get a lift installed in my shop and once that's done it will be time to get down to business. Much to ponder in the meantime. But I already know that the entire suspension will have to be updated. As the build begins I'll continue to look for suggstions.

I've pretty well been bumper to bumper on the '66: 9" rear, Hotchkiss suspension & coil-overs; detroit speed tube control arms, dropped spindle & swaybar on the front; detroit speed power steering box; billet specialties; fabricated radiator; tremec 6spd; mcloed 2disc, quicktimes sfi can; wilwood brakes; vintage air underdash; etcetc
If you have questions about a product or installation give me a shout. I spent about a year and a half adding all this stuff into the '66, after each major piece of work the car was put back together, debugged and driven for a while. I just stuffed the engine in it and on Monday it got to Kooks' for headers, they are doing stainless out the back and should have it next week. Don't ask about the hood - that has yet to be made.

[Russell]

Lol how about a LT1 w/ 200 shot!