The lesson we all learn about cars is that there are two ways to make them faster: you either add horsepower or you remove weight. Most of what we cover involves adding horsepower. Removing weight is the stuff of serious racers and Lotus. But what if you do both? The benefits grow exponentially. A 450-horse small block in a third-generation Camaro is a fun street car. That same 450-horse small block in a Chevrolet Chevette will elevate your blood pressure, tighten your sphincter, and cause you to question your own sanity. Yet, forum member “Tubbed Chevette” is planning on doing just that with this 1978 model. Purchased as a “finish it yourself” Pro Street-style build, he bought into an already well-set-up ride. The rear has been tubbed and a narrowed Ford 9″ with a Strange center came with the car, as well as the tube frame and the full roll cage. As for the engine and transmission, an early 1990s small block and TH400 are being prepared for the car, which will be a street/strip machine when finished.
In a car that is quick with a stock GM V6 swapped in, a warmed-up small block should be a radical proposition, and that is the base build. Eventually, Tubbed Chevette wants to move on to a blower motor for the rolling M&M, because why the hell not? At least he understands that wheelie bars are a necessity: “I’ve seen way to many of the cars end up on their lid after a wheelie.”
Forum Link: Just Another Chevette…
In the late 80’s early 90’s Jerry Smith then owner of Performance Products Speed and Machine in Decatur, AL ran a similar tubbed Chevette very successfully in many different Gas Classes all around the SE, with many different size smallblock Chevies. I can’t recite the hp numbers achieved but they were way north of 450 without a blower, many different combinations.
It was a Doug Nash 5 speed and although I though it would be “evil handling” w/ short wheelbase he always seemed as I recall to keep it in his lane and off the wall.
Chevette!
These grot-boxes were built in the UK by Vauxhall and were one of the few cars sold with built-in rust from new. They were a slightly slower alternative to walking and you could drive a few miles before the car crumbled to dust around you. But the Chevette HS was the one to have -16v Lotus developed engine and a sexy body kit and rally-bred performance. A modern equivalent would have a 16v Vauxhall engine and a more radical bodykit – but that’s all she wrote as they’ve all rusted away by now!
The Ford Fiesta provided the death blow for this abortion and the Chevette emigrated to the USA to carry on rusting away and clogging up traffic – nice to see that at least one survived and its just begging to be finished!
Cool! It just so happens, I’m deep into a similar build. 78-79 chevette 2dr wagon, being prepped for big block chevy! Yes, 496ci of pissed off bbc, with nitrous in the plans. Oh yeah, & its also a radial, small tire class build, I’m a sucker for a challenge!!!