{"id":551574,"date":"2017-03-15T01:39:12","date_gmt":"2017-03-15T08:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bangshift.com\/?p=551574"},"modified":"2017-03-14T09:16:29","modified_gmt":"2017-03-14T16:16:29","slug":"car-feature-wagon-woah-an-in-depth-look-at-the-awesome-1965-chevy-ii-longroof-of-dan-allen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangshift.com\/bangshift1320\/car-feature-wagon-woah-an-in-depth-look-at-the-awesome-1965-chevy-ii-longroof-of-dan-allen\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Feature: Wagon Woah – An In-Depth Look At The Awesome 1965 Chevy II Longroof of Dan Allen"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) –\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Success can be measured many different ways.\u00a0 In the gearhead world winning any kind of event can certainly illustrate the culmination of effort and resources.\u00a0 One of the best aspects of gearhead life is that success is not confined to podium finishes.\u00a0 For many the journey can be a \u2018win\u2019.\u00a0 Simply making it to an event or getting a car running can be a \u2018win\u2019.\u00a0 Truthfully, it is one of the few endeavors that just participating in the modern era is worthy of mention. \u00a0I believe, per capita, true, capable motorheads are not as numerous as they once were.<\/p>\n

The story of this subtle-looking Nova wagon is one of more than simple participation.\u00a0 Danny Allen exemplifies the gearhead mantra and determination as he turned his talents and vision into this unassuming grocery-getter.\u00a0 Setting realistic goals and pushing yourself to do more goes a long way.<\/p>\n

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What you see here is the car looking nearly as it was when purchased in 2014.\u00a0 The louvers manually punched into the hood skin then blended and rough painted to match is the biggest deviation in appearance since he got it.<\/p>\n

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We are particularly fond of the aero package on this car which includes this awesome piece of equipment we hope provides downforce.\u00a0 Danny states the car is super stable nearing 180mph.<\/p>\n

On the street the rolling stock consists of innocent-looking rally wheels and Cooper Cobra radials.\u00a0 For land speed events and drag racing it rolls on Billet Specialties Street Lites that were bead-blasted then coated with satin clear.\u00a0 These are wrapped in Mickey Thompson 27×10.5 ET Streets and Goodyear 25×5.50 Front Runners.<\/p>\n

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We took these photos at the last ECTA Ohio Mile event in late September 2016.\u00a0 The car was still wearing all its grime and glory after successfully completing Drag Week earlier in that month.<\/p>\n

The suspension up front consists of a TCI Pro-Touring front clip and Air-Ride coilovers with Wilwood 4-piston braking.\u00a0 Out back features a 4-link, Air-Ride coilovers, and the same Wilwood brake setup.\u00a0 Straight-forward and no-nonsense.\u00a0 The rear wheel wells were given a 1.5\u201d mini-tub job to clear the tires.\u00a0 The frame rails were not moved.<\/p>\n

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Once you get past the home-built (his first ever), 8.50-certified cage work \u2013 the interior appears largely stock and functional.\u00a0 The gauges, a couple switches, and the Kirkey seat (only used when racing)are the only easily-seen deviations from what the General originally gave it.\u00a0 What you can\u2019t see is the hidden 10lb fire bottle and a serious sound system used mostly for long-distance trips.\u00a0 Tunes come by way of Re Audio in the form of a Bluetooth amp, 6\u201d speakers in the kick panels and 4×6\u201d speakers in the toolbox.\u00a0 A JL Audio 12\u201d subwoofer in the fake spare tire is powered by a JL 500w amp hidden in the quarter panel.<\/p>\n

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Now the part which makes this a wolf in sheep\u2019s clothing.\u00a0 After the failure of his previous Livernois-sourced LS Pro Series 404ci after only 3 track passes and 2,200 street miles \u2013 Danny had to cut his losses and come up with a new plan.\u00a0 A rusty 70,000-mile, 2007 Trailblazer LS2 was purchased and disassembled.\u00a0 It was ball-honed, new rings were filed for boost, and ARP bolts and studs replaced the originals.\u00a0 LS9 head gaskets are squeezed between the block and ported LS2 heads from the fore-mentioned Livernois package.\u00a0 A Holley mid-rise intake, stock LS2 throttle body, and Fuel Injector Clinic 1650cc injectors top it off.\u00a0 Junkyard coils were thrown on and a CompCams trunion upgrade spiffed up some used, stock rockers. \u00a0Pushing huge amounts of air during Drag Week were a pair of Garrett 60-1 turbos.\u00a0 Following Drag Week this was upgraded to Garrett ball-bearing GTW3884R 67mm units. Cooling that pressurized air is a Treadstone 1000hp intercooler.\u00a0 \u00a0Danny and a friend made the 1 7\/8 primary headers which terminate on T4 flanges.\u00a0 3.5 inch full-length exhaust utilizing 4 Vibrant bullet mufflers keep the sounds near neighbor-friendly levels.<\/p>\n

Backing up the home-built mill is a 4L80E by Turner Transmissions.\u00a0 It features 300m shafts, 36-element promod drum, Jakes transbrake, and a Trans Specialties torque converter.\u00a0 The rotational force is sent back to the Currie-built 9\u201d via a Driveshaft Shop carbon-fiber, one-piece shaft.\u00a0 The differential is filled with 3.50 gears spinning on a Detroit TrueTrac.\u00a0 A Holley Dominator PCM controls the engine, trans, boost, and traction control with configuration talent provided by Eric Sgambellone at Crucial Performance.\u00a0 The car runs best on E85, but will run using most any unleaded gas with input from its GM flex-fuel sensor.<\/p>\n

So what kind of performance did this 29-year-old get out of the 2-car garage build\u2026?<\/p>\n

Besides surviving Drag Week 2016, it ran a best of 9.53 at 151mph on 16.5 psi (with the old turbos).<\/p>\n

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At \u00a0the Ohio Mile it was certified to run 175mph and no quicker.\u00a0 Being a rookie, Danny had to progress through the 125 and then 150mph stages to reach the 175mph goal his first weekend out.\u00a0 With the car blowing through the converter and at only part-throttle through the lights (verified with the data logger) it ran a tick over 178mph.
\nWe were there and once he reached his max the race tires switched to streets and the parachute swapped to a trailer hitch for the drive back home.\u00a0 He has put about 5,000 miles on his self-built motor, 30+ track passes and three runs at the Ohio Mile.\u00a0 The car can make more boost and certainly once the last few safety items are completed this car should eclipse the 200mph mark.\u00a0 I\u2019d say all of this is sums up to a huge win even without a trophy presentation.<\/p>\n

Success can be reached even without deep pockets.\u00a0 Danny thanks many friends and family for helping him along with this project.\u00a0 That is one component few can reach success without.<\/p>\n

Enjoy.<\/p>\n

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