jdub396 Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 What’s your opinion… Have a 69 Chevelle SS 396, and planning on ground up restoration. The car will be pretty “modern”, meaning 18” wheels, 4 wheel discs, Hotchkis, ext… Now for the powerplant, I’m torn. I have the original motor sitting in my loft if I ever decide to put her back original, but for now I’m looking for something else. My goal is 600-700 HP oozing reliably. The original plan was to stay with the big block w/ big cubes, maybe 572?? It’d be nice to have AL block (I want the thing to handle like my 96 Impala SS), but I an’t got the bank for that!! But lately I’ve been toying with the idea of a twin turbo LS1 motor….maybe even stroke/bore it out to 396ci, just for name sakes??? I could still reach 600 HP, and bolt up a 6-speed allot cheaper, not to mention the weight save!! Not sure if there has been many guys do this with a full frame car, but if you have, let me know how it went!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtie70SS Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Sounds like a cool project. However if you can't afford an aluminum block, I would think the twin turbos would be a little pricier. They just did a LS2 swap into a first gen Camaro in Super Chevy. How about the new LS2 based LS7? Those bad boys are factory dry sump oiling and are rated at 505HP. A little squirt of nitrous and bam you're right at your goal. I definately like the G-machine type of hot rod and am considering doing it to my 70 Chevelle. The El camino is getting "restified" though. Later Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAzYMoPaRGuY Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 I would go big cube big block, big heads and mild roller cam. The stock rear suspension would need improvement, and the frame should be a boxed frame- the convertibles had them, as well as some others. Modern stiff sidewall 18" tires will NOT hook 600-700 hp in my opinion, it would be nothing but spinning at that power level with those type of tires. The front frame horns like to sag as well in the big block cars, I would have an alignment shop check the camber and the frame could be tweaked to allow adjustment when finished BEFORE the reassembly. I've built MANY 1969 Chevelles, frame off restos every time. Why not just a stout big cube 550ish hp engine with more reliability and just as much chance of hooking? Gas is getting EXPENSIVE.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan06SS Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 572 crate from GM would be badass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgdsub72 Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 7.0L Z06 vette motor with T-56 would be freaking sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordsareslow Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Are you looking for pump gas? You don't need a 572 to make 600 hp. We have built 509's that make more than 700 hp N/A. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xero Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 just get an ls1 and s/c it! be modern with the power but give a throw back with the blower ontop??? just a thought, and BAG THAT THING and shave it! i think those chevelles are sweet layed out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub396 Posted September 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Ya...will be pump gas. If i go FI, it'll be turbo...nothing sounds better!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z06 DREAMING Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Modern stiff sidewall 18" tires will NOT hook 600-700 hp in my opinion, it would be nothing but spinning at that power level with those type of tires. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> , to keep the modern theme GM offers a great motor in the Ram-jet 502. It's fuel injected, looks great, capable of having a modest power adder, and has a stout approx 500hp out of the crate. JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevySSandChevy8.1 Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 I'd say go 502 or 572 big block chev, those will surely get you the desired hp. Plus its a muscle car go big block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub396 Posted September 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 I'd say go 502 or 572 big block chev, those will surely get you the desired hp. Plus its a muscle car go big block. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Good call... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2W402 Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 (edited) My Dad an I are also in the process of setting up blueprints to do a 67 Chevelle SS. We are looking at droping in a 572R (720). I did look at the new 427 small block that comes in the new zo6, the 7.0, but it retails for almost $20,000, but you can get one for closer to $14,000...still more expensive than the 572 or the 502 ram jet. I'd look at the 502 ram jet also, I know it has one hell of a tall deck height, so you will need one big hood scoop, but I've heard nothing but great things about that engine. Edited September 27, 2005 by vanillagorilla (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub396 Posted September 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 (edited) My Dad an I are also in the process of setting up blueprints to do a 67 Chevelle SS. We are looking at droping in a 572R (720). I did look at the new 427 small block that comes in the new zo6, the 7.0, but it retails for almost $20,000, but you can get one for closer to $14,000...still more expensive than the 572 or the 502 ram jet. I'd look at the 502 ram jet also, I know it has one hell of a tall deck height, so you will need one big hood scoop, but I've heard nothing but great things about that engine. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 572R....Nice!!! I'm looking to keep the stock hood. How much did/are you looking to pick up that 572 for?? They (Hot-rod mag)did some dyno runs on both the 572's, and they're both underated!! Edited September 27, 2005 by jdub396 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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