Newbie with a 70' Chevelle and dreams!
 

Fellas,

What a sweet find with this message board. I've been into the GM perf scene for a while now, but not with an F-body, however with a fat B-body instead! I recognize a lot of people on here from the tri-state area and from PowerTour! I've done PT the past 3 years and what a great time it is!

So then, my new project is a 1970 Chevelle SS. I'm planning on a classic look, black with orange rally stripes, keeping most chrome, but with subtle mods like shaved drip rails and some molding delete. I plan on running Black ZR1 wheels with Willwood brakes and Hotchkis TVS suspension. I'm on the fence when it comes to doing a rack and pinion, but it's somthing I'd really like to do. I want this car to drive like an M5 when I'm done with it and I'd really like some feedback on how I can acheive this and what NOT to skimp on when creating a durable tight ride in a classic package. For drivetrain I plan on using an LS6 I aquired from a ZO6 and T-56, an aluminum shaft to the stock built 12 bolt 3:42. (Powertour gear!)

If anyone has the best resource for chevelles please let me know. Also if there is a pro-touring club in NJ/NYC area, I'd also love to get involved. I currently road race my Impala and I plan to do he same with the Chevelle.

Thanks,
Matt Yembo
95' Impala SS, www.beasst.org
70' Chevelle SS

Sounds like a great plan and a great vehicle choice! Here's your first piece of advice: 3.55 or 3.73 gears! You have a .5 OD in that T56 and a lot of weight to move. :yes:

There are no bolt in rack & pinion setups for A-bodys yet so you may have to concede that one unless you're willing to do a lot of customization.

You already found the best online site for g-Machining/Pro-Touring. Now how about joining us at THE BEST online site for El Caminos & Chevelles?

www.chevelles.com :thumbsup:

Derek and Randy, there's another Impala owner in the house! :D

Welcome to the site, Matt. :thumbsup:

Welcome!! Another great car in the works!!! :thumbsup:

I know Dan Kuehn likes his 70 Chevelle with Hotchkis suspension....lots of track time on that car!!!

Welcome to the site.

:thumbsup: :clap:


Welcome to the Lat-G. :cheers:

Randy

Thanks Guys!
 

Randy, your El Camino is what made me join this site! I plan on doing a very similar setup as your car and would love to get some wheel info from you! Great videos too! I can't wait to have the cowl flap open at WOT down a straight away!

Good to see some Impala guys too! I've run some driving schools at Limerock and people are always suprised when the big Impala laps the Audis and Bimmers! lol. The fat girl can handle! I felt a nasty vibration over 100mph on Powertour so I'm doing an entire PST extreme duty front end rebuild this saturday.

I've attached some pics of what the chevelle looks like now. Ouch I know but the floors, doors, roof and frame are mint and I wanted all new sheetmetal anyway instead of nice paint over poor repairs that breed rust! Can't wait to start, just have to finish the garage now! lol And yes it was purple and even came with a Kiss Alive record in the trunk! lol

Welcome! A-bodies can be fun!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

Awesome! Glad to hear it. It's great seeing old iron being rescued! If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. :yes:

Welcome aboard man! I have a 70 Chevelle as well. Currently awaiting a paint job but shooting for the same goal, LSx swap and driveability! Good luck with your project.

:thumbsup: LT1 B-bodies AND Pro-Touring Chevelles - Now all he needs is a Model T. :lol:

I love your Impala, and look forward to seeing progress updates on the Chevelle. :cool:

Midwest Impala Guys
 

Good to meet some midwest Impala Fellas. I was out to Michigan for the MISSL/ISSCA sponsored Dreamapalooza event in 2001 and it was great! If you keep in the B-body club scene at all you might remember. It's interesting how much B-body parts are used for mods. Spindles, brakes, and other stuff make for some nice A-body upgrades. But I really want this car to be almost TransAm-ish so I'm keeping it light and nimble.

My '69 Malibu has the LT1/4L60e, and quick-ratio steering box from a wrecked '95 9C1 in it. :)

I haven't been involved in the Impala clubs, but I am a regular poster in the wagon section at www.impalassforum.com . :cool:

re
 

Be sure to work out the angles on the suspension.
I've seen way too many nice cars on the alignment rack
that look good, have a great drivetrain, etc. but the control arms
at ride height run at a 30 degree angle.
I know you know this but its my pet peeve.
Good luck and keep us updated. :thumbs up:

Control Arms
 

yeah thats what I'm worried about when mix matching parts. I know Hotchkis is so commerical, but their stuff works and I've seen the results. And I'd love to design a fully adjustable front end like Steilow, but I think I know enough to know I should NOT tackle it. lol I've recently compared the new M5 to the new Charger SRT8 and then to the Trailblazer SS. Each are unique in their feel, but they all handle the road so well with the right amount of feel. I don't really want hardcore race car feel, but that even level of comfort and performance. However I fight myself with that statement all the time. lol I jump from my Impala which is very track ready into a new charger and say, wow this is nice. lol In reality it can't hold a corner really hard without understeer!

Right now I'm leaning toward global west arms, standard height spindle and Hotchkis springs. Now to make it work without rubbing... Anyone have opinions about which is better, drop spindles or drop springs? I'm torn...cause sus. travel is great to have, but not when it's up into the fenders and my frame is draggin!

Great information in this thread. This links you to page 11 but I suggest you read all 16 pages.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...115654&page=11

^+1 for reading the above there are definitely better and cheaper options to use rather than Global west especially when it comes to upper arms. Good to see another chevelle around good luck with the project.

re
 

Great artical, thanks.
Most people don't appreciate all thats involved with fe geomitry.
Let alone the full suspension package.

Good post
 

Keith,

Thanks for the article, and yeah I did go back and read the whole thing. A lot of key players seem to be involved in the discussion too.

Welcome to the site,Matt. Lots of us hardcore A-Body nuts hang around here or over at Team Chevelle.

Welcome! So many kick @$$ 70 Chevelles popping up all over. Could it possibly become the next '69 Camaro? Like the '57 Chevy before it? That would rock!

I think so!
 

Oh I think so, and the Chevelle just seems so much more prone to being a pro-touring machine with the full frame and coil spring suspension over the F-body's leafs and crazy outboard shocks. Detroit Speed does amazing things to the rear of those cars, but it's big work! The Chevelle barely needs a minitub, if even! The weight is the only factor, but I see a huge TramsAm resurgence coming in America. Sports car racing is becoming huge and trickling to Drifting, which is fun and skilled, but too much like gymnastics in my mind when it comes to scoring.

So from all the posting and reading, I'm liking ATS alot, but I'm torn on Control Arms. I don't want my alignment shop to take a look and go HUH? It's easy enough to figure out, but?? Decisions, decisions.

Does anyone know a good powder coater in the NY/NJ area?