Chevelle 2.0
 

Since Photobucket kinda messed up my original Chevelle 2.0 thread, I decided to just start fresh with a new one. So here goes Chevelle 2.0 again, AKA, The Blue Car.

The plan is to make this version a more dedicated track car along with some autox. The first step is to update the chassis and I decided to build my own (more or less) because my budget doesn't allow an aftermarket chassis.

This has been going on for some time so there will be an overload of pictures with or without comments just to get caught up.

As a side note, this is the first chassis I’ve built. You may see some things that don’t make sense to you or it may seem like I’m doing things the hard way, and I probably am! I’m learning as I go and ask for help when I need it.

This is the donor '66 chassis I started with:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4747/...ee213c68_b.jpg00001 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

The first thing I did was to strip it down to the bare frame.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/...8db7461b_b.jpg00006 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Next I got it sandblasted.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4718/...a59a3e89_b.jpg00007 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Then I sprayed some primer on the areas that I was going to keep.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/...905c41ec_b.jpg00008 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Once I got the frame mounted on the frame table, I installed all of the suspension from my car on to the new frame. That way I could locate the front and rear axle center lines. Once I cut the front and rear sections off the frame, I needed to know where to put the new stuff.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4661/...76eea6b7_b.jpg00009 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/...a8050f3b_b.jpg00010 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Speaking of new stuff, back when I worked at Ridetech, I bought a front clip from Scott Mock that uses C5 components.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4700/...01648899_b.jpg00012 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With the suspension mounted I was able to locate the front axle center line. To ensure I put the new spindles in the same place, I made a pair of stands that I could bolt to the hubs and table to keep things from moving around.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4768/...c528d7fb_b.jpg00013 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4757/...f0654f18_b.jpg00014 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

After I felt confident about the center line, I placed the new front clip on the frame to get an idea of where I needed to cut.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/...e7403f7d_b.jpg00015 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Instead of cutting off too much, I chose to be a little more cautious. I cut the main cross member off…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4696/...34995ccd_b.jpg00016 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

And then I followed that up with more precision cuts.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4742/...56d06cb5_b.jpg00017 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

After I was happy with the cuts, I lowered the new clip in place to see how it fit.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4748/...9bb3b389_b.jpg00018 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4663/...18feb50f_b.jpg00019 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/...b97b6380_b.jpg00020 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

After I got it in place and the fit seemed good, I needed to fine tune the location. I did that with string, bubble levels, and spacers.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4770/...f605ef86_b.jpg00021 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4607/...425b1cb7_b.jpg00022 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4660/...ecdd7ec4_b.jpg00023 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

After I was happy with its location, I tacked it in place and started figuring out how to permanently attach the clip to the side rails.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4654/...bfa218d2_b.jpg00024 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4619/...cbbda541_b.jpg00025 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4708/...62909b9f_b.jpg00026 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With that out of the way, I made a wheel fitment tool because I’m too cheap to buy one!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4630/...7da6fac4_b.jpg00027 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With my new tool, I was able to mount a 315/30-18 tire and adjust the back space to simulate a wheel to check for clearance around the frame and suspension components.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/...cd4a95af_b.jpg00028 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4715/...3868b0c5_b.jpg00029 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Next comes the rear suspension…

Its looking like a great start!!! Subscribing.

Herb, I can’t wait to see more. I have to say that I wasn’t aware you no longer are with RideTech. Where have I been?
What drivetrain will this have? 315’s all around....me likey!

Nice Herb!!

Sweet!! That wheel fitment tool is ingenious. I wish that I was half as smart.

Thanks!

Thanks Scott! Yeah, I left Ridetech in June 2016 so I could use my GI Bill before it expired. Time flies and I didn't want to wake up one day and it be too late. After leaving Ridetech I enrolled in a two year welding program at Vincennes University. It's a decent program but unfortunately it's geared more towards pipe and structural welding, which is a lot different than motorsports welding.

The engine is an all aluminum 509" big Chevy. The trans is still a question and the rear is a full floater 9".

Front will be 18x11 w/ 315s and the rear will be 18x12 w/ 335s.

Thanks Greg! How have you been doing?

Thanks! I'm not sure if the tool idea was ingenious but it did save me some money!