Please help... Engine decision?

[70rs]

Originally Posted by Nor-Cal Nick

Before you start thinking I am way off my rockers....I'm not, but my line of work brings me to ask what do all the muscle car owners fell about a diesel swap. There is the 70' that had a twin turbo duramax in it. Do most feel that is not what these cars should even think about having in it or is that something way cool? Looking for opinion. I know it's way more work than many other swaps but like I said my line of work has me thinking. I am not really sold on it just looking for opinion.

I'm pretty sold on a big block crate 502 or having a a Big block built.

I say it's your car and do what you want. There are pros and cons to any engine set up. If you have a way to make it happen and want something more unique, go for it. My personal opinion would be to go with the big block idea and add fuel injection to it. Great power, street manners (tuned right) and maybe some decent mpg.
But to each his own. Do what makes you happy with your car.

[Flash68]

Nick I would LOVE to see you swap a diesel motor into that thing. I love the Duramax Chevelle. Saw it at SEMA 2 years ago. Amazing machine.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...sel/index.html

Do it!

[70rs]

Ok, I changed my vote after seeing that article again. Killer power and even better MPG. Do the swap!!

[Nick.V70]

Originally Posted by camcojb

well, you have kind of an inside track on it, but as far as popularity or opinions I'd guess there's way more that don't get it than do.

I've seen the car in person and it's cool, but I would think most would not approve. Then again, I usually do what I want to do, but you asked opinions...............

Jody

Well after driving that twin turbo Dmax I had here I want twins on my Dmax Dually. Know what truck I am talking about

Started think WOW what they would be like in a Chevelle like the car from down south PPE had done some work on. I saw a vid on the car and it looks like it handled like crap....pushed way to hard, but over all that car is bad ass. Maybe later down the road I can think of something like this. Right now I need to stay on track and get a BBC.

Originally Posted by 70rs

I say it's your car and do what you want. There are pros and cons to any engine set up. If you have a way to make it happen and want something more unique, go for it. My personal opinion would be to go with the big block idea and add fuel injection to it. Great power, street manners (tuned right) and maybe some decent mpg.
But to each his own. Do what makes you happy with your car.

Man that is a really nice way to say...Nick you are off your rockers... ...No really thanks and it would be cool but not something this car needs to be. I told my wife and she said thatwe bought this car to get out of the truck world alittle and then here I go putting it right back into it with thinking about a Dmax engine.

Really thanks for the nice words and your post is a reason I felt I could get some real feed back and not just a hatter remark .

Originally Posted by Flash68

Nick I would LOVE to see you swap a diesel motor into that thing. I love the Duramax Chevelle. Saw it at SEMA 2 years ago. Amazing machine.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...sel/index.html

Do it!

Yea I saw it there also and feel in love with it. Maybeone day I can do something like that.

[214Chevy]

Nick, have you had time to think about the PM I sent you?

[Nick.V70]

Originally Posted by 509Chevelle

Nick, have you had time to think about the PM I sent you?

Just did

Nice car BTW!!

[70rs]

[

Man that is a really nice way to say...Nick you are off your rockers... ...No really thanks and it would be cool but not something this car needs to be. I told my wife and she said thatwe bought this car to get out of the truck world alittle and then here I go putting it right back into it with thinking about a Dmax engine.

Really thanks for the nice words and your post is a reason I felt I could get some real feed back and not just a hatter remark .


Nah, if I thought you were off your rocker I would just say so.

I think the big block with EFI is a great way to go. But with any budget concerns the EFI could wait. The D Max on the other hand would be cool. Great power and MPGs. BUT...the expense of the swap, upgrades to the motor and trans, fuel system, chassis, brakes and all the other little stuff to really make the car :right: with that drivetrain will cost a small fortune. So I guess it comes down to your budget and desires. If you can swing it and still keep the wife happy then do the Dmax. If you want something more traditional and I am guessing A LOT cheaper to finish then do the big block.
Either way, you can only get so much power to the ground(to hook anyway). So to me the big block makes more sense. Still lots of fun, cheaper in the long run and maybe a little better for resale if you ever decide to move on to another project. But the Dmax is all over the "dare to bo different" theme.

Confused yet?

[Nick.V70]

I completely hear you. I think it would be different adn cost a crap more $$ to do. For being that I am just a born again Chevelle owner I need to stay focused on more traditional direction and be happy. Maybe I will just need to put twins on my dually dmax to feed that hunger of wanting some big dmax power.

I will be dreaming of a 502 gift card in my sock from my wife this xmas

[70rs]

Originally Posted by Nor-Cal Nick

I completely hear you. I think it would be different adn cost a crap more $$ to do. For being that I am just a born again Chevelle owner I need to stay focused on more traditional direction and be happy. Maybe I will just need to put twins on my dually dmax to feed that hunger of wanting some big dmax power.

I will be dreaming of a 502 gift card in my sock from my wife this xmas

Have you ever had a chance to drive something with a 600hp big block? It's hard to describe. But with all the magazines and builds spouting off about these huge numbers (700hp LS builds, 500hp small blocks) it can get a little out of perspective as to how much power and torque there really is on tap. When you have a chance to drive something with a well built big block you will forget the Dmax idea. 600hp in a street car with good suspension and brakes is a real eye opener.
If you want something to compare to, go test drive a new Corvette. Those are rated at 430hp (I believe) at the crank. Get on it a bit on the freeway and feel the torque. Then imagine a 150hp and about the same in torque increase. You will see that 600hp is MORE than enough in a street car. And it is a total riot to play with. I have driven several Chevelles up here (local Teamchevelle.com members) with 400-500hp big blocks, TKO600 and automatic trans, some set up for corners and some for drag racing only. Only way to describe 500hp at full throttle is AWESOME!!

[Nick.V70]

Originally Posted by 70rs

Have you ever had a chance to drive something with a 600hp big block? It's hard to describe. But with all the magazines and builds spouting off about these huge numbers (700hp LS builds, 500hp small blocks) it can get a little out of perspective as to how much power and torque there really is on tap. When you have a chance to drive something with a well built big block you will forget the Dmax idea. 600hp in a street car with good suspension and brakes is a real eye opener.
If you want something to compare to, go test drive a new Corvette. Those are rated at 430hp (I believe) at the crank. Get on it a bit on the freeway and feel the torque. Then imagine a 150hp and about the same in torque increase. You will see that 600hp is MORE than enough in a street car. And it is a total riot to play with. I have driven several Chevelles up here (local Teamchevelle.com members) with 400-500hp big blocks, TKO600 and automatic trans, some set up for corners and some for drag racing only. Only way to describe 500hp at full throttle is AWESOME!!

It's been a long time sense being in a BBC classic car. I will have to find one to ride in local. Ill be the first to say I don't need any of this power but it's more like a good looking wheel, it's the "look" of what you want to see on your car. This car is not for anytype of racing so the true aspect of power is not the main focus.

All the help on this has been great to open my eye to options not thought about and also get me in line of what I need to know or look at before I waste my money on the wrong things.