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Does anyone know a good site or forums where i can learn about muscle car engines, particulary about chevrolet engines.

I like a lot the 1/4 mile and a friend that runs an old chevelle gave me a 454 engine so i can start on the crate.

So if anyone knows any place where i can read about mods, parts or anything please tell me.

Thanks

 
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Ahhh muscle cars

I learned everything i know about Chevy muscle cars from a magazine called Chevy High Performance. Great magazine, with lots of technical features and project cars. Here is the website to get your startedhttp://www.chevyhiperformance.com.

PS: what car are you planning on putting the 454 into? What year Chevelle does your friend have?

 
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ill just state it now, no flaming on the domestic guys. we don't need anymore auto discrimination...

 
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Thanks Ramones..

i dont know much about Chevys im just starting i think his chevelle is a 1970 SS red with white stripes..

for my 454, i really dont know.. i like a lot the 1st gen camaros but they are insanely expensive, i may end with a chevelle or el camino.. or even worse a nova

thanks for the site info i will give it a read..

 
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70 Chevelle great car.

Here is a bit more help if you neeed it:

Yes if you're on a budget then stay away from the popular Chevy cars: 66-70 Chevelle, 1st gen Camaros, pretty much all year Vettes, 66-67 Nova, and the earlier Impalas.

El Caminos are built right off the Chevelle platform, but are less desireable so you should be good with prices. 68-72 Novas have the same suspension as the 1st gen Camaros. Because of the lighter body so this is probably the best setup for fast drag car. Also these are the cheapest of the Chevy muscle cars right now.

With a built 454, built Turbo 350 tranny (Turbo 400 prefered), 12 bolt rear end (Ford 9inch is prefered), quick suspension work (like taking off the front sway bar to get better weight distibution to the rear tires), and some drag slicks the Nova can probably hit low 11's

 
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i still dont know how to build the engine because we are at 5400ft .. So FI is kinda appealing to me.

Something like a Twin to Quad Turbo would be interesting but i think i will have to wait for that in the case because of $$$, the proyect would grow slowly...

On other thing, i was researching on Root Blowers but they are practically OWNED by turbo power..

I still have not researched prices but i must guess a root blower isnt cheap too..

Thanks for the input so far..

 
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My friend had a 502 Built up and put it into an S-10 regular cab. I think it was much better than his vega, so I would look into buying a used S-10 to run it in. He was pulling low 8 sec 1/4 miles. Think he also had a th400 tranny W/ manual valve body, and to mount the motor, he had a plate instead of the usuall motor mounts. The plate bolts to the front of the motor.

 
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It's a great magazine, I read it as well. I plan on getting an older Camaro after I get my Automotive Technician Certificate.

 
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Big block chevys love carbs! The bigger the better! I used to run dual double pumpers with giant jets in them! 427 + 454s need tons of fuel. They arn't really turbo friendly and superchargers are great but not for long LOL Have fun!!

 
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I had a 650 double pumper on my 400SB and when I got on the gas, It smoked the tires forever,,,,,,and drained the bowls so quick the floats would stick,,,,,so make sure if you go carb..... make sure it's a big one. I would go with a barry grant for drag racing.

 
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I had a 10.5 second 74 camaro. I miss being fast but I don't miss the gas bills and the shitty handling haha.

 
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haha. ... I miss this lingo.

I had two 450 CFM Vacum Secondaries on a Victor Jr. high rise. sucked the gas back something awful.

 
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i only plan to use it on the track (towed) so gas is not a problem..

im still a noob on this.. the 454 i got is carbed, i think is the stock one, the engine looks pretty beat up i dont know if it even runs..

 
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The parts in that motor are huge!!! When you rebuild it make sure you get it balanced! 454 blocks are really expensive!!

 
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very $$ and a lot of engine. what do you plan to put this in?

 
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GO S 10,,,,,around 86 87,,,,not the new style.

 
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hehe.. i still dont know.. i may buy 2 cars.. an old nice one like chevelle, firebird or camaro to restore, and while restoring maybe a nova or in the case a S10, what ever i can find.

So far i have found a lot of old Malibus, Caprice and MonteCarlos...

here are a couple of lil trucks running 10s with nitrous and drag radials, i dunno whate engine tho..


EDIT: i still have that POS of CRX i bought (old idea of FWD drag car) maybe i will make a huge hole the front for the 454 and another huge hole in the back for some REAL BIG slicks hahaha

 
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you can get 9's out of a 350 small block. I got 10's on my old one. I wouldn't put a 454 into something without a **** load of frame to work with. It's gonna have to be really strong. I've seen those engines twist a 68 Firebird to the point where the windshield shattered on take off.

 
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yummmmmm big motor i think i want to do one of three engine choices eventually with my dak being that its mopar i hope you dont feel like im thread jacking i was thinking stroked 360 to 408...... r3 race block mopar from 340 to 427 or the monster find a wreacked viper and use it as a donor vehicle to accomplish the 3rd (maybe 4th) viper dakota

 
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i want more power, FI if possible because of altitude.. 5400ft over sea..

i still wanna know more about suspension mods and all that can involve chassis modification...

any extra info to read would be appreciated..

and about that twisting chassis, what would be good then?


Edit: hmm mopar.. i was a mopar fan once.. i even had a running 440 *that i didnt know what was till i sold it because the parts were mad expensive.
i was owned by myself.. i sold it so cheap

 
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When Chevelle's launch, they tend to twist the body so that the power goes to the right rear tire and lift the left front wheel. This creates the problem of having only one tire getting power (posi units don't fully cure this problem). You have to get a cushion for the right rear wheel that will actually level out the car upon launch. Some spring companies make drag spirngs so you should look into those as well.

As for twisting chassis, a roll cage would help minimize this. Also i think some people weld subframe connectors to stiffen things up.

Forced induction can get tricky when you're doing turbo. It is pretty much hit and miss with small blocks and I've never seen a bigblock with turbos before. Engine bay space is the hard part as piping must be custom made and this will cost mucho $$$$$. Blowers are easier to install but them you have it sticking out of you're hood. I personally like the sleeper look and if indeed you're big block 454 is not running then build a big cubic inch small block. Read small blocks can go to 454+ cubic inches on pump gas (look of a small block but with big block power ).