1971 Chevelle Duramax Swap and Build

[unfinished business]

After 14yrs of trying to buy my first car back, I finally got the call I have been waiting for. The car literally sat in a damp garage for 14 years, but believe it or not, I primed the oil pump, put a battery in it and poured some gas in the carb and it fired up! I actually drove it home...thank god it was on 15 min away lol.

The car is an almost original (carb and intake swap only) 71 Chevelle that my dad and I bought many years ago and rebuilt. It is nothing crazy, just a 307, PG Trans, and an 8.2 with 3.08 gears .

So, I got to thinking about what I was going to do with it. BBC? LS Swap? Procharged SBC?

Well, I am very happy I sent a text to Russ at RPM Motorsports. We went over TONS of different options and I finally decided a Duramax with a Th400 would be the ticket for me. Unfortunately, he is ALL the way across the country from me, but the shippers literally just picked my car up, and Russ should have it sometime next week!

This will be a street car and weekend racer. I plan to drive this car as a nice weather DD, get 20 plus MPG and run pretty quick at the track.

Either way, more details to follow. I will keep this thread up to date, and I am sure Russ will add some details as he goes as well. This should be a wild ride!

I will post some "before" pics in a bit.

Paul

[WVRigrat05]

Subd

[CarolinaHD]

Subadubdub

[unfinished business]

Pics attempt 1

[N2BRK]

Nice! Congrats. Should be awesome

[Tothemax]

[D1rty-max]

Subd!!!

[THEFERMANATOR]

I would seriously consider a 4l85e if you plan on driving it alot. Overdrive and lockup should help out alot with highway running, and lockup really helps with a diesel imo.

[unfinished business]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

I would seriously consider a 4l85e if you plan on driving it alot. Overdrive and lockup should help out alot with highway running, and lockup really helps with a diesel imo.

Excellent point sir. Russ is actually going to try test fitting a 4l80e and we will see where things go from there. We are both hoping it will fit with little to no modifications to the floor/tunnel.

[zakkb787]

I'm actually with THEFERMANATOR. Was the first thing I thought of but being a new guy didn't wanna make an idiot of myself. No overdrive is gonna seriously limit you in top end speeds.

[RPM Motorsports]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

I would seriously consider a 4l85e if you plan on driving it alot. Overdrive and lockup should help out alot with highway running, and lockup really helps with a diesel imo.

Picked up a core 4L80 this last weekend. Will mock it up once we get the factory equipment removed, and see how much sheet metal would need come out. The 400/GV setup has worked flawless for years, Rick still daily drives his Chevelle, but would really like the 80 in there if we don't have to cut too much out. Looks like the Chevelle will be here at some point today.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Theres not a huge diffetence in size between a th400 vs a 4l80e. The gear vendor is another option, but I would go 4l80e any day of the week for a lockup converter. If you go 4l80e, I would look for a 4l85e out of a van since it already comes with the best of oem pieces, wider band, and solid shafts. Cuts down on some of the pieces needing upgraded to hold up to big power.

[malibu795]

4l80 will fit in a G-body tunnel, pretty sure it will fit in the Chevelle just fine.

[A. Stock Lbz]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

Theres not a huge diffetence in size between a th400 vs a 4l80e. The gear vendor is another option, but I would go 4l80e any day of the week for a lockup converter. If you go 4l80e, I would look for a 4l85e out of a van since it already comes with the best of oem pieces, wider band, and solid shafts. Cuts down on some of the pieces needing upgraded to hold up to big power.

Th400 lockup converters are available.

[RPM Motorsports]

Originally Posted by A. Stock Lbz

Th400 lockup converters are available.

I have an M&M lockup 400 available if needed, really banking on the 4L though. Car finally showed up after some delivery drama, should be ready to dig in by Friday.