chevelle

I just bought a 1971 chevelle malibu project car, i plan on making it an ss clone, and i am looking for your guys opinion, would it be better to put a 454 ls6 engine in it or ls5, the ls6 wasnt offered that year from what i have read, but it is 450 hp:grinyes: . and what does it take to make an ss clone, from what i've seen online to go from a chevelle malibu to an ss all that is needed is the emblems, a cowl induction hood, and a ss dash. and one more question, in your opinion what was the best year for the chevelle, i say its 71, whats your take?
Thanks

u guys r so helpful:banghead:, come on, no one has an opinion?

Not sure bout tha SS clonin, but tha '70 Velles were tha best to me. Tha ls6 also has 500lbs of torque in case ya didnt knoe.

'70 is considered the "pinnacle" year for muscle cars in general, and the Chevelle is no exception. In '71, compression ratios went through the floor... (10.5:1 engines became 8:1 overnite...). Big Chevys NEED the compression when using parts from that era. LS-6 was offered in '70. It was a "dealer option" after that, due to emmissions. Kinda like LS-7 (460 HP) was NEVER factory-installed. Dealer ONLY... Of course, during this era, I lived in California, and the cars supplied to the "49" might be different. I know for sure, by '72, it was ALL gone...

I would recommend a modern build versus the old stuff. One can make much more power than those, and still be pump-gas "friendly". You can't use 93 octane with 11:1. If you have a 454 block, that's all you need to get started. Put an Eagle 496 together with oval-port heads (aftermarket) and make 500 with ease, and not so rowdy you can't drive it.

E-mail me direct for a "package". Be sure to define your performance requirements.

Jim

The best year for Chevelle is the 1968 SS396.:rofl: The car has style, class, and it is very unique in design.:) As far as making a clone, there are a variety of books and information sources out there. Another idea would be to look at GM part #'s and see if there are any differences in that year.:iceslolan