1966 Chevrolet Chevelle – Thatyellowchevelle @thatyellowchevelle
FollowVehicle Quick Facts
Profile ID: 29047
Year: 1966
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Chevelle
Markets: Classic & Antique, Muscle Car, Performance, Racing, Resto-Mod
Vehicle Type: American
Contact: Justin Nall
Vehicle Story
Sponsors: Viking Performance, UMI Performance, TPI Specialties, Rocket Racing Wheels, Fast Freddies Rod Shop, Bigbrakeupgrade.com
Keep track of the build with additional upgrades and changes on instagram @thatyellowchevelle
Technical Details:
VEHICLE
Year/Make: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Current mileage: Unknown
ENGINE
Make/year: 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.0 LQ4
Current cid: 364 ci
Bore/Stroke: Stock
Crankshaft: Stock
Pistons: Wiseco Forged Flat Top
Connecting rods: Callies H-beam
Compression ratio: 10.3:1 Static
Engine built by: Jakson Stevens of (city/state): Rousemount, MN
Machine work (be as specific as possible): Hone/Clean/Deburr
Name of shop (city & state): TPIS ( Tuned Port Induction Specialties) Chaska, MN
Oil pan: 2002 Camaro f-body pan with Improved Racing Baffle kit
Oil pump: Melling Replacement
Other modifications (windage tray/lower support): Crank scraper ( Ishihara-Johnson), Improved Racing oil pan baffle and Pickup tube support
Camshaft make: Comp Cams
Solid or Hydrualic: Hydraulic
Duration @ .050 in/ex: 234 /230
Lift @ .050 in/ex: .598 /.591
LSA: 116
Cylinder heads make/type: GM LS6 243
Material: Alum
Heads built by: Jakson Stevens of (city/state): Rosemount, MN
Machine work: Next Gen Performange CNC ported and Competition valve job
Intake valves make/size: Stock
Exhaust valves make/size: Stock
Rocker arms: Stock with Straub Technologies Trunion upgrade
Rocker ratio: Stock
AIR and FUEL
VCM: GM GenIII “411” Computer HPtuners 3 bar OS
Engine tuner: Carl Thomas (Cjtunes) of (city/state): St Paul, MN
Injector size: 210lb Bosch Fuel Injector Connection (FIC)
Pump(s): Magnafuel 4303
Regulator: Aeromotive
Pressure: 58psi boost referenced
Intake manifold: Edelbrock Pro Flo LS1 with Fuel rails
Air filter: AFE 5.5 inch Cone filter on Turbo
Throttle body make/size: Tuned Port Iduction Specialties (TPIS)
Mass air meter/Map Sensor: 3 Bar GM
Other induction modifications (be as specific as possible):
Coil: Stock Coil-near-Plug
Wires: Stock
Plugs: BR7EF NGK
Headers: Stock Truck Manifolds modified with V-band flanges
Mufflers: Single Dynatech 4 inch in/out
Pipe size: 4 inch
POWER ADDERS
Turbocharger System: Custom built by owner. Truck manifolds with v and flanges. 2.25 inch crossover pipe. T4 flange
Turbocharger model: Work Turbo Built Borg Warner S480 Billet Compressor T4 1.15 AR exhaust housing
Blow-off valve: JGS 50mm
Wastegate: JGS 50mm recirculated to downpipe
Boost level: 15psi-20psi depending on boost controller capable to 25psi
Intercooler: Treadstone 9 inch tall 3.5 inch thick vertical flow front mounted
Hotside Piping size: 2.25 crossover 4 inch downpipe T4
Coldside Piping size: 3 inch aluminum piping
Downpipe: 4 inch with QP 4 inch cutout
TRANSMISSION
Type: GM 4l80E
Converter: PTC Single Disc Lockup
Flexplate/Flywheel: TCI SFI flywheel
Shifter: Shiftworks conversion kit for 4l80e Stock floor shift console
Stall speed: ~3400
Cooler: Setrab 23 row cooler , spal fan, PTFE 6 AN lines and In/out temperature sensors
Driveshaft: 3.5 inch Aluminum 1350 joints. Forged 12 bolt yoke, Chomoly sonnax slip yoke built by JR Advanced Driveline in Chippewa Falls, WI
Shift Kit: CK performance Recalibration Master Kit
Safety loop: Custom built
Other Trans modifications: CK performance 36 element sprag updgrade
Trans built by John Freuler of Lakeville, MN
REAR END
Stock GM 12 Bolt
Gears: Nitro Gear 3.31 ratio
Axles: Strange 1541 Chromoly replacement with C-Clip Eliminators
Spool: Stock Eaton posi unit rebuilt/shimmed with heavy pre-load springs
CHASSIS
Front Upper/Lower control arms: UMI Performance Cornermax Kit
Front Shocks: Viking Performance Double adjustable with Crusader Pro-touring valving
Front Springs: 850lb Viking Performance
Steering Box: Turn One 10:1 Box
Sway Bar: UMI Splined Bar
Other front suspension mods: UMI Performance long travel brackets, Custom Front chassis brace, Proforged steering components and custom steering arms and bump steer kit
Rear Upper/Lower control arms: UMI Performance Double Adjustable Upper/lower arms with Roto-joints
Rear Shocks: Viking Performance Double adjustable with Crusader Pro-touring valving
Rear Springs: 400lb Viking performance with Hyperco takeup spring for lower ride height
Sway Bar: UMI Pro Touring bar
Other rear mods: CPP control arm braces, Custom upper coilover frame brace. Custom delrin body/frame bushings.
WHEELS
Front: Rocket Racing Wheels Attack's 18x10 with Custom "hot rod black" painted centers
Rear: Rocket Racing Wheels Attack's 18x10 with Custom "hot rod black" painted centers
Tires: Bridgestone RE71 275/35/18 Front and Rear
BRAKES
Front: Bigbrakeupgrade.com Brackets CTSV 6 piston Brembo calipers 14.6 inch rotors, Hawk HP+ pads, Goodridge Braided Lines, CNC Brakes Dual master with balance bar and Howe in cab adjustable bias
Rear: Bigbrakeupgrade.com Brackets CTSV 4 Piston Brembo 14 inch dia with Hawk HP+ Pads, Goodridge Braided Lines
BODY
Original/Current color: Original Lemonwood Yellow
What condition was it in: Original condition
Body Modifications: none
Hood: Stock hood fitting with Lumina Z34 vents for heat extraction. Vinyl wrapped matte black
Spoiler: Front custom ABS plastic spoiler, Rear alum spoiler with street height 7 inch race 10 inch height. 55-70 degree AOA ( Angle of Attack ) adjustment.
INTERIOR
Upholstry: Stock interior Corbeau FX1 Seats
Safety equipment: Schroth 4 point harnesses
Other interior Mods: Generator light wired to check engine light, Custom fire extinguisher mount with quick release, Ididit tilt steering column, Sparco steering wheel, NRG Quick Release
Gauges: Eboost2 boost controller/gauge, AEM wideband, Autometer oil pressure, voltage, Trans temperature, Ultragauge OBD2 scan gauge for all engine parameters, Tablet and GPS for Datalogging and track videos
Performance:
Best quartermile ET: 10.97 ( Street Tires)
MPH: 138
60ft. time: 1.9
Horsepower: 921WHP
Torque: 780 Wtq
Story:
The Chevelle was bought by my family when I was 2 or 3 years old. The car was originally a 283 3 speed manual car. It was not until the current teardown and LS swap build that we found out it was originally a 3 speed manual 283 car as it was a 350 powerglide setup during purchase. While growing up we would use the car to take to cruises, the drag strip and road trips to visit family. We were not afraid to drive it in inclment weather. The chevelle had housed a couple different small block chevys before the LS swap began. I started driving a GMC Typhoon in high school, so the Chevelle was put on the back burner while I cut my teeth on Turbo EFI stuff on the Typhoon. In that time, the 355 was swapped out into another car and left the chevelle sitting for about 6 years. When I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree, we quickly took action on the plans to perform a LS Turbo install. My prior experience with Turbos helped convince the family this was the way to go for “reliability” and power. LS engines were gaining in popularity, and wrecked trucks were looking appealing for their drivetrain.
I leaned on a friend Jeff Jost to help with all the LS swap questions and also spent lots of time on LS1tech.com looking for inspiration and cheap 2nd hand parts. We sourced 90% of all the speed parts used from that site. I bought my first welder and learned how to rework a efi wiring harness during this process. We tried to do most all the work in-house to be able to learn more but did have to source out help with tuning and transmission work. It took about 2 years and importantly 2 long winters to complete the car from a rolling chassis to running and driving. The car just put down a good 600whp on the first tuning sessions. I was introduced to Autocross and some HPDE days the first year of getting the Chevelle up and running. Needless to say I was hooked. We have spent the last 4-5 years upgrading the chassis and suspension to handle the big power as well as make the car turn left and right. UMI Performance and Viking Performance are key pieces to this puzzle on putting the power down and making this big car turn. The engine was upgraded from the stock junkyard motor over the years to a more reliable setup as configured today. Power have slowly worked its way up from 600WHp in the beginning to 921 WHp now on E85. It has a 1000whp capable setup, but we have not leaned on the tune yet.
Accomplishments:
2018 Goodguys Autocross Street Machine Class Winner- Des Moines
2018 Goodguys 11th Qualifier for Duel in Des Moines Shootout
2018 Street Machine Nationals Street Machine Challenge Winner
2018 UMI Performange Autocross Challenge Winner
2018 CVSCC Autocross CAM-T Winner
Amery Airport Radar Run Winner 2X
2018 Midwest Musclecar Challenge 7th Place Vintage
2019 Goodguys Nashville Shootout qualifier
2019 UMI King of the mountain invitee
2020 UMI King of the mountain invitee
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank the following people for the help along the way. The family and friendships made are invaluable. George and Miriam Nall (mom and dad), Sheryl Nall(wife), and Hudson(future chevelle owner), for keeping the car in the family and continuing to make memories with it. They all put up with long weekends at shows and events locally and across country.
Also thanks to all the work and support from friends for keeping the car running and constantly improving.
Build Sheet
Manufacturers
- AmericanMuscle - Corbeau FX1 Fixed Back Seats
- AMSOIL INC. - Independent Amsoil Dealer- Justin Nall
- ARP – Automotive Racing Products - Head Studs, Cam Bolts, Main Bolts, Cam Retainer Bolts. Rod Bolts.
- AutoMeter Products - Phantom Gauges for Trans Temp, Voltage, Oil Pressure
- Borgeson Universal - Collapsible Steering Shaft
- BorgWarner - S480 Turbo. Billet Compressor wheel, T4 1.15 AR 83mm exhuast wheel built by Work Turbochargers
- Bridgestone - RE1R Potenza in 275 35 18 PLEASE MAKE A 315 35 18!!!
- Callies Performance Products - Compustar H-Beam Rods with ARP hardware
- Classic Performance Products | CPP - Aluminum front Disc Brake Hubs for AFX spindles.
- Comp Cams - Custom Grind Camshaft, 4X Double Roller TIming Set
- Corbeau - FX1 Pro and FX1 seats, Fixed back and cloth. Awesome seat for the budget.
- EATON - GM 12 bolt posi rebuild kit with clutches, springs etc.
- Edelbrock - Pro-Flo XT LS1 intake manifold and fuel rail kit. Custom Painted low gloss black with body color lettering.
- Griffin Thermal Products - 66 Chevelle Direct fit LS1 conversion radiator. Custom Mounts for turbo setup.
- Hawk Performance - HP+ Pads front and rear for track and street driving.
- HP Tuners - HPTuners PRO tuning software
- IDIDIT, LLC. - 1966 Chevelle direct fit Tilt Column and 4 way blinker harness kit.
- Mac’s Tie Downs - 8ft direct hook tiedown pack with deluxe padded sleeves.
- MagnaFuel Products - 4303 200HP external pump. Love this thing!
- Miller - Built using a Miller 212 Autoset and a Miller DIversion 180 AC/DC Tig
- Prestone - Coolant used on this build. No other substitutes.
- Race Ramps - Extended drive up ramps for scales. RR-Scale.
- Racer’s Choice Inc. | RCI - Helmets for autocross and track days.
- Shiftworks - Chevelle floor shift conversion to cable style and 4l80E detent. Awesome Kit!
- Sonnax Industries - Billet Slip Yoke for 4l80e and custom Aluminum Driveshaft.
- Sparco - Microsuede steering wheel with NRG quick disconnect.
- Speedway Motors, Inc. - Supplied other parts through their site.
- Treadstone Performance Engineering - 9 inch core vertical flow intercooler with left inlet right outlet
- Turn One - 10:1 box and power steering pump/pulley
- UMI Performance - Corner Max Front Suspension, Rear tubular Adjustable Rotojoints. Rear Sway bar
- Viking Performance - Crusader AP series Double Adjustable Shocks
Shops
Services
- Fast Freddies Rod Shop LLC. - Build consulting and work on the car.