Chevelle Stocker Question

DiMEC1 · 08-02-2021, 07:27 PM

Hello folks. I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions. I am a former Super Gas racer who has been out of the game a long time. I am finally in a position of semi retirement and am building a '69 Chevelle to run what looks like might be C/SA. I have been back and forth with a few emails to NHRA Tech and because of the nature of the car being an original SS 396 car and the fact that it is pristine, I don't want to change the SS configuration so I am stuck with the 396 engine. I originally thought that the 427 in B/SA might be a better option, but that is a no go for the NHRA because '69 SS cars were not available with a 427.

A couple of questions, ( and I will have many more ); What backspace wheel and tire combo would be optimal and/or fit without trimming the lip of the wheel well? And this is an original stick car and as much as it would be tons more fun with a stick shift, the auto in my experience would be a little easier on parts and more reliable. Been a very long time since I rowed gears.

Any other helpful hints you guys may have would be greatly appreciated.

Frank Castros · 08-02-2021, 07:38 PM

The nicest Chevelle stocker I ever saw was the late great Charlie Sousa's. Whatever he did, do. Maybe the Bouchers will chime in.

DiMEC1 · 08-02-2021, 07:55 PM

Just looked at a video of that car on YouTube. Beautiful. And leaves hard. I think I can make the horsepower but the car needs to leave exactly like that. Will be looking for tips from the veterans as I am a bonafide rookie. Appreciate the response Frank.

SSDiv6 · 08-02-2021, 08:25 PM

Kevin Borgstrom ran a 427 Chevelle with Yenko emblems and decal.

Terry Cain · 08-02-2021, 08:36 PM

427 IS AVAILABLE according to tech sheets.

DiMEC1 · 08-02-2021, 09:01 PM

According to Bob Lang with NHRA D1 and a west coast tech guy he brought into the conversation, I could run the 427 if I take the SS trim off and turn it into a plain Jane Malibu ( which I am not willing to do ). The 427 was only available as as COPO in basic Chevelle/Malibu trim. So in other words, if I build it as a 427 car, it can't look like a SS. All that said, if I understand the rules correctly, I should be able to squeeze about 413 inches out of a "396", given the plus minus fudge factor on bore and stroke.

MR DERBY CITY · 08-02-2021, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiMEC1

Just looked at a video of that car on YouTube. Beautiful. And leaves hard. I think I can make the horsepower but the car needs to leave exactly like that. Will be looking for tips from the veterans as I am a bonafide rookie. Appreciate the response Frank.

Might want to look into some Alf Weibe rear suspension mods …..

Mike Jones · 08-03-2021, 08:53 AM

Charlies Chevelle... now belongs to Bednaz Racing.
Sorry about the small pic.

Frank Castros · 08-03-2021, 05:12 PM

I wondered what happened to Charlie's car after he passed and very pleased to learn that it went a great racing family.

Chipper Chapman · 08-03-2021, 09:28 PM

396/375 aluminum head fits as natural B I believe, and Iron head as natural C. Neither are bad combos IMO. I started to go the 375 route a few years ago but opted to go oval port for lower rpm and maintenance. Weibes chassis parts worked very well but from what I understand he’s no longer making the stuff. The Dick Miller parts work very well too. There are a few guys running the ‘70 402/375 combo that I’m sure could help you out. As for wheels, I run 15x10 with 5.5” backspace. They Center in the wheelwells near perfectly

08-02-2021, 07:27 PM	#1
DiMEC1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 5 Likes: 4 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Chevelle Stocker Question Hello folks. I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions. I am a former Super Gas racer who has been out of the game a long time. I am finally in a position of semi retirement and am building a '69 Chevelle to run what looks like might be C/SA. I have been back and forth with a few emails to NHRA Tech and because of the nature of the car being an original SS 396 car and the fact that it is pristine, I don't want to change the SS configuration so I am stuck with the 396 engine. I originally thought that the 427 in B/SA might be a better option, but that is a no go for the NHRA because '69 SS cars were not available with a 427. A couple of questions, ( and I will have many more ); What backspace wheel and tire combo would be optimal and/or fit without trimming the lip of the wheel well? And this is an original stick car and as much as it would be tons more fun with a stick shift, the auto in my experience would be a little easier on parts and more reliable. Been a very long time since I rowed gears. Any other helpful hints you guys may have would be greatly appreciated.

08-02-2021, 07:38 PM	#2
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,639 Likes: 2,151 Liked 2,076 Times in 767 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question The nicest Chevelle stocker I ever saw was the late great Charlie Sousa's. Whatever he did, do. Maybe the Bouchers will chime in.

08-02-2021, 07:55 PM	#3
DiMEC1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 5 Likes: 4 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question Just looked at a video of that car on YouTube. Beautiful. And leaves hard. I think I can make the horsepower but the car needs to leave exactly like that. Will be looking for tips from the veterans as I am a bonafide rookie. Appreciate the response Frank.

08-02-2021, 08:25 PM	#4
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 2,991 Likes: 693 Liked 1,457 Times in 543 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question Kevin Borgstrom ran a 427 Chevelle with Yenko emblems and decal.

08-02-2021, 08:36 PM	#5
Terry Cain Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Georgetown, Indiana (close to Louisville, KY) Posts: 760 Likes: 492 Liked 224 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question 427 IS AVAILABLE according to tech sheets. __________________ Terry Cain ???? STK tcain@twc.com

08-02-2021, 09:01 PM	#6
DiMEC1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 5 Likes: 4 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question According to Bob Lang with NHRA D1 and a west coast tech guy he brought into the conversation, I could run the 427 if I take the SS trim off and turn it into a plain Jane Malibu ( which I am not willing to do ). The 427 was only available as as COPO in basic Chevelle/Malibu trim. So in other words, if I build it as a 427 car, it can't look like a SS. All that said, if I understand the rules correctly, I should be able to squeeze about 413 inches out of a "396", given the plus minus fudge factor on bore and stroke.

08-03-2021, 08:53 AM	#8
Mike Jones VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,110 Likes: 1,166 Liked 660 Times in 283 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question Charlies Chevelle... now belongs to Bednaz Racing. Sorry about the small pic. Attached Images Last edited by Mike Jones; 08-03-2021 at 09:03 AM.

08-03-2021, 05:12 PM	#9
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,639 Likes: 2,151 Liked 2,076 Times in 767 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question I wondered what happened to Charlie's car after he passed and very pleased to learn that it went a great racing family.

08-03-2021, 09:28 PM	#10
Chipper Chapman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Belmont N.S. Canada Posts: 451 Likes: 210 Liked 141 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Chevelle Stocker Question 396/375 aluminum head fits as natural B I believe, and Iron head as natural C. Neither are bad combos IMO. I started to go the 375 route a few years ago but opted to go oval port for lower rpm and maintenance. Weibes chassis parts worked very well but from what I understand he’s no longer making the stuff. The Dick Miller parts work very well too. There are a few guys running the ‘70 402/375 combo that I’m sure could help you out. As for wheels, I run 15x10 with 5.5” backspace. They Center in the wheelwells near perfectly __________________ Chris Chapman 1969 Chevelle NHRA F-G/SA 1090