All Chevy Performance Volume 2, Issue 16 - April 2022

Due to the situation beyond anyone’s control (that dang COVID-19 thing), we took an unscheduled time-out from the 2021 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS), but thankfully it was a “go” in 2022. The three-day event held at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, typically takes place the last weekend in January and features the highest quality cars from all over the country–some competing for the coveted AMBR (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster) award, while many non-roadsters came out in hopes of capturing an award in one of the various classes their car falls under. Other participants are content with just displaying their cars for all to enjoy. Although the show’s name implies it’s a roadster show, the event also includes over 500 top-quality builds of various genres. We love the variety of…

1. DIRECT-FIT TRUCK CLUSTER Classic Instruments debuts its all-new ’60-63 Chevy truck direct-fit cluster. The cluster is completely electric and designed for a seamless installation into the stock dash of ’60-63 Chevy trucks. It also uses the existing factory bezel to maintain the stock look. The package includes a snap-in wire harness, scratch-resistant acrylic lens, and all necessary sending units. The cluster features a fuel sending unit selector switch to pair the cluster with the existing/factory fuel sending unit. For more information, contact Classic Instruments by calling (800) 575-0461 or visit classicinstruments.com. 2. CHASSIS INDEPENDENCE Schwartz Performance now offers an independent rear suspension option for their entire line of G-Machine chassis. The IRS, tested by the Schwartz R&D team, is designed to provide an even higher level of performance and comfort to their iconic…

Sometimes the overall appearance of a custom build is determined by one decision. In this case, a customer had settled on an LT5 crate engine as his powerplant of choice. To create room for the supercharger, and to also look really cool, the plan was hatched to create a C7 ZR1-style engine cover that worked with the C2. A new hood has been designed to bridge the gap between the Vette body and the custom carbon-fiber engine cover. Keeping with the C7 ZR1 theme, the signature orange paint will be similar to the Sebring Orange of the C7. Other than the flashy paint, the body will stay fairly stock. Polished accents will nod to the past while the hood, wheels, and stance are a bit more modern. An Art Morrison chassis…

There are those who acquire the bug for all things mechanical as they navigate through life, while others seem to be born with the gene. Eric Fernandez is of the latter and performed his first engine swap at age 13. It was in his go-kart that he felt needed more horsepower, so he swapped out the old Briggs & Stratton for the more powerful Honda engine from his dad’s roto tiler. “Initially my dad was upset when he saw what I had done, but after calming down, he asked me if it worked,” Eric fondly remembers. “I started it for him and did a couple laps and remember seeing the smile on his face and him being surprisingly proud. I’ve been wrenching on engines ever since.” In high school Eric remembers…

One challenge that everyone faces when making the move to an LS or LT engine is the accessory drive situation. Whether you’re installing a new-out-of-the-box engine or scoured the junkyard for a donor, the accessories will come into play soon. If your donor engine came with brackets and accessories, chances are you’ll be hard pressed to make everything fit in your classic Chevy. Depending on your project, interference from the A/C compressor or power steering pump with framerails are nearly imminent—not to mention, the stock components were never designed with aesthetics in mind. Those are just a few of the reasons we turned to Vintage Air (VA) for an all-encompassing solution to our accessory drive needs on our LS1. We were familiar with VA’s original Front Runner serpentine system that is centered…

Web-based auction sites and social media swap ’n’ shops continue to be the driving force in the everyday vintage car marketplace. It seems that the quickest way to post, locate, and purchase affordable classic cars and their corresponding parts is on the sites that get the most traffic. They have proven to be the ideal places to grab a part, chat about tech, or, better yet, score a ride that will make your buds green with envy. Case in point is this bitchin Camaro right here on these pages. Rob Feasel of New Egypt, New Jersey, knows the power of such sites; not only to score cars and pertinent parts, but also to get leads on cars that you might not even be looking for. Feasel is a connoisseur of all…