Tabla de contenidos para Volume 3, Issue 30 - June 2023 en All Chevy Performance

The car show portion of the Tri-Five Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky, never ceases to amaze. How in the world can a car event — featuring what is essentially three models — still show us something completely new? The August 2022 version sure had its fair share of standout rides with gleaming paintjobs, sparkling chrome, and buttery smooth interiors, but this ’55 Chevy 210 stood out for a very different reason. It wasn’t outlandish. The PPG red and black paint seemed flawless, the fit and finish were close to perfection, and the interior was a light gray custom leather Ron Mangus masterpiece. However, it was in the engine bay where things went beyond understanding. Ladies and gentlemen, this ’55 was packing an LS but it had two extra cylinders. Yes,…

If you ask Jeff Thisted if hot rods were meant to be driven, stand back. He’ll tell you about taking his Autumn Bronze metallic ’55 210 wagon (that he found on eBay) from California through Nevada to Bonneville, or how it’s been on the highest paved road in the U.S. (the Mount Evans Byway at 14,130 feet), or hanging outside Illinois’ Joliet State Prison (the one-time home to one of the Blues Brothers) with it, or cruising through the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado (the country’s highest tunnel), or driving over the Continental Divide, plus being behind the wheel of it at 12 different Goodguys shows, the C10 Nationals, and driving the Hot Rod Power Tour—twice! That would be an impressive feat on any hot rodder’s résumé, but Thisted did all…

No matter how you look at it, car guys are a different breed, especially those with their callous hands submerged deep into the performance world. They are always looking to go quicker and faster regardless of the cost–financially, mentally, or otherwise. Tony Karamitsos, the owner of this brutally quick ’69 Z/28 Camaro, is no exception. He’s always been into cars, beginning as a youngster playing with toy cars, which he still does today, only now he gets paid to do it as he’s a die-cast brand manager/senior designer for Johnny Lightning, Auto World, Racing Champions, and American Muscle. Immersed in small-scale and actual-scale cars, it started at home as his dad, Nick, spent a good amount of time spinning wrenches on vintage cars–old convertibles, mostly. Tony would help his dad…

There are certain types of automotive tasks that qualify as weekend projects, such as a disc brake upgrade, while others, like an LS engine swap, qualify as a winter project. What we’re dealing with in this article is in a time zone of its own. Trim repair is a task that very few folks want to tackle on their own, and it’s a task that even fewer want to pay for at a professional shop because it can get pricey. In the case of our ’66 Chevy II, the most popular solution is to weld up the holes in the body and make it look like a Super Sport, which came from the factory without any trim along the body reveal. Had we known just how difficult it would be…

1. TRI-FIVE MOLDING Classic Industries announces the arrival of the all-new OER reproduction of the upper paint divider moldings designed for use with ’55 Chevy Bel Air and 210 Series two- or four-door sedan models (PN 748695); ’56-57 Chevrolet Bel Air, 210 Series, and Del Ray models; ’57 150 and Handyman wagon models (PN 748693). Manufactured from premium die-formed and stamped stainless steel, each molding is carefully polished, leaving a beautiful high-luster finish. The moldings are not painted, allowing the customer to paint, if desired, or use the black adhesive inserts included with each set; sold in pairs. For more information, contact Classic Industries by calling (888) 816-2897 or visit classicindustries.com. 2. LS BELLHOUSING Speedway Motors’ new upgraded steel version of the GM 621 bellhousing will provide additional safety and…

BOB FALFA: “Hey, you’re supposed to be the fastest thing in the Valley, man, but that can’t be your car. It must be your mama’s car. I’m sorta embarrassed to be this close to ya.” JOHN MILNER: “I’m not surprised, drivin’ a Field Car.” FALFA: “Field Car? What’s a Field Car?’ MILNER: “A Field Car runs through the fields, drops cow shit all over the place to make the lettuce grow.” That classic smack talk took place between two of the baddest car owners in the coming-of-age comedy drama American Graffiti. But most of us car folks knew that just by the names associated with the quotes. Those lines can help when you need a smile on your face or if you need a little inspiration when it comes to…

Let the new century prognosticators spew all they want about the demise of the traditional manual transmission. For those not quite ready for dual-clutch transmissions or care even less about 10-speed automatics, there is still much to celebrate for left pedal fans when it comes to the current crop of manual transmissions for hot street cars. What we will cover here is the friction connection between the engine and the input shaft of that manual transmission. While dual-disc clutches might be cool and charismatic, it’s the basics about how clutches work that should be first on your list of crucial information. It’s important to understand the fundamentals of how clutches operate, and the variables involved with all the fundamental factors. Items like pressure plate design, clutch diameter, clamp load, friction…

Big-block? Six-speed manual transmission? Upgraded suspension? OEM styling? Sign me up! This El Camino really keeps the GM DNA alive and just adds more fun to that stock package. Owner Terry Davlin started with a stout heart for the build: a 468ci big-block Chevy that pumps out over 600 hp thanks to Canfield heads and a Holley Terminator EFI kit. Backed up to that stout mill is a T56 Magnum spinning a 4-inch aluminum driveshaft ending in a Moser 12-bolt rearend. Keeping the Elco glued to the road is the job of UMI suspension parts front to back. QA1 coilovers control the up and down while Baer six-piston calipers slow down the custom Forgeline CR3 wheels. On the outside there are little details like custom mirrors and a cleaned-up tailgate…

Working in law enforcement can be a rewarding career, though it’s not a lifestyle for everyone. Hours can be long, and shifts can start at any time during the day, making it not only hard on families, but also keeping up with friends and enjoying leisure-time hobbies. For Anthony Cacioppo, finding that balance between family, work, and fun time was a process—a matter of negotiation, sacrifice, and compromise—but luckily for him, the end result was well worth it. See for yourself; check out his stunning ’71 Camaro Pro Tourer on the pages in front of you. “I grew up around drag racing. My dad had a track car and my brothers always had something that was fast. That wore off on me and of course I had to do the…

When performing the typical engine swap, there are a few dozen considerations to be made when it comes to upgrading the plumbing system, electrical upgrades, chassis, and even sheetmetal modifications, but the engine compartment itself can be forgotten about. But, there’s no time like now, when that engine compartment is laid bare following the removal of the original engine, to detail the panels and clean things up a bit. We recently pulled a tired 350 small-block out of our buddy Bruce Valley’s ’57 Chevy Handyman Wagon in anticipation of dropping a new Connect and Cruise LS3 package in its place. While we were certainly excited to get the swap underway, it was decided that the engine compartment could use a little TLC to make it more deserving of such a…

Every enthusiast remembers that one unique old car—the one that was a special gift or the one you wish you never sold. While it wasn’t perfect, over the years memory erased its faults and all your succeeding cars were measured against it. It’s always a great reminiscence but that’s not quite the tale that Sidney Dyson from Tampa, Florida, recalls. Joining the Air Force after high school in 1965, Sidney has fond memories of the best assignment in his military career; the time when he and his wife enjoyed an accompanied tour in Okinawa, Japan. Returning to the states in 1971 and needing transportation, his first purchase was a ’65 Chevelle Malibu SS. The affordable $400 car was fairly quick and reasonably good looking but not without its faults. He…