Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Screechers · Contributor

69 Chevelle 454 swap

John D · 2K+ Club

1st of all welcome to the forum! From your signature I see you're a "local", which is very helpful.

My first suggestion would be to stop by Master Transmission in Rosemount, and talk to the guys there about an overdrive gearbox. A properly set up 200r4 or 700r4 will live behind a Big Block, and with 3:55's (or taller) gears and 10:1 compression your wallet will thank you at the pumps, and the engine on the highway.

Many of the guys here are running 4sp/OD automatics and LOVE IT (myself included).

Screechers · Contributor

Thanks, Called them and am waiting to hear back from their "performance" guy.

67ss · 1K+ Club

Also welcome to the group.

I do agree with john if you are planning on driving any distance an overdrive transmission is going to be money better spent. The person we have used at master tranmisson no longer works there, I am not sure who they are using for performance building at this point. Not that I am trying to deter you from using them, I am sure they will do good work.

bowtie · Secretary

Welcome!

I remember Randy. 67SS and I used to work near his old shop location in Eagan where the outlet mall is now. He did some block work for me waaay back when (almost 30 years ago). As for engine specifics, I'm not the guy, but I can vouch for Yukon gears. Currently beating on set myself, along with an Eaton posi. I have found Tom from www.12bolt.com is very helpful and has good prices when it comes time to buy.

You'll find a lot of help here, please feel free to ask questions. We're not snobby, stuck up, or elitist. We've all been in your position (or still are), and have lots of varied experience in just about any aspect.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Evan welcome. I too am running a 20-4-R and LOVE the overdrive. Knocking 1000 rpm off highway speeds is great. Looking forward to seeing your build progress.

-- Edited by Jon H on Tuesday 27th of December 2016 07:46:40 PM

Screechers · Contributor

My biggest deal right now is I can get a TH400 all setup with a converter around $1k or spend the extra $600 or so and get a 2004r built. I hate having to be responsible with my money

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Welcome to NCC, you'll find good folks here. Sounds like a nice build you have there, certainly you going to be gutsy.
We've all struggled trying to get as much for the dollar as possible. Several here have made the leap to five speed sticks or four speeds with OD. Of all the things I've done with my cars I believe installing a four speed with OD and five speed stick to be the best investment and performance upgrades I've made.
I'm sure you've driven ODs in your imports, you should drive or ride in a BBC with one.
Glad to hear Randy's still doing engines. Is he still in the old firehouse?
Again welcome to NCC.

bowtie · Secretary

It's a tough call between the TH400 and 200R4. Depending on how much power you end up putting out of that 454, the 200 will cost a bunch to keep it living.

What are your plans for once the drivetrain is done? If it's racing or similar driving, I would look towards the 400. If it's cruising mostly, I'd go 200/700R4. Your tire size will also help determine final drive ration too. Most cars run a 26" tall tire, which is fine. Going to a 28" (275/60ZR15 for example) will drop the RPMs at highway speed, but slow your acceleration a little. The torque of a 454 can overcome that pretty quick though.

If you run into a parts shortage, feel free to ask on the classified section too. There's a really good chance that someone here has what you need locally, isn't trying to actively sell it otherwise, and it's just sitting there waiting for that time it's needed.

Lost in the 60s · President

Welcome,

Bowtie is on the right track with deciding what you want to use the car for before deciding on a trans. If you're like me, that changes almost as fast as the weather. Another option that people are going to is a 4L60 automatic, as the 200r4's are getting hard to find locally. I did have John at Master Trans build a 200 I have in my street rod, but as 67SS said, he has moved on to other pursuits at Dick's Hot Rod Shop in Lakeville. I don't know if he will be doing trans work there or at home. He may, actually, be the "performance" guy you are waiting to hear back from.

I do have a TH400 here, if you decide to go that route. I have been dragging it around with me for 30 years and could use the shelf space if it found a new home.

Also, do you have a 12 bolt rear axle for the car ? A BB would be a little hard on the original 10 bolt if used with much exuberance a few times. You can buy a lot of heavy duty upgrades for the 10 bolt to help but going to a 12 bolt right from the start will be better money spent than doing it later. I happen to have a '68 12 bolt posi sitting here too.

Both units will need complete rebuilds. We do have a differential rebuild expert in the club, but I'm not aware of an automatic rebuilder.

Larry Lucast · Active Member

Lots of good advice. I had basically the same engine in my 67. It had 10:1 compression, the same cam, and mildly ported heads. It made 490 ft lbs of torque to the wheels at 4500 RPM. I used a 700R4 that I had rebuilt stock, and 3:55 rear gears. I used the car "exuberantly" as Mitch said. Every few years, I had the transmission "freshened" for about $500.

I had All Gear Transmission (Phone, (763) 432-5848 · Address. 8850 Xylite St NE; Minneapolis, Minnesota 55449) in Blaine build my 200R4 for my 64. They charged me $600.00. They have a very good reputation among local repair shops.

Welcome to the group. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

John D · 2K+ Club

I like to extend an invitation to you to be our guest at our January meeting. It's Saturday the 21st, starting at Noon, at Crystal Lake Automotive in Lakeville.

It's our annual membership renewal meeting, and a great gathering of everyone who has the "Bowtie Fever". Our host Karl does a great job with this event.

bowtie · Secretary

John D wrote:
I like to extend an invitation to you to be our guest at our January meeting. It's Saturday the 21st, starting at Noon, at Crystal Lake Automotive in Lakeville.

It's our annual membership renewal meeting, and a great gathering of everyone who has the "Bowtie Fever". Our host Karl does a great job with this event.

I'll second John D-if you can, please come out to our January meeting. This is one of the best attended, laid back "meetings" we have. Don't be afraid of not knowing anyone (I still have a hard time with names of many members), and feel free to find me. I'm the middle aged balding guy who likes Chevys....

Screechers · Contributor

Haha good to know there's a ton of information and parts here. Yes Randy is still in the fire station spending all his money on beer and pull-tabs. And yes my mind changes on the hour for what I want to do. The car is mostly going to be a street car with my heavy right foot it may get a fair amount of abuse. As of strip use, not in the near future...for now

Screechers · Contributor

Update! Got my engine in just waiting on more parts to get everything set. The engine dyno'd at 473hp at 5300 and 535 ft/lbs at 3600 at the crank. Got the TH400 built by twisted demon transmissions in kenyon, need to order the driveshaft this week and figure out the trans line routing and some electrical. My goal is to be driving by my birthday July 14th. Oh I ended up going with a 3.36 rear end with posi and I'm pretty sure I'll need bigger tires.

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Jon H · 1K+ Club

Thanks for the update, sounds like the build is come along just fine. Please keep us posted.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Screechers wrote:
My goal is to be driving by my birthday July 14th.

You know what else is July 14th... it would be cool to see it at the Street Machine Nationals in St. Paul!

Screechers · Contributor

I forgot the nationals are that weekend...Fingers crossed!

ps anyone have an electric radiator fan they're looking to get rid of?

Lost in the 60s · President

I have one off a Camaro. I'll have to dig it out and look at it again. I don't remember what brand or size right now. It does not have a shroud.

Are you planning to run a bypass hose from the intake to water pump ? If not, you need to drill 3-4 1/8th" holes in the perimeter of the thermostat to prevent hot spots in the heads and overheating.

Screechers · Contributor

Didn't know that. I can run a bypass

Lost in the 60s · President

NAPA has a pre-formed hose for that, instead of kinking a heater hose to bend that tight.

Screechers · Contributor

Well it runs and drives!!! Just changed out the break in oil and am using zrod 10w30. Electric fan doesn't let it get much above 180f and it cruises well! I got the hood on last night and so far so good for clearance, I plan on putting clay on the air cleaner tonight to check the actual clearance. Tonight I'm also getting the 3.36 gears and posi installed so hopefully that helps with traction. I have several gauges to wire in as well as my neutral safety and reverse light switches. I'm pumped so far and hopefully things only get better!!!

Screechers · Contributor

Posi is in and car is running great! I'm going to need a new tire budget now...Sad I couldn't make it to the street machine nationals but there's always next year.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

A lightly crumbled up ball of tinfoil works well for helping to determine clearance.