1971 Chevelle Duramax Swap and Build

U

unfinished business

New member
After 14yrs of trying to buy my first car back, I finally got the call I have been waiting for. The car literally sat in a damp garage for 14 years, but believe it or not, I primed the oil pump, put a battery in it and poured some gas in the carb and it fired up! I actually drove it home...thank god it was on 15 min away lol.

The car is an almost original (carb and intake swap only) 71 Chevelle that my dad and I bought many years ago and rebuilt. It is nothing crazy, just a 307, PG Trans, and an 8.2 with 3.08 gears LOL.

So, I got to thinking about what I was going to do with it. BBC? LS Swap? Procharged SBC?

Well, I am very happy I sent a text to Russ at RPM Motorsports. We went over TONS of different options and I finally decided a Duramax with a Th400 would be the ticket for me. Unfortunately, he is ALL the way across the country from me, but the shippers literally just picked my car up, and Russ should have it sometime next week!

This will be a street car and weekend racer. I plan to drive this car as a nice weather DD, get 20 plus MPG and run pretty quick at the track.

Either way, more details to follow. I will keep this thread up to date, and I am sure Russ will add some details as he goes as well. This should be a wild ride!

I will post some "before" pics in a bit.

Paul
 
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Clean looking 71.

Great selection on the engine swap. Please keep us updated as the build progresses. Hopefully new wheels and tires are in order.
 
Red Sleeper said:
Clean looking 71.

Great selection on the engine swap. Please keep us updated as the build progresses. Hopefully new wheels and tires are in order.
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LOL yes sir, wheels and tires are in the not to distant future. I put those rims and tires on almost 18 years ago, but I think it is time for an upgrade.
 
That's awesome. I need to get going on the Duramax swap into my '67 Camaro... too many plans and too little time and money equals not enough getting done!!!
 
Chris Tobin said:
That's awesome. I need to get going on the Duramax swap into my '67 Camaro... too many plans and too little time and money equals not enough getting done!!!
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I know where you are coming from sir. I am excited about this build to say the least. I have learned a lot from prior builds and I think this one will blow the others away!
 
I saw Russ post the car on IG. Nice its one from the community!! Your projects have been nice in the past, this one will not disappoint with you and russ collabing on it.
 
SmokeShow said:
I saw Russ post the car on IG. Nice its one from the community!! Your projects have been nice in the past, this one will not disappoint with you and russ collabing on it.
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Thank you sir. I am excited for this build to say the least. Russ and I have exchanged so many text messages about it I am shocked we don't need new phones lol.
 
SmokeShow said:
I saw Russ post the car on IG. Nice its one from the community!! Your projects have been nice in the past, this one will not disappoint with you and russ collabing on it.
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Will be an awesome experience for him, never having a diesel Hot Rod before..., going to be a wicked street car.
 
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