Table of contents for Volume 4, Issue 42 - June 2024 in All Chevy Performance

There are Corvette guys, and then there are Corvette guys—and we bet you just imagined two completely different types of dudes when you read that. Just google “Corvette owner starter pack” and you’ll get the gist of the first type. Well, Fred Wann is definitely in the second category—hot rodder and lover of an American icon, no New Balance shoes required. When Fred sold off his C4 ZR-1 a few years ago, he immediately regretted it. But what’s done was done, and there wasn’t much he could do about it at the time, except maybe mope around the house on the weekends. “My wife said she didn’t like my new hobby. I asked her what she meant by that, and she replied, ‘Indoor gardening. You come in the house and…

General Motors’ fourth-gen F-body was a radical design. With its steeply raked windshield and bird-beak nose, the groundbreaking LS1 powerplant was tucked halfway under the cowl. Function clearly followed form at GM headquarters. But with the LS1’s factory intake manifold nestled neatly in the valley of the Gen III V-8, cowl clearance isn’t a problem. However, intake manifold options are severely limited to low-profile designs. Those with high-horsepower engines had two choices: one, use the stock or aftermarket low-profile plastic intake manifolds; or two, cut the stock cowl, lose the windshield wipers, and possibly even cut the windshield. Fortunately, Holley has an option: the Modular Lo-Ram EFI intake manifold for LS1/2/6. Its large, short runners are great for making big top-end power, and its large plenum complements supercharged and turbocharged…

Once we become exposed to a certain type of muscle car at an influential age that car remains etched in our brains and is one we continually gravitate toward—one that we hope to have in our possession at some point in our life. In the case of Randy Wilson, from Woodlawn, Virginia, he had been into cars as long as he can remember. The passion was always there and became solidified by his stepdad who was regularly wrenching on hot rods of his own in the garage. Randy’s love for early second-gen Camaros was big, but there was one ’70 Z28 in particular that had been on his radar for years—one he could never coax the owner into selling to him no matter how hard he tried. The owner just…

For those who love to revitalize vintage vehicles, chances are an electrical system update is going to be on the list of things to do. At one time replacing frayed, broken, and missing sections of a wiring harness or adding additional circuits meant a trip to the parts store for a spool of wire and some crimp connectors. However, if you’ve ever dealt with an old car that had a “rat’s nest” electrical system with a bunch of circuits all made from the same color wire, then you know the problems that can create, particularly when trying to trace a circuit. A better, safer, and much easier-to-install alternative is a complete wiring system like those available from American Autowire (AAW). AAW was founded in 1987 by Michael Manning and Frank…

1. ENGINE COOLING Using its expertise in fluid delivery systems, Aeromotive has turned its attention to universal and engine-specific, race-ready water pumps. The team is proud to reveal a range of advanced water pumps that set new standards in engine cooling technology. For high-performance vehicle enthusiasts, Aeromotive offers three fitment variations, including application-specific, radiator mount, and universal mount options to cater to the diverse needs of the market. For more information, contact Aeromotive by calling (913) 808-2376 or visit aeromotiveinc.com. 2. TRICK TRUNK HINGES Just like their hood hinges, All American Billet’s trunk hinges are a great way to make your trunk compartment pop. They are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and engineered to operate smoothly. The hinges are manufactured to last and come with stainless steel gas springs and stainless…

When it comes to the gauge cluster of most classic Chevys, few provided much information past vehicle speed, fuel level, and an engine temp that ranged between hot and cold. In fact, the dash cluster in our project ’57 reflects just that, which leaves, literally, more information to be desired than is actually provided. Engine speed, oil pressure, and the state of the charging system was left up to the driver’s imagination, lest an “idiot light” or two. With today’s trend of ever-higher horsepower drivetrains and ever-increasing electrical loads, the need to keep a closer eye on the goings-on under the hood has never been greater. In the case of our ’57 Chevy, the temp gauge provides a simple range of temps, the speedo reads inaccurately, and the fuel gauge…

How many of us knew what kind of car we wanted in sixth grade? Sure, we all dreamed of whatever car was in the magazine or poster we tacked on our wall, but how many stuck with it and built it? We’re sure, not many. However, Louis Jackson, of St. Charles, Missouri, fell in love with ’55 Chevys back then and never gave up on his dream of owning one. Louis was a car guy from the get-go. Some kids like sports, he liked cars and envisioned building an orange ’55 when he was 16. You could say Louis got a little distracted along the way, however. He traded between muscle cars and 4x4s before discovering the wild world of offshore boating for several years at Lake of the Ozarks…

There’s something very satisfying about precisely routed custom hard lines. They convey a high degree of detail, especially when executed in stainless steel. Such precision has always been a hallmark of Sled Alley, the Pro Touring specialist shop northeast of Detroit. They’ve been working on Mark Stielow’s latest Camaro project—one we’ve highlighted with recent stories on its floorpan installation, frame connectors, and more. At this stage in the build, a retro-dressed-yet-modern LS7 is sitting in the Detroit Speed front subframe and the suspension and steering systems have been installed. It’s time for the brakes. As with his previous few cars, Stielow is adapting a production-based GM antilock braking system to complement the big discs at each corner. It uses a C6 Corvette master cylinder and booster (from Detroit Speed), along…

Early second-gens have had their time in the spotlight, but more and more of the later-year Camaros in that group are enjoying their rise in popularity. This ’81 Camaro built by Classic Performance shows off the potential of the platform. Some simple custom graphics flow with the shape of the body and also have their own ’80s vibe. DSE suspension helps the Camaro handle and sit just right. Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels update the look and allow for big brakes, which are needed due to the powerplant. An LS9 mated to a T56 lays down plenty of power to make this a competent performer. @TavisHighlander TavisHighlander.com Builder: Classic Performance (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)…

What does one do to improve a ’69 Camaro in “good condition”? Well, if you bring said Camaro to Nostalgia Hot Rods (NHR) in Henderson, Nevada, for a makeover it’s fairly certain that 9-12 months later that car will emerge looking and driving light-years better than it did upon arrival. Dustin Hacker, the owner of NHR, is a proficient fabricator and car builder who has assembled an equally skilled team of fabricators and painters, uniting them under one roof to showcase their expertise and to produce some of the most exceptional muscle cars on the planet. Their strong work ethic contributes to the shop’s ability to build incredible muscle cars garnering awards at SEMA and countless events nationwide. Unlike many show cars, Dustin’s builds are meant to be driven, prioritizing…

Unless you are an oil geek and make it a habit of staying current on API specifications and what is happening in the ever-changing world of engine lubricants, it’s likely there are a few technical tidbits in this story that should be of interest to you regarding the oil you’re using in your performance street car engine. FLAT TAPPET BREAK-IN It’s no secret that the world of engine oil is in a constant state of change. This has been going on for decades but a major shift occurred when the American Petroleum Institute (API) began removing the anti-wear additive zinc dialkyl-dithiophosphate (ZDDP—don’t worry we won’t ask you to spell it) from engine oil throughout the mid ’90s onward. This occurred because new car manufacturers requested the ZDDP levels be lowered…

When you’re in the business of making muscle car magic it’s hard to leave well enough alone. Case in point is this wild-eyed, patina-plated, nasty Nova on the pages in front of you. It was once a lowly, original, base-model ride sitting for sale, but luckily the right guys snatched it up and decided that this X-body needed an infusion of modern tech under its vintage outer carapace. Mark Denlinger, proprietor of Steel Town Garage (STG) in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, is no stranger to the pages of All Chevy Performance. The shop’s outstanding Pro Touring ’68 Camaro reboot was featured in the Mar. ’24 issue, receiving in print the accolades the build deserved. This time around, STG decided to skip doing their award-winning paint to showcase the natural aging that took…