Don’t get it twisted – turbos and superchargers are great, but there’s something to be said about packing in raw cubic inches under the hood. That’s the approach Tony DeLuca took with this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, which is now running a ridiculous 632 V8 with 850 ponies on tap.
Originally bought in factory stock form, DeLuca upgraded this Chevrolet Chevelle to be an absolutely killer street machine. However, despite the power, the coupe doesn’t look totally chopped up and modified. Outside, we see Fathom Blue paint paired with two black racing stripes, while five-spoke Torque Thrust wheels give it that old-school appeal in the corners.
The interior is also simple, sporting only new gauges to complement the rest of the stock cabin appointment. Black upholstery and metal surrounds abound.
However, as soon as we take a peek under the hood, it becomes obvious this Chevrolet Chevelle is quite a bit more than what it was when it first left the factory. Front and center is a 632-cubic-inch V8 engine for motivation. For those of you more comfortable with metric, that’s over 10 liters of V8 muscle, good enough for 850 horsepower.
“You can’t go small!” DeLuca says. “You gotta go big!”
The 632 looks great under the hood as well, with simple, unembellished execution, tucked wires and hoses, and no crazy colors or bling.
Indeed, this Chevrolet Chevelle has plenty of giddy up, and it’s got the sound to match thanks to a custom exhaust system from Muffler Man in Placentia, California, including custom headers and custom mufflers.
Capturing all that go is a Currie nine-inch rear end, while the suspension upgrades are relatively minimal with a selection of QA1 components at all four corners. Drilled and slotted Wilwood disc brakes throw the anchor.
DeLuca originally fit 35 series tires in the rear, but couldn’t find the traction he wanted. As such, this Chevrolet Chevelle is now fitted with 45-series tires with the pressure turned down to somewhere between 18 and 20 psi.
This Chevrolet Chevelle is simple – big engine, big power, big sound. It’s a nice combo, and looks like a lot of fun too. Hit play to see for yourself.
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Comments
Nice car; very well-done. Keeping that big engine cool in traffic has gotta be a chore.
There is a “replacement for displacement” and it is electrical power. Ford, GM, and Tesla are already designing, building, and selling (Tesla as of today) high performance electrical vehicles that can and will out power and out accelerate that Chevelle, which will be a museum piece soon, just as the steam cars are.
Why don’t you just go and join the gay and lesbian parade and let us enjoy our muscle cars. Nerd, nerd, nerd, nerd, nerd!
Wow, John.
Where does it say this thread is for you and like minded only?
Is your “Manhood” so fragile that you have to post that sorta trash? Does a different point of view threaten you THAT much?
No one’s complaining if you want to have your “let’s-pretend-it’s-not-2020” circle jerk.
Well, this article is about a hobby car and not electrics in which it still has it’s flaws in over-road travel, besides men’s pants piracy isn’t something that excacly builds up masculinity…..
I had a 70 Chevrolet with a 464 450 hp but thos chevelle is just plan out of sight very nice!!!
Nicely done! @Raymond……..nobody cares.
Unfortunately the car is a museum piece or dinosaur. Whatever term you want to use. Guess since I loved these rwd gas powered car that makes me one, too? Proud of it. How are they charging EVs were they have rolling black-outs?
…..The same way you’d be pumping gas at a station during a blackout. You do know the pumps run on electricity, don’t you? Or are they hand pumped where you live?
And how is the electricity for the pump motors made? Ohh I know it’s windmills and solar…
John, don’t be a bully
Man, screw. No one cares about your green feelings. Article is about a big block Chevelle and you start in on some climate change mobile. I have an 84 gmc 3500 with a built small block and 4 speed. My “museum” works 4 days a week, hauling heavy loads and pulling a trailer. Show me your fruity Tesla in 30-40 years
Screw electric cars! There’s nothing like the sound of a big block gasoline engine! LOVE IT!
Papa God’s wonders truly lie in the soul class of work like a train whistle timeless what a great race form of you all the Mystic Spirit of auto mobile true Patriots and loving friends oh joy nickname Thunder blue egg send you all the full blessings of the United hearts of the Holy Trinity in Union with Mary and Joseph we are on a roll 4fun in Spectrum to ox and cart😊🐑🐰🐧
What the hell are you babbling about?
NOTHING better than a Big Block with a lumpy cam idling!!
Nothing wrong with battery cars. If you want one great! Convenient, quiet, less moving parts, I get it… It IS however just an appliance. Something to get you from point A to point B. Again, nothing wrong with that. I personally think battery cars overall probably do more damage to the environment than more people realize but whatever.
The article though is not about a point A to point B appliance. It’s about having Fun! Muscle cars are fun! The roar of a V8 engine is something that moves a persons soul in a way a dead quiet electric motor simple cannot provide. Again, it’s Fun! You gotta enjoy life man… If the roar of a V8 brings someone enjoyment they should live that experience as much as possible. I’ll add, many of these cars are running E85 now for the higher octane rating. Alcohol burns pretty clean! No spent batteries to fill up landfills, no reliance on mining the earth in other parts of the world for elements to create a toxic lithium battery.
At this point these muscle cars are weekend warriors. Maybe even antique plates on them? Driven under 10k miles a year, probably? It’s probably a generational thing? If you grew up with or owned these cars then you understand their place in automotive history. If someone wants an EV go ahead,but don’t bad mouth the muscle cars.
Ive got a friend that got far more power out of his 632 so not that impressed. It’s in a 69 Camaro funny car it runs 6’s no bottle.
a funny car mate that means its not street worthy. This chevelle hookss on the street. Think about it.
what a beast…looney, loud and lusty ole skool muscled out maniac. Awesome!