Thread: Back with new build. Well actually a remodel.

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Here a pic of the car as it sits. I have had it for about 10 years and I am ready for change.

I promised myself after I build my truck I will freshen up my car. The plan is a C4 IFS, LS 6.0, and change of color scheme.
Very few body mods on this one.
I found a 1988 C4 suspension and got started.

I purchased a Flatout Engineering Cross member, which I will modify to fit what I am trying to do.


Now that is all together I can see what needs to be done.
I made frame rails that will slide inside the 55 210 frame rails.


I than tapered the front of the frame rails to give it a clean streamline look.

Well I decided to make a change. With install as it exists, my choice of wheels will be limited.
So I decide to re-engineer it by narrowing the clip 2 inches and ditching the corvette rack and
pinion and installing a 1988 T-bird rack which will solved the pivot point issues because its pivot
points will match the clip when it’s narrowed.



The Clip is complete now the track with is close to the stock 55 track width.

I found a 6.0 out of a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. The engine was filthy, but when
I took the oil pan off to check it out, the bearings and cylinder walls were in good shape.
I decided to get the block hot tanked and cleaned. So I could just rebuild it. I also had the crank cleaned and polished.




The engine has a stock bottom end with with new pistons, sloppy stage 2 cam, 243 heads,
harden push rods, PAC-1219 springs, and stock rocker arms with a Trunion kit

On the top I'm using an LS6 intake manifold, Slightly Modified Stock Truck Alternator and Power
Steering Bracket, 2002 Camaro Water pump with 3/4 spacers, Idler pulley relocation bracket, and
2002 Camaro Belt Tensioner, and a Billet Fuel Rail kit. Steering Bracket, 2002 Camaro Water pump
with 3/4 spacers, Idler pulley relocation bracket, and 2002 Camaro Belt Tensioner, and a Billet Fuel Rail kit.

Man! You're gettin' after it! Gonna be a super kewl '55 for sure! Thanks for starting the build thread!

You are truly amazing!

Holy Wow! Another fun one to watch! I like the idea of the C4 suspension. It's going to be a completely different car when its done. What does it have for a drive train now? I got to ask, what made you go the route of building your own 6.0 vs a low mileage pull out ?

Good to see you on here again Bam with another project.
If you make as good a job with this as you did with your truck (which I have no doubt you will do,) it will be superb.
I look forward to watching your thread.

Kinda hard to be without a project isn't it?

This looks interesting, looking forward to watching.


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Another well done build thread to follow, thank you man. I'm surprised that Flatout didn't make the crossmember assy narrower to start with. Seems like they focused more on accommodating the steering rack than allowing for track width appropriate to the vehicle. Whatever, good save and planning on your part.

That suspension is going to make for a very nice driving car. I did a quickie rebuild on my LS, they are a lot more work than the good old small block that's for sure (and a lot more expensive for the parts!).

Originally Posted by rspears

Damn Man! You're gettin' after it! Gonna be a super kewl '55 for sure! Thanks for starting the build thread!

No man thank you for taking the time to check it out and leaving a comment.

Originally Posted by glennsexton

You are truly amazing!

Thats what she says.lol No really thanks man

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Holy Wow! Another fun one to watch! I like the idea of the C4 suspension. It's going to be a completely different car when its done. What does it have for a drive train now? I got to ask, what made you go the route of building your own 6.0 vs a low mileage pull out ?

The car had a 454 with a turbo 400. It has inboarded leaf springs with a 9 inch rear end. It will be replaced with a triangular 4 link. The 454 and Turbo 400 trans has already been removed and went to a friend who will put it in his truck.

As far as rebuilding the engine its a money thing. It seems I only get deals on high mileage engines.lol Its not much to clean them and rebuild them. Easy to do I did the same for my truck.

Originally Posted by johnboy

Good to see you on here again Bam with another project.
If you make as good a job with this as you did with your truck (which I have no doubt you will do,) it will be superb.
I look forward to watching your thread.

Thanks buddy

Originally Posted by Mike P

Kinda hard to be without a project isn't it?

This looks interesting, looking forward to watching.

Naw man its not hard to be without a project this will be my last build thats for sure.lol I had the car before I had the truck. I just want to freshen things up.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Another well done build thread to follow, thank you man. I'm surprised that Flatout didn't make the crossmember assy narrower to start with. Seems like they focused more on accommodating the steering rack than allowing for track width appropriate to the vehicle. Whatever, good save and planning on your part.

No man thank you for checking it out. The narrowing of the cross member has nothing to do with Flatout Engineering. They don't make a kit for 55-57 Chevy cars. I'm adapting their kit to fit my own needs so I can't fault them when I'm installing a kit that was not built for my vehicle. All that said the owner of Flatout Engineering and I talked about what I'm doing and he wants to see it when I'm done. He even sent me pictures of a guy that did it before and thats when I noticed his wheel choice was limited in the 55-57 car so I narrowed it for my needs.

Originally Posted by v8nutz

That suspension is going to make for a very nice driving car. I did a quickie rebuild on my LS, they are a lot more work than the good old small block that's for sure (and a lot more expensive for the parts!).

Yeah I hope its as nice as whats in my head. You really think LS rebuilds are a lot of work compared to a traditional small block? The expensive is not that bad (even though its more like you said) if you shop around. I like LS motor, very little has to be done for really nice horse power gains. My engine should be 500 at the crank easy.

Bam : Good to see your back building another excellent hotrod ! Look forward to your posts !

Originally Posted by Navy7797

Bam : Good to see your back building another excellent hotrod ! Look forward to your posts !

Thank you Sir.

I look forward to getting something done so I can share with you guys.

Originally Posted by BAM55

You really think LS rebuild are a lot of work than a traditional small block?

I did my 5.7 last year. It was more time consuming than an old small block. I found that all the torque to yield bolts and front on rear cover alignment to be very time consuming. I can usually do a SBC in about a day, taking my time and measuring all the dimensions. The LS took me twice as long. It's obvious that it was designed to be assembled by robots.

Nice project. I'm subscribing so I can keep up. I seem to get way behind on threads I'm interested in.