Photos from DetroitSpeed.com
When owner Mo brought this Chevelle into Detroit Speed, it was already in pretty good shape — it was even fitted with a 502ci big-block Chevy. Most people would have been content with this setup, but the owner wanted more from his car. Basically, the goal was to build a super car that could be a daily driver.
The team at Detroit Speed got to work to give Mo what he wanted. They tore the car down, and built it back up with a heavy hitting powertrain — they really swung for the fences on this one. The 502ci engine was swapped out for a supercharged 427 LSX engine, assembled by Mast Motorsports and tuned with a Holley Dominator computer.
The supercharger sitting on top of the 427 engine is a 4.0L Whipple blower. Initial tuning produced 863rwhp on E85 fuel, with the final product reaching into the coveted four-digit horsepower range.
To make sure the Chevelle could handle super car power, they had to give it a more capable foundation. The team unbolted the entire chassis from under the Chevelle so they could start fresh. Adding ladder-style frame rails meant more strength and rigidity. It was then modified to accept a Detroit Speed QUADRA-Link rear suspension assembly. An in-house fabricated 9-inch with 3.89:1 gears and a True Trac differential are setup to handle the power from the final product.
JRi double-adjustable shocks on the front and rear promote excellent handling and ride characteristics. The front assembly was redone with custom fabricated steering and spindle assemblies. Slowing the car are carbon-ceramic brake rotors.
The firewall has been moved back 6-inch, and the interior is possibly the most obvious marker of a super car. It is clad with safety harnesses, and a ten-point roll bar — but these features are beautifully blended into the Chevelle’s slick interior, and topped off with a custom instrument cluster.
This classic super car is a work of art. To see the full gallery of photos, check them out here.
Elizabeth is hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
