This '70 Chevelle started out as a clean-sheet-of-paper project and had a complete Art Morrison frame installed by Fast Eddie's Race Cars of Orange, California.
Project Garage is back, and this time we have something really cool for you. A while back, Editor David Kennedy had the idea of putting a Duramax engine into a Chevelle to create a diesel musclecar. Mike Racke of Fullerton, California, had the same idea but took it a million steps further than we could have and started putting together the vehicle-in-progress you see here. To find out more about this awesome ride, read on-and look for us to run a full feature on it once it's finished.
Yep, it's a 6.6L Duramax. The engine itself will be fully built and will feature ported heads, a cam, rods, a custom intake, and more. Twin turbos will be used in parallel (not compound), and power is projected to be 1,000 hp and 2,000 lb-ft at the crank. | 
While we were checking out the engine, we noticed it looked set back a little in the frame. We found out it was actually moved back a shocking 8 inches. When you have to build a car from scratch, you can do that kind of stuff. | 
The rear of the Chevelle is fully tubbed and will house big Pro Touring-style wheels and tires or drag slicks when it's time to go to the track. |
A modified Allison transmission will be used to handle the power, while a custom firewall, floorpan, and transmission crossmember will be used because of the Allison's size. | 
With diesel torque ready to get the big Chevelle moving in a hurry, the brakes have to be equally up to the task. Massive Wilwood vented discs will reside at all four corners. | 
The fabrication even extends into the trunk area, where wheeltubs, a custom fuel tank, and rearward bars from the rollcage can be seen. Everything is a tight fit, and the exhaust will be run up and over the rear axle and out the back to keep diesel soot off the paint. |
Mike wanted his car to ride well and turn corners too, so a C5 Corvette suspension is used up front to achieve all those goals. This is another view of how far the engine is set back in the frame, which will improve the handling, the ride, and the dragstrip acceleration. Weight distribution is projected to be close to 50/50. | 
To give you an idea of the project's ambition, we present this 9-inch rearend that was fabricated completely from scratch by Fast Eddie's. The rearend will match up with a four-link rear suspension that will hopefully give the Chevelle some semblance of traction. | |