I am interested in a project car. and i want to know if an older pre 80's chevette frame would hold up a 350 with 300-350 hp.

 

Well. I new a guy who installed a 283 into a Mazda 808 !! not sure if he reinforced anything, but I certainly would If I were you. good luck.

 

If the frame is not rusted, yes, it'll hold up, but you might be wise to put in stronger mounts and crossmembers. Many SBC's have been dropped into Chevettes and Vegas and Monzas and the like. I've even seen a 500cid Cadillac V8 in a Chevette. Funny thing is a 500cid Caddy engine is narrower than a 305 Chevy!

HOT ROD magazine has had plenty of people showing off their V8 Chevettes. Go to the library or something and these issues have Chevettes of some kind in them:

March 1979 - 1976 Chevette
March 1981 - Gasser Chevette
May 1993 - Pro Street Chevette
April 2000 - 1980 Chevette with 500cid Caddy engine

Here are a few V8 Chevette websites I've found that may or may not include building tips:

http://www.geocities.com/shakeedogg/rodsvette.html
http://www.carjunky.com/Manufacturer...te/index.shtml
http://www.chevettes.com/showroom.ph...ion=na&page=52
http://groups.msn.com/InternationalC...tteowners.msnw

 

yah i think it would hold up i have a 350 in a 85 blazer
and it runs great well it did run im in the progress of
fixing it now

 

i have the hod rod mag with the chevette in it not bad for a bone stock motor. it looked like an easy swap if you have the skills but im guessing it would take alot more work to make it safe for the road. first step would be to find a chevette thats not beat to s**t.

 

Let me enlighten you on this subject. Big engines in small cars have long been favorite past projects of mine. I have successfully completed drivable cars including a 73 Vega hatchback with a 327, a Plymouth Arrow with a 318, and a 302 powered Pinto.

First things first, a Chevette has no frame. They use unibody construction as does the Monza/Sunbird/Vega/Astre/Skyhawk/Firenza line. Although some Monzas came factory equipped with 305's, they had no frames. To add a more powerful engine to the unibody would surely subject the unibodied Chevette to body twist. It would be advisable to find a Camaro/Firebird or a Nova donor car to salvage the subframes from. You would want to strip the entire front clip and rear suspension from the Chevette. Now keep in mind that the subframe is not a direct bolt in for the Chevette body, it would be also advisable to cut out the entire floorpan from the rear seat to the rear floor just ahead of the taillight bezel. The donor subframe and drive axle would then likely have to be narrowed slightly to accomodate the narrower Chevette body. Same can be said for the front subframe. After narrowing the frame/axle assemblies they would then have to be positioned so the wheels/tires are centered in the wheel wells. Once the rear sub-assembly is positioned it can be bolted into place, don't forget to use body grommets to cushion the body from the frame rails. After bolting in the subframe you can then focus on the large hole in the floorpan just over the drive axle. If you choose to use wider tires then you may want to use oversized wheel tubs, otherwise you can refrabricate the floor and wheelwells using sheet aluminum.

On to the front of the car. Once you have the front subframe positioned, it too can be bolted into place using the same rubber bushings to cushion the body. I would recommend converting the entire front clip to a front tilt design. That would allow for easier access to the engine for repars and adjustments. Eliminate the front wheel wells when doing this also. The engine can be placed into the front frame using Camaro or Nova mounts, depending on which donor you use. As a side note, the steering column will have to be used from the donor car also. You may also wish to use frame rail connectors to strengnthen the assembly even more.

Anyway, that's the short version as there is more adjusting and fabricating that may need to be done. Building a car like this can take time and money but it's more than just lifting the hood and dropping an engine in. Even if it were possible to just simply sit a V-8 into a Chevette, the driveline and suspension would never handle the torque.

As far as the S-trucks with SBCs in them, the S-trucks have a full frame and a drive axle similar to those in the Malibu's and Camaro's. Those being a typical 10 bolt rear diff that will hold up in situations up to around 350 hp. Besides they sell V-8 swap kits for S-trucks.

 

axman i think maybe you are getting into way more work then you would need to drop a 350 in a chevette. i built one with a 430 hp 396. it had frame connectors built from 2x2 x3/16 tube, narrowed 9 inch,ladder bars, stock front suspension except v8 monza springs. it ran low 12's in the 1/4 and mile never twisted. im working on a new twin turbo smallblock acadian now. you migt be surprised how strong a chevette is.
chris

 

boy, this goes 2 show how bored we can get during the night. wheelsc67, u should post pic's of your projects on the forum-heck i'd like 2 see a link for video of a low 12's run, 'cause that little s**tvette (just jokin') sounds like it can run a hair quicker than my naturally aspirated 440 powered Dart. post some pic's brother!

 

How much lighter is the chevette then a camaro..... um lets jsut say 80's... to run 12's why would you do this *just cerious no criticism* but I know from experience how much work an engine swap is on a car taht the frame works and all that fun junk.... anyways that still costs around the price of $3 grand... when needing wires all that you are prety much taking a car and rebuilding it for the money wouldn't it be smarter to invest in another car? I'm just trying to learn here I mean I'm a car guy too I reconize it is fun and all but I'm not that rich ha maybey ou are but I would think that it would be costly and to think it is only runing 12-13 could someone explain why I think it great there's people out there willing to put this much work into a car IN NO WAY AM I TRYING TO CRITICIZE! good luck guys Nick!~

 

I fortgot to add my parents had bad luck with a *believe it was a 78 chevette* these cars do make amazing rally cars I've seen on google and such.... Thanks Nick!~ keep these forums going!