1981 Chevrolet El Camino

Added: 3-01-2000Location: Illinois, United States

  • Engine: Underdriven 400 ci. sb Chevy crate motor with 7,500 miles driven in 18 years - not rebuilt, mild cam, Comp Cams push rods, headers, powdercoated Edelbrock Tunnel Ram with (2) 450 cfm carbs. topped with twin K&N velocity stacks, chrome Edelbrock valve covers, aluminum Edelbrock water pump, Seimens 3000/5000 cfm electric fan from Dodge Viper, chrome Holley fuel pump, chrome Powermaster 100a alternator with Erson bracket set, TCI High Torque Mini starter, MSD 6AL ignition., MSD Blaster 2 coil, MSD Magnetic Breakerless Distributor, MSD Super Conductor 8.5mm spark wires, braided radiator hose and fuel lines, Amsoil synthetic engine oil.

  • Trans.: Built 700R4 w/ shift kit, 2000 RPM stall, chrome B&M deep pan, B&M Hammer ratchet shifter, updated speedometer gear adapter and cable housing to accomodate 3.73 gears.

  • Exhaust: Flowmaster dual exhaust, Turbo cats.

  • Rear: 10 bolt w/ 3.73 posi gear, chrome diff. cover, new brake lines, new balanced driveshaft.

  • Suspension: Fully updated SRS front end frame support rods, SRS front end strut rods, IRS front sway bar, IRS rear stabilizer bar, powdercoated Lakewood traction bars, Monroe "Hi Jacker" air shocks.

  • Tires: Cragar SS/T reverse rims on BFGoodrich 225/60 fronts & 265/50 rears with Gorilla locks.

  • Interior: Updated entire interior with interior parts from a 1988 Monte Carlo SS: bucket seats, center console, door panels, window trim, dashboard - rewired to work with existing accessories - and tilt steering. Other custom updates include: Grant "Formula GT" steering wheel, Auto Gage gauges, custom 8% window tinting, custom headliner, custom 3rd brake light where original dome light was, new molded interior carpet.

  • Stereo: Technics head unit, Technics equalizer, MTX Terminator low impedance amp. powering the dual 12" MTX Blue Thunder subwoofers in custom built enclosure which replaces the spare tire space, Pinoeer amp. powering JBL GT961 6x9 speakers, Coustic XM-1 electronic crossover, noise filter, custom power switches.

  • Body: 4 coats PPG 99% black & 4 coats PPG clear, all emblems shaved, Crystalite Engineering full wrap-around ground effects, Unlimited 2 inch cowl induction fiberglass hood, Protect-O-Top fiberglass lid w/ spoiler, bed liner, Pilot head lamp conversion kit w/ Xenon bulbs, 4-tube underbody purple neon light kit.

  • Car Bio.: This car was built at the Doraville, Georgia plant finishing on 11-14-1980, #2,295. It was sold to a local Funeral Home and used as a "flower car" until I bought it in April 1987 for $2,100 with 59,172 original miles. It originally housed a 229 ci. engine with a 2 bbl carb., TH250 auto. trans., and a 2.73 rear gear. The engine wasn't running its best when I bought it and I had the V6 rebuilt.
    In April 1988, the engine started to act up again and I decided to get rid of the V6 and get a Chevy small block replacement. Built by "1/4 Mile Performance", this 400 ci. crate engine was the start of a long-term transformation. The engine proved itself to be a worthy replacement and satisfied the lack of power needed to make this car move.
    Over the next 4 years, I slowly added and replaced parts of the car with high-performance accessories from "Super Shops" in Chicago, such as BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, Cragar wheels (shown in picture), Auto Meter gauges, and misc chrome engine parts to name a few. I also started to purchase the fiberglass full body wrap ground effects, fibergalss rear deck lid with spoiler, fibergalss 2" cowl induction hood, misc. suspension parts and more, planning in advance for an extensive exterior makeover.
    In February of 1992 I removed the rear differential assembly and took it to "Rony's Gear Service" in Hickory Hills to replace the 2.73 "highway" gear with a quicker 3.73 posi gear, new chrome differential cover and brake lines. I put that back in the car along with the new IRS stabilizer bar, Lakewood traction bars and Monroe air shocks to replace the stock air shocks.
    In June of 1992 I had "AJ&R Speedometer" in Tinley Park build me a transmission gear adapter to accomodate the new differential upgrade (for speedometer accuracy). 7th Heaven Rods & Customs mildly restored and painted the car with PPG paints and clear coat - 99% black. I also had all the emblems shaved, all chrome sandblasted and painted black, installed the new full-body-wrap ground effects, fiberglass hood, and rear deck lid with spoiler. What a transformation!
    Over the next 4 months I built a custom fit subwoofer enclosure out of 3/4" to fit the area behind the seat where the spare tire was located, to accomodate the dual hard-hitting 12" MTX Blue Thunder subs and Terminator amplifier. Covered it with carpet to match, and secured it to the car's bed. Installation of the new Technic's head unit and equalizer, Pioneer amplifier to power JBL GT961 6x9's, Coustic XM-1 electronic crossover, noise filter and necessities were completed and sounds great!
    • April '96 - Black Magic Fan & Mini Starter. December '96 - 700R4 trans. & 2000 stall converter.
    • July '99 - Edelbrock Tunnel Ram with dual 450cfm Holley carberators.
    • August 2000 - Flowmaster dual exhaust.
    • May 2005 - Updated the cooling system with a Be Cool aluminum 4-core radiator, B&M trans. cooler & a chrome B&M deep transmission pan.

    ... To be continued!

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