'80s Built Chevelle Drag Car Goes On The Dyno - Results are NOT what we expected! 

This was my dads car! I can tell you he ran mid 12's consistently with great reaction time . Car always performed well because it had amazing traction. And i have pictures of it pulling the wheels off the ground (with sway bar removed). My dad sold the car to a guy who owned it for 2 short weeks before selling it to vice grip shame he told you it ran 10's.

Derek, it was blowing through the converter on the dyno, that’s why the power was so low. You can hear how short those dyno pulls were. Run it at the track before you change too much and see what it runs, then go from there. It’s a cool ass car and will be neat to see an old 80s street racer at the track.

I enjoyed watching you drop wrenches and bolts trying to get that shock in. You are human after all, and I’m super impressed with your patience.

Sounds like it blows right through the converter pretty hard right off the hit. I’d like to see this car hit the track and see what it’ll do how it sits right now. High strung small blocks are always cool so I personally would love to see what you’ve got but if and a guy decides to pep her up I think a big inch big block would be really really cool to see as well. Love the content you’re putting out Derek. It never gets old

Good luck to all on the hemi-half!! Cold snacks engaged!!

I love the way this car is set up Derek. It's exactly the way we built them back in the mid to late 70's. Those are Lakewood Traction bars. Almost everyone that had an A body in the day had them. Keep up the great work sir.

Literally went and checked in my garage when you said make sure the compressor's off lol. Surprisingly it was

A Tuesday video!!! What did I do to deserve this?

Derick, it's official. You're an American icon and treasure. Keep doing EXACTLY what you're doing.

gotta love the price tag on the safety glasses, hahaha.... Derek you are just the funniest guy on the you tube and an inspiration in so many ways!!

I think you should check spring height and seat pressure ! That will change a lot with an engine that has been setting around for several years and not being ran ! Also most of the CSB I have been around run thier best with ign. timing at 35 - 36° I hope this helps your small block be all it can be ! Love your show !

Nothing like a Tuesday VGG video drop to make the week just that much better!

Derek, Here is a little trick I learned awhile ago. The Rear Fuel Bowl view port, if you notice, is lower than the front fuel bowl on a Holley carb. I used to run both bowls at mid point until a Dyno guy pointed this out to me. The correct setting for the rear float level is to remove the float bowl completely and use a caliper to measure 0.850" from the center seam line on float to the inside top of the fuel bowl with bowl upside down and float hanging. This little piece of information was good for 20 HP on the Dyno. To double check your setting of rear float level, pull the front float bowl and measure the front float from seam line to inside upper float bowl and compare to the readings.

I'd love to see you take this car to the track just the way it is to get a baseline before doing anything else. . It looks and sounds great.

I'm getting older and I can tell that my mind is slipping a bit, but as long as I have the chance, I will always watch and be a fan of your channel!!! Thank you so much.

Derek, regarding the valve float at 6,200 or less, those valve springs have for sure lost some of their strength over the past few decades, if you want the rev's back, replace the springs.

Thanks as always Derek for all you provide fer us fellers and fellettes. Alway a gift well received when we hear about sparkolaters and lightning whirlers. Now if you only had a battery sponsor…Too much? Perfect

I think it would be great to see how fast you can get it down the track, keeping as much of the old school parts as possible. Whatever you decide to do, I will enjoy watching you make it happen.

I personally like it the way it is. Would love to see it go down the track! Bigger tires of course ! Maybe compare it to the dyno afterwards on time.

They're putting out videos like crazy. Phenomenal work ethic.

Thank you for a bonus video in the middle of a week!! Hope you and your family are well.

Back in the day these beasts roamed free. Big blocks, ladder bars, wide rubber. It warms a guys heart to see it. Can you hear the thunder? 😎

I was always a fan of getting two fitting kits for the air shocks. I would run a seperate line to each side. That way the air doesn’t transfer one side to the other on corners. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Awesome build good sir.

Thank the lord for this channel!!!! I’m your typical car fixer upper type of fellar, in the pits for a few months healing up from shoulder surgery, so this is keeping me from going bat shit crazy.. excited to see Derek’s future projects and help me getting back to my projects

Man , does this bring back great memories for me. Tuning my friends '67 Cougar for the drag strip , burnouts with wrinkle wall slicks . Wow, to be 20 again.....

Fresh set of valve springs would probably do wonders on that.

My Dad bought a used one in 77 for my brother i was thirteen oh how i loved that car. They sold it before I could drive i was so upset . It had a two tone color shen and leather bucket seats. May God bless all!

Great video Derek. I have worked on my own cars a bit over the years (I am old) but you are so far above my abilities and quite frankly my initiative and it is a joy to watch. No drama, no kitch, great humor and just some real mechanic stuff. I love watching it my young brother. And I bought a hat today for a chance at the hemi-half. It would replace my 2002 F150. :) God bless you man. Keep it up.

I think many of us have been right there so many times with the ratchet and wrench and washer and nut all taking turns slipping and falling. I could feel the blood pressure rising just watching that first couple minutes. Derek is a good example to show patience and humor to get past all that. Good times!

Love your channel, Jim from Oklahoma ( I am a self proclaimed Mutt)I started watching you back last November during my wife’s back surgery recovery ( she is doing great) I married my high school sweetheart 46 years ago. I just wanted you to know your character shows through out your content and you inspired me on my own project (1950 ford truck) Thanks for all you do.

I love this guy! Very intelligent and humorous!!!

It doesn't need a big block. 400 blocks are legendary, and that one is too. It was either blowing through the converter, or that dyno wasn't loading it at all. I've toyed with alot of SBC's and BBC's but the 400 is certainly my favorite.

Should run separate lines to the shocks so you can "tune" them for better launches... sweet car can't wait to see more!

Derek’s whole interaction with the left rear is hysterical

HEY Derek the ladder bar's are perfect! Don't forget about pinion angle.🤣 I'm glad you have this car. Make her Scream!!

Hey Derek, glad to see that your dirt bike enjuries are doing good!👍 thanks again for your sick week footage! That was just pure awsomeneessesss! 🔥 ❤️👊

Absolutely love your vids derek Keeps a guy goin through the week!

Thanks Derek, another great video. Rather than an engine swap how about a series where you continue to go through the car and make sure everything is working to its best? Check the convertor and box, valve springs and all the other things that could have gone away since the car was built. Get a baseline on the track here and then do some average feller upgrades?

Love this car Derek do whatever you feel. I hope we see this car around for awhile. Thanks for the great channel.

It’s so good to see you using a lift and not on the floor or the ground. I’m glad you’re giving your body a break. You deserved it for a long time. It’s not like we’re made out of eye ranium from a tornado. You take care brother, we just love ya.

That LUNCH TIME was perfectly timed 😂 its better than setting the entire rig on fire out of frustration 😂

As always Derrick,you prove why they gave you a tv show 👍👍 I prefer you on your own but you seem to be growing into it Congratulations

What a great sounding engine. What a great addition to your fleet

I've been a viewer from afar for a few years now and never really sat through an entire episode...I have to say your content is very entertaining and informative...the narration is very entertaining. Now that I've given your channel a proper chance I have to say I'm a fan and will be looking forward to new content on this channel especially about on this Chevelle ☺️

I'd take a few full bore blasts down the 1/4 mile before really settling on changes there, Derek. The dyno is way cool, but it's at the track that really matters. All that said, if you do decide to repower the old girl, well, there's no replacement for displacement I always say.

I'm kinda shocked that the car only made 233hp. I was thinking around 500hp. Keep the videos coming! I enjoy everyone! Hope you're on the mend! Have a good day!

Thank you for posting these videos. My very favorite car is the 1970 to 1972 Chevelle. My brother had a 1972 Chevelle with a 402 big block with two four barrels on a tunnel ram. 4 speed Muncie m22 Rock crusher with 373 posi rear end. Now this was in 1984 when we put it together. It was a beast for it's time.

Love your positive attitude. That's part of why I watch your videos. You're always fun to watch, nice and your videos don't have any of the silly crap some other channels put in for views or whyever they do things like pranks or being mean to people. Keep it up. I would leave in the engine it has and start with the changes you're sure would be the most fun. Cam first probably or build it out to keep up with that cam. This is my dream car too. Just a fantastic looking car.

What a nice ride! I'd put some comfy seats in it and use it as a cruiser. And it sounds amazing.

Yours channel is truly the only channel I am always watching for the next video. I never miss one and never skip a second of your videos. Thanks for being you and sharing with me!

Wow 1.5 million subscribers!! I remember when you had like 20 thousand seems like yesterday. Love where the channel has gone keep it up Derrick and family you are an amazing family. Love you all.

I watched your videos and it taught me how to put my 77 hi boy back on the road! Love your station

I do love the look of that car. Hope to see a lot more of it on the channel.

Great vid. I usually don’t comment, but there are a couple things I’m seeing here. 1. I would be very tempted to pull the valve springs and test pressure. Probably 30 years old and need to be changed. 2. It’s likely blowing through the converter. I’ve personally seen very low 12 second (3500 pound) cars only make 250 wheel hp on the chassis dyno because of this. I’d love to see this car run at the track as is with new valve springs and a 29” tire. I’d bet it runs in the 12s.

That blue is really nice on that. It's such a nice car. Hope your feeling better Derek. From my own experience ribs hurting is the worst. To know you did sic week with that was impressive. Love of a wonderful woman to help really matters in times like that for sure.

secondary jet extensions are good for keeping the bowls lower

Great video Derek, love to see you build this to win some races! Big block for sure, put some fear into competitors when they hear VGG is at the track!

What a clean car! Deserves more than that good sounding small block😊

The exhaust at idle sounds like Hot for Teacher. Great stuff!

myself and some of my kids have been subscribed to vgg since your tinysota days we use your knowledge to help us gain confidence in problem solving the steps we need to take to keep our older autos running in a cost effective and safe.

You know you've officially made it somewhere when you get you get you one of them there forklifts for the shop. Congratulations Derek.

Just a suggestion…Make some shims for the rear brackets between the lips to keep bolts from bending. Bent bolt can have a crack in it and break suddenly. Love the build and your dedication to its history!

I think you should keep the 400 sbc, their good motors and with a set of ARP rod bolts and a nice top end you can get pretty quick; and even quicker if you show the bottom end some love.This car represents history and working with what you have, keep the drive train. Love the show, happy hot rodding.

I'm with the majority here Derek..something isn't right with those dyno pull's. My stock bottom end 350 with dart iron heads, roller cam, dual plane intake and a quick fuel 750 is making 400 at the crank. Love your channel..and I've caught my wife who's tolerated my gear head addiction for 30+ years standing behind me watching your video's several times.. I ordered 2 of your key chains. Told her she's getting the "well I'll be dipped" one for her motorcycle and the "bring the thunder" one is going in my camaro!

I agree that it did sound like it was blowing through the converter. You seemed really disappointed contrary to what you were saying, I would of guessed 350-375 hp. You gotta remember this thing sit a long time and the engine is probably tired as well. Nothing wrong with big block swap, just small block was the thing back in the day. I would just have fun with it until it blows. Then give it independence 2.0 treatment!!

I’m confused because I’ve never heard 230hp sound like that! But I guess I got ta believe it….I’m looking right at it! Awesome car either way!

Great video Derek! Such a great car and a nice small block to boot. Take her on the strip and see what she turns. Might get high 13’s. Perfect cruiser. Thank you for your tuning skill teachings on carburation fine tuning. I’m always learning from you.

When I was 18 my mother had the same car. Same color too. 307. It was a very popular model.

Great idea, great show. Cars were fun back then. Your Chevellle was a pretty radical piece. Still is. Before you change the gearing, why not replace those 18 year old valve springs (They don't make springs like they used to; that's a good thing) and put some shorter tires on those pretty wheels. Since the tack was set for 6500, chances are the cam is solid and capable of twisting that tight. AJ might very well be on to something. Anyway, @ 6500, with the 4.11's, and a 27" tire it would be pushing wind north of 120. Everything back to spec and a fresh coat of reman juice and mid 12's @105 ought to be doable and fun. Keep doin what your doin.

Definitely would be cool to see this car in the high 9s! Carry on the legacy of what the car was built to do all those years ago!

Derek, It probably could use some new valve springs. After sitting for XX number of years some of them are bound to be weak from sitting there compressed all that time. I'd also consider letting one of the name-brand cam companies choose a different cam, maybe change it to a roller cam. I'd keep this one for cruising and drag racing. If you want to be a lot faster and money isn't a problem, then toss a big block in it... I hear John Kaase has some nice ones. 😜 Lol!

Good call on strapping the rear end down Derek! One of the mechanics at the shop I worked at back in the 70's brought in a 67 Nova that he just built. So he let one of the other mechanics take it for a ride. When he hit second gear it spun the banjo into the tank causing an instant fire ball within the cab. He survived with 80% body burns.

Man, that engine sounds good. I agree with a lot of the heads on here. I’d get a second opinion by running it on your favorite back road or a track. The power band seems a bit peculiar with this setup.

I’d say, leave it like that. Looks and sounds great!! ❤

It revved so fast in the dyno. Like no load at all. Check 'yer drivetrain Derek. 👍 That thing sounds great!

Let it rumble out the rest of its days as it sits now….it sounds great…looks amazing….is likely a tin of fun, and it’s not a widow maker.

Great video Derek. What a great car. The way she sounded I thought for sure she’d make more power. But still a great car with a great story. Thanks for sharing.

Always enjoyed your stuff. Completely gotten back into drag racing again just keeping up up with your vids! Love it!!!

The car reminds me of my 69 chevelle, thing was a beast on a muncie 4 speed :D Love the sound of it Derek. Like just about everyone else was saying, maybe check the converter/trans and or take it to a shop where the guys have more experience with a dyno and can tell you what's going on. My Chevelle had around 280 hp to the wheels and i'm sure that thing has more!

im finally a member of the vgg. i just love ya guys keep up the great work get ur done

Great video as always, a little disappointed this Chevelle wasn't ready for Sick Week. But was also cool seeing what Vanishing Paint accomplished. Little sad I am just now discovering things like Sick Week exist...dad had an old 64 Malibu that was built for this type of event would give anything to have him back for one run at it.

I really hope you keep the centerlines, they really make the whole car into the 80s vibe.

Hey Derek. I love this freakin’ car! I can’t wait to see what you’re gonna do with it. A big block would be fun!

Derek, I'm an old school mechanic. I built my first car based on the knowledge of my dad and his friends. Used to spend hours every day hanging out with amazing men who's knowledge has mostly been lost to time. I'm probably one of the few people left who has experience and knowledge using a dwell meter and a "distributor machine". I knew and hung out with legends; from motorcycles to cars. I knew John Lingenfelter. He built a badass BBC for my "godfather" out of his garage back in the 80s. Before he became a famous engine builder. What I'm saying is that I enjoy watching your channel and would very much enjoy working in your shop with you. There aren't many of us left; and the fact that you have the desire and the platform to help keep it alive and spread it means a lot. Keep up the good work and spreading the "hobby". Hope to meet you some day and maybe turn some wrenches with you. Never change who you are. Keep it going.

My opinion is most small blocks have too big of carb and to much cam. They sound wicked but the right cam/carb combo you can get 350hp easily out of her! Great video.

Hope your felling better after the broken bone etc. Never slows you down much but it must have been hard. 👍👍

Tip for the air shocks Derek. Fit TWO independent schrader valves; this allows you to a) control body roll and/or b) weight jacking!

Shout out for all the washer makers in the world! What a great endorsement for the underrated washer lol

That really looks like a great car Derek. The first car I ever drove with my learner's permit was a friend of mine's 71 Chevelle the exact same color only it had the 307 anemic flavored engine 😂 I still had fond memories of it though. Thanks for all that you do and the great videos that you share with us. Keep up the great work 👍✌️🇺🇲

Thanks for sharing hope you’re feeling better brother 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

While the HP were lower than expected (my guess was around 300 to the wheels), it's a beautiful car and I know you'll enjoy it either way!

Derek, I always look forward to the Friday show. You are very interesting and although I have been around cars all my life I certainly always learn something. Can you do me favor and just take a few minutes to teach us what you see when you look at a spark plug? Just take a few to teach us what you see when you pull the plug? What is it telling you because of what you see. Also, you throw a lot of numbers around about tire sizes, what does the numbers mean?

I feel like we need to see the heart of independence go onto this rig this year lol

Great video Derek! My brother had one back in the 70s. I’d like to see you keep it what it is.. very cool. Maybe some slight improvements.

Derek is just like me everyday at work, yelling and scream about dropping tools and parts in the bilge of a tug boat. Time to but independence engine in liberty

I would just drive it and enjoy it until it wears out then put a 6.0 in it! Super nice car and great video!!

Derek love the show!!! Keep wrenching and bringing great videos. Hate watching tv. Love you videos!

No way I’m this early?? Love the videos From VGG Keep up the hard work you guys! Derrick I’m so proud of you I’ve been here since first 50k subscribers and I cannot believe where you are. I can’t wait to see where else your hard work takes you and your family. Love and well wishes from your friend Kady here in New York ❤❤❤❤

Keep it the way it is ,make it a show car. Nice Chevelle 71 Derek.

Run the rig down the track and see what she does. I’m glad the son piped up, seems much stronger than a 14’s runner. Let’s see some track footage! Always enjoy every post?