Debating what to do on resto....

[Sean]

Just finished up a frame off resto on one of my LS6 CARS. At a crossroads on what to do. I do not have any of the original drive train motor/tranny. Have the original build-sheet it is documented.

Should I try to date code it all? or build a nice motor/put a 5 speed in it and cruise it around. I am actually losing sleep over this lol.

I searched everywhere for the motor and tranny but the shop went out of business where it was last seen. Was an CE block the 1st owner blew it up. I bought it from the 3rd owner and he put a automatic and descent 454. But anyways. Need thoughts guys and yes of course it is my favorite color Forest green. Sean

[SS427]

My suggestion/opinion for what it is worth and I deal with them every day is to build it the way you want. The car will take a big hit in value without the original drivetrain and if you put all numbers matching drivetrain back in it along with all the expensive engine peripherals you can expect to spend anywhere from $20k to $30k which you will never see. If you build it the way you want it then you will likely enjoy it more without effecting the value much. Again, just my opinion and I am a numbers guy.
Rick

[KingKoser06]

I'm with Rick. I'm a numbers guy too, but if you try and date code everything, then yeah it'll be right, but along the way it could get frustrating and could end up wishing that you just put an engine together to go out and enjoy. Furthermore, when you have it all together and correct, you might not want to drive it as much because of all the work you put into it making sure everything is right.

Now with that said, since you have the documentation to back up what the car is, maybe just building it as an "era correct" drivetrain might not be as bad. That way you can still have it be somewhat correct, and still build it the way you want to.

But the bottom line is that you should build it how you want. It is your car, so it should make you happy.

Just my thoughts.

Alex

[seventieshow]

Since you asked...

I'd use a 502 or a 496 BBC, modern aluminum heads, and headers.

Green cars are awesome.

[BOWTIE67327]

give it to me, then you will sleep better

[ssl78]

I have a CRV motor

[L16pilot]

Sean - Like Rick and Alex, I'm a numbers-guy also. One of my 70 Zs I bought from the original owner and have docs out the kazoo...not to mention major drive train items and most peripherals are born-with to the car. On the other side, I am up to my neck deep in restoring another 70Z that only retains its' original rear....and I am working very hard for it to be a complete numbers-correct car with original items. Why?...because I want to...plain and simple. For me, this is a hobby, so the pleasure is in the build and achieving desired results...not how much I spend in that pursuit.

So, the answer, I think, lies not in what others think you should do, but what you want to do, what you can afford and what's important to you in the process and the final end result. If that means an aluminum headed 502 with a 5-speed...so be it. There really are no "wrong" answers...it's your car, do with it what you want.

[the427king]

If a buildsheet ls6 is not worth doing with date code drivetrain,then what chevelle would be worth doing right?

[Postsedan]

Sean,

I disagree.....you have a real LS6, a documented LS6.....most real deal LS6 Chevelles have either the original engine and or original trans long gone. As they were well abused and or raced. If you wish to build a nice fun Chevelle to your liking, with a fun engine and with a 5 or 6 speed trans.....build one out of a 6 cylinder or a 307 Chevelle.

Plus, to me it is refreshing to see a real deal LS6.....as most are clones today.
We all love these Muscle Cars....the real cars will always be the real cars, I say keep them real and accurate as they were born. Nothing wrong with telling the world as you have done so....that your real deal LS6 does not have it's original drivetrain, Integrity :)

Just my two cents.

Dan

[Mr. Chevy]

Sean, I agree with Dan and Chuck (the427king).

Real deal LS6, make it right..

Just my .02

Rich

[marxjunk]

id try to do it right too..theres a CRV motor for sale in Washington Mo..no vin..and i forgot the date code...but could find out

[L72Biscayne]

Being that you have the Built Sheet I personally would find a CE block dated 1971 or 72 then find a 1970 M22 trans assuming it's a four speed and build it as the LS6 that it is. Having the docs still makes the car worthy of being as correct as possible. There's plenty of Documented cars with CE motors.

[John]

…

… What month was you LS6 Chevelle built ?

:hmmm:

[Lynn]

Being that you have the Built Sheet I personally would find a CE block dated 1971 or 72 then find a 1970 M22 trans assuming it's a four speed and build it as the LS6 that it is. Having the docs still makes the car worthy of being as correct as possible. There's plenty of Documented cars with CE motors.

This.

[Sean]

…

… What month was you LS6 Chevelle built ?

:hmmm:

March of 70

I do have some parts, heads,manifold, carb, distributor, water pump, pulleys

[AutumngoldL78]

Sean. I'm in the same boat as you with my 70 Chevelle L78. It is documented Buildsheet,POP,order sheet but does not the original motor or trans.What i plan on doing is making it look correct with the right looking parts.Some of the parts might not be date coded,but it will look correct.If you did it this why you could save yourself some money.

[ban617]

If it came with a 454 I would just put it back in & get it to a point that you can enjoy the work you have done on it & just look for a CE block or an original that’s date coded , but in the meantime have fun with it ..

[tom406]

I can't see too much restomodding of a build sheet LS6. However, I'm usually in the "what you can't see is fair game" side of upgrading. If it were me, I would find a 1970 Hi Perf block (no '75 truck blocks, etc) and a 1970 M22 case (Any 1970 dates, not too concerned about date coded to car, esp if its an early build and date correct parts are tougher). I would fill that block with the longest stroker crank practical and a modern roller cam grind and fill that M22 with an aftermarket wide ratio gearset. I would use a light-ish flywheel for quick revving and fill the 12 bolt with 3.31 gears if it has 4.10s. It should pull like a monster and be OK on the freeway, all while looking stock and having a "correct" 4 speed with everything lining up exactly the way it should. When its time to sell, there aren't many excuses to give. My $.02, good luck.

[ssl78]

You already have a lot of the expensive parts you really should put it back together with correct short block

[Stefano]

Put an LS engine in it and drive the heck out of it. Actually don't cut and/or hurt it and do whatever puts the biggest grin on your face. At the end of the day it doesn't take much time to swap out an engine / trans.

[Igosplut]

Almost like having a original engine car with no paperwork.

[Big Block Bill]

Put an LS engine in it and drive the heck out of it. Actually don't cut and/or hurt it and do whatever puts the biggest grin on your face. At the end of the day it doesn't take much time to swap out an engine / trans.


That's Very True Stefano. It's Not that simple tho, because for the average guy, installing an "LS Engine in it and driving the Heck" AND " it doesn't take much time to swap out an engine / trans"

Done Correctly, (as You know) is a minimum of $10,000 ALL in to the "Average Guy" / REAL money.

If it's a Documented LS-6 with REAL proof, I say build For The History sake and most value in the end.

Finish it like it was Born to the best of your finances (Like I did), and as Dan Vasic said, Buy a 6 cylinder or 307 car, and like You said beat it Like you stoled it!

ORIGINAL, PROVEN, DOCUMENTED Cars with REAL Paperwork are the Foundation of OUR Hobby let alone THIs SITE if you really look at it with an open mind! FWIW.

Bill

[ronzz572]

I'm a numbers guy here to working on 3 70 z28 camaros 2 non original motor cars. So I chose to put mine deserving back to original as possible. The 2 non original motor cars I found orphaned motors from production line z28s. Dates are later but used a correct engine. You are dealing with a real documented Ls6 chevelle muscle car. Keep it real and find a CRV for it and a CE M22 for it. Original drivetrain cars are running short. If the non original motor cars are overlooked to restore correctly there will not be many more fresh concours restored cars to look at. Keep it real as others have said.

[300deluxe]

Build a day 2 car

[markjohnson]

Brand new GM Performance Parts 502 re-painted Orange and disguised to look as much like an original LS6 as possible. Pullies, valve covers, aluminum pancake intake manifold, etc.

[Crush]

Tell you what, I’ll take it from you so u don’t have to worry! One of my favorite cars of all time, would love to have it!
Good luck figuring it out, as my buddy says “ high class problem”!

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Real deal LS6
Who cares if the drive train is long gone and forget the Warranty block BS that is old news in the hobby.
Find Correct Date Code drive train from other cars and install, many of my clients do that anyways.
Yes won't draw as much as a "Born With" drive train but it will still draw good money if the build is of high quality and you properly match the date codes for the motor or trans, Rear end are easy to find "Born With" as there is no VIN
More then half the real LS6 cars had there motors blown anyways.
You'll just be another modified 1970 Chevelle if you go the other way.
A Real Build Sheet trumps everything else IMO

[southernfriedcj]

I'd drop a 632/5spd combo in it and have fun. I'd also ad AC.

[novadude]

I would not try and make a date code correct / re-stamp LS6. Chances are 3 owners from now it will get passed off as a "born with drivetrain" original car, and someone will be really upset if they get taken. Fraud is probably not your intent, but who knows what will happen when the car changes hands.

Build a nice 454 that looks like an LS6, but with oval port heads, hydraulic roller cam, etc. Why worry about date codes? It will never be 100% original, IMO.

[TimG]

Install a visually correct 454 and 4 speed and leave the pad blank. Install headers so you don't have to mess with a smog system and day 2 the car. If you show the car, put a copy of the paperwork in the windshield. I'd be the first to drool all over it and be green with envy over the fun you could have lighting up the tires with no worries about blowing an original engine.