Driver's Impression - On The StreetI'm a sucker for good steering. I hate over-assisted boxes, twitchy steering, and I have little tolerance for slow, indirect steering. That made me appreciate The Roadster Shop Chevelle's steering feel right away. The more I drove it, the better I liked it. It was neither too light, nor too heavy, and it pointed the car right where you wanted it.
Cruising the streets around El Toro, I came to appreciate the well-sorted combo of Eibach springs and Penske shocks. The ride was sports-car firm, but not jittery or harsh. Despite the low stance, the railroad track crossing along our route failed to knock out any fillings. I'd rate the ride/handling combo better than average for the group of cars tested.
Other pluses: Sweet-shifting T56 gearbox, Zoom aluminum flywheel and clutch, Cobra seats, pedal layout and tilt steering column, all excellent. Minuses? Without carpeting, side glass or a backseat, the tailpipe-less exhaust system created quite a din inside. As for the color, well, make mine red-Jim Campisano
| By The Numbers - ROADSTER SHOP ’70 Chevelle |
| Total cost of parts: | $18,480 |
| Estimated install time: | Dependant on how it’s ordered |
| Install note: | Bolt in full chassis with no floormodifications |
| Type: | LS7 Crate Engine – 640 HP – Turn Key Performance |
| Block: | Aluminum, 427 cubic inches |
| Fuel Delivery: | GM EFI |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission: | Tremec T56 six-speed Viper spec |
| Rearend: | 9-inch Ford, Posi, 3.70 gears |
| CHASSIS/SUSPENSION |
| Steering: | Power rack |
| Spindles: | C6 Vette with DSE control arms |
| Front Suspension: | RS Performance full chassis |
| Front Shocks: | Koni billet double adjustable, remote reservoir coilovers |
| Front Swaybar: | NASCAR style splined front sway bar–1.25-inch |
| Rear Suspension: | Parallel four-bar swivel link |
| Rear Shocks: | Koni billet double adjustable, remote reservoir coiloverse |
| Rear Swaybar: | Adjustable, splined sway bar 1-inch diameter 0.090 wall |
| Front Brakes: | 14.25-inch rotor, 6-piston caliper, Wilwood |
| Rear Brakes: | 14-inch rotor, 4-piston caliper, Wilwood |
| WHEELS & TIRES |
| Wheels: | Forgeline, 19x12 rear, 18x10 front |
| Tires: | 305/30x19 rear 265/35x18 front Toyo R888-100 treadwear |
| Tires @ re-test | 345/35R19 rear and 275/35R18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2-220 Treadwear |
| RESULTS: |
| Chevelle | C5 Vette |
| Skidpad: | 0.91 g | 0.90 g |
| Slalom: | 47.3 mph | 44.7 mph |
| Autocross: | 45.26 sec. | 47.89 sec. |