By Nick Licata – Images by NotStock Photography
Hot rodders can be a fickle bunch. We build a car with plenty of horsepower, drive them for a while, then crave more power—a never-ending pursuit for most. Such is the case with lifelong hot rodder John Woods and his 1970 Chevelle. “I bought the car in 2000, and being it was from Arizona the sheetmetal was in good condition,” John explains. “It had a warmed-over 468ci engine, which I swapped in a 540 roller engine built by Bob Snyder. I drove it in that configuration for about 10 years. In 2013, I upgraded the suspension, did some interior work, and swapped in another engine, this time a Lingenfelter 548 big-block, because, of course, I was always chasing horsepower.”
In the summer of 2018, the engine suffered a needle bearing failure. Around this time, John became interested in the Drag Week movement and started noticing more Ultra Street class–style cars cruising around Detroit not far from his home in Rochester. Tom Baily’s well-known 1969 Camaro was a major influence on the direction John wanted to take his Chevelle.
“As I continued to ponder my engine options, I wanted something completely badass and, of course, with a power adder,” John explains. “I also wanted a more modern wheel and tire combination, and to lower the car more than the 2 inches it already was.” John called Steve Morris and ordered one of his 540 Stage II engines complete with a Procharger blower.
At first, the idea of another engine swap seemed simple, but John soon realized the stock chassis wouldn’t be able to handle the 1,500-plus horsepower engine. Seeking advice, he reached out to Bryant Goldstone, who also had a 1970 Chevelle equipped to manage big power. Goldstone suggested some major chassis modifications, which was out of John’s expertise and skill level. That led John to Rocky Troxell at U.S. 12 Speed and Custom in Michigan to discuss his vision for the Chevelle—a Drag Week car without the 3,500hp engine, but lean into something around 1,500 hp instead. Troxell, a second-generation fabricator and chassis builder recommended replacing the stock chassis with a Roadster Shop SPEC chassis. John was all in.
To make it work, Troxell’s team performed some slight modifications to the Roadster Shop chassis to fit the U.S. 12 Speed long tunnel suspension system. Further modifications included widening, then raising the transmission tunnel to accommodate the beefed-up 4L80E transmission, while at the same time allowing the Chevelle to sit lower. The chassis also features Wilwood Pro Spindles, Fox RS-valved coilover shocks, and a 1.25-inch sway bar up front, while the custom rear suspension includes Fox RS-valved coilovers. Baer brakes manage stopping power at all four corners, controlled by a Baer master cylinder and Hydratech boost assist. Weld Racing V-Series wheels give the car a fierce drag race attitude, while a set of Mickey Thompson Sportsman rubber deliver ample traction, especially out back where it’s most needed.
The drivetrain consists of a Rodney Craig–prepped 4L80E backed up by a FTI SRL Billet 3,600 stall converter and a Shiftworks ratchet shifter. A QA1 carbon-fiber driveshaft transfers power to a custom U.S. 12 Speed rearend housing with a Strange HD Pro centersection stuffed with an Eaton Truetrac posi, 3.73 gears, and Moser 35-spline axles.
Prior to dropping in the big-horsepower bullet, the U.S. 12 team smoothed the firewall, constructed custom inner fenders, and fabricated a one-off closeout panel to complement the engine’s sleek yet intimidating look.
The business center combines a factory feel with modern touches for a high-performance environment. TMI suede and Ultraleather upholstery, installed by the gang at Vos Upholstery, provides a fresh take on the classic-style interior. The stock dash houses updated Dakota Digital gauges to monitor the car’s vitals, while a Billet Specialties steering wheel perched on the Ididit steering column adds some additional flair. U.S. 12 Speed installed a 10-point chromoly rollcage for safety, with additional chassis stiffness as a by-product of the exercise. Black DJ Racing harnesses complement the TMI leather bucket seats, blending safety with comfort.
If it’s true that red muscle cars carry a rebellious, edgy persona in classic car culture, then John Woods’s 1970 Chevelle is guilty as charged. Cloaked in brilliant Glasurit Torch Red, a U.S. 12 Speed custom mix, the car stands out as an absolute troublemaker. Custom touches include nipped and tucked factory bumpers plated by Chrome Race Cars for a brilliant shine. The U.S. 12 crew also extended the rear valance to showcase the custom exhaust notches.
John’s takeaway from this three-year gestation: “When building a custom car, patience is crucial. It takes more time and money than you expect, especially as changes and challenges arise. The process took a little longer than I anticipated, but the Chevelle now looks and performs just how I envisioned: a total badass!”
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TECH CHECK
Owner: John Woods, Rochester, Michigan
Vehicle: 1970 Chevelle
Engine
Type: Dart Big M iron block
Machinework & Assembly: Steve Morris Engines (Northern Shores, MI)
Displacement: 540 ci
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Bore: 4.50
Stroke: 4.25
Rotating Assembly: Callies crankshaft, Oliver steel rods, CP Carillo pistons
Cylinder Heads: Dart 355 CNC aluminum
Valvetrain: PAC valvesprings, Jesel SS shaft rockers, Trend Performance pushrods
Camshaft: Steve Morris Engineering (specs proprietary)
Induction: Shaun’s Custom Alloy billet intake manifold
Fuel Injection: Holley Dominator tuned by Steve Morris, Todd Woods, and Kyle Woods
Power Adder: Procharger F2 supercharger
Valve Covers: Billet by Steve Morris Engines
Exhaust: Custom stainless 2 3/8-inch headers, custom 3-inch stainless polished exhaust by U.S. 12 Speed and Custom (Buffalo, MI)
Ancillaries: Taylor wires, Eddie Motorsports hood hinges, PRC Performance aluminum radiator, Meziere billet water pump, Jones Racing alternator, Holley coil-on-plug ignition, Rick’s Tanks 27-gallon stainless tank, Aeromotive 5.0 GPH brushless fuel pump
Flywheel Horsepower: 1,605 at 19 lbs of boost, 1,495 at 17 lbs of boost
Rear Wheel Horsepower 1,338 at 17 lbs of boost tuned for street
Drivetrain
Transmission: GM 4L80E by Rodney Craig (New Buffalo, MI)
Torque Converter: 3,600 stall FTI SRL Billet
Shifter: Shiftworks ratchet
Driveshaft: QA1 carbon fiber
Rear Axle: Custom housing by U.S. 12 Speed, Strange HD, Eaton Truetrac differential, 3.73 gears, Moser 35 spline axles
Chassis
Chassis: Roadster Shop SPEC, U.S. 12 Speed modified
Front Suspension: Wilwood Pro Spindles, RS tubular control arms, Fox RS valved coilover shocks, 1.25-inch sway bar, RS power rack-and-pinion steering
Rear Suspension: U.S. 12 Speed long-tunnel, Fox RS valved coilover shocks
Brakes: Baer 13-inch rotors, four-piston calipers, front; Baer, 11-inch rotors, two-piston calipers, rear; Baer Remster master cylinder; Hydratech hydraulic brake assist
Suspension Mods: U.S. 12 Speed long-tunnel suspension system
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Weld V Series, 17×4 front, 15×11 rear
Tires: Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R, 28×6 front, 30×13 rear
Interior
Upholstery: Black TMI suede and Ultraleather, custom black loop carpet
Installation: Vos Upholstery
Seats: TMI
Harness: DJ Safety five-point
Steering: Ididit column, Billet Specialties steering wheel
Shifter: Vintage Horseshoe
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital VHX-70-CVL Carbon Fiber Background
Wiring: American Auto Wire plus ECU Masters by U.S. 12 Speed
HVAC: None
Sound System: Retro Auto head unit, Polk Audio amplifiers, Kicker KSC350 3 ½-inch front speakers, Infinity Kappa 6×9 rear speakers, Rockford Fosgate P300-8P 8-inch sub
Stereo Installation: U.S. 12 Speed
Rollcage: 10-point chromoly by U.S. 12 Speed
Exterior
Bodywork & Paint: U.S. 12 Speed
Body Modifications: Extended rear valance with exhaust notches
Paint: Glasurit Torch Red (custom mix by U.S. 12 Speed)
Front Bumper: Narrowed factory
Rear Bumper: Narrowed factory
Plating: Chrome Race Cars (Whites Creek, TN)
Headlights: Holley Retrobright
Taillights: LED with factory lens
