By: Tommy Parry
The Chevrolet LS is, for many reasons, one of the best available motors on the market for performance purposes these days. Not only is it light, but it provides wonderful torque, has a smooth power delivery, it's relatively light with an aluminum construction, benefits from a vast aftermarket, and sounds the absolute business. For the performance it offers, it's also very inexpensive. From drift cars to dragsters and even a few vintage hot rods, the LS finds its home in the bays of a variety of cars, and for its versatility it's become one of the most prevalent motors in the performance automotive world.
With all those accolades, it's not surprising then that the motor found its way into the engine bay of Deed's patinaed 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air - better to keep it in the family, anyways. Mating the motor to a 4L60E gives it a plush, casual attitude, yet with enough grunt to fry a set of rear tires effortlessly. To try and maximize traction, a Ford 9" rear was added, and the suspension changed to a three-link for a little more compliance. Removing the rusty undergussets of the car for these sturdier replacements was the first order of the build.
Naturally, the car would need a set of custom motor mounts to get the hefty LS1 into the bay. Thankfully, Deed has a handle on welding and fabricated the mounts, in addition to a bevy of suspension components like shock mounts and sway bar mounts. The man's approach is very pragmatic - designed to work well. Seeing as this car has retained a bit of rust to give it a bit of respect at the local watering hole, the polished-look isn't really its style anyways.
Though the engine bay was very spacious, as expected with a Bel Air, the transmission tunnel had to be chopped significantly to fit the big, burly automatic inside. Then, with the fender wells removed and air bags employed, the car was made a very low roller; which was happy to be laying rockers, if you'll accept the technical term.
With wider wheel tubs for larger tires and a beefier transmission tunnel, the interior of the car looks remarkable. The upward kink at the end of the transmission tunnel is designed to cover the third link as well, and was later covered with the seats. Pretty trick bead rolling, too.
The exhaust and driveshaft combination were finished for very little, but required some ingenuity. The aluminum driveshaft was an eBay purchase, and once drove the rear wheels of a Crown Victoria. A short yoke was attached, and then the a conversion joint was used at the front end to match with the GM slip yoke to the transmission. The F-body manifolds were matched to a custom exhaust, which was then bent at two 45-degree angles and cut them to clear the driveshaft.
With the engine bay sprayed black, the fender wells filled in and a prominent, red Spectre air filter, there's little about this shot that isn't pure business. The LS1 power steering pump links well to the Thunderbird steering rack, and helps keep this Bel Air out of the weeds; it's quite capable of spinning the tires with well over 300 horses on tap.
The trunk houses the air ride system and the fuel tank; both of which look unsuspecting and if slightly rusted, almost original. It's a wonderful combination that would leave a discerning eye unnoticing, but it does allow the car to do some pretty miraculous and eye-catching things with ride height.
Deed's build is one that embodies rugged style. With classic lines, a flattering amount of rust and tarnish, and a 21st-century powerplant that can effortlessly light up the rear tires, it's all brawn with a bit of Americana-cool. Perhaps what's most refreshing about a build like this is that the quality is clearly top-notch, but doesn't really give a damn whether you know it or not. Perhaps when it comes streaking by at the next stoplight, it might stop you from snickering at what you once called an 'old rustbucket.'