Taking on a build project like we did with our Project BluePrint Chevelle is a daunting task, but it can also result in some fantastic results in the long run. While we’re not completely done with Project BluePrint just yet, we have made some astounding headway on the car in recent months by the way of power, performance and handling. Not only has this set our ’64 Chevelle up to be a fantastic street car, it’s also prepared the car for some serious competition in the future. So let’s take a look back at what all we’ve done to our GM A-body and bring you up to date on where we still see our Chevy going in the future.
Project Build Diary:
July 2, 2013: Project BluePrint Makes Her First Feature Article
We had a ton of fun upgrading 
our Project BluePrint Chevelle and the end results are nothing but fantastic. In addition to a fully streetable beast, we also made ourselves a highly-competitive pro-touring Chevy. This is not only seen in the power and performance of our GM A-body, but also it’s stance, aesthetics and pure pleasure to drive. All of this and more is covered in our most recent BluePrint update titled Signed, Sealed, Delivered: BluePrint Gets a New Lease on Life.
While Project BluePrint may seem complete, we still have some tricks up our sleeves for the future. So stay tuned as we try out a different transmission controller and upgrade our Chevelle with electronic fuel injection!
June 27, 2013: A BluePrint Engines 427ci LSX Crate Engine Upgrade
With big goals in mind, the ultimate upgrade to our ’64 Chevelle had to be the engine. Lucky for us, we were able to team up with the folks at BluePrint Engines to secure what turned out to be the ultimate pro-touring powerhouse under our Chevelle’s hood.
Wanting a bit of modern technology and old-school cool under the hood, we ultimately decided on BluePrint’s GM LS Series 427ci Engine (Part # PSLS4270CTC) with a retrofitted carburetor system. Not only would this give us the reliability and power of a modern engine, it also provided us with that good ole muscle car carburetion via an AED 850cfm carburetor.
In addition to a new GM LS3/L92 aluminum block, the LS 427 engine from BluePrint came with a forged steel crank, forged rods, and forged Mahle 11:1 compression pistons.
A hydraulic roller camshaft backed by GM factory rollers with upgraded roller truion keeps everything in the engine cranking at high performance standards while a balanced rotating assembly and non-weighted harmonic balencer makes the power plant’s work nothing but smooth sailing.
Topping the engine off are 
LS3/L92 aluminum heads while a Edelbrock/GM Performance Parts Single Plane Satin Aluminum intake manifold helps distribute cool air in the engine. Spark is accomplished thanks to ACDelco high-performance spark plugs. To finish everything off, the engine is fitted with valve covers, an oil pan and timing cover.
Although swapping in a new engine can seem like a major task, we were able to accomplish this part of the build with little trouble thanks to advice from BluePrint and our own know-how.
You can check out the entire swap in the story titled Tech Review: BluePrint Engines 427 LSX Crate In Project BluePrint. With our new engine in place and power results hitting the high 400s, we can’t wait to give Project BluePrint some much deserved street time!
June 12, 2013: Swapping a 468ci Big Block for a 427ci LS Crate Engine
Swapping an engine is just as much about planning and avoiding trouble as it is actually doing the swap. That’s why with our Project BluePrint Chevelle, we addressed some standard issues that come up when doing an engine swap before sourcing additional parts and putting everything together.
At the top of our list was how 
much fabrication and work we wanted to do to fit our engine of choice into the engine bay. We also had to look at the intended use of the car to help determine an optimal transmission setup, designate the best choices for all our engine’s supporting components, choose an exhaust system built for our car and its intended use, and configure any fitament issues that could arise. We also made sure to determine what type of oil pan we needed. In the end, we were realistic with our goals, which made for an easier swap.
With our BluePrint LSX crate engine already on order, there were a few additional components that had to be sourced in order to complete our engine swap.
These included LS headers (Part # 45216), which we secured from Hedman Hedders, a Flowmaster American Thunder dual exhaust system (Part # 17202), a FAST inline fuel pressure regulator (Part # 307030), RobbMC 1/2 inch sending unit, Holley Performance billet fuel filter (Part # 162-555), a MSD 6LS-2 Ignition Controller (Part # 6012), AEM Wideband Air/Fuel Gauge (Part # 30-5130),and a Billet Specialties Top Mount Tru Trac Serpentine System front drive kit. Our additional components were topped off with quarts of Royal Purple oil.
We also fitted our transmission with a HGM Compushift II Transmission Controller with AccuLinks TPS and a B&M Pro Stick shifter (Part # 80706).
With the additional components in place and important engine swap considerations made, the tear-out of our old 468ci Big Block and the installation of our new BluePrint 427ci LS went down without a hitch. Be sure to check out the entire swap story in the article titled Project BluePrint Chevelle: Swapping and LSX Into an A-Body Chevelle.
December 20, 2012: Dakota Digital VHX System Facelift
What would a good pro-touring car be without superior instrumentation? Well, not one of our project cars at least. That’s why we selected Dakota Digital’s VHX Series kit (Part # VHX-64C-CVL) to upgrade our 1964 Chevelle’s interior with a modern data display. But just because we went with a new instrument panel doesn’t mean we did away with any of the interior’s old-school feel. In fact, Dakota Digital specializes in the latest and greatest data reading technology with all kinds of faces, including these retro red back-lit beauties.
A complete kit, the Dakota Digital VHX Series kit came with everything we needed to tie our new gauges into our classic Chevy’s dash, including the VHX display, universal sender pack, control box, blinker harness, CAT5 cable and necessary hardware. With just a couple of hours and some basic wiring knowledge, we were able to upgrade our Chevelle’s instrumentation to the superior level that Dakota Digital is known for. Check out the full installation of the Dakota Digital VHX Series in our tech article titled Dakota Digital VHX System Facelift- Modernizing the Interior.
September 19, 2012: BluePrint Engine And Gearstar Performance Transmission Install
With driveability a factor in our part-purchasing decisions, we knew that this particular Chevelle would be spending a lot of time out on the road. Unfortunately, we have yet to drive the car much. In the meantime, we made sure to outfit our Chevelle with the Level 4 4L65E transmission from Gearstar Performance. With the addition of our 600HP BluePrint LS engine, Gearstar’s overdrive will be a nice compliment to an already potent package. While our install involved a lot of heavy modifying of the factory A-body transmission tunnel and engine motor mounts, it’s certainly something any weekend-wrencher could handle.
July 31, 2012: Brakes, Wheels, Tires and Suspension
Years ago, obtaining that perfect stance took custom parts, lots of fabrication and a load of headaches. Nowadays, you can achieve that custom, one-off look with a few bolt-ons and some time in your very own garage. With autocrossing on the table as one of the Chevelle’s duties, we needed the right parts to get this A-body to hook. With a quick search of the RideTech website, we had a complete, front to rear bolt-on coilover suspension kit. It came with all the necessary hardware and even the RideTech splined front sway bar. In an afternoon we had the factory components off and nearly all the front end completed with the new suspension. It took another full day to remove the old factory parts from the rear and the remainder of that day to get the rear dialed in with the RideTech parts.
Blueprinted Plan
With our game plan in place, it became clear that this project build was well thought out and the goals were very achievable. What makes a well defined project car that can achieve the target goals is a clearly defined build plan with purposeful selection of components – a blueprint, if you will. The final step in planning is to give the project a name. Based on the thought process that went into planning this build, BluePrint Chevelle seemed like a meaningful project name.
As work has already started on our BluePrint Chevelle project car, you’ll want to check back often to see where we are in our build process. We promise to give you all the details, each step of the way. Pardon us while we go back to the blueprints and get this project rolling.
Summer 2012: BluePrint Chevelle Video Productions
If you’re like us, time is a hot commodity and spending hours sifting through this build thread can be a bit daunting. While we’ve got most of the updates on the current ’64 BluePrint Chevelle build below, we couldn’t help but showcase some of our latest, in-house productions with the Chevelle.
We’ve carefully documented some of our most important endeavors on film including the install of our complete upgrade of the factory suspension with RideTech and new wheels and tires from Billet Specialties and Continental tires. We’ve also featured the BluePrint LS engine swap and illustrated just how easy it is to do the swap yourself. Of course, for more videos on everything we do here at Chevy Hardcore and Power Automedia, be sure to check out our entire library of videos, right here. Sit back and enjoy our build episodes.
April 20, 2012: Introduction- What We Have Planned
As the evolution of hot rodding has changed, we couldn’t ignore the instant and continued success of the LS powerplants. While the current setup of the Chevelle including a naturally-aspirated big-block and 3-speed Turbo 400 transmission certainly allowed the A-body to scoot, we were after something modern and convenient. We’ll also be updating the entire Chevelle, both inside and out.
Ready to experience top-notch transmission solutions and expert support?
