For horsepower, Kevin had grown comfortable with the thirsty big-block but he wanted more, so he opted for an LS swap to bring the Chevelle into the modern era. He chose a Chevrolet Performance LS7, which was already an outstanding combination, producing 505 hp in naturally aspirated form. Pooles Mill Rods swapped the stock cam for a Brian Tooley Racing PDS Stage 3 camshaft and associated valvetrain components. The bottom end and cylinder heads are all stock, but the top end features a Whipple 2.9L supercharger, which makes 7 pounds of boost with a moderate pump gas tune. The car put down 760 hp to the wheels thanks to the tuning efforts of Lance Disharoon at Millcreek Calibration.

The engine features Ultimate headers, and a custom 3-inch stainless steel exhaust by Dan Kauffman. The blown LS7 is kept cool with a Wizard Cooling radiator and dual SPAL electric fans. Kauffman built the intake piping as well as the engine bay closeout panels. He also massaged the inner fenders to accept the extremely wide tires and wheels and smoothed the stock firewall. A great mixture of black and gray finishes gives the engine bay a killer look. Kevin reused the TREMEC T-56 six-speed that was in the car before.

Kevin wanted to retain the car’s aesthetics, so great care was taken to protect the paint, trim, and glass during the chassis and engine swap. The paint and body has some age on it but still presents well and it allows Kevin to get out and drive without worrying about chips. The only modifications to the original sheetmetal included a new trunk pan, wider wheeltubs, and a raised rear floor section to provide adequate suspension travel for the ultra-low stance. Inside, he upgraded from stock bucket seats to TMI buckets but retained the original console. Pooles Mill Rods 3-D printed the A/C control bezel as well as the center A/C vents, giving it a truly custom look.

The chassis swap process only took a few months and Kevin’s Pro Touring conversion was ready to hit the highway. Since completion, Kevin has enjoyed the added horsepower and handling capabilities of his Chevelle, as it’s a night-and-day difference from the old setup. The stance, the wheels, and the immense horsepower provide a big-time wow factor, while the unchanged body and interior still remind him of all the fun times he’s had in the car through the years.

Kevin gave his Chevelle a serious attitude adjustment, and the guys at Pooles Mill Rods helped get this build across the finish line in a timely manner. Kevin is thrilled with the results and enjoys ripping his old Chevelle through the East Tennessee back roads every chance he gets.