Powerful LS Swap! 1987 Chevrolet Chevette
The Chevy Chevette was the econobox successor to the Vega. Built from 1976 to 1987, nearly 2.8 million copies were assembled based on a global T-platform developed by Opel in Europe. This 1987 edition began life as an ordinary little sedan – and was transformed later into a muscle car by way of a 5.3-liter Vortec V8 from the LS small-block family. So, this car is now about much more than running up to the convenience store for a gallon of milk. Another interesting tip brought to us by Tony Primo!
Since gasoline was no longer cheap in the U.S. after the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, consumer buying habits changed dramatically and driveways began to fill up with gas-sipping cars like the Chevette. Another oil blip occurred in 1979, which may explain why the Chevette was the best-selling car in the U.S. in 1979 and 1980. Even with the fancier CS version, the Chevette was a no-frills automobile. So, the seller’s machine has roll-up windows, manual seats, and other hardships that buyers today no longer contend with.
We don’t know when this LS swap took place. And it required a ginormous hole to be cut in the hood for this engine to fit along with the 4L60 automatic transmission. There is a lot more weight over the front wheels now, so we assume some changes were made to the suspension so it doesn’t plow going into turns. Even though the powerplant is much more potent than the car’s original inline-4, the seller (a dealer) says the machine can still turn 32 mpg (on the highway).
Overall, the rest of the car looks to be in fair to good condition. The paint is tired in a few places and there are the customary dings and scratches you’d expect if the blue paint is original. The interior is functional, though the carpeting should be replaced. If your goal is to attract attention at Cars & Coffee, then this modified Chevette is probably just fine the way it is. Located in Hope Mills, North Carolina, this little beast is available here on I95 Muscle for $11,995 (reduced from $16,500).
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Comments
There IS NOT one “Truly Red Blooded American Male” who won’t click on this article!!
I’ll pass. In fact, anyone who likes this should have their male membership card rescinded.
But ya still clicked…
Even though I think it’s a waste of a decent car and engine, I just had to click. As a gimmick or 1/4 mile track car, it’s great, but I wouldn’t drive this thing more than around the block.
Don’t be haters, I remember a few of these years ago with a big block Chevy stuffed in the engine bay. Some people like to have fun. These were thrown away cars and driven till the wheels fell off.
This isn’t a drag car, it would probably have a hard time making it through tech. It was built to draw a crowd at cars and coffee and would.
Steve R
And, yet, here we are…lol
Even though those stock tires will go up in smoke, plan on upgrading that stock rear end.
Would like to see underside shots on a lift to check out the custom (and what appears to be) 2 into 1 exhaust system.
About the exhaust, is the right side exhaust manifold really a left side mounted upside down so the exit faces forward, with a flexipipe attached? I can’t think of what else it could be. It looks like a fun car to build and at least terrifying to drive, LOL! The four door was probably as cheap as the used LS, so I don’t see any real money spent on the build.
I read an interesting article yesterday about a “skunk works” group of Chevy engineers that took an 82 4dr chevette… modified with rear wheel drive 2.8 V6, suspension/rear end tweaks and period Corvette seats. It was a screamer relative to the times.
I thought that was a two door (Che)Vette.
Well this is a first! A Vega I get doing this to it would be cool looking. But a Chevette!!? It would be nice to see pictures of the bottom to see any work done to the suspension! Or beefing up the chassis to hold everything together. That rear end is going to pop soon. 😂 I guess the next owner needs to finish the work all ready done on this. Good luck to the next owner! 🐻🇺🇸
I would not be surprised at the 32mpg figure. GM has always built V-8 engines that were fantastic at just loafing down the interstate, especially once overdrive automatics came into play.
I once owned a 4.5 liter Cadillac that regularly got 27 highway. And this Chevette is really light.
What a waste of an LS motor!
What a waste of a Chevette!
Cone on now guys! For all those making the comment “put a LS in it”. Well, there you go. As they say there is a @ss for every seat. All those who hate you can’t tell me you wouldn’t crack a smile the first time you stabbed the go pedal. Let’s just hope the brakes are up to the task.
What a waste of time and money!! 🤑
What a waste of commenting space,, :)
No mention of brake upgrades so too much go, not enough slow. Should be plenty of understeer.
Stab the throttle and voila! no more understeer.
I wonder how many “bears” were consumed in Billy Bob’s carport, when the boys took grannies 4 dr Chevette for the weekend?
“On a long enough timeline, everything gets an LS.”
Well interesting enough its about 50/50 on lovers and haters 😉
Me i would rather pump up a gremlin if forced to at gun point pick a small US shoe box car.
Good luck on sale and thanks for the article to generate replies 😎
At the end of the day, it’s still a Chevette.
Hahahah why??? Cause we can? Box on roller skates! This is looking outside the box . Literally! Peace!
Needs a 4 cylinder.
There’s a ‘LS’ based 4 cyl I keep seeing on the net that supposed to push 300hp. That would be a nice combo!
That quadcab chevette is just a mobile test stand for that LS motor. I would stop and look at this at Cars & Coffee tho. All the secrets to how it is put together (or not) would be revealed by underside pics…
“Mobile test stand”…..haha, perfect!
I think that this would make the perfect autocross car…
While the LS is a great engine, even before I saw this Chevette I had become sick of them being stuck in anything with 4 tires on it. Speaking of tires, the car is wearing 3 different brands of tires which should tell you all you need to know about the quality of workmanship that went into this build.
just be happy that all 4 tires are the same size.
The “naysay” is strong with this one, but I’m amazed it got off the ground at all, pun intended. Let’s face it, LS motors are plentiful, this was someones, “I sure can do it”, and brought it together. I like that. Oh sure, it has a slew of issues, but good old American know how showed, yes, it can be done. Now my question, are Italians putting surplus V12s into discarded Fiats? Maybe, but I think this is USA specific, and why I’m proud to be an American.
why?
Northstar swap!
I hope that was an aluminum block LS
I just don’t like 4 doors, otherwise I am fine with it.
One of the most worst engineered cars to have existed. Try replacing a master cylinder on of these gems. The car had a nickname in which a four letter word took the place of the letters CHEV. Opel made humdrum cars but none were as hideous as this godforsaken Chevrolet; clearly something was lost in translation as the design crossed the Atlantic.
no where near is this even close to one of the worst engineered cars
A buddy of mine in the early 1980s put a Mazda rotary in a 2 door Chevette ; he said it was slow off the line, but basically had no top end, it just kept going faster ! . A few years later he ended up pulling the engine out and junking the car as he figured whoever bought it would kill themselves in it.
Other than the color, the one thing that stood out in that car was that it had a tilt column ,something I’d never seen in a Chevette before
Being from South Georgia, I have driven cars way more dangerous than this. This is a “hold my beer….” kinda build.
My wife bought a 1984 Chevettr NEW in 1984. She absolutely loved it! There was an article in Hotrod magazine about V6 in a Chevette or how to scare your mother in law to death!!! Her brother wanted to put a V6 in hers. She put 160,000 mile on it in 16 years and then bought a New Toyota Echo. Her brother and I pulled the 65hp 1.6 ltr OHC engine out and replaced it with an Oldsmobile Quad4 HO. It would go like stink !!! The only drawback is the Turbo Hydromatic 175 transmission. It:s like a 4 speed automatic missing 3rd gear.
I had a 1978 chevette and put a 60° V6 from an 82 Camaro berlinetta. The project was done in 1985. It was an unexpected great sleeper of a car that could run with the current mustangs and cameros. It was great fun!