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ttarob

The Beast!
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You're 5
Feb 11, 2018
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70
Calgary
VetteCoins
541
Car
78
Thought I would start a new thread for The Beast, take it out of the “new member” area, anyway .... I was asked how it got the name, well ..... we purchased this car off eBay, it was located in Reno Nevada, so we made arrangements to meet at the airport and do all the paperwork and such, now this car is a compromise car, the wife wanted a 68-70, and I like the 63-67 or the 97 newer, so this one popped up, had the drivetrain replaced with the 04 Zo6. .... and other upgrades, so we made a deal and down we flew, he told me at the meeting that the computer needed to be flashed so it revs high when you come to a stop, OK. So I decided to drive it back to Calgary, I had done the same with 2 Trans Ams from Dallas/Fort Worth, anyway, day 2 of our trip we were enjoying the trip so far, we were just coming into Helena Mt when all hell broke loose in the engine, no power, really rough running, so I shut it off right away and coasted to a stop, no smoke, no leaks, nothing ... so I restarted it .... it sounded like a power stroke diesel!!! Knocking banging and such, we were just coming in to town, I could see a hotel from where we were, so I looked at the wife and said ... screw it, the damage is already done, it’s only 10 blocks, so started and limped to the hotel ...... now .... this is June 2011, and it’s sunday, and we have to be back to work Tuesday, so I call home and have my mom ... yep my mom .. head to our place pick up the Grand Cherokee and grab all the hitches for it and get down here to pick us up, I then TRY to find a car hauler from Uhaul.... cant find one in the state of Montana. So I ended up buying a trailer to get the damn thing home, so they had deals on enclosed trailer, so I bought a 8x20 and loaded up and headed for home, this is now Monday, got everything cleared thru the border, thank god ive done this before!!!
So I got it to a buddy’s shop, took about a month to look at it, so we found the valve springs let go and dropped the dropped the valves down. So now ..... do I rebuild the LS6 or do a crate ..... it boiled down to the warranty ..... I bought the crate .. LSX 376 ..... and then all the “electronics “ to go with .... holy !!!
So it has an LSX a 4L60e and a true duel exhaust ..... it’s not quiet .... it’s a beast !!! 450hp ..... the only thing that’s still “factory original” is the diff, I haven’t done anything with it yet ... after we got the crate in .... all the fun trying to get it to run properly, coil packs, plug wires, computers, alternators, batteries ..... then the power steering control valve, then the rear seal on the engine, one year the car sat on the lift with the keys thrown in the corner and never moved!!! Man I was pissed at that car!!! I actually had a rag and lighter in my hands .... the wife asked ... UMMMM WHAT ARE YOU DOING???? ... nothing!!
But I got all the bugs worked out of it and have enjoyed the last 3 years with decent reliability, had to replace a faulty battery ... sadly I have been thinking of selling it, then I drive it and don’t wanna sell.
It is a real 1978 Pace Car, with 14,600 documented miles. We are the 3rd owners and the last guy sold off all the original parts, engine, Trans, wheels and removed the decals.
That’s the story of “The Beast”

Oh it did run a 13.10 @ 106 at Race City ... with 2 burnt plug wires!! That was the last day Race City was open!
The pics below were when we picked it up in Reno.
 

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Last edited:
These are after the work was done and more recent.
 

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A little add on to the story, the car came with tons of receipts and books and all, so we went thru the receipts and looked at what was in the engine .... the previous owner did not work on it himself, used his visa!! I have receipts for springs, valves Cam all that ..... when we took the engine apart .... non of then were there, the guy doing the work took the good stuff he brought in and put in what ever he had laying around, now the previous owner said he only put about 700 miles on it before I bought it ....... well now I have about 1500 on this build all seems good ... well the Heater motor sure doesn’t move must air!! The AC works great just not enough air movement!! I will be looking in to that too .... eventually!!
He had receipts totaling over 25k usd plus the purchase of the car ..... OUCH!!
 
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Great story for sure. Always like the 78. Myself,that would be too much stress for me !! I’d be in the nuthouse I think. I could hardly contain myself just reading your tale of the trip back. Kudos for sticking it out.
 
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Great story for sure. Always like the 78. Myself,that would be too much stress for me !! I’d be in the nuthouse I think. I could hardly contain myself just reading your tale of the trip back. Kudos for sticking it out.
Hmmmmm perhaps that is reason we drink soooo much Rum now?? LOL
 
Glad you put up that last post as I got to see this thread. Great, but frustrating story. I could not imagine the frustration. But the car looks fantastic! And must run so well now with the 376. Very, very nice.....I would say cool, but because the fan isn't blowing at full blast, I'll sit on that one. :D
 
Glad you put up that last post as I got to see this thread. Great, but frustrating story. I could not imagine the frustration. But the car looks fantastic! And must run so well now with the 376. Very, very nice.....I would say cool, but because the fan isn't blowing at full blast, I'll sit on that one. :D
Yeah it’s been a long frustrating road with the beast, but at least we can take it out for a rip and enjoy it, I do have to say it does get a lot of attention. There are things I would like to change out, I would really like to install a rack and pinion(steeroids) I hear that makes a HUGE difference in the handling!!! Perhaps ditch the stock gears, some 3:73 would wake it up more ..... LOL
 
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