Hot Rod Bio: 1966 Chevelle Student Built LS Swap at SEMA 2024

A Hands On Student Build at SEMA
SEMA 2024 showcased a wide range of professional builds, but this 1966 Chevelle stood out for a different reason. Dane Bremer from CVF Racing caught up with Edgar and Ryan from Southwest University of El Paso to highlight a car built almost entirely by students across multiple automotive programs.

Simple and Reliable LS2 Power
Under the hood sits a stock LS2 producing roughly 420 horsepower. The engine remains internally untouched, focusing on reliability and longevity rather than maximum output. Fuel delivery is handled by a FiTech fuel injection system, keeping tuning straightforward while maintaining a clean engine bay.

Clean Engine Bay and Strong Braking
The engine bay was intentionally kept simple, with shaved and cleaned surfaces to maintain a classic look. Wilwood brakes are used at all four corners, paired with a matching Wilwood master cylinder, giving the Chevelle modern stopping power.

Modern Suspension Front and Rear
The car rides on a complete RideTech suspension setup with coilovers front and rear. Tubular control arms and sway bars improve handling while keeping the car comfortable and predictable on the street.

CVF Racing Hood Hinges
Up front, the Chevelle features CVF Racing billet hood hinges. The polished finish blends well with the engine bay, offering a clean upgrade that complements the car rather than overpowering it.

Built by Multiple Student Programs
One of the most impressive aspects of this build is the collaboration behind it. Welding, diesel, and automotive technology students all worked together on the car. Every part of the build, from fabrication to wiring to final assembly, was touched by students as part of Southwest University’s hands on curriculum.

Interior with Original Character
Inside, the Chevelle retains much of its original character. The dash and radio remain factory style, with wiring hidden beneath to keep the cabin clean. The automatic transmission is manually shifted through the gears, eliminating electronic controls for simplicity.

Custom Rear Panel Tribute
Behind the seats is a custom fabricated rear panel created by the welding program. It features a 25th anniversary tribute to Southwest University, with blue LED lighting that highlights the work while tying into the car’s blue theme.

Wheel and Tire Setup
The Chevelle sits on American Racing wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 tires, with a wider 275 setup in the rear and 265 up front. The stance gives the car a balanced, street friendly look.

A Cruiser Built to Be Enjoyed
This 1966 Chevelle was designed to be simple, reliable, and enjoyable to drive. More importantly, it represents real world hands on education and teamwork, making it one of the most meaningful builds on display at SEMA.

To see the full walk around and hear directly from the students who built this Chevelle, watch the complete video on the CVF Racing YouTube channel.