Hot rodding and building vehicles is mostly about innovation and raising the bar. Doing what everyone is or has been doing isn’t much fun. So, what do you do with a pristine Chevelle in need of a new engine? Sure, going the small- or big-block route is common. Trust us, we love seeing a traditionally powered muscle car make the lights at the local strip or even during a cruise-in event. Even LS variations are cool and inspiring. These new late-model engines are sling-shotting the aftermarket hobby into a great deal of popularity.

This owner, as featured in the video, decided those engine choices weren’t really all that fun. With that, he scrapped plans for a traditional engine and late-model LS powerplant in favor of a another eight cylinder variation; a Duramax Diesel. From the factory, even the first-generation Duramax engines (LB7) made 300 horsepower and a tree-pulling 520 lb/ft. with only 402 cubic inches. While those numbers aren’t staggering, let’s not forget the benefits available when it comes to better fuel economy over the long haul. Plus, with the availability of plug and play tuners, adding another 50-80hp and 130 lb/ft is just a quick button push away. Install some large-flowing exhuast and less restrive intake and the numbers keep climbing.

Either way, there’s no doubt watching a traditional muscle car powered in an nontraditional way is flat out cool. We caught this video on youtube and were wishing for a repeat button. No, that exhuast smoke isn’t a blown up engine, it’s a diesel and it runs in the 14-second range. Sit back and watch this Chevelle roll coal!