SEMA 2025 Vehicle Feature: This Ford Coyote-Powered 1,400 HP Chevelle is the Best Kind of Rule Breaker

Las Vegas, Nevada – From a hopped up Chevy big block to a modern GM LS, when mulling over an engine swap for a classic Chevy Chevelle, you’ll typically ponder a handful of good powerplant options.

…But for most of us, a Ford 5.0L Coyote V8 probably wouldn’t be on the list.

Thankfully Don Abenante isn’t most of us—because he’s done exactly that, and the result is glorious.

Click here to see all of our 2025 SEMA Show coverage.

Don’s a builder and master fabricator with tons of experience, so he’s just the sort of guy to tackle a massive project like this—you can check out his shop on his Retro Fabworks YouTube Channel.

It started with a classic 1970 Chevelle that was initially intended to be a father/son project. Sadly, his father passed away and as a result, the car sat idle for an extended period.

Once he was ready though, Don tore the trusty GM A-body down and began building it back up as an homage to his Dad.

Obviously the heart of this incredible Chevelle is the Blue Oval 5.0L—but the engine boasts plenty of other performance upgrades as well, notably a pair of Ford Performance Cylinder heads:

• FMS-M-6049-M52B – Ford Performance Parts Gen 3 Predator Cylinder Head, right side
• FMS-M-6050-M52B – Ford Performance Parts Gen 3 Predator Cylinder Head, left side

…Oh, and did we mention the pair of turbochargers stuck to the engine too? And it’s all controlled by a Haltech Nexus R5 VCU and fed by an Aeromotive fuel system plumbed with hoses and fittings from Vibrant Performance.

All told, the combo makes an eye-watering 1,400 horsepower.

A Currie rear end carrying 4.10 gears and an Eaton Truetrac sits out back, connected to Moser axle shafts.

Don turned to the suspension experts at RideTech to ensure the Chevelle stays nimble with its new powerplant, and fitting out the body was aided by a bountiful assortment of sheetmetal from Auto Metal Direct.

Does Don stand behind his work? Well, his shop is in Rhode Island, and he drove—yes DROVE—the car to Vegas for the 2025 SEMA Show. (That’s over 2,500 miles as the crow…err…Chevelle flies.)

Suffice it to say, he knows what he’s doing.

But the best news is, Don’s documented the entire Coyote-powered Chevelle build on his RetroFabworks YouTube Channel.

So if you want to see how this project come together, start here with this first video installment: