so after sitting down here at work thinking about my chevelle and my plans i have come up with the following.
What is the car going to be used for? Taking out for a drive with my wife and kids to go to events and show.

Will I race the chevelle? No that is why I have my Mazda RX7 for.

Do I want a lot of power for this car? As for right now with my 454 in it i will be happy with 200hp. I know that I have an LQ9 sitting in my garage with Chelly written on it. but that will be later down the road.

What kind of Hp power am I looking for. the goal is to see 400hp 400tq out of my chevelle. knowing this i can figure out what do i want to do. Do i want to stay with the 454 platform, or move over to the LSx platform. I am leaning a lot to the LSx platform ONLY because i know it so well. I am going to have to get my 454 running and learn a lot about how things work with a carb motor and so on. So maybe after learning on my 454 then i can go to get a 496/502 short block and go from there.

Do I want good gas miles/highway out of the chevelle? Yes which is why no matter what motor i use i am going to have a 6 speed trans behind it. I already have a brand new T-56 in the garage and i am going to use it. Behind the LSx or BBC motor it will be in the car since i already have a 4.11 eaton rear built in the car now. I also know that i can move to EFI on the BBC motors which is another reason why i am not selling my LQ9 as of yet.

So now knowing that i started to come up with a list of all the parts and things i need to get and this is what i came up with.

Chevelle list
Rear end
Parts needed total $369

Drum brakes spring kit $43
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...DRUMBRAKEPARTS

wheel cylinders $20x 2= $40.
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...=WHEELCYLINDER

e-brake cables $140
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...e=PARKINGBRAKE

wheel studs $16
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-610-157/

Shocks $130
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...PENSION 

Front end
Parts needed $355
Front brake rebuild/replacement parts $298

Brake booster and master cylinder $170
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...STERMASTERKITS

brake calipers
option 1 $38
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AAZ-18-4039/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AAZ-18-4040/
option 2 $170
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv..._Code=CALIPERS

rotors
Option 1 $120
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...ry_Code=ROTORS
option 2 34 x2= $68
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RSD-BR02C/
brake pads to many options to list when the time comes I will select the right one.

Wheel bearing $22
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAT-12126/
Front suspension parts

Front springs $57
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOG-6319/

Wiring $220
Front harness $161 only because mine is in rough shape and i am not sure if i am going to take the time to rebuild it or get a new one.
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...uct_Code=18015

sending unit harness $19 (mine is missing)
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...uct_Code=28540

Gauges $40 (just so i can keep track of everything and to fill the holes on the block and heads)
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...7CGRP2032_____

Tires $400 (guessing I still need to figure out what tires size I need/want)

Grand total of $1344 this is not an exact number this is just an informative way to look at the amount I would need to save up/spend to get it on the road.

so what do you guys think? am i off to the right start? anything you can think of that i am missing?

First off let me say, good job. You looked at what you wanted to do with the car and what made the most sense for you to do. I like the fact that you are going to "learn" with the 454, especially since it is something you already have. Do we have suggestions, sure everyone has an opinion but it looks like you have done some homework on where you want to start. And posting what you need may give you some leads here as to where you are going to find the best deal. Continued luck on this journey, we will be there with you the whole way.

yeah i want to learn just feel over whelmed thats all but i will get it

Nice list, about half of what you have on your list you can get at your local parts house and say shipping and probably get them to give you a discount. Don't be afraid to ask and believe me cash talks. I have built a relationship with a local vendor and every time I walk in I get a 10% discount. I purchased all my wheel cyclinders, brake springs and a few other parts local. On the front how are your dust shields and calipher brackets? I didn't see them on your list.

Ray

i already went that route with the local auto store. i can tell you that my auto parts stores SUCK!! i spent $107 bucks on the rear drum setup and everything was wrong. wheel cylinders wrong springs wrong so i returned it all. I live in the woods man and no real stores nor speed shops which is why i was going to order it from ground up. as for the front brakes i have not even taken the wheels off yet to look at them. i am just looking at them from the wheels and they look pretty bad:)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_4917.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_4924.jpg

wow i see what some of the guys are telling me i finally found a napa not too far from me that has all the parts for the brakes i need in stock and the cost is so different then summit/ground up! the total for all of my rear needs comes to just over 200 where on the other sites i am looking at 370! big difference! i know where i am going next week thursday :)

Good for you Shaun.

Wow did this post really help me cause I was flip flopping back & forth & my garage is getting smaller & smaller from me changing my mind. The more I change, the more parts I accumulate & it = lost time & $. So many of u chimed in & touched on so many issues that are helpful. Like being realistic of what u can afford & trying to have the best of everything, starting point, stick to the plan etc. all these answers touched on my own situation & it amazes me how it's so common amongst us all but then again that's y we are here. Thanks for this post. I'll be making a list today of parts & pricing & checking it off as task are complete. Thanks for starting this conversation & thanks for the response.

no problem i made my list but i can tell you i got my brakes for half the price so far..lol