Thread: 61 impala sport sedan

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Originally Posted by rspears

I agree, on newer stuff it seems to be a bigger issue, at least for me. Saw a '49 Ford Shoebox at a show that had a killer look, mild chop, nosed & decked, shaved handles, perfect stance, great wheels and perfect paint but as soon as I saw the Chevy engine under the hood I turned and walked away. It just didn't work for me.

Now that said, I've always thought it would be kind of cool to have a classic '57 Chevy with a Coyote swap....

Yeah, I'm kind of steering away from the SBC/LS idea. A 4dr Impala is pretty boring as it is, I think a predictable engine swap would increase the snooze factor. Another idea Im tossing around is something similar to a Syclone/Typoon type power plant. Use a 4.3 Vortec and hang a hair dryer on it with a manual trans behind it. Peppy, economical, and a different twist.

Originally Posted by falconvan

I do kind of like the 4dr hardtop design, though. easy to get grandkids in and out of the back seat plus you have that big open window space when they are all rolled down.

A friend of mine has a '63 more door hardtop with a mildly hot rodded 292" six, a couple years ago he did away with the 3 on the tree original trans and swapped in a 5 speed overdrive out of a Camaro! Very neat ride, runs strong and easy for kids to get in and out, too!

That 292 is a great six. I’ve had a few and they really have some good pulling power.

You have one of the hottest trends climbing in your drive way right now. More doors and wagons. I'd LS it in a second and forget about that inline 6 stuff. It'll sell easier with a LS just park it near an event at Power Tour this year when you take it there. Something tells me you won't keep it long any way.

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Lol! Probably not; I usually move them down the road pretty quick once they are done. I’d probably have sold my 48 long ago if I hadn’t promised the guy I got it from that I’d keep it. But you never know! ��

One thing is for sure plenty of room there for the plumbing. And would most likely enhance the overall look filling in the space.


What a switch thinking about it, a car that has a big engine bay .... LMAO

Originally Posted by falconvan

Yeah, I'm kind of steering away from the SBC/LS idea. A 4dr Impala is pretty boring as it is, I think a predictable engine swap would increase the snooze factor. Another idea Im tossing around is something similar to a Syclone/Typoon type power plant. Use a 4.3 Vortec and hang a hair dryer on it with a manual trans behind it. Peppy, economical, and a different twist.

This is a cool thought:
https://youtu.be/NqqXiB-dxow

Crazy power! Interesting for sure.

Funny; even naturally aspirated the Ecotec motors make more power than the straight six from 61 and almost as much power as the 283.

I agree on the HP, but what does the torque curve look like for both engines. I'll bet the straight 6 and the 283 make more natural low end torque. The turbo might be an equalizer, though.

That's why you see the trend to more and more gears in transmissions and variable speed transmissions. The small engines have to rev to develop the torque.

I recently had an opportunity to drive a turbo 4 Mustang with a paddle shifted 10 speed. If I took control of the trans and dropped it 2 gears below where the computer wanted it, it felt like a small V8 or a V6. Used just as much gas as those engines, too. Let the computer short shift it, like it wanted to, and it was a real dog.

Well, I got it home today. After looking it over it’s probably just going to get some flavor of mild small block. It got the right headers for a 61 and a fairly new flow master dual exhaust. No sense in throwing all that away. I hate to be too boring and predictable but I don’t want to junk a bunch of good parts, either. So maybe a TBI or an LT1. Definitely getting changed to a manual transmission, repaint in the factory color, freshen up the interior in the factory color, etc.

DIBS on the bucket seats!!!~ LOL

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

DIBS on the bucket seats!!!~ LOL

There all yours! Those things look awful in there.

Originally Posted by falconvan

There all yours! Those things look awful in there.

I'd be tempted to come get them, or figure out a way for them to make the 300 mile trip if 36sedan doesn't! They're in better shape than the ones I've got in the roadster now!!

Your PM box is full, blocking any new messages!

Originally Posted by rspears

I'd be tempted to come get them, or figure out a way for them to make the 300 mile trip if 36sedan doesn't! They're in better shape than the ones I've got in the roadster now!!

Your PM box is full, blocking any new messages!

I'd be tempted to make a road trip to the St. Louis are to pick them up for you if you're going to attemd the Street Rod Nationals here at the end of May.