Thread: 61 impala sport sedan

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Here's another thought. With the increase in popularity of the LS, I've noticed old SBC's have gotten pretty cheap. As an example, I currently have a line on a 383 with Edelbrock RPM heads and a Vintage Air Front Runner system. Probably has less than 30,000 miles, but has a bad wrist pin. I can get it for pennies on the dollar. Guy went with an LS and just wants it gone. I want to repower my 46 and this seems like it's a good candidate. It'll take a little work from me, but the parts are there.

My point being, you should be able to scare up a running SBC that will definitely be a bolt in. Even an old TBI 305 truck motor will get you the cruizer that you want. Biggest expense with the TBI engine is buying the intake to fit the TBI heads.

If you ever decide to sell the car for whatever reason, having a Chevy engine will make the sale much easier. Nothing wrong with being different, but not everyone that might want to buy the car may see it your way.

Just stirring the pot. No offense intended.

Definitely food for thought. The owner offered me a 283/glide combo he took out of it when he bought it years ago but I'd have to rebuild the motor. I am kind of partial to going with a manual trans so it might be a sbc or a Chevy six in front of it. A 292 might be an interesting option.

Also thought about giving the body the Biscayne treatment. Lose the side trim and one taillight on each side. I don't think they made a Biscayne 4 dr hardtop so that would be interesting.

Originally Posted by Hotrod46

If you ever decide to sell the car for whatever reason, having a Chevy engine will make the sale much easier. Nothing wrong with being different, but not everyone that might want to buy the car may see it your way.
Just stirring the pot. No offense intended.

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....

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.

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.