Nightmare the Impala: History and Build

[95impalakid]

Alright, so I'm going to give you guys the run down on what's up. I will give you the life story of my SS, what lead me to get one of these bootylicious machines, and so on, and what this thread is going to represent other than a build thread! Hopefully it will be entertaining and invoke interest, and I will provide as many pictures as possible once the build officially starts, once I get components, other priorities fixed, etc! Also, I am using this as a storage area for my mod pictures and other pictures. (I lost a lot when my old phone broke, so many mods that have already been done will probably be explained in paragraphs.)

Ok so it's sophomore year in 2012, right? Car shopping. I worked the past two summers as an Industrial Technician (yes) making pretty awesome money for my age. I knew that I wanted a performance-oriented car, you know: V8, RWD, all that jazz. However, I had some more specific preferences: easy to learn to work on, has a good balance between computer and mechanics, readily available parts for mods, and then the most important part, an epic sleeper.

I was coming back from the Indiana State Trapshooting competition that summer in July, and that's when I fell in love with B Bodies. Near a warehouse, sat a BEAUTIFUL 1996 Dark Cherry Impala SS. Pops stopped and looked at it with me. I was convinced that this was going to be my car. I was wrong LOL. The car was too nice for me to afford at the time. It was perfect in every aspect now that I reflect back on the day. It was a family cruiser with 110,000 miles flat, had a K&N intake and filter, and that was IT. No rust, 10/10 interior, perfect! The ticket said it was $8,900. Immediately knew I had to shut the idea of driving this one out of my head.

Once I got home that day I hopped on CL looking for an Impala. I had to find something at $5,000. After 10 minutes, I knew finding one of these cars was going to be extremely difficult. So I gave it a rest and said I would start looking for one again after school started.


Later when school started in August, I had rampantly started searching for an SS to call my own. I had been scammed once trying to get one, and lost $2,000, found a killer 1996 DGGM SS with a blown motor (it came with a Golen 383 longblock) but I was ultimately never able to make ends meet. I finally had found two Impala’s that I was looking at closely. A 1995 DGGM and a 1995 DCM. I went with the DCM. It had 244,000 miles, every record on it since it left the showroom down to where the previous owner got gas everyday, 20” IROC wheels (which I love still to this day), an aftermarket head unit with audio port, and some cheapy Thrush mufflers. I was siked, however I still didn’t have my license and my parents were really strict. I only drove it twice between September and January when I got my license.


The first picture I took of the car:

27255Almost immediately I started to browse on impalassforum.com and look at what other members were doing to these cars. I thought, “Hey I better sign up! I’m going to be here pretty often!”…… Well that was pretty stupid haha. I joined, said some information about myself, stated that I was going to be a member of Hoosier INC, and then said my age and what future mods were to come. I got chewed out almost immediately because of: my age, what club I was joining, and because most members thought daddy bought my Impala. Apparently these were to be “a gentleman’s car and not to be ruined by a young high school kid”. I was shocked how I was treated, so I laid low for a good while when I was looking for repair guides and threads.


The first thing I wanted to do to the car was to get new headlights. In my honest opinion, I think that the stock ones are absolutely hideous, and they really suck at lighting up the road. Or, at least they did for me. I bought some Euro Clear lenses with corners from sstreettrends.com and threw those suckers on there. They really changed the look of the car for the better, and really helped my lighting issue.

Picture of the lights

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Shortly after doing the lights, I removed the Impala SS First Base and Home Plate. These are basically air baffles when the motor takes in air. It restricts flow, and makes the car somewhat quieter. Good for grandma, not for me. Basically with a couple wrenches, you can take off the Home Plate, and bracket, and zip tie the hanging wires to other wires lol. All you need is a 3” diameter object to plug the whole before the throttle body that leads into the Home Plate. The first base is trickier; I made my own intake out of some pipe I bought at Home Depot.

After Home Plate and First Base:

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After I did the intake modifications, I decided that the car was way to high in the rear for my liking, really the car in general was to high for me. When I went to a mod day a handful of my club members were swapping springs and such to accommodate their new wheel sizes. I snatched some of my buddy’s rear Eibach drop springs and threw them in. The result, about a 1.5”-2”:


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Obviously, you may have noticed the different wheel choices, how the styles vary greatly, and probably wondering, “Why the hell did you change the wheels if you liked them!?” Well, I would have kept my IROCs and my stock wheels that came with the car however some issues EXPLODED in my face. I drove my car about 2 weeks before I started having my car tampered with in the school parking lot. The first time, someone punched a nail in my drivers side tire when I had the IROCs. I was mad, but shook it off. Plugged it, and kept on truckin’. About a week later, another person decided to slash all 4 tires, twisting the drain plug for the coolant so it was all over the parking lot, and had rubbed something resembling tomato sauce or marinara ALL OVER EVERYTHING. Called a tow truck, and had them bring a flat bead. Lifted my car out of the school parking lot, and that was the last time anyone saw it there until later in the month. I put on my stock wheels at home. They were in decent shape, I had actually debated on polishing them and still wish I did. They had balled Kumho’s on them, and it sucked the big one because it was the middle of February and I needed to be able to get to school. Drove on those for a couple weeks, sold the IROCs to a friend, then bought my put on my Ridler wheels that I had gotten for Christmas. Here they are:

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These are my dream wheels, but I was torn between my three favorite ones and still want to get another pair of stocks to chrome out, and another set of 20” IROCs just so I can change them depending on my mood. Had the Ridler’s wrapped in Dunlop Direzza’s, and they do there job; I love them!

[95impalakid]

Fast forward to today, and this is what I have waiting to go on the car. I have a broken manifold bolt, that is broke off in the head about 1/4" into the head. Top, nearest to firewall,on the drivers side. It's really bad.
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[95impalakid]

These are 2.5" OTA pipes and ceramic coated Flowtech Afterburners. I'm waiting to order some Dynomax Ultra Flo-SS mufflers right now, and I will probably have the shop fab me up some tail pipes.

[Fastbird]

Car is looking good man. Love that color.

[SSlowBoat]

alright, i NEED one of these in my life, in this exact color. nice car man.

i went through alot of the same stuff in high school. i bought my own third gen, in a school where everyone had hondas. a kid i beat one time poured sugar in my gas tank and dumped maple syrup and mustard all over my car. i got lucky, and it rained early in the morning so the crap got washed off, and since it was carbed, it smelled like a funnel cake when driving for a week lol

[FormulaJoe]

So the bolt that is closest to the firewall is broken in the head? On these heads there are 2 outer bolts for the exhaust manifolds on both the front and back. Aftermarket headers don't use that outer bolt, they use the inner. So don't sweat it! With those headers you'll be all good. Everyone has a broken bolt in their heads lol

[SSlowBoat]

So the bolt that is closest to the firewall is broken in the head? On these heads there are 2 outer bolts for the exhaust manifolds on both the front and back. Aftermarket headers don't use that outer bolt, they use the inner. So don't sweat it! With those headers you'll be all good. Everyone has a broken bolt in their heads lol

both lt1's both heads lol

[95impalakid]

I forget. I've looked at that damn bolt so much I forget if it's the inner or the outer. I have a snake with a camera on the end and looked at the bolt with it, and it shows that the break off point is jagged so I might be able to get a hold of it and fish it out. But regardless, the car will be getting Z heads in the future.

[95impalakid]

Friday I went to go get a quote to get all the exhaust work done from the header back. It is probably going to cost me a couple hundred bucks from the header back. I really wanted to be able to do them myself, and learn through the process, but with school, work, lifting, and then homework every night I just simply have no time.

I have a daily driver right now too, a 2004 Nissan Quest that gets better MPG. Plus with the exhaust leak that it has right now, it ticks like a bomb going down the road.

Another thing, I must add, is that a couple days after Christmas someone attempted to steal my wheels while my car was sitting in the lot at work. I didn't notice anything wrong with the car until I put it in drive and immediately knew something was wrong. I kept on hearing a large clunk. I thought I had a broken tie rod or something, the noise was that bad and my handling was awful. The car was shaking and jerking all over the place. Pulled into an elementary school parking lot and found that I had a couple lug nuts broken off from each wheel. The thief that tried to steel them realized I had locking lugs, and just started breaking them off. I have drilled and slotted rotors on order now, because the threads were apart of the rotor and the hub. (Lost the picture of the car with broken lugs, was on my other phone.)

Perhaps something that ISN'T depressing right now is that my grandma is very close to giving me my grandfathers old race shop that he built back in the 1960's. It has two large bays, and the other half is a machine shop and work area. She felt like I should be the one to have it since my dad has our garage made as a shrine for the Chevelle that we have. Given, the shop needs some TLC. Most of the machines need oiled up after sitting for 30 years, and my aunt has been using it to store a bunch of crap she has that literally is trash. You will see in the pics. But I have basically every tool that I need to build a car and do custom work. Drill presses, saws, a lathe, welder, a couple loaded tool chests, a lift, engine stands, a couple cherry pickers, etc. It needs some new lighting and insulation is hanging from the ceiling but I'm thankful that I'm more than likely going to get it. It's better than having no place to work on a car.
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One of my closest friends also bought a MINT 1984 Cutlass Supreme with a 307 V8 on Friday, and he is going to be at the shop with me along with a couple other friends. His brother who is one of my best friends is getting a 1999-2004 Mustang GT to learn with. Another friend has a 2004 short bed Silverado with a 5.3 that we are going to be sooping up and using as a shop truck, and the other friend is currently searching for a Fox body Mustang to learn the basics on.

[95impalakid]

Picture of my SS and the Cutlass that I snagged last night.
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[FormulaJoe]

All stock manifolds use the outer bolt. Can't see the inner bolt until the manifolds are off. Like I said, if it is either the first or last bolt that is broken then don't sweat it, when you get the manifolds off you'll see.

[popo8]

great write up man.

the car looks awesome.

i was wondering if u felt like explain how u lost 2k on a deal for a car. If u dont want to... no sweat.

also...


what was thay hoosier club that got u shyt from the impala people?

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[95impalakid]

great write up man.

the car looks awesome.

Thanks!

i was wondering if u felt like explain how u lost 2k on a deal for a car. If u dont want to... no sweat.

I thought I had found a black 1996 SS on Craigslist. Contacted seller, bought the car, was supposed to pick it up in TN. Drove there, no one showed up. Found the same post nearly 10 times on other CL city adds. Reported all of them. Mistake on my part :(
also...


what was thay hoosier club that got u shyt from the impala people?

The club I am in currently: Hoosier INC. It really isn't the Hoosier chapter though, it's more of the whole INC club in general. It's because we aren't the average car club. No fees, no mandatory meetings, no attendance guide lines, etc. Just B Bodies and a good time. I don't really care to much what club a person is from, we are all here to do one thing anyway: Enjoy ours and each others B Bodies.

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[95impalakid]

All stock manifolds use the outer bolt. Can't see the inner bolt until the manifolds are off. Like I said, if it is either the first or last bolt that is broken then don't sweat it, when you get the manifolds off you'll see.

Thanks for the clarification bro. That'll save me a ton. I will work on getting them on as soon as it warms up a little. It's 32 degrees right now, it's be a nightmare to get those put on right now.

[95impalakid]

This leads me to what I am planning to do to the car over the next year, or two depending on the the funds! Being a high school student still I'm very limited to the mods I can perform. And I really can;t do anything about it if I am living in the same house with my dad, it is what it is. So I will give you the rundown on what I'm going to do.

Doing a CC503 cam since it's the biggest I can go with these stock heads. Since I'm not able to build a street car, I might as well make it sound like one. Of course I'm doing the given valve train supporting mods. May get chewed out a little for saying that, but what am I to do?

After I get the cam, it's off to the local scrap and junk lots to find a T56! Yes, a six speed. I love manual cars, and this drowned out A4 is really pissing me off. This is also why I drive my dads new STi as much as I can. Luckily the author of the M6 swap for the B Body lives 20 minutes away from me and can give me a hand once I find and install it. Might go with a better clutch like a McCleod, but that's farther down the road and I'll worry about it when I get there.

The link to the manual is here: http://www.grail-ss.com/GRAIL%20Website%20Files/T56%20Install%20guide.pdf

Behind that would be a new drive shaft (needed for T56 swap) backed by new gears and posi. My plan right now is to get an Eaton Tru Trak posi unit with Moser hardened axles, and 4.10 drive ratio. But just this morning I had a friend text me that he had a lead on an Auburn posi unit and 3.73 ratio gears that are brand new. If all goes well and dad approves, I will probably be getting those because of the budget gap.

The numbers I'm looking for? Well as long as they are better than the stock ones than I will be happy. All I'm looking for is being able to coast into the school parking lot and getting some looks from the haters, drive it a couple days out of the week, and take it to the strip every once in awhile. If you can relate.

In no means is this going to be a fast speedy build. But it will be done with quality. Buy once, cry once. It's better to spend money building it right the first time than to spend more building it the second time. :D

[popo8]

a

awww man. that sucks.

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[FormulaJoe]

32! Sounds nice and toasty there in Indiana =) A pair of mechanics gloves and an old hoodie and get to crankin! You'll be sweaty in 15 minutes lol.

Definitely liking the M6 swap!

Also, how old are you? I might have missed it. I'm 20 and I got my f body in the beginning of my senior year of high school, puttin a smack down on all the old 5.0 and v6 stangs kids had =) I kinda wanted a impala back then, would have been a better DD choice. Yours is real sweet.

[95impalakid]

I'm 17. I got my b body my sophomore year. Definitely happy with it. Thanks for the compliment!

I can relate to the kids that drive Stangs. I get a lot of crap from them, and this one kid that drives a Z34 Lumina LOL! My Impala is the fastest car in the lot as far as I know, except for my rich friend that has a 2013 Speed Factory SRT8 Challenger. Lucky bastard.

[95impalakid]

Well I'm sitting in Chemistry right now, about to go home sick. Might take a peak at the headers. I know I can't get to them tonight because I don't have any hardware yet, but I'm determined to get them on soon!

The Flowtech headers that I have, in all there beautiful, shiny, and blinding glory are made for F Body cars as we all know. I have taken that into consideration, and I am not the only one that has done so. Some run into problems with the AC lines, making small contact with the frame, ya know, typical stuff to run into. Some however, have had there headers slide right up into place. I will be using the Flowtech Installation Sticky from ISSF located here: http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=239283

[SuperSport]

Congrats on buying that B-Body. Mine has been on jack stands for 2yrs. Looking to rebuild the semi - stock motor. Trans was just redone (worn out). Procrastination has long since set in. Funding coming available to really get this done.

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[95impalakid]

Update: Tried to get my cats off last night. Knocked some of the bolts loose but it was way to cold to screw around with everything else. Today it's only 7 degrees, so I'm going to work on it some more tomorrow and try to get the cats off. Saturday I will get the headers mounted and change the oil maybe, it needs it haha. Also ordering my mufflers soon: Dynomax Ultra-Flo SS. I will be having the shop fab me a down pipe off the header and have them weld the O2 sensor bungs into it in order to keep the finish on the headers nice. I will also have them make me some PHAT 3" tips. I got my hardware yesterday at work, just using the workplace to my advantage! Using 3/8-16 x 1 1/2 Allen head and split lock washer. They will be easier to get to when the time comes. I might have to double up on the split lock washers, but YOLO!
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(I wish I could rotate and format pictures lol)

[Leedogg]

Man- I love the car! And 17...lucky you!

[95impalakid]

Thanks man! Hard work and determination pays off!

[95impalakid]

The bolts on this car are so rusty and stuck that it's not even funny. I had these soaked in PB Blaster for a week almost, every day, and they still aren't going anywhere. I think I'm just going to take them somewhere to be put on.

[95impalakid]

Hey everyone! I'm going to have an update tonight or tomorrow! Just been swamped with school and work, but I'm off for two weeks for spring break starting tonight and I should be back to updating again!

[95impalakid]

Alright so yes, I broke the bolts to the cats. I had performed the air pump delete over the summer and it helped a ton for this process. Here are the pics that I've got so far:
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[LTXmitch]

Very nice. Got my first (97 formula) my sophomore year and the only other competition was a v6 camaro. So many good times until I blew the motor junior year. Now I'm trying to find another F or B body lt1 but they are to come by here in north florida

[95impalakid]

Going to have some updates soon. My order from Summit got misplaced and sent to some lucky guy in Oregon..... They are sending me all new stuff today. I'm not dead lol

[secretasianman]

Nice Imp. I was about your when I saw my first Impala in 1996 and knew then I would have one (have had 2). Keep up the good work

[95impalakid]

Got confirmation earlier today the Summit had successfully shipped out my order. I will be posting a good amount of pictures and other ramblings in the next 3 weeks. The Impala has to be ready by at LEAST April 26th for prom. Weather is a ton better now so I am going to take another crack at getting my manifolds off.

[95impalakid]

ZOMG I almost forgot. My dad got his 1969 Chevelle SS 396 from storage so it's sitting at home with us now. I will post a couple pictures of it when I can, and will also throw in some of it's restoration processes it will be enduring, if that's ok. Figured you all would like to see some stuff other than LT cars every once in awhile ;)

[popo8]

Sure.. if u can make a whole project build for it.. start a thread for it in the PROJECTS/BUILDS secyion

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[95impalakid]

Going to start on getting these manifolds off again for the 3rd time! Starting tomorrow because I've finally caught a break in the weather. Most of my parts have shipped too, and I'm going to have the car done by April 26th no matter what it takes because it's prom! NOT DRIVING MY MINI VAN THERE!

[popo8]

Good luck man....

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[Big_tugg'ss]

Gotta love impala's! Here is mine, I'll finish it one day, ha!280822808328084280852808628087

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[95impalakid]

That's awesome! I see that car time to time on Facebook pages and stuff, never knew who the owner was. Definitely one of the sickest out there.

[95impalakid]

Here's some stuff that I'm going for. I ordered these lights from a close friend that makes them in Texas. They are 8000k HID projectors, and I got the Red Angel Eyes to go with the name of the car. He will be making them out of my current Clear Euro style headlights. The car below with the Red Angel Eyes is a little different from the ones I'm ordering, but will look almost identical. Here they are:
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Also, here is a picture for motivation. I am shooting to go with this look as far as engine bay goes, only with Red instead of Blue! The hardest part will be finding some of the Corvette covers. I can get the air intake on eBay with Red filters for pretty cheap. I can find someone to make me the "RAISS" (pronounced race) style intake air dam, it's a ram air style intake that's very common among B Body owners that allows the dual air filters or the simple snub nose style intake that many use. I'm using the dual because race car! The picture:
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When doing this, I would also take out my Coolant Reservoir and my Windshield Wiper Reservoir to get painted black, just like my buddy did. I would also order one of the aftermarket Red hose kits that's on the market for the Impala SS (also will probably be bought on eBay).

Just a brief update until the weather clears tomorrow afternoon!

[95impalakid]

Update incoming, got a good chunk of stuff knocked out tonight!!! Also I'm gonna show you all another mod that's going to be happening. Hint: Cosmetic!

[95impalakid]

Here is what came in the mail yesterday! DynoMax UltraFlo-SS mufflers, and some Bosch o2 sensors! Found out that the sensors weren't recommended by the SS gurus that I talk to frequently, so I put them in the box and sent them back to RockAuto in trade for some AC Delco sensors. They should be here tomorrow, or next week sometime!
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Sorry that all my pictures always come out sideways, I'm not sure how to fix that!

[popo8]

AC delco def the way to go. U know...we have sponsors/vendors on here that take great care of is LTXers.

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[95impalakid]

Yes, oh wise POPO, I'm aware. Dad is the one that has to order my stuff though since I'm not 18 and can't make purchases online. So he just asks me what I need and then finds it. He doesn't even enter my discount codes haha. He's old school I guess, somethin' else!

Here are the pictures I took today. I got this done in an hour until the sun went down and I couldn't see what I was doing:
The tired LT1 before I started the operation. Been sitting like this since New Year.
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Ironically, a couple firm tugs and the bolts backed right out! (No homo) Drivers side manifold came off smoothly!:
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Everything looked great!:
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Had the drivers side tacked on a couple threads. Ended up having to take the spark plug wire for #3 tube and turning it the opposite direction to get the header to fit. The wires and plugs will be replaced with Taylor OTVC (Over the Valve Cover) wires in Red eventually. No contact where there shouldn't be, everything worked out great!:
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For the other side, the alternator needed to go. Tried to make it a hinge and tip it over towards the throttle body, didn't work out and just removed the thing:
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Brackets had to go too:
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So that's my progress today. Below I will show ya some stuff that came in earlier this afternoon, and the other mod I'm doing. My dad will be staying home from work tomorrow and will try to work on some stuff for me, I'll be sure to tell him to take some more progress pictures!

[95impalakid]

Today, I got my O2 wire extensions. I ordered them off of eBay from some store on there. Drivers side extension is 12" and the passenger side is 18". These will be in use because of the collectors that I ordered. The collectors are only 4" long, with flanges on each end for the header and the x-pipe that I have already on the car. The sensor bungs will be welded into these so the the ceramic coating on the headers isn't ruined. They should be in tomorrow, or next week.:
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Here it is! Another mod that I am extremely excited for! HOOD MOD! I found an old 1969 L88 Corvette hood scope/cowl/thing in my shop that was supposed to be used on my dads 1978 Z/28 when he was in high school! It's just plain fiberglass, a little dusty, but I'm going to use it. I don't have a picture of it, but I found an SS with the same cowl and it will look exactly the same, only in DCM of course. Also, the emblem will not be present on mine. Super excited for this, it's unique!:
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[popo8]

Thats cool. just always trying to push members into good deals...

LTXtech.com is my DRUG!

[95impalakid]

Welp, looks like the AC line is gonna have to go! It's not wanting to move anymore, so tomorrow I'm going to get that line off and get that header to get down in there smooth as glass. I'm still waiting on my collectors to get here, so they won't be officially on until those arrive.

However, I thought I'd make the best of the situation and go down to Autozone to get some new spark plugs. What's everyone using for those. I think I read earlier that NGK 55 something or other was the best to go with? What are you all using? I checked them all and they looked great, surprisingly, had some nice Bosch Premium plugs. Just looking for some input! Thanks!

[95impalakid]

DCM is the best. Hopefully I'll get it lowered in the front soon.
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[95impalakid]

Got the headers on last night! Gonna finish doing the passenger side tonight. I found out why the passenger side was so hard for my dad to try to get on. He was forcing the flange of it between a piece of heat shield and floor board. He's gone in Atlanta right now, so I tried it out by myself this time (I was doing the drivers side) and I let it drop a little more than he did and it fit right into place! Just need to get the Alternator, dipstick, put on my EGR plate I made at work, and hook up a couple vacuum lines and then it's off to the exhaust shop!
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[95impalakid]

Got the headers on and the exhaust welded on on Friday. I will post some pics once I am off of my schools wifi, but the car sounds very good. Has a little stock lope at idle and screams when I rev it up.

With the application of the new headers, my engine bay (I THINK) is having issues keeping cool. Friday-Saturday drove it all day, went to some cruises, didn't stomp on it to hard or anything. That night within the last 10 minutes of driving after I dropped off my girlfriend I got the CEL to come on. At a red light I could hear my fans blowing, so I put the HVAC on vent thinking that would help. Once I got home it didn't seem to hot, had no noises, fumes smelled normal, no melted wires from what I could tell, fans were still running. Sunday morning I came to find that my coolant level was low, so I topped it off with some water. That afternoon it did the exact same thing and pulled the light on me just before I got home. Fans were on again, and I had filled it with the water before driving. I'm going to drive it to Autozone and have them scan it for any codes.

Next is to get a new alternator and replace a broken lug. I will have pictures on the exhaust up soon.

[95impalakid]

Hey I'm back. I had no time to get on or anything during the summer due to work. The SS didn't get as much love as I wanted either. I was able to do a couple subtle mods, but I'm hoping to get into a better paying job soon so I can get a move on with the build. It's been shitty, honestly. I tried selling the car once because I felt bad that it was sitting in the driveway for so long and because the car was having a ton of problems to the point that I drove it only twice my whole summer break. It. Was. Depressing.

BUT!!!! All is well now! :)

I have some angel eyes being made for the car right now! I'll be the first with 8k HIDs, BMW projectors, and 7 color spectrum angel eyes- all should be able to be controlled by an app on my phone (so I've been told)! Done deal yesterday and they should be here in around two weeks.

As for the previous exhaust work, I have been having some problems with my fuel to air ratio (I think) and one of the members in my club is going to data log my car, and tune it once I pick up a 160 thermostat this week. Some new rotors I picked up from a different club member are in the garage and ready to put on too, I just haven't been able to put them on yet with school starting this week. I will get some pictures of the exhaust and other mods that I've done soon, maybe if I do the rotors tonight or over the weekend.

[95impalakid]

Here's my update pictures that I could snap real quick.
Added an LT1 badge to dat ass:
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Here's what the angel eyes look like in white:

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My new wheels for drag radials. 15x8 screaming for ET Streets, going to run 275/60/18 on them when I get $400.

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My new engine bay look. Painted the coolant and wiper fluid reservoirs gloss black, along with my old "home plate". I blocked off the hole in the HP so it is just there to cover up my stained intake manifold. Also took off the hoodliner, as it was stained and gross looking too.

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Changed it up and added a red bowtie to the front, I like the analogous colors a ton more.

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[95albinobird]

i hate the dicks at your school for you:2finger::cussing::angryfire: ya just don't fuck with a man's car,PUNKS!!!!!:angryfire::angryfire::cussing::2fin ger::atomic:
and you sound real popular.:laugh:
nice car glad they didn't get you down and out of the hobby.:welcome_ltxtech:
IMO i would leave the hood as is and not put a chunk of fiberglass on it.
the guy with that ram air hood has a nice set up i would have to make the hood functional.here's a idea get a spare hood to do the mod to so if it turned out like shit you could just throw the original back on.

[SSlowBoat]

got a vid of the sound with that exhaust and headers? i am in the same boat with the same exhaust mani bolt snapped off bad. thinking of going your route. thanks!

[95impalakid]

I will get a video and a link to you as soon as I can!

[SSlowBoat]

Thanks man, im just gonna throw headers on it and basically the same exhaust with ultraflow weldeds and pypes x

[95impalakid]

Alright, sorry I haven't got a video to you yet :( I started a new job and I've had almost 0 time to even eat with being in the middle of my senior year. Remember those lights I said I was going to order? ;) Well I'm a detailer now at a large Nissan dealership, and I've spent a ton of time getting my SS NICE looking. I am picking up a new smooth bellow intake elbow tonight. I will give a more in depth update and video when I'm not in school!
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[SSlowBoat]

What wax you using on the dcm?

http://youtu.be/H8Eq7OwSSFk

[95impalakid]

TubbyFormy: I used black wax by Turtle Wax called "Color Magic". Don't use it. Just get some good old Brazilian Carnauba wax.

[95impalakid]

Alright at about 11 tonight I installed my new intake elbow. I replaced the stock b body one with a nice, smooth, polished aluminum one. I had to trim up my S pipe from Home Depot, but other than that it was smooth sailing.

This is a sideways "before" picture.

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This is a comparison between the stock and aftermarket elbow. Major difference in design, aftermarket one without a doubt will perform better and get me a couple hp.

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A picture of the throttle body during the process. All the clamps could by tightened or loosed with a 9mm socket, so I was pretty happy that I didn't have to screw around. Also, I had to remove the "First Base" air resonator. It was already blocked off, but I painted it gloss black to cover my nasty stained intake manifold. I also previously painted my coolant and windshield wiper reservoirs gloss black.

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Her is the product installed and ready to rock. Took me about an hour and a half, but the appearance is a ton better. I will have to detail my engine bay again tomorrow at work. It rained all day and the dust from the leaves trashed it. Completely.

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TubbyFormy, I have a video for you, I just don't know where it is on my computer LOL. If you like, I can email it to you from my phone?

I can't say what's next for the Impy. I am trying to find a beater Honda for a max price of $1000 to daily drive. Has to run perfect, get good mileage, and be a manual car. My plans for the SS are far to large to keep it as a daily, and on top of that, it sucks in the snow. Indiana gots tons of snow...

[popo8]

1000 and drive perfect?

[popo8]

I like the new elbow amd home depot cai.

[95impalakid]

Yeah, I've found a ton on craigslist. LOL.

Also, getting new guts this week. I will post pics. Friday I will be picking up my new seats. The middle are stock grey, and the outside with the bolsters "if you could call the bolsters for the ss bolsters LOL) are black. Leather. Black leather headrests too. I still need to send the headrests to a friend where I'm getting the 2002 Camaro SS logo font embroidered in maroon. Black carpet is on its way too. LOVE HAVING MORE MONEY FROM MY NEW JOB LOLOL

[popo8]

Lookin forward to the pics. Car does look fantastic!

[95impalakid]

Thanks Chief! Made it look even better today. Ya know how I removed my air resonator to expose my nasty stained intake manifold? Well I had some down time at work and detailed the bay for the third time this week. Didn't bother doing any other part of the car, the weather was ehhh.

TubbyFormy, the video has been sent! :)

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[popo8]

Very nice!

[95impalakid]

Here's my progress for today. Went smooth with no problems! Leaving my drivers seat in for as long as I can as I still have a ton of gas in the car to use this week. Keeping my stock carpet in to use as sound deadening.

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Build sheet was located under the passenger seat. Too far gone though to remove :(

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Stick around to see what the rest of the week brings me.

[95impalakid]

Well guys. Awful news. Drove my car yesterday to grab a bite to eat after getting all the seats out, car drove just fine. I didn't beat on it or anything, like normal. Today I start my car to let it warm up. After doing that, get a ton of ticking. Definitely lifters coming from both sides of the motor. My friends on ISSF think that I spun a cam bearing... How? I have no idea. 261xxx miles and I couldn't be surprised though, as the car hasn't been rebuilt ever. What do you guys think I should do? I was thinking of going along and just stroking it since the motor will have to come out anyway. Any advice and constructive criticism is appreciated.

[popo8]

Ull prob wanna start a new thread based on engine plans, so people dont just brush it off as cont updates to the car.

With that being said... tell us what u want from the build?

[colton.waggoner.9]

Well, this is hypothetically what I want with no restraints from my dad:

About 400 at the wheels.
Custom grind Lunati cam
LE2 heads
TB
New opti
Electronic water pump
Ported intake
T56 swap
Auburn Posi
Moser axles
4.10s w abs reluctor.

I say T56 because my good ole 4l60e has the same mileage without a rebuild, so I'm guessing it is bound to go soon especially if I add power to it.

I have no knowledge regarding Pistons.

Just off the top of my head.

[95impalakid]

Hi guys. Have been super busy with work. My dad thinks that my motor is fine, but that the lifters are just being noisy.

I ordered a new Silla Aluminum rad that got here this week (mine was leaking), and some new locking lugs for my rotors that I have sitting around, and a 160 SLP tstat.

I was about to order Pro Magnum roller rockers and start searching for some valve springs when I started talking to Mike Fetcko and he said, "By the time you order all the valve train, and install it, you'll be $500 deep with 10 hp added and possibly a (still) noisy motor." So I took his advice and remembered a friend that did an LS swap.

I should be picking up an LT1 from a friend who lives in Michigan/Wisconsin area. It's from a 1995 Impala SS. Stock LT1 with 150xxx miles. Runs and drives great. Trans has been rebuilt recently with a shift kit and S10 torque converter. So he's holding it for me and I'm giving him $650 for everything and picking it up in a couple months. My plans are to set that engine on the stand and built a mild street engine, but beef up the trans and my rear end a ton so I won't have to keep tinkering with it when I want to go bigger displacement.

I'm hoping to do H/C/I with the new engine while I baby my stock stuff until I can swap it. LE1 heads and a custom grind cam are sounding nice.

As far as the rear end goes I'm going to get an Eaton Tru-Trak Posi, and 3.73 Yukon gears (with ABS reluctor). I'm pretty set on that. I'd also like to send the trans to Frank Cahall at CPT for a build up, and get a 3200 Yank stall.

Get it tuned by PCM Performance.

Hopefully it will work out and I'll be able to get that motor and start messing with it in a month or two. I'm letting all my new stuff sit for awhile until I know what I'm going to do.

[Sahara54]

Sounds like a good plan. I was kinda worried when I saw the LS swap part. Talk to Frank first before you buy a yank. He can get you a pro-torque converter built for your specs.

[SSlowBoat]

Sounds like a good plan. I was kinda worried when I saw the LS swap part. Talk to Frank first before you buy a yank. He can get you a pro-torque converter built for your specs.
A pro torque that will work better too. Nice plans. Maybe see you at the shootout next year, two dcms going at it would be fun

[95impalakid]

Definitely. I will also be at ISSCA Nats, given that it's in Bowling Green next year vs Charlotte. Sahara54, that sounds like a great idea. I talk to him regularly, so hopefully he will cut me a good deal and take care of me HAHA ;)

I found a different motor today with a trans. It has 100,000 miles FLAT for cheap. I got a video of it running and driving from a 1995 RM. I'm going to see if my dad can spot me or allow me to get it as my only and early Christmas present.

I've been researching and think that I am going to find some aluminum LT1 heads and flip the iron ones after I clean them up. Send heads to AI for 190cc along with intake. Custom grind Lunati cam.

[SSlowBoat]

id go with LE

[popo8]

id go with LE
+1 ^^^

[audiorailroad]

Cahall rebuilt my trans with a protorque converter and its an excellent setup. Drives like stock until you gas then hang on. Shifts way more solid than stock. And frank will take good care of you.

[SSlowBoat]

Cahall rebuilt my trans with a protorque converter and its an excellent setup. Drives like stock until you gas then hang on. Shifts way more solid than stock. And frank will take good care of you.
Have one of his race trans in the heads cam car, and a rebuild in my wife's daily silverado, the truck shifts just like the car lol. Frank knows his stuff, and builds a helluva trans

[95impalakid]

Looks like I will listen to you fellas and shoot for the LE2 heads and have them recommend me a cam shaft too.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/06/d897452f319d61a10f5554b5c8fbda59.jpg

[95impalakid]

Came to find also, that all of the LE cams that are custom grind are from Lunati to begin with. Works out perfectly.

[popo8]

U know LE is a sponsor here. He is NightTrain66

[95impalakid]

Picking this up tomorrow after SATs. Deal of the century!!! $275 for 100,000 miles flat LT1 out of a 1995 Roadmaster. Time to make the SS a dig monster.

I did good, no?

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/07/1e86874529bad4d90973b65f461888dd.jpg

[popo8]

Congrats man... just make sure its am lt1 and not an l99...and ur IN!

[95impalakid]

Just picked up my new project. Looks great. Found out, he has (or had) one of the fastest all motor LT1s and that his name is on the fastest LT1 list on here. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/08/af1901195328b2a0ea1f0b4ded64018e.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/08/ff29b8238dcfe7ed1187526e336a7055.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/08/232a2c145ca79b9239c5a2765002f016.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/08/8ad3784ff7bf6af958ca9349ea07b603.jpg

[popo8]

Awesome... and congrats!

[95impalakid]

Today consists of cleaning out the garage and finding a spot for this project. I should be able to knock a couple things out today. I can take off the EGR and Air Pump, and then start tearing it down and cleaning all the stuff I need to sell off of it.

[95impalakid]

Got it unloaded off the trailer. Have it sitting on the floor for time being. Unbolting the trans and getting it ready to ship to CPT and then putting it on the engine stand this week. Should be able to get some small stuff done with it like this, still.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/09/66621b9c78c41c163107e26438bb9ac0.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/09/cc1d57b12e294427b81bac1d8c27f652.jpg

[popo8]

Sounds like a plan man...

[95impalakid]

I have most of the part numbers, and I'm ready to start ordering stuff for the build. Lloyd helped me out a bunch! I'm ordering a cam from him in a couple weeks! I also purchased some aluminum heads this week and they should be here late next week too! Milling them to .020" (Lloyd recommended) and polishing them. Other than that, it'll basically be a cam only car with minor head work. I'm going to have a local shop port match and polish my intake too, and probably my throttle body to save some dough for the valve train and Yank stall.

I also forgot that I will have another LT1 to build on after I pull my current one out, so I'll have even bigger plans for that engine. 396 anyone? Anyone? ;)

[MoeHorsePower]

I have most of the part numbers, and I'm ready to start ordering stuff for the build. Lloyd helped me out a bunch! I'm ordering a cam from him in a couple weeks! I also purchased some aluminum heads this week and they should be here late next week too! Milling them to .020" (Lloyd recommended) and polishing them. Other than that, it'll basically be a cam only car with minor head work. I'm going to have a local shop port match and polish my intake too, and probably my throttle body to save some dough for the valve train and Yank stall.

I also forgot that I will have another LT1 to build on after I pull my current one out, so I'll have even bigger plans for that engine. 396 anyone? Anyone? ;)


You cant go wrong with LE, I just get amazed every time I tune an LE setup, the HP and TQ is always flat as a board, this makes your car pull like a beast.

[95impalakid]

You cant go wrong with LE, I just get amazed every time I tune an LE setup, the HP and TQ is always flat as a board, this makes your car pull like a beast.

That's the goal!!!

[SSlowBoat]

You cant go wrong with LE, I just get amazed every time I tune an LE setup, the HP and TQ is always flat as a board, this makes your car pull like a beast.
And if you have a le setup tuned by MoeHorsePower, invest in good tires, because traction becomes an issue

[SSlowBoat]

I have most of the part numbers, and I'm ready to start ordering stuff for the build. Lloyd helped me out a bunch! I'm ordering a cam from him in a couple weeks! I also purchased some aluminum heads this week and they should be here late next week too! Milling them to .020" (Lloyd recommended) and polishing them. Other than that, it'll basically be a cam only car with minor head work. I'm going to have a local shop port match and polish my intake too, and probably my throttle body to save some dough for the valve train and Yank stall.

I also forgot that I will have another LT1 to build on after I pull my current one out, so I'll have even bigger plans for that engine. 396 anyone? Anyone? ;)
Stealing my cam only ideas, did you read my thread? lol. Good luck with the build man

[95impalakid]

Stealing my cam only ideas, did you read my thread? lol. Good luck with the build man

I actually didn't but it'll be cool battling each other at Shootout!!! If my cars done that is xD

[95impalakid]

Well look what came in the mail today!

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/21/4e9eddff0401747b832dcbcbc51ecf3a.jpg

[popo8]

Ohhh snap. What are the details?

[95impalakid]

Ohhh snap. What are the details?

Aluminum 643 heads. To stay stock and be cam only but the valve train is too get really beefy to support the boom stick I'll be purchasing from Lloyd!

[95impalakid]

Yesterday the weather was nice to me and it allowed me to get everything bolted up to the engine stand. I got off all the exhaust manifolds, sensors, etc.

Looking to find a bottom end rebuild kit that won't kill my pocket. What do you guys think?
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/fbb6f96fb6add01b34c42d4f4458c6e3.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/637bb5638da9e9a8da6c88b26b21f620.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/1f212e0d8aad15488cf6a409a5e2a7c2.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/8e6ff61a9b8ac63143f68a829107aa25.jpg

[95impalakid]

Got some free time this last Friday and was able to tear down the intake. I'm waiting for a space heater and drip pan to come in to make everything easier.
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Slowly but surely I'm getting there.

[95impalakid]

Heads are off. Gonna order some stuff tonight. Not sure what! But I am!

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/30/def3bfe477969a0716ce14177454d875.jpg

Critter's stash. Smashed.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/30/9e27a8a9b3d007a1212f629a0d4d9c72.jpg

[SSlowBoat]

What cam you going with from LE? 227/235?

[95impalakid]

What cam you going with from LE? 227/235?
I will find the specs in a second. I changed phones and all my build information and part numbers were lost.

[SSlowBoat]

I ask because he specd me two for a very similar build as urs since I'm poor lol. 223/231 or 227/235. I'm going with the 223/231, I'd rather have the torque down low for the boat

[95impalakid]

227/235 .565/.579 110lsa

[SSlowBoat]

Ah, the few more horse up top cam. 3:73 gears I assume?

[95impalakid]

Yes sir.

[95impalakid]

Yank SS 3600 too

[SSlowBoat]

Nice, I'm stayin with the protorque baby stall. I like how it drives in the Camaro, stalls about 3k heads/cam, but hits hard when you open it up. Good luck with the build. Mine is coming apart soon too, wanna make sure there are no surprises in the bottom end

[95impalakid]

Nice, I'm stayin with the protorque baby stall. I like how it drives in the Camaro, stalls about 3k heads/cam, but hits hard when you open it up. Good luck with the build. Mine is coming apart soon too, wanna make sure there are no surprises in the bottom end
Nice man. I can't wait to get started on it

[95impalakid]

I got my winter wheels and tires cleaned up at work yesterday. About to start listing stock parts from the LT for sale and try to get the harmonic balancer off.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/04/936cf72283a8738f6350d7dbfa6828e7.jpg

[SSlowBoat]

Use a 3 jaw puller, or one of the steering wheel hub pullers with 3 hardened bolts thru the hub ears with nuts on the back, and be sure to stuff something in the crank to protect the end of it

[95impalakid]

I will boss! Thanks! Yeah my dad thinks he has one around amd is trying to find it while I take pics of stuff for sale.

[95impalakid]

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Stay tuned ;)

[95impalakid]

What have we here? :)

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[ScreaminRedZ]

Great project, nice job so far! The car looks great, especially for the mileage.

[95impalakid]

Great project, nice job so far! The car looks great, especially for the mileage.
Thanks. She's a project. And eats money. Tons of it.

[ScreaminRedZ]

Seeing your struggles brings back some memories for sure. Many times I saved up for some new mod, only to have to spend it on an unexpected repair. Obviously you try to upgrade to performance parts whenever possible, but it doesn't always work out that way. Keep at it, you're making good progress!

[Madman337]

I like it! I know I am late in to this build but as far as exhaust stuff goes and maybe this will help others in the future I usually run the car till its warmed up and break everything lose while its hot. I know this is a pain but the idea works and because nobody is a fan of broken bolts ect my 2 cents worth may just help. I went looking for one of these cars back in the day and just could not afford one but I always wished I had one because I have always liked them. I really like your car and good luck with it. I look forward to hearing more!

[95impalakid]

Well my SS took a dump this morning. Cranks and cranks but won't start. Sometimes it'll start for 2 seconds and then die, then I get the low oil light and occasional abs light. Probably going to put off a couple things until I can get the Honda I've been looking at.

[SSlowBoat]

Well my SS took a dump this morning. Cranks and cranks but won't start. Sometimes it'll start for 2 seconds and then die, then I get the low oil light and occasional abs light. Probably going to put off a couple things until I can get the Honda I've been looking at.
Opti life

[popo8]

95impalakid any updates?

[SSlowBoat]

He's selling the car for a ls1 camero

[popo8]

Really??? He was all about the impala in this thread.

[SSlowBoat]

Really??? He was all about the impala in this thread.
He's around somewhere, but it was high miles and he doesn't want to work on it anymore. Something bout the trans

[popo8]

He's around somewhere, but it was high miles and he doesn't want to work on it anymore. Something bout the trans
Ohhh... and i thought he was building a motor for it.

[popo8]

How much does he want for it...?

[SSlowBoat]

How much does he want for it...?
Like 6 or 7

[popo8]

WHAT?!?!?!?

[SSlowBoat]

WHAT?!?!?!?
Yep, 220k miles I think, just put a trans in it

[popo8]

Well hopefully he will come and post up here.