stupid question but...

[Rolling_Thunder]

so I have a potential customer bringing in a 63 Impala for a restomod... money seems to be no object... so... an all out car might be in the works... On my list of suggestions will be:

- Crate 572
- 4L80E trans
- 9" ford
- 18" and 20" wheels
- Baer Brakes

now heres my questions.. I rarely work on Impalas of GMs anymore... last time I built one was 4 years ago and alot of trick things have come out sense...

WHAT DO I DO FOR SUSPENSION ?

[Project69]

Custom Air-ride.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Air-Ride was discussed as an idea... no complete system available i assume ? oh well... I build Mopar - nothing is available for them either SNAFU

[Project69]

Its not to hard i bet. Just get a shockwave system from them and 4-link the rear with the air-bags, and for the fronts i guess you can modify the control arms to fit the air-bags.

[BA.]

I'd probably bag it too! :) That'd be a hell of a car with all those mods!

[Steve Chryssos]

Just slide that old flimsy X frame out and slide an Art Morrison chassis into place--with Air Ride.

[Zeventy1Z]

I think air ride should have a system for impala's... on a track day, they were showing off what their systems can do on a 64 impala...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[70TWO NOVA]

What are you guys talking about???....its an impala so you MUST install hydraulics! lol:rotfl:

[jy211]

I'm sure Art Morrison could get the ride your looking for...:poke:

[z4me69]

i second the art morrison chassis

[OPM Customs]

I am an Air-Ride dealer, and just finnished bagging a '62 Impala, looks sweet. P.M. me with any Q?'s
Clay

[WS6]

I say get rid of the x frame as well. Bagging it would be nice.

[PRRC]

We do alot of Impalas. I own a 62 myself. Air ride does make a complete kit for the 58-64 x frame cars.
I will agree that the weak link is the x frame. The morrison chassis is a great piece. But requires alot of fab work to get them under the Impalas. new floor, body mounts, relocating the gas tank.Just about everything.
Rad Rides used the x frame in the chicayne and it seem to be holding up very well.A cage was installed so I'm sure that helps with the structure of the frame.
Global west is working on upper and lower control arms to accept front coil overs.Thats what we are waiting on.
Currie enterprises makes really nice rear control arms.The Impalas are still limited on the performance suspension pieces available.
Tim

[MonzaRacer]

http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/productpopup.asp?prodname=58%2D64+Chevrolet+front+ kit%2E+Includes+tubular+upper+and+lower+control+ar ms+with+Shockwaves&prodID=SKW1021%2DLUCA&price=%241%2C599%2E00

http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/productpopup.asp?prodname=59%2D64+Chevy+Rear+CoolR ide+kit+with+tubular+control+arms&prodID=ARR20600%2DLUCA&price=%24899%2E00

http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/levelpro.asp
http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/rideproe.asp

Now PLEASE tell me you cant find anything to fit.
Got to the www.ridetech.com ART website and check the parts out, simple sweet and they fit.
done deal, money no object make sure you use enugh tank capacity , use at least 2 compressors(I like 2 big and one small for back up) remote control, level pro, dont use the big red valves way too big for decent control from what I have seen.
If a ShockWave is useable get it in DA models and tune the crap out of it.
As for the X frame the biggest weak link is the carrier bearing and the old time fix is the use of an industrial grade pillow block bearing instead.
Have a 12 bolt axle made to fit, its tough, cheaper to build and its CHEVY. 9in rears eat power and besides a 12 bolt is Chevy.
dont get radical on wheels keep it in the 17 or 18 range , make the tires something like the Bridgestone RE960AS (year round tires or the RE-01s or even Firestone Wideovals (the new ones not repops.
please give it a sweat make over but for Gods sake use a big block or maybe find a old 409 and stroke it and FI it. Please refrain from LS power. I have seen so many old cars with LSx power and its refreshing to see a BBC or an old W motor ( I know a guy who used t ohave a few for sale.
Got to see a fella who stroked a 409 to something like 480 cube or some such nuber, ran it on E85 and it would pull an all steel Imp in the high 5's in the 1/8th AND with the electronic FI setup it drove on the street(sans slicks),
Hope the links help.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE