1996 Impala MistreSS

[SSTuner]

Here is my progress on my 1996 Impala SS. It is a 7600 mile car that was garaged kept and driven to Car Shows.

Stats:
LPE LT4 Heads and Intake
9lb Powerdyne Supercharger
T-56 6-Speed transmission
American Racing 17x9 1/2 Torq Thrust D
LT1 Edit Programming

As you can see in some of the photos, the frame is not painted by the factory but is dipped in a "black pariffin wax" for corrosion protection. Thanks GM. The frame has been completely media blasted and I am awaiting to get further direction from this forum on deciding my paint direction. I would love to have the frame powder coated but the wax still remains in the enclosed portion of the frame an it will melt and ruin the powdercoating during its process according to the powdercoat shop.

[derekf]

Awesome. I'd still like to get my hands on one of those.

[SamHatco]

Just tell the powder coater to put the frame in the oven for an hour at 400 deg. This will melt the wax and then he can re-clean any residue. That's how my guy does it. He said when ever he gets a new piece to work on, even if it has already been sand blasted he will put it in the oven and re-clean it before he puts powder on it. He said that is the only way he will warrant his work.

Sam

[ZuperZport]

Ray - Your Impala SS is very nice. Best of luck with the work you have planned.

Forgot how awesome the Impala SSs' were.

Amazing, 12 years later and GM still cannot realize that a full-size, rear-wheel drive, V8 powered car, offered in affordable trim styles would sell like hot-cakes.

Its so simple GM........offer a capable V8 in a rear driver and allow it to be purchased with or without power windows, AC and such and it will do well. Just my $.02.

Keep up the great work Ray.

[WS6]

I agree with Sam. Have any pictures of the body lifted off the frame? That would be a cool picture to see.

[linkstar69]

I think you guys will get the new holden commodore badged as a pontiac, that should fill the hole in the market you're talking bout.

[TPI Monte SS]

Very nice car, lots of luck with the project! I still miss my DGGM '96 SS. They're deceptively quick, and are really comfortable on the long haul. I drove mine 15 hours straight (with a few stops for fuel/food) from North Jersey to Bowling Green, KY in 1999 for Impalapalooza. What a fun trip!

[SSTuner]

Trey, here are some picture of the lift-off.

Step 1: I pulled the car under 4-post lift.

Step 2: After carefull measurements, I designed/built a cradle out of 2x2 steel that was bolted together after jacking the body off the frame. The 2x4 wood is in place to cushion the contact point on the body.

Step 3: Using the four post lift at it's lowest point, we ran some straps through the 2x2 steel and around the lift ramps.

Step 4-5: Use lift to seperate body.

Step 6: Remove wheels to lower frame onto wheel casters so it can be dragged out.

[WS6]

that's awesome Ray. Is the body sitting on a cart now or is it still hanging off the lift? Thanks for posting those. I've never heard of someone lifting the body off on these new ones. I guess it can't be mush different than lifting the body on the classics.

[SSTuner]

Once the frame was rolled outside and stripped down, I put the four wheel casters on all four corners of the 2x2 jig and lowered the body onto them. I then moved the body out of the way so I can use the lift.

[SSTuner]

Finally started working on the ol Impala SS again. I'll post pictures on the progress.

[WS6]

Sounds great Ray. I love these cars. I just wish I could physically fit into them comfortably. I'm way too narrow.

[The Stickman]

I love the B-bodies. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[crystalss]

I will be watching to see this one...Glad to see another SS
Good Luck

[tooblue]

Nice... Looks like fun.. I may pull the frame on my Caprice soon, nothing like a nice looking clean painted / coated frame under a car.. Roger

[SSTuner]

It's been awhile, but I finally got the frame powder coated and I will be picking it up today. Coater had to bake the frame in order to get the "black wax" out of the inside of the frame rails. He laughed and said his booth now smells like candle. I'll post photos soon. Here is a photo of the frame when I dropped it off Monday. Notice the jig that he set it on, cool idea.

[bonecrrusher]

Put that black wax back in?

I'd think that it prevents rust..

[SSTuner]

Picked up frame. It looks great, Daryl (powder coater) even powdercoated the inside of the front frame horns along with the inside of the rear wheel frame rails. More pictures to come. Now, where did I store the brake lines?

[JAWSS]

Holy time warp batman. I was in 2008 then popped into 2011 suddenly...lol Nice Impala. It has been a dream of mine for some time. The closest I came to one was my 94 Caddy Fleetwood beater. 180K miles on her and she was still rolling strong.

[southernfriedcj]

No way I would have torn down a 7,600 mile garage kept car.

You are a better man than me.

[SSTuner]

I wouldn't of tore it down either if GM would done a better prep work during the initial construction. Just need to look at the initial pictures in this tread and you would understand. Makes me wonder what car like mine th is driven really looks like today. Believe me my wife reminds me everyday, get that car finish.

[SSTuner]

Sorry for delay. I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake lines from Classic Tubes (Summit Racing). I didn't realize that they are being dropped shipped and could take up to 5-weeks. This delay is going to kill my schedule, Does anyone know of other manufactures that have Stainless lines?

[MonzaRacer]

Hey dont knock that waxy under coating if the manufacturers went BACK to using it these newer cars wouldnt be rusting in areas the dont need too. The yshould at least make it an option,,,I see cars and trucks that are severely rusted and ones couple years before that are coated and look factory fresh.
Cool car though, inline tube also sells brake lines, honestly I always preferred doing my own, I am a tech an bought a hydraulic flaring tool and hand bend my own lines as well as customers cars too.

[SSTuner]

Here are some more photos of the frame after removing the body.5410454105541065410754108541095411054111

[SSTuner]

Hey dont knock that waxy under coating if the manufacturers went BACK to using it these newer cars wouldnt be rusting in areas the dont need too. The yshould at least make it an option,,,I see cars and trucks that are severely rusted and ones couple years before that are coated and look factory fresh.
Cool car though, inline tube also sells brake lines, honestly I always preferred doing my own, I am a tech an bought a hydraulic flaring tool and hand bend my own lines as well as customers cars too.

I got an email yesterday from Summit Racing that the Classic Tubes brake lines will be here on Tuesday. Heading off to the garage and getting to work.

Lee - I used to have a 78 Monza HB that I put in a SB 350, but it went to waist (rusted) after years outdoors. I wish I was building that car up instead of the Impala SS. I agree that the "wax" does a great job at the beginning, but it dries up and then rust starts, just see the above photos.

[Tig]

Awesome build.
Do you have any shots of the interior?


I remember going to an International Auto Show in 96 and sitting in one. It was the most comfortable car at the show, period..........

[SSTuner]

Here are some photos of the my custom tubular control arms. .541555415654157

Also two pictures of me transfering the frame over to a hoist from some temporary straps.
5415854159

[MonzaRacer]

well if we both were not torn down I might trade ya ! but then I also have an 1984 Caprice 2dr thats going to get a 454 and maybe down road a re worked 402 with twin turbos,,,, gotta love hair driers to even the score!
My Monza makes the 6th one I have owned, thats including the 2 parts cars a v8 TC and a spare Buick skyhawk parts car to my old race car Skyhawk.
Hope this one last longer,,its sure taking longer to build this time. Tentative plans are 283 0.125 over, steel crank, h beams, forged pistons, 202/160 ported and polished double humps, screw in studs/guide plates, cut for big springs. LT1 FI intake custom DIS, custom turbo headers, type 2 PS pump, Lee steering gear, pair of GT2871R ball bearing ebay turbos, inter cooler, Injector Dynamics injectors, Megasquirt, TH350, S10 5 lug conversion, may go up to a ZQ8 spindle change. And custom rear upper control arm set up to do away with torque arm. small list.

[ILLMATIC]

does anyone here know where i can get a set of billet hood and trunk hinges for the 1996 impala ss , like the ones used on most pro touring camaros ?

[SSTuner]

I found these on Feslers website (Sponsor here):

http://www.shopfesler.com/1992-96-chevy-impala-trunk-hinge-pair/

I hope he comes out with hood hinges soon.

[ILLMATIC]

yes , i saw those i contacted fessler about a year ago requesting the hood hinges he said if i can get 10 more people interested he would make them and i guess every other manufacturer would jump on the band wagon as well. maybe now with you re building your car we can get more guys interested if you come across anything please let me know i will do the same

[twosaturns]

54109
I have never seen a car that had vented rear rotors, most always they are solid. pretty cool.

[ILLMATIC]

any updates pics please

[blackowned]

this ever get finished?

[ILLMATIC]

Any updates on this ?????

[SSTuner]

Believe it or not I'm finally putting "Mistress" back together after all these years. Here is a photo from yesterday. Just ordered a complete QA1 suspension system. More photos as I progress.

[SSTuner]

Received the QA1 front control arms and here is a photo of the test fitment. Still need to cut the spindles and drill them to accept the Kore3 adapters.

[SSTuner]

Updates: Installed ABS Toner rings on KORE3 Hubs, modified spindles for C5/C6 caliper adapters.

[SSTuner]

Finally, Mistress is on her tires

[SSTuner]

"Mistress" is out of the garage for the first time after 17 years inside. Soon body will be installed.

[SSTuner]

Finally "married" the body to the frame.