'77 Impala

[Impala Matt]

Hi all,

My first attempt at posting anything about my car so here goes.

I picked this '77 Impala up a couple years back. It had less than 50,000 miles and had pretty much never seen a winter. It was and is a clean car. The great thing about these cars is they are generally inexpensive and the parts available are also inexpensive.

I had another '78 Caprice (also a 2 door) that was my test project. It got my first attempt at the hydraulic clutch set up and ran fairly well with a 4 speed. It was not a clean example but it started my interest in this platform. It was also a test bed for a lot of the suspension/brakes you see here.

Here is a list of what I have done:

Intrax 94-96 Impala lowering springs
SPC adjustable upper arms (2nd gen Camaro with longer adjuster sleeves) with tall ball joints (thanks to Mark at SC & C)
'82 F body steering box
Hydraboost (the diesel Caprice Classics came factory with this)
'91 9C1 (police package) Rearend and brakes (11" X 2.5" drums)
4.11 rear gears w/ posi
'91 stock drive shaft
Police car 12" front brakes
'91 sway bar and steering components
ZZ4 crate motor
Hedman hedders
T56 with Hurst shifter
Weir Hot Rod Products bellhousing and throw out bearing
15 x 8 inch rally wheels (I have 15 x 10's with 295/50s for the rear but the back spacing is off. I have to order some with about a 1/2" more offset. There is plenty of space to the inside but they touch the fender as is)
Heater delete with a carbon fiber block off.
Trunk mounted Optima battery
APC bucket seats

Here are some pictures.
Overall
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0593-1.jpg

Interior with bucket seat mounts welded in
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0063-1.jpg

Pedal assembly as put together on the bench
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0061-1.jpg

Stock Hydraboost set up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0064-1.jpg

Engine bay with SPC arms and suspension in
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0155-1.jpg

Close up of the tall ball joint
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0150-1.jpg

Hydraboost and clutch master cylinder in final location
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0151-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0149-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0591-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF0590-1.jpg

Here are the pedals in the car and the shifter location
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0171-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC_0167-1.jpg

Going through my pictures I realize I don't have any of the carbon fiber heater plate in the engine bay. I will get some when I get a chance and add them.

[1971CHEVELLE]

damn that’s really nice car:) looks awesome

[jaybee]

Nice car. These were nicely styled for their era with good, crisp lines. I especially like the early years with the wraparound rear window.

[maldo]

Nice I like it keep posting updates

[Impala Matt]

The nice thing about these cars is thaat the chassis carries through '96 and much of the front steering and suspension shares components with '70-'81 f bodies. I have also pushed the bumpers in 3" and sectioned them 1 and 1/2 on each side. Really makes the car look smaller.

[Impala Matt]

One last thing:
this body style never came with a manual trans option (GM's mistake) I made the pedals to work with the factory style hydo-boost and mounted the clutch master on a bracket that piggy-backs on the hydro-boost mount.

[1360]

Nice, especially w/ the manual....

[chaz75]

i absolutely love this year impala, nice job, chaz

[icebird84]

looks good , keep updating us and keep up the good work

[The Stickman]

I would love to hear more about the Hydraboost and how it works. I have considered making my Custom Cruiser manual. I have both a New Venture Gear 5spd and a Muncie M20. The New Venture Gear would reguire modifying the bellhousing to mate to my Olds engine but thta's no biggie. It's kinda cool seeing anothe B-Body on here. It's a great build. Keep us updated.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I like that body style. Always thought one of those could be cool. Looks like your headed in that direction

[Vegas69]

Man that is clean! I had a 78 (I think) caprice in high school. Someone had laid sheetmetal inserts in the floor boards. It was great for dropping beer cans. haha

[TPI Monte SS]

Very cool!!! Keep us updated with the pics, that looks friggin' cool!!!

[biscayne_hunter]

Matt:

Are those new floors? If so, where did you get them?

Thanks!

[mikem]

These are the stock floors we just cut out the bucket seat mounts from a donor car in a junk yard. That way we could just weld the factory style mounts in on the original floor. We positioned the seats to determine where to put them and the seats dropped right in.

The floors are pristine. Not a spot of rust and solid.

[Impala Matt]

Biscayne hunter,
the floors are original and really that clean. Its one of the reasons
I decided to build this car. I'm not sure where to get replacements but any B-body floor through '96 should work. My bucket set studs came out of a '93 and the floor pans look the same.

[BossaNova]

Great project!
Those cars have a very clean body style......and you do great work!
Pls keep us posted.

[DaviRotten]

Very diff and cool.. ;)

[73supreme455]

Awesome!!! I recently sold one similar to it. One of my favorite body styles. Would love to see the narrowed bumpers. More pics please?

[wellholy]

Were did you get the pedal set from? i used a set from a 90 camaro for mine. I also have a spare a/c delete heater box.

[Impala Matt]

Wellholy;
The pedals are a mix of 3 diff pedals.
The brake pedal is a hydroboost specific brake pedal
top half and the bottom is from a 96 Z/28. This steps the pedal over to the right and gives more clearence for the clutch pedal.
the clutch pedal is the original brake pedal trimmed and mounted right next to where it used to hang. I had pedals from a mid 80s S10 and also stick pedals from a '76 camaro but none of these fit the floor-to-dash
angle quite right. The fuse panel is somewhat close under the dash but there is room.

[The Stickman]

BTW do you plan on keeping the 15x10's with the 295/50-15's? The reason I ask is I have that same size on my Fiero and It wallows around in the back due to the huge sidewall.

[Impala Matt]

Here are some quick shots I grabbed the other day.

A couple of the Carbon Fiber heater/AC block off and one of the bumper. The bumper shot isn't the greatest but it is hard to get a good shot in the garage.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF1026-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF1027-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSCF1029-1.jpg

[shortrack]

cool car.....you know they used to run those in Cup.

[73supreme455]

Awesome car ! Thats beautiful work on the bumper fab.

[ed1le]

This is an awesome, unique build, lovin' it!

[wellholy]

What did you use for your tranny cross member? Are you using the reverse lock out solenoid?

[Impala Matt]

Wellholy:

the T-56 fit this
car very well. I had a custom cross member built so i could run the exhaust as tight as possible. But I used the stock length driveshaft from a '91 cop car.
Its very likely the 700r4 crossmember would have would work. I have been
told '93-'96 cross members are not quite the same. After talking with Tremec I decided not to wire in the reverse lock-out. It takes a little more effort to put it in reverse but the solenoid is easily overcome manually.

[shortrack]

bad!

[BMF Machine]

Man that is clean! I had a 78 (I think) caprice in high school. Someone had laid sheetmetal inserts in the floor boards. It was great for dropping beer cans. haha


I had a 68 PontiaC AmbulancE in HigH SchooL. Just like the GhostBusteR car. We would use the IV hooks To hold our BeeR BongS! And the storage under the rear would hold about 8 cases!lolol Plus it had a 428; man that thing would RolL down the highway?lolol

Sorry back to the thread; LovE the led SleD!

[wellholy]

I have a 80 impala that i put a t56 into. Is the reverse lock out solenoid still on your tranny I noticed that on mine it was hitiing the tunnel and do you still have the rubber bump stop on the top or the tranny. Are you going to put aftermarket gauges in for like the speedo or are you going to get the cable x ?

[wellholy]

this is mine

[Impala Matt]

Wellholy:
wow, I thought I was the only one!
as far as the solinoid hitting the floor, it is very tight a little work on the floor with a hammer should take care of it. My tranny still has it on. I used an autometer electric speedo and it was very easy to hook up. I got the factory plug for the tranny and only had to run 2 wires.There are people out there who offer tailhousings for the t-56 to run a cable
drive speedo but for me it was easier to hook up the electric one. Send more of yours Iwould like to see how it was done. One last thing the driveshaft loop that bolts to the floor did not fit once the t-56 was in.

[wellholy]

So what are your plans with the car, race, road race, or street and strip? Were in wisconsin do you live? I live in **** rapids mn. Iam trying to make my impala a sleeper I have the oil,water,volt set up from a 9c1 so it looks stock and I have a radio delete cover I could belive I found and a/c delete so I have heat at night driving around so the wife doesnt get mad about being cold. Andy

[Impala Matt]

Wellholy:
I'm in the Madison area of WI.
Major plans are to drive the car as much as I can. Once the snow is gone I'm in this car everyday. My brother has an 04 GTO and I wanted something that was just as fun but on the cheap. I have a heater only HVAC system also but that will go into my winter car (also a 77 2 door) that one is almost stock but will get a 350/4 speed in the spring.
Future plans for the Impala will be taking it on the HOT ROD Power tour this June. It starts in Madison this year.

[mikem]

Here are some pictures I snapped at Matt's today. We test fitted the 295/50's and he is going to need a new set of wheels with a bit more backspacing and probably still have to roll the fender lip.

I also snapped a couple pictures of his winter car.

He will be along probably tomorrow to post more about them both.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF1147-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF1149-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF1151-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF1146-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF1145-1.jpg

[68Formula]

Awesome project. This is my favorite as my parents bought one brand new. I like the angled rear window better than the later years. Unfortunately the engine and trans bit the dust after 150k miles and sadly they sent it to the junkyard. No rust except for the doors.

[Impala Matt]

Havent posted in a while so I thought i would share some pics of one of my other rides. This car isnt really pro-touring yet but I use it to answer the question of what to drive while the "real" car is in hybernation.The blue one is a Caprice and currently a 305/2bbl auto. The only mods are Heddman hedders and dual exhaust with Flowmasters. It has the large factory front sway bar and a rear bar.
Beecause it sees winter I'm not going to clean it up only upgrade it.
It has an 8.5 rear co I plan on swaping 2.41 open for a 3.08 posi. Up front will get '87 wagon spindles with 12" brakes. And of course it will be lowered 3"
For the driveline I have a 350/4speed from my first B body stick conversion also the pedals I made. This one has a Howe racing throw out bearing. The 4 speed is a super T10 with a 2.88 first.
Most of this stuff is leftovers from other projects and will be more fun to drive than take up space in the garage.
The Imp got its inner fenders back and is getting a steering pump upgrade with A/N lines and a remote tank

[ProTouring442]

Got me thinking...

Nice Impala or Olds 88, add a wrecked Chevy Trailblazer, set the whole thing at a nice ride height, Fill the inside with leather, voila; a nice AWD BMW beater!

Cool looking Impala!!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Impala Matt]

The blue Caprice is a winter car and if I had a dime for everytime someone asked me "hows that do in the snow?' I would be rich. Doesn't anyone remember to change their tire in Oct. Next year with the posi I'll drive through anything. V-8
rwd is the way God intended cars to be set up.

[Josh]

Sounds very cool! I have been building a 79 2 door for a couple years now. Original Eastern Washington car (NO rust), narowed 9C1 rear with eaton posi and 315's squeezed into the stock wheel wells. Boze 19's is back, 18's in front. I spec'ed out my own springs and it came out to about a 2" drop. Interior will be stock. I am 75% done on the body work now. The short block is done and I have nearly all the rest of the parts for the 540 mill with AFR 315 heads. I am not set on the tranny yet.
Could you send some pics of yours to my email since my work blocks out photobucket etc. Be sure to include pics of the bumper mod since that sounds cool!
Josh

[MarcelloRupelli]

This is cool as heck, not sure how I'd missed it. I've got a '77 Caprice coupe that's been in the works since about '98. Here it is in '01, and more or less how it still sits:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/together1-1.jpg

I really like how you've got it sitting. The stance and wheel/tire combo gives it a really tough look. Can't wait to see how it comes together.

[Impala Matt]

will be working on the Imp this weekend. I have a new tc style steering pump from unisteer and need to measure for the AN lines and the placement of the remote tank.

[icebird84]

nice
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/together1-1.jpg (http://www.rupelli.com/caprice/together1.jpg)

[JayR]

Love that car! Hats off for jumping all over a unique bodystyle.

Where did you get the sheet of carbon fiber for blocking off the heater?

Keep the updates coming, that car is COOL!

[Impala Matt]

The carbon fiber cam from a friend so the price was right. I still have some left and will use it also just don't know where yet. Also antone have any advice on setting up the AN lines for my steerin/hydroboost
plumbing?



iIa

[73supreme455]

Awesome cars!!! I've been looking for one for a while now. Keep up the good work.

[1971CHEVELLE]

looks very good

[mikem]

I was down at Matt's yesterday and grabbed a couple shots of the new Type II power steering pump, reservoir and braided lines.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF1280-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF1281-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF1284-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF1285-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF1289-1.jpg

I'm sure he will be along soon to post comments.

[Impala Matt]

in the pictures it looks like the braided line is run to the wrong port
Don't worry its only mocked up right now
This weekend I will finish up the plumbing and swap
the intake on the ZZ4. I have an
Edelbrock air gap performer RPM which shoul be good for 20 hp over the stock ZZ4 intake. Other than that I'll leave the ZZ4 alone. I have a 4 bolt 400 block and crank and one day it will live in my Impala.

[mikem]

Here are some pics now that Matt's Impala is back on the road.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/DSCF1418-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/DSCF1424-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/DSCF1421-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/DSCF1423-1.jpg

[FirstGenZq8]

more pics! that baby is sweet!

[Impala Matt]

havent posted in a while so I thought I'd say something about my Impala.
My brother(mikem 72 nova) and I took it on the Hot Rod Power Tour. Check his thread and you'll see why his ride didn't make it.
The trip was awsome and without any trouble.
We rolled from Mad WI
to Detroit. The Impala was excellent and gave us no trouble at all.
We did as good as 24 mpg and always 19-21mpg. Crusing at 80-85 mph on the I rode and only spinning 2000 rpm
I love the t-56 and
overdrive.
Summer project this year has been my other '77 two door.
This is the blue one and is a Caprice. there are some pic of it on my thread but I will post more of the work as it goes. The carr is getting a new floor and a 350 super T-10 four speed. I have extra spring so it will be lowered also. I need to get it done for winter because this one it the snow/salt car.
Kind of sucks but hey you have to drive something so it may as well be cool.
Right now my brothers Nova is in my garage so hopefully we can get somewhere on that also

[Impala Matt]

I am going to replace the body bushings on my Impala. I would like to go with an alum 1/2 height bushing like dse offers for F-bodies but am havng trouble finding anything.
anyone know if body bushings are universal with in the same decade the ;70s? or if there is a solid body bushing kit for the B-body
thanks

[Impala Matt]

finally put my car on a scale again.
stock it was 3880

now it is 3600
that is lighter than my brothers '04 GTO by 150 lbs
and lighter than my dads '08
G8 gxp stick car by 600 lbs
modern cars are pigs
hope to have some pics of the winter car going back together but I need my brothers camera

[The Stickman]

I am going to replace the body bushings on my Impala. I would like to go with an alum 1/2 height bushing like dse offers for F-bodies but am havng trouble finding anything.
anyone know if body bushings are universal with in the same decade the ;70s? or if there is a solid body bushing kit for the B-body
thanks


You can do like I am planning and make you own.

[Impala Matt]

I am almost finished with my other project, the winter car. This 2-door Caprice got a new/used floor, a 350,and 4-speed.
I lowered it also because I had an extra set of springs.
Most of this car was built with leftovers from the Impala project. Right now I need to bleed the clutch and brakes and get an alignment. I've been lucky salt/snow season hasn't started yet.

[shopking68]

That is a sweet car! Nice job.

[Shiro666]

I really, really like your car.:twothumbs

[Impala Matt]

any help out there?
having trouble bleeding out my
hydroboost unit.
I have power steering and I have fluid moving through the unit but no power brakes

[bonecrrusher]

Damn... just noticed this was on the Power Tour... where you a long hauler? There where so many cars in Madison that I didn't see it there or the other stops.

[Impala Matt]

Well I have finally driven the Caprice with the 4-speed
Everything is finished except for an alignment.
BUT
the power brakes have no power assist. I replaced the New power steering pump and the NEW hydraboost unit still no power to the brakes. The power steering is ok but there must ait trapped in the hydraboost unit
frustrating

[Impala Matt]

The good news is the power brakes finally work. The air in the system finally worked its way out. This took between 60 and 80 miles.

Here are some shots of my Caprice. This has a mild 350 and a Super T-10. It can't get out of its way because it has 2.41 rear gears..... for now. It does well for mileage on the highway.

The clutch set up and the Hydraboost are the same as in the Impala.

This is my winter lowrider.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/IMG_0003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/IMG_0004-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/IMG_0005-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/IMG_0006-1.jpg

[frankenstang]

If you run across a good condition 79-80's ish 2dr, let me know. I REALLY miss my 80 impala.

Your cars look sweet, the 4spd blows me away. I wanna do one with a stock LS drivetrain and a later model interior. I wasn't a big fan of that stock dash.

[Impala Matt]

Happy to report the Caprice is doing well as a winter car.
I cut 1/2 coil out of the stock rear spring and put hoses back in
It helps with the 350 lbs in the trunk.
So far Dec has been an exciting month. 18-20 inches og snow last week and then temps in the -0s. I'm glad to say the aftermarket hot rod parts seem to be holding up well. .in this car I used the latest version of Howe racings stock clutch release bearing. The T-5 version is what fit behind m my stock replacement clutch and in front of my Super T10.
This latest version is better than the previous ones offered in that it can not be over strocked. Also the o-rings are at least
twice as thick as earlier offerings.
For about a week before the snow/salt hit here in So Wis I was able to drive the Caprice and the Impala back to back
Kind of like having sisters.... similar yet so different.
I guess the Caprice is like the slower slightly retarded version
of the Impala. Still its cool havin a beater with a Hurst shifted 4-speed and headers/flowmasters. Almost makes winter ok. And whiping dounuts is too cool.
Future plans for the Caprice involce 3.08 rear gears and a posi unit.

As for the Impala
Winter updates will probably include a Hurst shifter for the T-56 and an update for the rear control arms.
Right now I' m looking at the Global West lowers. They dont offer an upper yet but they have uppers for the '73-77 A bodies which may work
will need to check into that.

[Impala Matt]

Ah proof reading:
what I ment is I put those back in refering to the cut stock rear springs. The lowering spring couldn't deal with the winter weight over the rear end. Also this one has a reman jet Performance Q jet and a block heater. It help when the morning temps are 5-10 below 0
Enough about the winter car I'll post more on the Real one as I make changes this winter

[MrBlonde]

Look forward to more updates!

[Impala Matt]

Time to play the hand me down game.
The winter car needs a radiator
so
I'm going to put the 3-row from my Impala
in the blue car and get an alum. for the Impala
nothing new but that

[cupcar]

Sharp car matt , most suspension parts that you are looking for are the same as the 73/77 A-bodies . GW has them :)
mike.

[Impala Matt]

I picked up a first gen Edlebrock Pro Flo system for the Impala. It was on my brother's '72 Nova befor he installed the 6.0 LQ4. I think it has 3000 miles on it. We installed the intake last Friday and my brother will post pics here soon. I'm waiting for the ZZ4 chip from Edlebrock and still need to set up the new fuel delivery system. This should be lots of fun.

[mikem]

Here are some pictures of the Pro-Flow intake as we removed the old and sealed it up with the new. The system is really straight forward. It only takes 2 wires from the fuse box to make this happen. A constant power and a keyed ignition wire. If I hadn't had the LQ4 for my Nova I would still have this on a small block in there.

Before:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2473-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2476-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2478-1.jpg

After:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2486-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2487-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSCF2490-1.jpg

[70Nova4dr]

Where is Wisconsin are you from? I"m in Green Bay. Nice ride, all i have is a 70 Nova 4 door. Brandon

[Impala Matt]

Brandon,
I'm in the Madison area
good luck with your nova.
Besides the B-bodys I've got a '63 sSS Nova

[Impala Matt]

The Pro-flo system is great. Easy to get the car started
and setting the base timing and idle. I drove it a little and
the car is very responsive. It looks like I have a small oil
leak at the back of the intake. I'm not sure why there would
be oil at the back ( where the head and intake meet ) but when the car warms up and sees some rpm there is a small oil trail that runs down to the bellhousing. Guess I'll pull the intake and reseal it.

[Jim Rockford]

just a note, Next time you reseal the intake,Not sure if you have done it already, but pick up a can of Right Stuff sealant from permatex It looks like a squeeze cheese can Works 900X's better than regular RTV.
:cheers:

Also you might want to try some MOOG CC627 rear springs, They are a cargo coil for a g body. and alot of impala and 94-96 caprice guys use em to lower the rear of the whale caprices and still be able to haul stuff in the trunk.
Compairo from My 94 I used em on
Before 1 coil cut off the front 9C1 coils stock rear springs
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/P1010794-1.jpg
After the 627's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/P1010875-1.jpg

[Impala Matt]

I am running the SPC adjustable upper A-arms with the greaseable
steel-on-steel "race" style bushings. At some point they quite taking grease and would only push the grease gun off the zerk. When i took them apart 3 of the 4 wouldn't push grease through the small hole in the cross shaft even with the bushing off. The shaft and the bushing are to worn to use and I am going to replace them. I am trying to decide if I should replace them with the same or switch the rubber bushed "street" style. SPC says dirt can clog up the small hole and prevent proper greasing. They recomend disassembley and cleaning
often. Anyone have a similar experiance with these on the street and
will I be dissapointed if I change to the "street" style.

[monteboy84]

Man, sorry to hear that about the SPC arms, I don't want to be ripping my A-Arms off all the time for cleaning :(

-matt

[68Formula]

I am running the SPC adjustable upper A-arms with the greaseable
steel-on-steel "race" style bushings. At some point they quite taking grease and would only push the grease gun off the zerk. When i took them apart 3 of the 4 wouldn't push grease through the small hole in the cross shaft even with the bushing off. The shaft and the bushing are to worn to use and I am going to replace them. I am trying to decide if I should replace them with the same or switch the rubber bushed "street" style. SPC says dirt can clog up the small hole and prevent proper greasing. They recomend disassembley and cleaning
often. Anyone have a similar experiance with these on the street and
will I be dissapointed if I change to the "street" style.

But they sell these for circle track use! Are circle track guys disassembling and cleaning after every race? I figured since they are used for that purpose, the only reason for calling them track-use was because you did have to occasionally grease them (which a lot of people would neglect to do) and maybe increased wear rate since they are steel on steel.

[monteboy84]

But they sell these for circle track use! Are circle track guys disassembling and cleaning after every race? I figured since they are used for that purpose, the only reason for calling them track-use was because you did have to occasionally grease them (which a lot of people would neglect to do) and maybe increased wear rate since they are steel on steel.

We run similar ones on our Touring late model and have never had them apart, some of the greasable racing arms simply can't be disassembled. That's why this bugs me, I'm apprehensive about ordering the greasable arms if they got that bad so fast. I hope they're at least somewhat good at keeping dirt out, but this has me concerned.

-matt

[Jim Rockford]

Just to bring this to the top I have 2 77's now..lol

The 94 frame and LT1 swap for the blue one
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_1713-1.jpg
and the new Stocker 77 ..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1258-1.jpg
Interior is perfect..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1216-2.jpg

got a carbed LT1 I'm building for this one..

[73supreme455]

Updates

[IMPALA MAN]

Ok guys. I have finally discovered the thread I have been searching for that I was not sure existed. There actually are more guys like me. I too have a 77 Impala that I have had since 1986 when I was 16. It of course is now going Pro Touring. PM me and we can discuss part swaps etc. as all of you know, parts are almost impossible to find. My build on here is Project Impulse.

[Impala Matt]

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything new in a while. Life's been busy. The only thing really new with the Impala is 17" steel rallye wheels. 8" up front and 9" in the rear. I just picked up a '94 Buick Roadmaster rear end for my '77 Caprice. Its a 2.93 posi with the big drum brakes and only 36,000 miles. Should be a nice improvement over the 2.41 open 8.5 thats in there now. Between these two and my '82 3/4 ton chevy 4x4 and my wifes '95 LT1 Caprice i spend all my time just keeping them on the road. Would really like to get my '63 Nova and Scotts Hot Rods front end put together but not sure i can swing another project. Time and Money.

[Zspoiler]

This will be a nice sleeper. People just don`t think of them as a hot rods. You can probably use a lot of Police Cruiser parts (Suspension ,Brakes) Because they were sure popular with the Police agencies. Nice touch on adding the T56 . I have always prefer a manual transmission in my performance cars, you have more control. And they are more fun. Good luck on your build.

[Impala Matt]

The Buick rear end is a nice improvement so while I was at it I picked up a '95 Impala SS steering box from a yard as well. Cheap junkyard parts are part of what make these cars so easy to build. The SS steering box went in the 2-door Caprice ( an upgrade I did on my Impala right away) Very worth while.

[MonzaRacer]

Been working on list of parts allowing longer lower control arms to fix track width/scrub radius issues ad make it more favorable to run wider wheels without having to order them, heck I have been looking at Corvette wheels, been thinking of 9.5 in wheels all around or even 10.5 if I can fit them thus making rotations more useful to even out tire wear over all tires.
Since the Impala SS had same size 17s all around and I have been toying with 18 in wheel ideas all around.
Turns out that Ron Sutton used to build NASCAR modifieds all based on B car chassis and they used Crown Vic lower control arms which add 1 1/4 in track width on each side, use this and widen out wheels to the inside as much as possible might even get some HUGE meats on it. On "What If,,," I am hoping to have a car that will turn, drag and drive better and do it on my terms and budget.
Been working on way to work with bolt on parts and more radical ways.
Was always wondering if a wagon rear was wider,,,if not might just mod a truck 8.5 with discs and ABS.

[Impala Matt]

The wagon rear is wider by a couple of inches. I believe the lower arms mounts are further out by 1 inch each side as well.