1966 Impala "Big Blue"

[ProTouring66Impala]

I'm a newbie to the forum and thought i would post my current project and plans in hopes soemone on here has done up a 66 Full Size Chevy. I've restored cars and done lowriding before but this is my first project that will require some custom fabrication. The whole grain side of me said to take this 66K mile car back to origional but my frosted side said put a 650HP TT L76 in it and have a driveable performace coupe...

I don't have the starting pictures to post yeat but i will as i progress.

Here's the plan: :idea:

I have a L76 and 6L80e out of a wrecked 2009 G8 GT. Active Fuel Management tied to a 6speed automatic with Auto Stick. The other option is an LS2 and Tremec T56 out of a 06 GTO which would require a Manual Conversion.

I will be purcahsing a Gen-TTR BB GTO Twin Turbo kit and fabricating the location of the intercooler to fit this car.

I don't want an air ride suspension but RideTech makes a decent aftermarket tubular suspension for the full size chevy and so i plan you use that. If anyone has any other ideas for making this big body handle well, i'm open as i haven't made this purchase yet.

Wilwood makes a decent front and rear disc set for the car along with the Classic Performance Spindles.

I haven't thought much about any interior but thats the easy part :)

I didn't find much on here about 65-66 Impala's so if anybody has any pictures to share, i would like to see them.

Stay Tuned...

[Impelle]

I have a '65 Impala I am working on, I posted some pictures on here awhile back. I am installing the Air Ride suspension on the front as well as Baer front brakes. The rear has the big brake kit from Classic. Wheels are Rushforth Rated X's, 20's in rear, 19's in front. The project is currently stalled out for lack of funds, but if you have any questions or want to see some pictures I can dig around and find them. Good luck on the project!

[triplecap]

Air ride does make tubular arms but they look/feel a little cheap to me compared to some of the others out there. I'd take a look at global west:
http://globalwest.net/1965-70_Impala_Home_page.htm

As for brakes - I went with Kore3 for my 63's setup. They make complete kits with everything you need for adapting C5/C6 (Z06 versions too) brakes to older cars. Give Tobin a call and you'll find him exteremly helpful.
http://www.kore3.com/index.php

I've also purchased brakes through Classic Performance Products (CPP) in the past - they make nice stuff and have inexpensive big brake kits (with or without drop spindles) for your car.
http://www.classicperform.com/

Good luck! Post some pics of your build - I love seeing people do something other than 69' Camaros!

Eric

[ProTouring66Impala]

Thank you for the input. After talking with my body guy, he suggested i use a c4 or c5 suspension, Rather inxpensive and virtually bullet-proof from a differential perspective. The fronts i am still looking at a few Classic Performance options but may convert the c5 fronts as well. This way i get the big brakes, tons of replacement products available etc...

I found out more information on the A/C components i am going to use. Looks like i will be going with the Vintage Air Gen II Super unit which is small enogh to tuck under the dash and i will be able to use all of the factory vents. This will also keep the Firewall clean, no box. And to top that all off, the Dakota Digital matching climate control unit ith interface with the GenII System.

Now the task is, where to locate the control panel, its a little bigger than the stock and then i have to figure out the radio and the location for the boost guage.. There not a whole lot of room for mounting stuff to make, especially if you want to to look like its supposed to be there...

[ProTouring66Impala]

After reviewing the suspension section, it turns out a C5 front is a terrible idea and will most likely use the ridetech.com tubular fronts but the Global West setup looks good. I like the Wilwood front brakes i have seen and will mostlikely go that route with the Classic drop spindles...

[steadfast]

I'm watching with interest as I am also doing suspension mods to mine and am looking for ideas. Thinking of 2" drop spindles with wilwood brakes and 1" lowered coils in the rear

[ProTouring66Impala]

Air ride does make tubular arms but they look/feel a little cheap to me compared to some of the others out there. I'd take a look at global west:
http://globalwest.net/1965-70_Impala_Home_page.htm

As for brakes - I went with Kore3 for my 63's setup. They make complete kits with everything you need for adapting C5/C6 (Z06 versions too) brakes to older cars. Give Tobin a call and you'll find him exteremly helpful.
http://www.kore3.com/index.php

I've also purchased brakes through Classic Performance Products (CPP) in the past - they make nice stuff and have inexpensive big brake kits (with or without drop spindles) for your car.
http://www.classicperform.com/

Good luck! Post some pics of your build - I love seeing people do something other than 69' Camaros!

Eric

Thanks Eric, i had a talk with tobin and this is probably the best option i have so they will be getting my business

[ProTouring66Impala]

OK things are moving along. I do have the L76 and 6L80E, the twin turbos, intercooler, and piping. The C4 rear is being installed as i type this and i will be sending Tobin over the Knuckle from that so can create the C6 big brake setup for the rears.

I will need a custom drive shaft to get it rolling so i need to figure that out.

I'm still not sure what to do for the suspension. Air Ride or what? I like being able to raise and lower the car when i need to but i'm not sure how this handles... Plus the 20x15 meats on the back air ride is probably useless.

Rims, 20x15 rear 19x10 front. Looking at a few foose rims, boys, not real sure what i want to do on this yet.

Paint has been chosen, Bentley color "Silver Lake" and interior will be similar to Bentley "saffron". I think its a classy/sexy color combo. Maybe some light walnut trim, i don't know... All side trim will be taken off and filled in holes. The remaining factory trim will stay in place with a few minor mods. Door handles shaved...

Does anybody have experience with Power window conversion kits? i need to do a power conversion and wire all switches to a console.

[ProTouring66Impala]

Decided on the Foose Fishtail as used on the TerraCuda. Chrome and the inserts will be painted the body color. http://www.mhtwheels.com/wheel.cfm?cat=545

[ProTouring66Impala]

Decided on the Global west engineering coilover suspension. What is really cool is Paul over there is shipping me everything in raw form with temp bushings so once everything is fitted, i can pop the bushings out and have everything powdercoated (rearend, steering components etc) at the same time and then send everything back to him for final assembly. They have been really easy to work with and will accomodate your project.

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[ProTouring66Impala]

Added a C4 corvette subframe in the rear to accomodate the 20X12 Foose Wheels. Doug Rippie Coilovers for the my C4 Rear (Dana 44). Body is paint prepped, Rear is in, All Suspension is done. Turbo kit is installed and looks amazing. Had to cut the tunnel to accomodate the 6L80e trans but the console will cover everything up on the inside and it does look nice...

[WS6]

Sounds great. When can we see pictures :) lol Keep up the work. I like seeing these full size cars.

[WEAVER]

I like these cars, Nice to see this project going. Sounds good.

[GarageToys]

I would definitely like to see pictures and find out what was involved with the 6L80e install. I am doing a very similar swap: L92/6L90e into a '66 Caprice. I was concerned about a factory console fitting after the tunnel mods, as I have a set of buckets & console to install down the road.

[66caprice]

Yeah i would like see to ,i have a 66 caprice project to...