My 68 Impala Build

[shopking68]

I have been a lurker for a long time. But I finally decided to post up. I have had this car since I was 18 and I tore it down completely because I wanted to restore it the right way. I read too many magazines and got all these big ideas in my head, ha.

List of parts and mods being used-

20x8.5 and 20x10 Coy C5 wheels
Nitto INVO tires (295/35/20 and 255/35/20)
Stainless Steel Brakes Force 10 front brake kit with 13" rotors
Global West Suspension upper and lower A Arms
Hotchkis front and rear sway bars
Hotchkis upper and lower rear trailing arms
Chevy 12 bolt rear with Strange Engineering parts and disc brakes
Air Ride (havent decided on place I getting parts from)

I havent decided on a motor either. I really like the power of the GM 572, but I dont like the price lol... I would like at least 650HP in this tank :) I am open for suggestions.

Here is what it looked like before I tore it down
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/my6821-1.jpg

My dad fabbed this rotisserie for me
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Some pics of the chassis. Test fitted my brake kit the other night. Gonna bolt on the rotors this weekend.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

rear end powder coated with the INVO
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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

Did a test fit with my wheels sitting up in the wheel wells. Will have to do some cutting so I can get a full drop with my bags.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Heres my 72 sittin in my shop :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[77thor]

Looks like a great project... you don't see very many 68 Imp's around.

[Wicked58]

I've been looking at those Coys rims. Looks great so far, best of luck with the build!

[wellis77]

Sounds, and looks, like a cool project. Looking forward to seeing it come together.

[2ndgenhunter]

Very sweet fb. I have a 68 custom coupe ss. Keep us posted.

[pitbull73]

nice 68 i got a seventy thinking bout doing the same thing to it they make nice cars when done right

[shopking68]

Thanks for the comments. I am hopefully going to get something done this weekend :)

[LSXZ28]

Sweet Imp! And I love the C10 too!

[shopking68]

Thanks. Got the front brakes all bolted up today. SSBC is a pretty good kit, I am happy overall with the looks and ease of the kit.

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

[coogle]

great to see a 68 Impala build. I have one my self . and I am looking for a good source for disc brakes front and rear. can't wait to see what you do with it.

[IMPALAMAN1]

Nice job!

[nekkidhillbilly]

like both the car and truck

[Tony_SS]

Nice shop! I like that c10 too.

[yumyumchoppers]

don't you have to trim the frame around the bag on the front. Sure does look purty.

[IMPALAMAN1]

depending on bag of choice you do need to trim the pocket.

from experience.
firestone 2500 highly suggest trimming the inner roll or not using these bags at all. I went through a few of them. they always look like they clear... but dont.

slam speciaties re62 trim the inner roll and inner part of the pocket.
im currently running thise in hte front... and love them but it takes me 125psi to lift the front with a 327.

current plans are to swap them out for the re72.. but you do need to notch qute a bit if you want the car to sit low.

the other option is to make a tall upper cup and get the bag out of the pocket..... sacrificing how it will lay.

something to think about on the rear end. im also running the re72 bags in the back on custom control arms.... the location of the 7" bag to not rub in the front of the frame runs into problems on hte rearend itself. the bag comes into contact with the lower control arm bracket on the rear end. i have trimmed mine back to the housing and have not had any adverse effects....

[shopking68]

Thanks for all the info on the bags impalaman, that stuff is def noted! Sounds like I have some work cut out for me on my air ride setup...

[IMPALAMAN1]

PM ME ANY QUESTIONS.... I LOVE THE CAR...

HERE IS A PIC OF HOW THEY SIT COMPARED TO STOCK

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/JROTC050909Impalas015-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/JROTC050909Impalas022-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/JROTC050909Impalas057-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/JROTC050909Impalas034-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/JROTC050909Impalas078-1.jpg

JUST AN FYI.. THE REAREND IS HOUSING IS ABOUT 1/4" FROM THE FLOOR SO ANY LOWER IN THE REAR YOU WOULD HAVE TO NOTCH THE DRIVESHAFT TUNNEL.... SOMETHING I DIDNT WANT TO DO YET. 17" WHEELS FOR THE FRONT I HAVE THE L.C.A'S PULLED ALL THE WAY IN TO HELP WITH THE CAMBER.

[shopking68]

You got a badass car impalaman! I am sure I will be PM u soon... Thanks

[IMPALAMAN1]

Yours is going to look kick ass! If you need pics just holla at me.

[shopking68]

Well I haven't posted in a while, been busy with other projects, like my truck, got it all lowered :) so here is some updates.

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

Decided we are going to mini tub the car. With my Air Ride and tall and wide tires, there was no room left in the back, but I think this is the best thing to do, my dad knows how to do it also. So starting cutting out the passenger side first. We are going to do 1 side at a time so we don't get overwhelmed. I also decided to smooth my firewall, I think it makes the car look real professional and not rushed on a restoration.

My dad cutting out the old panels and the inner wheel well.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02941-1.jpg

The car also needs new front and rear quarters. He we are mocking the fit up making sure everything will fit nice and neat.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02945-2.jpg

My rear end is getting ready to go be assembled, so in the mean time we had a spare rear end that we put in to test out all my rear suspension parts. It was a easy install, only took a few mins and I was able to get the frame off jack stands, I was pretty pumped.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02953-1.jpg

All the Hotchkis parts went in smooth with no problems, they make great parts and nice quality
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02955-2.jpg

Got my front tires friday from Discount Tire Direct, they are 275/35/20.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02957-2.jpg

Frame on the ground! feels good :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02960-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/DSC02954-2.jpg

[LeighP]

After seeing the first pics, I was going to mention that the INVO tyre was on the wrong way....but I see in the last pics they are all on the right way now. Nice choice in wheels and tyres...I'm putting INVOs on my Firebird project.

Nice job on the chassis, by the way. :1st:

[CruizinKev]

very nice project! looks good so far! :twothumbs

[DYNODANNY]

Nice Impala, to see a full size vehicle get the pro-t treatment is nice, you could have gone with the 13" wires.

[Motown 454]

Nice project that frame looks great.

[shopking68]

Thanks for comments fellas :)

[BrianJ]

Looks like a cool ride. i also have a 66 Caprice that i'm just getting rolling on. Now that the weather is getting better i'm hoping to start making some real progress.

[shortrack]

nice 68 - Growing up we had a butternut yellow 2 door Biscayne with a 427 bench auto that we used to tow our house trailer..... I didnt know you could get sheet metal for one

[shopking68]

Hope your project goes good BrianJ.

Ya shortrack they have starting making more parts over the last few years for the 65-68 cars. I'm just glad I can get nice suspension and brakes and new panels :)

[Wicked58]

Nice! Great job on the build, can't wait to see it when it is done.

[shopking68]

I haven't updated this thread in a while. My mom has been battling Huntington's Disease for the past 15 years. She passed away in Feb. I had to put this project on hold for a while. I couldn't do so many things at one time.

Just a couple small things I am pretty sure I am not going to do the Air Ride. Its going to cost too much for what I wanted to do, so I have decided to put that money other places into the project.

I am going with 2" drop spindles from CPP.
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...rs/CP30101.htm

Going with these springs also for the front. (maybe)
http://www.globalwest.net/chevy-coil-springs.html

And new a new front brake setup from Wilwood. I am getting these new brakes because they work with the CPP drop spindles! Going with the 6 piston and 14" rotor
http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Bra...Drop%20Spindle
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I already have some nice QA1 adjustable shocks for the front I bought I while back that I will end up using.

I am definitely going with a LS motor. I am gonna keep my eye out for a cheap LQ4 and 4L80E and just rebuild it.
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[aventino68]

Sorry to hear about your mum, my condolences. Hope you find time for the build, looking at a 67 or 68 myself and have enjoyed reading your project so far. Lots of 67 fastbacks but in 68 seems everyone wanted a coupe instead lol.

[SRD art]

Sorry about your mom Wes.

Great project here, I love Impalas, I'm a bit envious! I'd take a fastback over a coupe any day, there's just something about that "swoopy" look.

[IMPALAMAN1]

Any updates on this thing?

[IMPALAMAN1]

Updates. Baby girl is probably ready to work on it now????

[Jody SS]

I have a original 1968 dated 396 BBC out of a 68 Impala I'll sell for cheap. I don't need it. Was going to be for my Camaro.