Increase Handling - Impala X-Frame

[weatmaster]

Ok, here is the deal.
I am pretty new to those X-Frames.

I have 61 Impala bubble top with a 283cid since some time.
It had a complete restoration nearby three years ago and mostly everything is new.
Unfortunately it drives like a boat - I would love to upgrade handling, stance and steering.

First of all it looks like a sport boat too – I would love to drop the front about 3 or 3 1/1 inches (wheels will be changed later on):




I am not willing to add an airride system by now. I know it´s common to cut the springs but I would love to increase the handling of the suspension too – Is there a system you would go for, do you have a hint? Any small trick to drop and perform is welcome
I would be fine with a stance like this in the first case:






Also I am looking forward to add power steering since it´s hard to handle in those small European streets – Can anyone give me a hint for a good power steering upgrade?

On the list are some poly bushings too.
Every helpful word is more than welcome and any additional trick what should be changed too
Thanks in advance

[bret]

The most serious sin on the 58-64 impalas is the front suspension geometry and the extremely soft springs. That particular suspension geometry actually gets better as you lower the car. Cutting the stock springs will help, as will some stiffer sway bars. We solve both with a bolt on air suspension. The car is then lowered ( improving the front suspension geometry) and the progressive nature of the airsprings firm up the spring rate nicely. Right now that car drives like a worn out sofa. With a proper air suspension and sway bars, it will drive like a new full size sport sedan. With some adjustable shocks it gets even better.

[Skip Fix]

For PS there are several options but some boxes have radiator clearance issues. I think Lee was trying to get a 670 box for them. Borgeson and CPP have boxes. Showcars.com has Girffin aluminum radiator notched for the boxes.

Hotchkis and Global West have some parts also esp for the rear susp. Most GM springs are all the same diameter so looking at a MOOG catalog can give you some ideas on rate and free length for a spring to get close.

Try rolling and old Impala with 6 cylinder Chevelle front springs, no front sway bar and 80/20 drag shocks into a turn

[weatmaster]

Thank you very much for the overview.
I would love to go for a simple way to drop the front before I start to rebuild the car someday. Shorter and better springs (only found 2 inch by now), drop spindles or something like that should do it. Any ideas that gives 3 or 3 ½ inch drop?

I will definitely have a look for some better sway bars and a complete poly bushing set.

Power steering is also on the list but I am more looking for an electrical one – I don´t like the look of the pump on the engine and I would love to get the cleanest look. Are there any electrical PS systems out there?

[renegade6]

Ride tech has some suspension kits for the X frame cars.

If you go with the CPP 500 box, there is another place that has the notched out radiators for a pretty good deal.

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

We offer a complete front suspension system for the early big bodied cars. An effective and simple upgrade is the coilover conversion which includes upper and lower a-arms, coilover shocks, and springs. Click HERE for a complete list of front suspension options.

[weatmaster]

Ok, I am finally going for some bigger updates...Thanks for the hints so far.
So, I have all manual steering by now and I think about an full upgrade to power steering - is there any set you would recomment?

[renegade6]

Take a look at CPP, they have a upgraded box for the Impala.