update on my 1979 impala project

thought I would give you all an update on my 1979 impala, I got the 1975 olds rear end all rebuilt and its bolted in, I had to have the drive shaft shortened a inch, that's in, rebuilt TH350 with shift kit, that's in, my LS5 spec built 454 motor is in with headers, its all in. it all fits like a glove. all brand new brakes are done. I will fire it up today, get the motor broke in. next week I will get it painted. the body is all done, has been primed and block sanded 3 times already. just not sure on my color scheme yet. I want to two tone it I think with some minor stripe work. I will try and post some pics.,.....thanks,...bill

When you get it painted, shoot us a couple pictures.

Sounds like its going well. Congrats.

thanks terry, it is going well. so far its been a pretty easy job. got the car running today, runs great. fired right up. its getting pretty exciting now, lol.....

well I go the car all done, it turned out great. I posted some pics. I think on the FB page. harder to do it here for me any ways, lol. if some could post for me I could send you the pics. to post here. thanks bill,.......

Did you take any install pics ?

install pics of??

" I had to have the drive shaft shortened a inch, that's in, rebuilt TH350 with shift kit, that's in, my LS5 spec built 454 motor is in with headers, its all in. "

The drivetrain?

no sorry not really, the 454 with headers went right in, built TH350 went right in, 10 bolt 8.5 from a 75 olds, went right in, drive shaft cut and shortened 1 inch. I can take pics of any thing you like. I have to say this was a very easy build. if some one could post pics for me I would send them to them. this car is damn hot!!!

What headers did you end up going with?

I take it dual exhaust in all?

headers are for a 1970 chevelle. yes dual exhaust all the way back

Some pics of Bill's car I uploaded for him.

Some more

And more

thanks for posting the pics for me rich. It was nice chatting with you also!!! hope you guys enjoy the pics.!!,....thanks bill

Nice looking car Bill.

I love that paint scheme.

Were those the 1970 Chevelle Hooker Competition headers?

What make up of exhaust did you use to go all the way back and out? Was that 3 inch also?

Its giving me some ideas on going big block w/700R4.

I'll be back in a few days.

Thanks

thanks terry, I was on the fence of either painting it one solid color or doing a custom paint scheme. well you see what thought one, lol.  I spent hours upon hours designing a stripe package and the colors. this is what I ended up at. owning a restoration shop makes it a little easier I guess.  the headers are hookers, I ordered them for a 1970 chevelle. the exhaust system is hand made by my muffler shop, its 2 1/2 inch all the way back. our rule of thumb if its under 500hp it gets 2 1/2 exhaust, if it over 500hp then 3 inch. although I think this is close to 500hp, I still went with the 2 1/2. did you notice the 1980 Camaro vents I put on the fenders also?, just another little touch.

I'm still at home today.

I thought the front fender looked different. Nice touch.

Thanks for the exhaust update and suggestion on size.

Keep it rolling.

Wow!  That looks fantastic!  Great job!  I really like the front fenders and the striping!

thank you. it was a fun project!!!!

Absolutely love the way you went with these colors and extra touch on the fenders! I was wondering what year those fender mods were from since they look like they came stock that way. I've seen one modded with vents from the 78 camaro and it didn't enhance the look of the car but was a nice custom touch regardless. I am glad you saved my the time by stating they're 80 since they really look great! The interior looks immaculate as well. Thanks to Elvis and Myloth to upload the pics so we can enjoy this visual art piece.

Any audio/videos to listen to this B-eauty as well?

thank you for the compliments. I do not like 78 and 79 Camaro louvers, but I do like 80 and 81 louvers. looking at a camaro fender and the impala fender, they have very similar body lines, so I knew I could get them to fit. also, I put the left louver on the right fender and the right louver on the left fender, this way the back of the fender where it meets the door and the louver run the same angle. I think it turned out great and looks great. the 75 olds console looks right at home and in place in there. this car is turning some major heads, glad you guys like it.

Thanks for the update and all the comments here .

Always nice when people share. It helps us all.

Thats 1 sweet looking ride. Everytime I see a B body, I get all excited and wanna check it out. My friends think Im psychotic lol. They just dont get it. Until they jump in the back jump seat of the wagon and we hit a country road on a slow cruise! Btw, its only a slow cruise because...well, my anemic 307 just cant do fast lol! so, where did you get your LS5 spec built 454 motor??? Crate? Pull it from something? If so, what? Any recommendations? I want one in my Beast, but Im not sure where to start looking. Besides crate that is anyway. So, yeah keep up the good work guys. And thanks for all of your posts and info!

I own a restoration shop and I have one guy who does all my engine rebuilding. when I had the motor rebuilt I told him I wanted it built to LS5 specs with a little more cam. then we added headers, intake and carb up and above what an original LS5 would have had. my engine rebuilder said, its probably around 425hp. it goes very good. I am use to HP though, and I am very impressed with it.!!! I use to drag race the fastest street cars in America. my corvette was over 1600hp, so I know what hp feels like, lol. I really enjoyed doing this car. its funny though, I have been asked a bunch,..."why would you stick money in a car like this". I just say its different, they look great and not many around. I have always liked these kind of cars!!!!

"why would you stick money in a car like this". I think only automotive snobs say that lol.

For the last two years all I get from people all over is "oooh" or "Oh what year is that" or "Nice Car!"

These responses come from your average people with no automotive prejudices. And they really like

the overall appearance of these cars. I get all age groups from 10 to 75 asking me about it. So I

tell those snobs to stick to their safe little mid-sized Muscle Cars while we have some Full sized fun!