LS-swapped 1981 Chevy Impala Coupe in the Marketplace

Chevy Impala looks stock inside and out, but it packs more than 400 horsepower.

Over the years, the Chevy Impala has become one of the most respected automotive nameplate in the American market, thanks mainly to the big cruisers from the 1950, 1960s and early 1970s. When the sixth generation came around in the late 1980s, the Impala had been choked-down by growing emission requirements. As a result, the big Chevys from that era don’t garner the respect of the older models. However, there are fans of the 1980s Impala and 1980s automobiles in general who like the boxy lines of the sixth generation and if you are one of those people, have we got a car for you.

This 1981 Chevy Impala was posted to the LS1Tech Marketplace by JstALS1 and it looks all-original inside and out. It is a remarkably clean car for something made by an American automaker in the 1980s, but the condition isn’t the key note here.

This pristine 1981 Impala is powered by a built LS V8.

LS-powered Chevy Impala Introduction

When the OP posted this spotless 1981 Chevy Impala for sale, he began with a detailed introduction to the car, offering a brief description of the upgrades along with some basic information.

I have an LS Swapped 1981 Chevrolet Impala coupe For Sale. Silver with powder blue interior. 90K miles on the body/ Frame. I bought this car last fall with the Ls swap already completed. Its a LQ4 iron block 6.0L with a 4L/80E transmission and a posi 3.42 10 bolt rear end. It retains the Factory A/C system, Has a Dakota Digital dash and Bluetooth radio. Everything is in good working order I just Installed new tires, front and rear shocks, rear springs, rally wheels with trim rings and center caps, new power steering pump and hardware. Motor has a mild camshaft and mid length headers with dual exhaust H-pipe and Flow master mufflers.

Ive put about 3000 miles on the car since I’ve had it with no issues. I do not have a dyno sheet or hp numbers but a cammed 6.0 with basic boltons should put down 350-400 rwhp. The car has been super fun and reliable! Overall i would rate the condition of the Vehicle a 8 out of 10. In my opinion it could use a new interior carpet and floor mats just kind of sun faded. New headliner has been installed. Any question feel free to give me a call. Below is a list of whats was done to the car from the previous owner when the swap was finished. Feel free to contact me for pictures and videos.

The OP also included 13 pictures of this 1981 Impala, several of which we have shared here. As you can see, the exterior is spotless, the interior appears to be in great shape and the undercarriage looks like the car has never been driven. If you love the look of the early-1980s Impala, this car is just about perfect, but it is more than just a pretty face.

Engine Build

After the introduction, the OP listed all of the details of the engine build, which is what is likely to make this sleepy 1981 Chevrolet Impala more enticing to many prospective buyers. Just imagine walking away from someone in a Mustang in this ‘80s Chevy coupe, as an LS V8 claims another victim.

LS2 6.0L Long Block
Comp Cams LSR Cathedral port LS2 269/277 607/614 Roller Cam #54-456-11
Motor mount plates by ESR Race
Aeromotive13136 EFI Bypass regulator
Aeromotive 18688 phantom 340lphstealth in tank electric fuel pump kit
Stainless lines and fittings
Russell 640853 push on EFI fittings w/ 3/8″ hardlines
13.4mm Braided hoses, separator clamps and fitting adaptors
ORB-6 O-ring, BOSS AN6-6AN adapter fittings
RSR Camshaft cover
RSR Timing chain kit
Summit Engine Piston/Bearing/Crank Kit
High Volume Oil pump, summit racing kit cover and gaskets
8 spark plugs
Cylinder head valve cover kit
Serpentine Belt
Dyno Tuned (3)
Exhaust short tube headers
Trick Flow Push Rods
Valve spring shims, Spring seats and keepers and retainers
Fuel filter
Dipstick
Custom Transm. Mount
ECM and Throttle body units
Fuse block assembly
IAC enabled ECM and parts
Digital dask kit with series 2 upgrade/calibration
Miscellaneous O2 sensors, exhaust clamps/gaskets, brake hoses, etc
4L80E Transmission with shift kit built by Rhino Transmissions
Flowmaster mufflers with custom made exhaust
Custom fitted A/C system to fit car
Miscellaneous sensors/adaptors

If you are interested in this clean, LS-powered 1981 Chevy Impala, click here to check out the original listing or to ask the OP any questions.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com