1963 Impala Convertible LQ4/80E Swap
#141
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I would hope he will put a gusset or two on each upper control arm mount/plate. Thats ALOT of work he's doing. Looks good. I am curios if he check the frame to see if its square before he started stiffening it. Also........ double check after all the welding is done. Should be a killer ride when he's done
Last edited by Jimbo1367; 06-17-2011 at 06:42 AM.
#142
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Just the streests of Edmonton. Should hold up to the pot holes!
1/4 is overkill, 3/16 just right lol.
Flex is a big issue for me since it's a convertible. Add any kind of big horsepower, it'll tweak for sure if it's left stock.
#143
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I guess with the price of scrap going up, I might as well cut off as much as possible...jk
Rear perch has a body mount the will be refitted once the body is in place. The coil spring pocket is gone.
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/a3z2on.jpg)
Shock mounts..... Chop chop
![](https://i56.tinypic.com/208zakl.jpg)
![](https://i54.tinypic.com/2lsislu.jpg)
Upper trailing arm mount.... gonzo
![](https://i54.tinypic.com/2427ts3.jpg)
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/2uihled.jpg)
Almost done cutting. A brace was welded across the top.
Rear perch has a body mount the will be refitted once the body is in place. The coil spring pocket is gone.
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/a3z2on.jpg)
Shock mounts..... Chop chop
![](https://i56.tinypic.com/208zakl.jpg)
![](https://i54.tinypic.com/2lsislu.jpg)
Upper trailing arm mount.... gonzo
![](https://i54.tinypic.com/2427ts3.jpg)
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/2uihled.jpg)
Almost done cutting. A brace was welded across the top.
![](https://i56.tinypic.com/24vqz9k.jpg)
#145
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I like this frame of mind; Work smarter, not harder. So much easier for grinding.
![](https://i52.tinypic.com/ehbwuu.jpg)
![](https://i51.tinypic.com/30ud82p.jpg)
This was bitch. I welded them out last year. Now I had to grind all the weld off.
![](https://i51.tinypic.com/swbm1s.jpg)
![](https://i52.tinypic.com/ehbwuu.jpg)
![](https://i51.tinypic.com/30ud82p.jpg)
This was bitch. I welded them out last year. Now I had to grind all the weld off.
![](https://i51.tinypic.com/swbm1s.jpg)
![](https://i56.tinypic.com/2mwbop.jpg)
#146
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![](https://i55.tinypic.com/abjx5g.jpg)
![](https://i52.tinypic.com/23ly6bb.jpg)
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/2moa16s.jpg)
And now the motor back in for a test fit. Some grinding is needed but very minor.
![](https://i51.tinypic.com/1zeytuh.jpg)
![](https://i52.tinypic.com/m8ntiu.jpg)
It's a bad angle but there is about an 1/8 of an inch under there. I broke this compressor so it'll get replaced.
![](https://i53.tinypic.com/1zbw9zp.jpg)
#153
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Chrome plated aluminum so it always stays shiny!
Now that the posties are off the picket lines, I should be getting the other goodies any day now.
![](http://i56.tinypic.com/1z71nyw.jpg)
[/QUOTE]
Now that the posties are off the picket lines, I should be getting the other goodies any day now.
![](http://i56.tinypic.com/1z71nyw.jpg)
![](http://i53.tinypic.com/2i8aq83.jpg)
#154
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Very nice. ALOT of fab work.
#155
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Thanks Jimbo. You're 100% right, it's a lot of work. If you've ever noticed the vintage 61-64 GM drag racers, the frames are tweaked on them. Left fender sit higher and the door gaps are out of wack, all from the torque. I don't want any issues down the road.....
#156
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I love this thread. I really appreciate your fabrication skills. One question I have is about the pan clearance. Is 1/8" clearance enough, considering engine torque? Are your engine mounts solid?
#158
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I've built cars with clearance that tight because that's all I had without hitting something I couldn't move. If you use poly or solid mounts you're fine. My Thunderbird is that way and it's my daily.
Last edited by gofastwclass; 07-03-2011 at 07:32 AM.
#159
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I will grind the front and rear chest plates down another 1/8" for 1/4" total. I don't have the top plate (under the oil pan) in yet so I am able to do that mod. The engine mounts are polyurethane so the flex will be minimal if any at all.
#160
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Thanks. If this wasn't a convertible, I would have passed on this. I love 63's and wanted to build it once and right.
The extra weight is not really a concern. I will have used a complete 4x8 sheet of 3/16 plate which weights 250lbs.