'63 Chevy experts

[El Jefe]

Wondering what the engine and tranny options were on an original'63 Chevy Impala SS from the factory ? Any help out there would be appreciated.

[Hellbound_Hootch]

283
327
409
i dunno trannys
my 327 has a powerglide tho

MISS hellbound hootch

[John Copeland]

I'm certainly not an expert, but I was around when they were new and I drove quite a few of them. The engine options were many, you could even order an SS with the old reliable 235 in-line six, 283s were commom but I would guess that the 250 H.P. & 300 H.P. 327s were the most common. The 409s were obviously the killer for the time and the 340 horse and 425 horse were two options that I am sure of, but I also think there were other H.P. 09s also. I friend of mine has a factory 340 horse 409 that came with a powerglide trans. You could get a four speed and three speed stick off of the column with the SS, but it was a special order. Hope this helps.

Shoe

[Bigcheese327]

235 I-6, 283 V8, 327 V8 and 409 V8. 3-speed, 4-speed, Powerglide. I'd have to disagree about 327s being most commmon. I'll bet that the 283/Powerglide combo was the most common. Most of these cars were drivers, nothing more.

I'm pretty sure the 425hp 409 (dual-quads) wasn't available with anything other than a manual transmission, possibly even with anything other than the four-speed, though I'm not 100% certain about that. Possibly there was a heavy-duty three-speed.

[Roothawg]

My grandpa ordered his 63 SS Impala with a 327/4 speed. I think it was rated at 275 hp or so.

[McGrath]

This came from a MuscleCar Page...
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Comments: 1963 saw the Impala SS continue to increase in performance and popularity. With the elimination of the Bel Air coupe, buyers again switched back to Impala SS coupes and convertibles. The 409 was further improved for driveability and a detuned version with 340 bhp was made available with an optional Powerglide automatic transmission. For the serious enthusiasts, Chevrolet offered the 409 with solid lifters and a single four bbl carb good for 400 bhp and a solid lifter 409 with two four barrel carbs good for a whooping 425 bhp. As if that wasn't enough, Chevrolet introduced a new engine, the Z-11 in mid 1963. This was a 427 cid V8 loosely based on the existing 409 but featured a smaller bore and a longer stroke. It featured angled valves and was nicknamed the "porcupine head motor." Although it was officially rated at 430 bhp, it easily made close to 500 bhp and was an instant sucess at the drag strip. Unfortunately, it was only available to factory approved customers through Chevrolet's RPO (Regular Production Option). It was usually coupled with the optional factory fitted lightweight front end - aluminum panels and bumper. In addition, Chevrolet was preparing another 427 V8, the Daytona "Mystery Motor" to be used at the 1963 Daytona race. However, Chevrolet officially withdrew from racing competition, putting a stop to development of the "Mystery Motor" and after only 55 Z-11 Impalas were built. The 427 would not reappear for another three years, but it would be a direct descendent of the "Mystery Motor" that Chevrolet had killed in 1963.

Production: Impala SS: 153,271
Engines: 283 V8 170 bhp. 283 V8 195 bhp. 327 V8 250 bhp. 327 V8 300 bhp. 409 V8 340 bhp, 430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. 409 V8 400 bhp. 409 (2x4 bbl) V8 425 bhp. (Z-11) 427 V8 430 bhp.
Performance: 409/340: 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in high 15s.

[overspray]

The 6 cylinder available was the 230 cu. in.. The 235 was last used in 62 full size cars. The new 6 block was introduced in 62 novas in 194 cu.in. I've seen several SS impalas with 230 engines original. overspray

[Peter Pan of Chicago]

My best friend and I cut up a nice '63 SS w/327 and 'glide in '71, to make a stockcar out of it. It was light blue with light blue interior, buckets and console.

We didn't even save any chrome pieces or emblems. It was a clean ride. Unfortunally that's how things were then and before. It was cheap and preservation was of no consequence back then, when all anybody was doing was racing. Who knew! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[El Jefe]

Thanks for all the info guys. This tells me what I need to know. I am assuming the powerglide tranny could either have a floor shift or column shift. The one I am looking at pics of, which aren't too detailed has a floor shift and appears to have only two pedals...hard to see.

[buzzard]

Cruiser for the new Misses? You know how I feel about 63-64 Impalas. Even the beat up 4 dr. variety! Sorta wish I still had that old thing.

[fatluckys]

I dunno what your plans are, but McHenry is painting a 63 right now and he's got a parts car that's junkyard bound, if you might need any parts...

[choprods]

a friend of mine in high school bout a 63 Impala with 350 horsepower 327 and a 3 speed on the column[original car]

[286merc]

The Z-11 was actually detuned and put into production as the 396 in March 1965, the 409 was becoming too much of an embarrasment. The 396 was an immediate success.

[F1James]

Not an expert but a frind ordered a new one in 63.two door hardtop aquea blue bench seat 327 300hp 3 on colum.He put 6 cylinder emblems & removed the flags,suprised a lot of folks as it was hot.The boy made two paments on car befor it was deleverd i went with him to pick it up ,salesman jokeingly says ant that the one that sliped off truck ramp? this guy called every day to see if his new car was in yet,funny as hell . I think most were 327 250hp around here anyhow..

[Mike]

In '63 the SS option package had nothing to do with performance, it was strictly a trim package. Any possible engine/trans/performance combination could be had with the SS package in '63.

About the 396 being a de-tuned Z-11, I reckon not. The Z-11 was a "W" style engine like the 409 (although internally quite different from the 409), the 396 was a BBC (big block chevy) style engine. Two completely different animals

[jim labar]

I'm looking for 63 Bel Air 2 dr sedan side trim. I really need a rear 1/4 panel trim but wil buy all 6 pieces. Can anyone help? Thanks. Jim.610-588-6687

[jim labar]

any extra Bel Air 2 dr sedan side trim ?