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guacamole
09-07-2003, 10:59 PM
I try again. Posted a message and it disapeared..

Well, I'm new to this and found HAMB after reading an article in Hot Rod Deluxe..

I am in the early stages of taking a 64 impala 4 door into what I see as a family style get away vehicle. I am a novice at this and thought after seeing the hot rod deluxe rag at the local malt shop I'd talk about what I've done so far and what I think I want to do to finish the car. And see if anyone has any ideas for me.

I am doing the original 327 bored 40 over with a balanced 350 crank, a 262 extreme energy cam, cr moly rings, hyperneutectic pistons and bigger intake and exhaust vlaves, ported heads. That's all done... I like the new performace edelbrock air gap intake for idle to 5500. As a heavy car, I want as much low end and torque as posible while still running on pump gas for touring and possibly pulling a vintage tear drop trailer of some kind. Mating the engine to a 700r4 which barely will fit in the x frame of this car. Any advice on that? The 700 r4 should give those low rpms for high speed comfortable cruising.

Want to shave it and am currently finishing the engine compartment clean to accept the VW color cyber green, which is a lime gold pearl color that should look much better than the original avacado. Want to lower it some with 95 implala struts and still find a way for 20 inch wheels all the way around. Handling is paramount and I do not care for air ride but instead would like recomendations on a simple reliable low cost low maintenence suspension.

Tuck and roll white interior is what I go for with maybe a lime piping. The original speedo I'd like to replace with a set of insturments clustered in the same place. Is there any instrument panels made for this car?

I definatly like how rad rides did a 62 biscanye. But way too much money. You can check it out..The car has it's own website www.chicayne.com (http://www.chicayne.com) I suppose it's nice to have that kind of money to build a 1200 hp car but it's just too over the top if you know what I mean. That's a big reason I find your publication so much more interesting. Regular folks doing what they can..... Thanks for listening.

Best regards,

Guac

29EHV8
09-07-2003, 11:03 PM
Welcome quac.You'll like it here.Alot of us are buildin/drivin 59-64 chevys,so your gonna have some great sources/advice.........Shiny

Deyomatic
09-07-2003, 11:59 PM
The only advice I have is to make sure your rear axle ratio is around 3.50:1 or lower (meaning lower gearing, higher numbers). I have a 2.73 axle and a 700R4 and it is useless. I get 12 MPG because the revs and therefore vacuum is so low that any movement of the gas pedal will bring the vacuum to 0 instantly. I stopped using 4th. So, just make sure you have low gears.

guacamole
09-08-2003, 12:31 AM
THANKS!

guacamole
09-08-2003, 12:37 AM
Yea, I keep hearing that... Thanks and if someone out there knows exactly what rear end is best I'd like too know considering the 700r4 should help with mileage and performance..... Thanks! Check out that 62 biscayne at chicayne.com The guys got over 1200 hp and is still getting just over 20 mpg.... Course he's going to have to drive it for 20 yrs to recover the build costs...

Deyomatic
09-08-2003, 01:38 AM
Guacamole, my buddy is using that as his muse for a twin turbo project he has been dreaming about for a couple years. Good thing he's a pilot, he ought to be able to afford it one day.

Try this calculator on the Richmond site, it is useful. The 700R4 has a .070:1 OD ratio. If you have 3.89 gears, 28"tire diameter (my tires are just regular 15" tires, not low profile or anything) you'd be spinning at about 2600 when you are doing 80 MPH. When I use this 700R4 again, I'm going to go between 4.56 and 5:1. That would put it at about 3000-3400 at 80.

http://www.richmondgear.com/101032.html

guacamole
09-08-2003, 09:40 AM
Well, this obviously is an issue and hopefully I will settle on the right ratio. I am still not sure what my tire diameters will be since I'm not sure what will fit and turn without much body work.... So maybe someones been through this with this car??

Guacamole