1966 Impala update
 

Rather that go back in History about this car.......Let's just say never buy a car that you haven't inspected yourself........With that being said,.......I finished this car in 2011 and drove it on two Power Tours.......Great car .........But.....I built the 66 LSA Chevelle and the Impala basically sat in the garage for two years as I was driving the Chevelle everywhere.......So....Earlier this year I took the Impala out for a drive and was reminded what a great car it was.........except after driving the LSA Chevelle, the Impala was like driving a Yugo........(2006 GTO LS2 drivetrain).........So.....Lets just say it needs some more Torque .........So.........In order to keep up with Lillard and Weld on the road.....I ordered a Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger along with a new fuel system (Vaporworx Tank, Vaporworx Fuel Pressure system, and a ZL1 Pump)....AS with most things that Car guy's do.........there is no Logical reason to do this.........But !!!!........LOL....Things will be updated as they happen.....After dealing with this project , the 57 Nomad you see in the pic's will be getting a LS shot in the arm also.....The last picture is of the small skid from Edelbrock that showed up while we were out of town.........Let the fun begin......





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You have some nice projects ahead of you, I'll be watching for your updates.

Subscribed....this should be good...

T,

Wait till you start driving your Nova.........LOL........everything changes


Ken

Ahh!!!.......Christmas in October.....

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Looking good Ken!

What part number is your kit?

After I get the last tube of epoxy for my lift - I am going to start on Brembo big brake kit project on my SS - then install my E-Force for my Vette.

If that's not enough - I am also putting together and LSA blower kit for my SS as well!

You can never have enough forced induction!

#15470..........and you are correct on that Forced Induction Thingy !!!!



Ken

.......Tonight I got a few things done....Had to pin the Crank Pulley to the crankshaft.......Now....In the Instructions (yes as I got older I now read them first)....LOL......It said to buy a GM tool to lock the flywheel in place to loosen the pulley bolt.....WTF.....It can't be that tight ......Right ?????.......So....I pull the starter out and put the Tool in place.......Get out the 1/2" breaker bar and go to break the Bolt loose.......LOL......Nothing......In the Instructions it said that a long pipe might be needed for additional leverage.......Boy...they weren't kidding.......took a 3' pipe and even then I had trouble breaking it loose......Ends up that GM has some type of compound applied to the flange that contacts the crank and it must act as a glue also......So .....followed the rest of the instructions and got the dowel pin in...Put in the new bolt and tightened it to Spec.....Put the starter back in and moved on to the top end..........

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Now.......The Edelbrock Supercharger Belt/Tensioner routing won't allow for the A/C compressor to remain where it is.....gonna have to mount it down low and run it off the inner belt position so it will be all by itself.......Hope this compressor fits down there......Time will tell.....
Had some time so I started to take the top end apart.....Got the manifold off and changed the Valley Cover to the Edelbrock unit.........Pretty soon I'll get that Black thing in the box installed.......

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Looking good Ken.

Some black Holley valve covers would look great with that supercharger. Just make sure they will work with your coils (I think they will).

Andrew

You running your custom A/C bracket on this build?

Aannddd we're off..... :gitrdun:


T,

Took the easy way out today and used the engine hoist to get the Supercharger in position......worked out perfect.....Got everything in position......installed the new fuel rails and injectors......got the adaptors and wiring for the Injectors installed.....everything going smoothly, until installing the coils.........seems the Coil plugs and Injector Plugs are fighting for the same space.........Have to modify the coil mounts brackets to a new position so everything will fit together........Not a big deal but something Edelbrock should have caught..........


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Cool stuff. Great info, keep them photos coming with your progress. :popcorn2:

Thanks for posting this thread, Ken... it will be good to see your findings on the A/C fit and other things along the way!

Decided to grind clearance in the Coil Mounting bracket.......Before and after pic's.....


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But........The coils and the injector plugs are still fighting for the same space......I was just going to leave out the top coil bolts and rotate the coils to clear.......Until I was going to mount the brackets that hold the engine cover in place......they use those coil mount holes so ..........I don't like the way these plugs are jammed together though........I might end up making my own coil mount brackets that will move the coils and still allow for the engine cover to mount correctly......But...again.......Edelbrock should have supplied brackets to allow for this situation.......I can make new brackets but what about the guy doing this in his Garage and doesn't have access to a machine shop to do the job correctly.......Poor Engineering on Edelbrocks part.........Just say'in........


You can see in this picture the upper coil bolt is out and the coil is rotated back to provide clearance........you can see the issue....


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But......on a better note.....I installed all the pulley's and tensioner........The old belt was a little short so I guessed on the size and went to Autozone and had to go thru the "Sir....What year make and model car routine"........I asked if I could just go and look at the belts.........Guessed at 101.5" .......brought it back home at it fit perfect.........the old belt was 99.7" and just missed going on.........got Lucky !!!!............I got the passenger side Engine cover on........then I decided to reinstalled the radiator band throttle body..........again........everything clears.......


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Enough for today........LOL

Ken,

I got an extra TB which is like the one on your LSA, it would plug N play and the motor won't stick out like the LS2 TB...

Food for thought.

Andrew

Nice job, great project.

Well.......I was going to try and use my current compressor........Ain't gonna happen.......looks like I'm gonna have to go back to the smaller compressor and custom brackets.........

Ken

Andrew......Thanks for the offer but I'm gun shy about changing too many things at one time......

Ken

The "Ricks" Tank showed up also.........But........The fuel level module was on back order so I'll have to wait to put it in.........Ordered a Heat exchanger and a new smaller A/C compressor to fit into the low mounting space.........

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Made a little progress today with a setback also........First.....Talked to the Edelbrock Tech guy today and was told ........"Gee".......You are the first one to have problems with the coils hitting the injectors......LOL........I sent him pictures and haven't heard a word since.........Next......the A/C compressor I had on the car with plans to move it down low fell apart as the compressor is too big to fit in that area available........Gonna have to go with the smaller SD-7 Compressor........So....I made a low compressor mount today just like I made for the LSA in the Chevelle.......Feeling good........Get home and put it on and something didn't look right.....LOL........Duhhhh!!!.......I assumed that the dedicated A/C drive belt position would be in the same place as the LSA.........LOL..........1 3/16" difference.........Guess I get to make another one tomorrow........Darn !!!!..........But......I did get the driver side Aluminum Edelbrock Coil cover clearance for the master cylinder and alternator brackets......Also took the radiator back out so I have some room to get the compressor fit and mounted in that lower position.......two steps backward and one step forward......

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Looks good Ken
 

Show us a few more pics of your "clearance" work on the aluminum cover. That looks nice and tight from what I can see. What did you use for this?

So........Continuing on with the A/C compressor mounting .........Again.......I made the same lower mount I made for the LSA engine and when installing it I found out the LS2 had different Belt spacing on the Balancer......I measured the difference and started over today on a revised version........LOL.....Again....this is guess work until you actually put it together and see those clearance issues.......I had the other version draw up in Solidworks so I revised it to be what I now thought it should be.......Here are some pic's of designing and making the brackets......Brought them home and other than some clearance issues with the upper piece it went together perfectly......

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Checked off a couple more things on the to do list.....When I first looked at the space available for the A/C compressor.....I thought "No Problem"......LOL.......well I had to go with the smaller SD7 and with that I have about a 1/2 " clearance all around, but....It is in and in it's final position.......No room for a tensioner so I'll just keep the turnbuckle in place.......Had to turn over the upper mount and modify it for clearance for the A/C fittings......but it's all good now........

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The next thing to resolve was the Injector/Coil issue........Thru recommendations I bought a set of Holley valve covers than change the mounting position of the coils........Bingo......

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Ken, what is the round shaped object mounted on the pass side of the firewall?

Part of the Alarm system...............

Ken

A/C lines finished and installed.........The Heat Exchanger also showed up and needs to be mounted.......I also got the "O" ring tank seal that I needed to finish up the Tank installation (threw out the one that came with the pump with the box.......Duhhhhhh!!!)

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Man I was just starting to think about getting into my blower setup - and your already almost done!

Those Holley valve covers look great! That sucks about all the custom work though. Is that heat exchanger for the blower intercooler - or for the AC?

Supercharger................

One of the last things to do in the engine compartment is to get the heat exchanger mounted and lines run.......so I put the radiator back in for the last time so I can see where the interference issues will be

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Two steps forward ....one step back......Got the Intercooler reservoir and pump mounted (waiting for my 90 degree elbows to show up for finishing the system) .......I also installed air intake system with the Mass Airflow Sensor.....Feeling good.......Then I tried to install the supplied wire harness from Edelbrock........Hummm!!.......Plug doesn't fit the GTO Mass Air Flow Sensor......what did I do wrong.........Read everything again........Humm!!!........Call Edelbrock.........Even though I ordered the kit for the 2006 GTO drivetrain and Harness........I was told I can't use my stock MAF Sensor and need to buy a newer version........O.K......I ask the Tech.......will my ECM be compatible with the newer MAF Sensor........... Nope !!.....When finished I'll have to trailer it to the Tuner (ASSC Racing) for Larry to dial the system in......Oh well !!!.........Order the new MAF and take the Air intake system apart and start over
again.........Still had some time left before taking a Nap.....so I put the new "Ricks" Gas tank in.......Now it's time for a nap....

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Got a new Air Filter assy that has the provision for the newer style Mass Air Flow Sensor built into it.....Didn't think the Filter would fit into the opening in the fender......This assy was provided by Edelbrock in the Kit.....But...I didn't think it would fit and I modified the old set-up to fit....That's when I found out about the plug being different and the MAF Sensor issue........I guess in the end the way Edelbrock had it set up is actually the right way to do it.......Parts on order......and the Huge air filter fits perfectly in the fender opening.......Again......."I are smart".......LOL........Anyhow.....as you can see it fits perfectly.....I also went to the parts store and pieced together Radiator Hoses to make a new top hose........The shrink clamps will be here on Monday to get that finished also......I also roughly mounted the Heat Exchanger and got the pump and all the hoses hooked up.......Just need to make some upper and lower mounting brackets for the final positioning...........I also hooked up a Vacuum pump to check and see if the A/C system would hold a Vacuum..........as you can see in the picture after sitting for a hour .......no problem.......getting closer

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Ken .... went through the build thread on the other site, wow ... it's come along way. I am trying to keep up with your builds as one day my Camaro will undergo a LS conversion.

Keep up the good work and progress reports I enjoy your comments and pics.

Michael

Back from SEMA and time to get back on the project.......Got all the Radiator hoses in position and sealed up with Gates Shrink clamps......Got the coolant in the radiator and inter cooler lines......Got the intercooler pump hooked up and purged all the air out of the system.........The new Mass Air Flow sensor should be here tomorrow so that part of the system will be completed.......about all I have left to do is make a couple of brackets for the Heat Exchanger and finish up the wiring for the Vaporworx fuel pressure controller system......

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Ken

So...........Let me start of by saying "I are Smart".........LOL........The last major thing to do was to get the Heat Exchanger final mounted.......got the brackets made and installed......Then I just had to run the wires from the pump to the Vaporworx controller next to the Battery........So.....The Vaporworx system basically controls how hard the fuel pump works.......instead of the normal Corvette Filter/ Regulator with a return line back to the tank.........This system has a pressure sensor in the fuel line and just runs the pump hard enough to keep the fuel pressure where it needs to be........this is the way GM is now running the fuel system in the new cars........So.....I get it all hooked up and crank the car over to see if it will start.........It cranks over but not even a hint of starting.........Humm !!!!.....Seems the fuel pump isn't working..........Crawl underneath and remove the plug to the pump and hot wire it........Pump kicks on......Humm!!!..........Check the voltage at the controller and call Carl from Vaporworx......I tell him what I'm seeing and he tells me that's not right.....Hummm!!! ........After diagnosing the problem with Carl after many phone calls......He ask's me if I had the Ground wire from the Battery to the controller......Oh.....Do you mean the one I forgot to put on..........LOL......Hooked it up and the car started immediately.........Duhh!!!............Now with the different Mass Airflow Sensor that Edelbrock requires in their system.....I need to get the Tune correct.......Right now the car starts and rev's to 3000 rpm and the fades and shuts off........The tune will correct that........A few wires to neaten up and shes done..........Gonna order the new drivetrain for the 57 Nomad next week...........Gonna be a Busy/ Short winter....LOL

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Notice the extra wire.........LOL

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All Finished.........Except for the Tune......

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Ken

When I saw the fuse holder --- I figured you'd left the fuse out.... LOL



Looks great Ken!!

We both learned something today Ken!

Another detail that popped up and after thinking about it........According to the Edelbrock instructions the PCV system takes air from the inlet Tube (after the MAF sensor and before the Throttle Body) and the hose go's to the passenger valve cover, then it comes out of the drivers side valve cover right into a vacuum port just behind the throttle body....So....I called them and asked if there should be some sort of a PCV valve or something in the system.......they said no........Humm....that didn't make any sense to me as that would be the same as just leaving the hose off and having a dead open vacuum leak...So.....I stop at Frame-up wheelworks and talk to Donnie about my concerns......He agreed and told me the norm was to have a restrictor in the line with a .105 dia hole in it.......this will allow the PCV system to function in a restrained condition.........so.....I made one up and put it in the line and he also recommended putting a Catch can in the line between the throttle body and the valve cover.........Her are the final pic's before being Dyno-Tuned........

Restrictor fitting in the PCV line

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Catch can.........

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Let me write this stuff down for when I get that close....... Ah doesn't matter I'll just loose the paper anyway. Nice job.

The car was just sitting in the garage until Larry at ASSC had time to get around to tuning it....Got the call last week and since the tune was so far off I had the car Flatbedded over to his shop..

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So.....Larry spent a week going thru the car and got everything dialed in quite nicely....

Got it back today........Check it out....

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