1966 Impala update

[kwhizz]

Craig..........Another thing to watch is.......The Edelbrock kit that I ordered, was the one they told me to get.........when I was finished and ASSC tuned it he discovered that even though the kit was ordered for a 2006 GTO LS2 and ECM......the TMAP sensor was a 2 1/2 Bar unit and the GTO ECM was calibrated for a 1 Bar sensor.........Took a while to figure that out.....and also he had to decrease sensitivity of the knock sensors by 20% to keep the Timing in the engine.........Just Say'in !!!.........

Ken

[bonecrrusher]

Originally Posted by kwhizz

Craig..........Another thing to watch is.......The Edelbrock kit that I ordered, was the one they told me to get.........when I was finished and ASSC tuned it he discovered that even though the kit was ordered for a 2006 GTO LS2 and ECM......the TMAP sensor was a 2 1/2 Bar unit and the GTO ECM was calibrated for a 1 Bar sensor.........Took a while to figure that out.....and also he had to decrease sensitivity of the knock sensors by 20% to keep the Timing in the engine.........Just Say'in !!!.........

Ken

Hey Ken - just now seeing this.

I got my car back from the tuner last Friday. I had looked up my TMAP sensor and discovered that it was a 2 bar Ford sensor - and let my tuner know.

My car ended up making 580 HP / 523 ft lbs - making 8.5 PSI with the 3.25" pulley installed.

I also got the Holley valve covers installed and discovered one of my coil park harnesses had a bolt screwed through it and tore up the wires. I ordered a new harness - and all is well.

Thanks for the info!

[kwhizz]

Great Numbers............Superchargers forever........LOL

Ken

[kwhizz]

Update...........The refining process continues......(Does it ever end).........After installing the Supercharger and Hydro-Boost, everything got a lot better.......But.....Fitting everything together with parts in place at that time left a little room for fine tuning.........the car was perfectly fine, but a couple of little issues.......#1.....using the existing down flow radiator with the Supercharger caused a issue........to clear the new drive system, I had to run the upper hose up and over the system and the hose ended up slightly above the radiator tank leaving it with a large air pocket........it ran and cooled fine, but it wasn't a recommended way to do things........I decided to get a cross flow Radiator with both fittings on the passenger side of the car to correct that issue........After seeing the quality of the Auto Rad set-up for the Nomad, I decided to buy one from them........I made the right decision ..................Quality, Quality, and Quality........
Second Issue........After installing the Hydro Boost........I had a little minor issue of while turning, I would get a little intermittent loss of power assist.......I did some research and was told there was a slight amount of air in the system........I noticed that in the reservoir there was some turbulence from the return line in the tank with possible aeration..........I checked online and found that Concept One had a tank they specifically built for these applications that controlled the flow and softened the flow entering the tank to eliminate this problem......So.....
I took the car to Frame-Up Wheelworks and they went thru and installed everything as well as neatened up my mess of wires around the battery........after getting the car back all I can say is....getting everything close and working is O.K..........But......Putting the Bow on the Package and Fine tuning everything makes driving the car nothing but sheer enjoyment......Damm!!.......This Beater is Fun !!!

[Jimbo1367]

I didn't know Auto Dad would just sell a radiator. What gears are in the rear? How is the acceleration? How does it compare to the LSA Chevelle SS?

I'm glad things are coming together.

[kwhizz]

Originally Posted by Jimbo1367

I didn't know Auto Dad would just sell a radiator. What gears are in the rear? How is the acceleration? How does it compare to the LSA Chevelle SS?

I'm glad things are coming together.

3:55 Gears........The Chevelle is much faster.......this thing is a Linear Torque Monster.........(100 R.W.H.P. less that the Chevelle)

[kwhizz]

So..........The refining process continues.......But.....We are getting very close........When I did the car originally, I didn't know how to deal with the LS "Rappy" exhaust sound.........after getting the exhaust on the Impala during the initial build.........I had to go thru 3 sets of Mufflers to get the sound to go away and to quiet it down..........Ended up putting Cadillac Mufflers on it (Choke ,Choke).......since then I've learned that LS engines don't like long exhaust pipes (these go all the way back to the rear Bumper)..........and a "X" pipe helps kill the "Rappy" sound also.......

So....After finishing Gary's 65 and getting the exhaust completed with DynoMax Super Turbo Mufflers, an "X" pipe and tail pipes that exit behind the rear tires........His car sounded perfect........So.....I decided with last Winters mods to the Impala I needed to free up the Exhaust system.........It's going to the Exhaust shop on Monday for this "Correction" ....LOL.....I also bought a set of Headers off eBay that are supposed to fit........We will see........

[waynieZ]

I hate a raspy exhaust too, I don't know how the MagnaFlows are going to be. Did you try MagnaFlows on yours ? I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling that they'll be what I like.

[kwhizz]

The Story continues..........Just to go back in time.......the 66 Impala has a complete RideTech suspension front and rear (Coil-overs)......since completion the car has had a Ackermann issue.......driving straight it was a slot car.......turning was a different story.......Pull into the garage and the tires would leave black marks on the driveway, and sharp turns were pretty nasty.........so.....not being a suspension guy and the car driving normal when not turning.....I just accepted it as some nuance with the Ridetech suspension with slightly wider rims.........Keep in mind this car was finished 5 years ago...We drove the car on two Power Tours without any issues.......Then the Chevelle came into the picture and the Impala sat in the garage for two years
After driving the Chevelle during that time (no steering issues) and then getting back into driving the Impala.......I was determined to find out what was going on here.....At Barrett-Jackson last January I happened to stop at the RideTech display and talked to the people there and explained my concerns about the Ackermann issues..........To make a long story short, if this issue was going to get resolved I was going to have to do it myself........So, In talking with Mark Webster, he informed me that GM changed the 65-66 "B" body steering geometry to a new configuration in 67.........Hummmm !!!!
What changed and why???.............After a lot of research and asking stupid questions on a lot of web sites.......I found out that GM knew there were issues with the 65-66 models with wider rims such as Police cars and in Sept of 66 there was a Service Bulletin to address these issues.......This Bulletin basically gave the part numbers of all the new 67 design parts and the position and templates for the mounting holes for the repositioning of the 67 design Idler Arm assy........The Biggest difference is the mounting location of the Idler Arm .......In the 65-66 model years, the Idler arm was mounted thru a hole inside the frame rail.........67 and up it was mounted inside the frame rail and forward of the thru frame position.....












It's pretty obvious by this picture the differences............Here's a picture of the difference in the spindle steering arms....







Pictures of the supplied templates provided in the 1966 Service Bulletin.......











So........What I did was make the required steering arm spacer with tapped holes......got it in position .....and welded it in......









After installing the new Pitman Arm , centerlink, and Idler Arm.......It was apparent that there was something wrong as the centerlink went up on an angle and back towards the rear of the car........Hummmm!!!!..........After thinking about it and looking at what could be the problem.....I noticed that the 67 Pitman arm was about a 1/2" lower than the 66.........The Template must have been made with the 66 arm...........I made the centerlink parallel to the frame and the front crossmember.........Drilled new holes for the Idler arm (which corresponded to the lower 67 arm...........Makes perfect sense now ) and bolted everything in........Installed new Tie Rod ends.........Now everything is new.......Adjusted the toe roughly and when I pulled out of the garage to go to the alignment shop..........I knew right away there was a major difference as there wasn't any tire squeeling or scrubbing...........after alignment.........It is now the complete package.....Ackermann issue solved.........drives and steer's perfectly...............

[Jimbo1367]

Thanks for sharing. This should help others.