Chevy Impala SS

[JulesV]

Having just spent a bit of time in the US I have developed a real liking for one of these:




I have never really noticed them before and they seem to have no following here at all which seems a bit strange.

If I needed the extra space I would be very tempted.

[Hybrids]

Better value for money would be to buy an LT1 engined Caprice (most police spec ones were fitted with them)
Only a few over here would appreciate the aditional expense of a genuine SS

[chevy-stu]

Seen a few around, do look nice in black, black tints nice wheels.. well specc'ed cars for the money too.

[JulesV]

They just have a bit more presence somehow than a Caprice. There is a very nice one on ebay with just nine hours to go. I think I better go out in case I am tempted.

[GTS Turbo]

saw an estate version (sorry station wagon) at a classic car show down my way on the weekend. guy had it for sale but was calling it a 'corvette estate' i don't think he or anyone else knew what it was as it was badgeless but i did and corrected the man

didn't sound to good when running though bit rattly!

[revolvor]

Oh yes -I like these Impala's too, The estate mentioned was on Ebay a few weeks ago.
Check out these guy's at http://www.blackout.nu/ who are also Piston heads members - They were kind enough to let my 10 year old son sit in their car at Santa Pod - a brilliant web site and a real nice bunch of people.

[Slinky]

revolvor said:

Oh yes -I like these Impala's too, The estate mentioned was on Ebay a few weeks ago.
Check out these guy's at http://www.blackout.nu/ who are also Piston heads members - They were kind enough to let my 10 year old son sit in their car at Santa Pod - a brilliant web site and a real nice bunch of people.

I was just going to mention Bostic.. Rev (apologies for the hijack) How's the Volvo coming on?

slinky

[LuS1fer]

The main problem with these cars is the LT1 engine with it's not particularly reliable Optispark ignition - basically a direct drive distributor on the end of the crank where all the water sprays. Not sure what it produced in the Impala but it was a solid 275 in the Camaro and 300 in the C4 Vette before both those cars adopted the far better LS1 all-alloy engine in the revised '98 Camaro and '97 C5 Vette.

You'd probaly like the Mercury Marauder too with 302hp made in 2003-4
http://www.edmunds.com/mercury/marauder/review.htm...

[JulesV]

The Mercury looks good too, but not as good. I, so far, have not had any problems with the ignition in my car although I am ashamed to say I am not even sure if it has the Optispark system.

[revolvor]

Slinky said:

revolvor said:

Oh yes -I like these Impala's too, The estate mentioned was on Ebay a few weeks ago.
Check out these guy's at http://www.blackout.nu/ who are also Piston heads members - They were kind enough to let my 10 year old son sit in their car at Santa Pod - a brilliant web site and a real nice bunch of people.

I was just going to mention Bostic.. Rev (apologies for the hijack) How's the Volvo coming on?

slinky

Volvo,s coming on pretty good thanks Slinky, axle and brakes are finished, need to get a prop made now and a new heads,cam roller rockers etc etc to fit to engine that is already in the car, will be on road next summer.
Thanks for asking.

[ringram]

There are more reliable replacements for the optispark you can get them for around $250US. I think the LT1 SS had 260bhp. I was serious looking myself. They have sports suspension, which is still pretty wobbly, but have good presence etc. My only problem was that people were asking too much for them when you could buy a later model Holden with the LS1 for the same price and in RHD.

[sayerbloke]

ringram said:

There are more reliable replacements for the optispark you can get them for around $250US.

OEM Optispark is something like US$1500 from a main dealer, isn't it?

Edited by sayerbloke on Thursday 11th October 15:33

[ringram]

No mate, way less than that

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntk=Ke...
I got an OEM replacement for my 4th Gen Camaro way back. It might have been $400 or something.

But there are definately better options out there now.

[LuS1fer]

JulesV said:

The Mercury looks good too, but not as good. I, so far, have not had any problems with the ignition in my car although I am ashamed to say I am not even sure if it has the Optispark system.

All LT1s have Optispark.

[JulesV]

Ah so far so good then. It must be one of the few things that hasn't needed work over the last few years!

[JulesV]

Just found one for sale in the UK

http://www.redbournesamerican.co.uk/index.php?opti...

Would make a very nice "different" barge, I think