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Post by Slam_Shifter on Nov 30, 2005 11:42:48 GMT -5
TIPS LISTED TO DATE
1. On '61-'63 Imps beat down the metal that overhangs where the headlights would mount and bolt it down or weld it to help stiffen up the nose.
2. On '57-63 Imps beat the rear tail fins down over the trunk lid and bolt them or weld them down.
3. When possible on any full framed Imp replace the front bumper with a good mopar or chevy shocker bumper.
4. Make sure to bend down and weld the "y" whenever possible and plate if allowed.
5. Put in the chevy or mopar small block engine combination of choice.
6. When possible run a good set of gears to help keep the car agile and use its power and weight as an advantage.
7. Try to strengthen the Ball Joint assembly when possible and avoid taking front tire shots to your car. This is the main weakness of the boxstyle Imp.
8. When possible burn all the bondo, lead etc out of the exterior fender andbody seams and weld them up especially on the front upper fenders.
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Post by chris426 on Nov 30, 2005 13:25:31 GMT -5
well the first year they went to the finned imperials was 57 just thought i'd put that on the tabel.
on the 61-63 they had the freestanding headlights, you would beat the fenders down that hangs over the headlights and weld them or bolt them with althread (if allowed) and also on the 63 and older you want to fold the wings down, and weld them or bolt them as well to the trunk lid, one really important thing is to put a shock bumper on front, or the front will be weak as an egg on the front. they are on pretty much the same frame as the 64-66 i think it might not be as wide in the middle, the 57-59 savoys sat on a frame alot similar to the 57-63 imps as well, fairly stout cars, and you would build them alot similar to the 57-63 imps. there is alot you can do to these cars, alot of stuff can be hid on an imperial, there's so much to work with.
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Post by dadicted on Nov 30, 2005 18:28:29 GMT -5
obviously if u can change front bumers do so.
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Post by chryslerfat on Dec 2, 2005 8:53:36 GMT -5
Besides chanhing the front bumper weld plates on top of the y`s front and rear this adds alot of strength.
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Post by chris426 on Dec 2, 2005 20:24:40 GMT -5
yeah, box in the ys, put a 74 impala bumper on front, oh man!!!! lookout fords, and chevies. lol.
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Post by dadicted on Dec 2, 2005 20:28:58 GMT -5
why stop w/ a 74 impala. why not put a pointy newyorker/imp bumper on it, fold the hood down, and have a blast.
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Post by chris426 on Dec 2, 2005 23:21:33 GMT -5
yeah 74 imperial bumper that's what i meant, drop the ole 318/360 in it, put some gears in that 83/4 rear and kick some butt.
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Post by chryslerfat on Dec 3, 2005 8:58:56 GMT -5
Make sure you do away with the ragjoint in the steering I have seen them rip and end your day.
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Post by dadicted on Dec 3, 2005 11:20:27 GMT -5
just by the way i drive (shifting on the move so much) i would put a gm tranny on either of the engions that chris posted.
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Post by chryslerfat on Dec 3, 2005 22:02:27 GMT -5
If you run a GM tranny chose the th400 it will hold up under the wfo throttle shifts whereas the th350 will blow the planet gears inside to pieces. Trust me I know this from past experience its nasty to take 2nd to a 80 to 92 vic because you blew the trans.lol
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Post by chris426 on Dec 4, 2005 22:26:10 GMT -5
if you put a chevy tranny on what torque converter would work? without vibrating?
i love the 727s myself, never had a problem with em, and don't jerk it from foward to reverse, hit the brakes and hesitate before you jerk it into another gear.
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Post by dadicted on Dec 4, 2005 23:11:57 GMT -5
the hesitation i dont think i can do. once i get into the derby mode. i dont remember much between the drop of the flag and the end. its just me instinctivly going nuts. lol. controlled chaos.
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Post by chris426 on Dec 5, 2005 15:45:49 GMT -5
don't lose ur head in a derby, just keep ur head on ur shoulders, strategic driving is the key to success.
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Post by chryslerfat on Dec 6, 2005 9:09:37 GMT -5
Another thing is to avoid taking front wheel shots the upper ball joints cant take it I have seen them pop but have not experienced it myself and have run a 66 and a 62.
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Post by dadicted on Dec 6, 2005 11:11:06 GMT -5
its not that i lose my head, its that i am so in the zone that i move out of the way and put on precision shots w/out realizing im doing it. i know everything that im doing and manuver the car like i want to. like this past year i kept my eyes open for the 2 boxcar imps in the feature, all i did was see the O on the back bumper and moved easily out of the way. i was so focused that the O looked bigger than a big grape fruit, but a little smalller than a basketball. u guys ever get tunnel vision. when u see only one thing and everything else goes either dark or blurs out. i get it when im in a car some times, and when im bow hunting and looking @ that sweet spot.
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Post by stris141 on Dec 6, 2005 13:42:56 GMT -5
Mat, I've done the same thing. Tunnel vision can be good, but also bad, if you don't see the other guy coming. So I try not to get to intense.
Another tip on the box Imps, is to burn the crud out of the top fender seams, and weld them up, if allowed.
Steve
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Post by chris426 on Dec 6, 2005 14:31:45 GMT -5
yeah what steve said about the fender seems, and if you are using a torch on the doors, or the quater panels better have a fire extingusher or water, because that coating they have on the inside of the doors is very flammable. that stuff will go up in a big blaze
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Post by stris141 on Dec 7, 2005 0:41:38 GMT -5
Good point Chris. I always keep one of those squirt bottles of water handy. With a hose, not to far away.
Steve
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moparmike
Rat
Drive everything like ya stole it.
Posts: 6
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Post by moparmike on Dec 10, 2005 18:20:27 GMT -5
don't forget the spot where the frame gets all goofy around the back door area where it turns from square and good to flat and stupid. bolt or weld a chunk of iron here or your back will be high and draggin....my 2 cents
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Post by chryslerfat on Dec 21, 2005 14:40:59 GMT -5
Remove the ragjoint also this is another weak spot.
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Post by idahoimpkiller on Feb 14, 2006 19:27:45 GMT -5
here is a few pics... replaceing the balljoints with grade 8 a must ...  Welding all the seems you can in the front and under the hood....   This is the section of the car that will bend in the rear try to make extra body mounts to the frame.... I like to build my cage and bolt to the frame using large washer and bolts... fill the speaker deck in with metal try to weld as much as you can in this area. you can fill your back window with 1 in thick rolled steel going up and down in the window too.  replace all body bolts with large bolts and washers and remove the body puck at the same time... to drop the body on the frame.  Try not to cut out 2 big of a hole in you hood if you can cut and then fold under and weld...  around your doors beat the metal to each other and weld... fill asmuch as you can... weld the door on the inside and also pinch the gap were the door glass came out and wled solid will make the whole car solid... also fill the door holes with sheet metal...   put one of these bumpers on her... weld it strate to the frame bolt and wrap 9 wire or chain around it too... just in case... if you like cut the ends off... I like to beat them in and weld them...  I will be going out to take a few more pics of this car and will post more detail pics of some other stuff that was done after I took these pics.. Jake |
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Post by dadicted on Feb 14, 2006 19:35:22 GMT -5
i still think u should sell/trade that car to me. lol.
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Post by idahoimpkiller on Feb 14, 2006 19:58:07 GMT -5
for 1500 and a sub you could maybe talk the guy that bought that car into it he might want 1800 and a car just so he could make some money on the deal...lol
Jake
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Post by dadicted on Feb 14, 2006 22:20:19 GMT -5
lol, then drive 2 days to get it right. lol. i guess it was just a good dream. lol.
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Post by stris141 on Feb 15, 2006 10:42:47 GMT -5
Jake, A couple of those pictures, I hadn't seen before. You did even more work, than I first thought. It sure would have been fun, if you could have run it. I hope the guy who got it, does right by it.
Steve
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Post by chris426 on Feb 15, 2006 23:27:43 GMT -5
jake i would've gave about 2g for that car lol, man i want to see that sucker get ran man that is one mean imperial!!! and if i could get it, i would make it even better.......
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Post by stris141 on May 18, 2006 9:29:24 GMT -5
Chris, Go to the Yahoo site:west_coast_derby_gallery. Go to the photo section, and look under the Dixion 2006 folder. It's got some Imp pictures you might find interesting.
Steve
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Post by chris426 on May 18, 2006 20:37:41 GMT -5
i couldn't find it steve.
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Post by stris141 on May 19, 2006 10:01:07 GMT -5
I'll see if I can load the site. I hate this kind of stuff.LOL
Steve
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Post by stris141 on May 19, 2006 10:02:52 GMT -5
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