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Impala SSX Build | Time for One Lap of America!

6K views 27 replies 15 participants last post by  85497 
#1 ·
Well it's finally time to get back to what I really care about. My first car, my pride and joy, and my style of racing. For the last few months I've been "flirting" with Mopar life in the form of my recently acquired 2008 Caliber SRT4 and 2013 Charger SRT8 (shown below).



While I'll be happy to post more pictures of these upon request, the intention of this post is to focus on my Impala SS. It's time to do the build I've always desired to do, and that's the build of the "Impala SSX". Back in 2011 I discovered two GM concept cars that struck me as some of the coolest versions of their respective models that I've ever seen. It was the Z06X and the Camaro SSX (both seen below). These were 100% track prepped cars that could go to any road course and tear up the tarmac. My thought process? If they can do that with the Camaro, why can't I do that with the Impala? From then on I've been bound and determined to transform my SS into a track monSSter, modeled similarly to the SSX concepts that I saw.



So where to start? I had to plan out almost every single item necessary to complete this project (still not done...), and then I had to start the teardown. So the other night I took the SS on its last cruise powered by an LT1 & 4l60e combination. It's bittersweet, but I'm beyond ready to get this build started.



At this point you might be asking "so what's with the title? One lap of America?". For those that do not know, One Lap of America is an extremely cool 8 day event that is nothing but road cruising and road course racing, my two favorite things in life! Ever since I've discovered this I've been wanting to attend, driving my SS, with my Dad as the copilot. This is an event that seems to test the true build quality and performance of any vehicle, and when I'm finally done I plan on ponying up the (steep...) $3k and tear up some tracks!
For those wondering, NO I have not read all the rules. I have a fairly good idea of what rules/modifications are required and a possible class I'd compete in. However, this will ultimately be a learning experience that I'm very happy to become immersed in. Am I expecting to win? No. Would I like to be competitive? Absolutely, but ultimately I hope to be satisfied by the experience and the memories I'll make.

Now, onto the main event. This build WILL INCLUDE:
-Frame ("refreshening" and stiffening)
-Motor (performance, cooling, tuning)
-Drivetrain
-Suspesion
-Brakes
-Wheels/Tires
-Exterior (aero, paint, ect)
-Interior (safety such as rollbar, harnesses, extinguisher, ect)

And anything else I might have forgotten...

PS. For those of you that might have wondered how the car came to be in the state that it is, please take a look at when I first did a "re-freshening" of my SS from start to finish. LINK: Form = Function
 
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#2 ·
SO IT BEGINS.



I have acquired an easy starter motor for this build. Will it be in the final version? Absolutely not. But anyone familiar with an LM7 motor knows how great these 5.3's can be with a little boost.

What is the current plan for 2016? I will be running a procharged LM7 5.3 motor with a manual transmission. I'm currently researching the best way to run a manual in the SSX. ANY ADVICE WILL BE WELCOME. I know there's more than one way to do it. I'm looking for ease and reliability before budget.

Ultimately this car will receive a fully built all aluminum procharged LSX motor backed by an equally built 6 speed manual, but until I acquire the parts and components I need I will run what I to get it on the track and test whatever setup I'll have on the car.



Tore the motor down, and started sanding/cleaning for paint. I'm going with gloss black, because we all know it's the fastest color :D


INTERIOR TEARDOWN WILL START BY THE END OF THE WEEK... STAY TUNED!
 
#4 ·
Cannot wait to see the progress made on this! What size lsx are you thinking?
 
#6 ·
What size lsx are you thinking?
6.0L, wanting at least 800 at the tire but planning for 1000whp at full tilt (might be turbo by then). The 5.3 won't make more than 650 at the flywheel to make sure the stock bottom end doesn't blow itself up.
 
#7 ·
Nice! Can't wait to see the final product. Definitely will be watching the progress.
 
#15 ·
Thanks guys! Right now I will be pulling the body off the frame the weekend of March 5th. The sooner I can get this frame off the better. Also, I should be taking the body into a shop over the next week or so for a full chromoly cage estimate. 4 seats with 4 street legal race harnesses sound like a plan :eek:k3:
 
#17 ·
Wow, am I ever excited for this. Amongst many things, I'll be curious to see what seats you run, because I can't imagine the overlap between seats that are reasonable for daily driving and accommodate five or six point harnesses is all that large.
 
#19 ·
4 point street legal Sparco harnesses, and this car will never be my daily again :eek:k3: but i'm going with Sparco Chrono Road Seats in the front coupled with Wedge manual seat brackets and sliders. Rear seats will remain factory, you can easily run a 4 point with the given belt holes. All I will do is have them upholstered to match the Sparco seats
 

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#18 ·
Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see your progress!
 
#21 ·
Holy sound deadening Batman! Seriously though, considering how much track time this car will see, I'd look in to a five or six point harness at least for the front seats to prevent submarining. I know a guy who submarined out of a four point on the street, and still has the scars to prove it.
 
#22 ·
That's why I'll be investing in a "street legal 4 point" harness instead of just a 4 point. I didn't know the difference until I researched it, but the design of a street legal version includes a stitching in your right shoulder belt strap (or left side for passenger seat) that will break during a collision, and becomes the typical 3 point safety belt. This allows your body to somewhat twist and prevents you from sliding under.
 
#25 ·
What are you going to do with the interior? Try to sell it on craigs or something?
 
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