LB7 in a 1969 Impala

[bkelley112]

I was bored surfing channels and stopped on MTV's Pimp My Ride. They shoe-horned a LB7 and Allison transmission into a 1969 Impala. They were running it on B100 and claimed 25 MPG along with 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. They had video of the Impala drag racing a 2007 Lamborghini and the Impala won. The video could have been doctored to show the Impala winning but I guess its possible if it could really do 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. Just thought I would pass along what I saw.

Brian

[Mark Rinker]

I am seriously considering the same for my 1979 Z-28. Heresy!

[93_Burrito]

The July 2007 issue of Diesel Power has a feature on this Impala. The article states the car is a '65 Impala SS, and the engine is an LBZ... putting out up to 800 HP and 1,400 LB-FT. "Minimal" modifications required to make it all fit.

[Dakster]

Muscles cars of the new era shouldl be diesels! Although I don't think a durmax will fit in a corvette with minimal mods...

Diesels have already started to prove themselves in racing events.

That was a great show. Even the governator from the peoples socialist republic of california was on it. The only reason that car could be registered in California is because it is a '65.

BTW, Anyone else notice the porn playing on the TV screens in the trunk of the finished car?

[Mark Rinker]

Occupying my 3rd garage stall is the first car I ever owned - a '79 Z28, white with blue stripes.

About 7 years ago, the build project stalled out when I got to choosing the best powerplant and brakes. On two separate occasions, I have purchased GM crate motors (ZZ4, ZZ383) for the car, uncrated them, and ended up selling to others for their projects, before they were installed. I want to put something up front that won't break a sweat propelling the 3,000# car to 200mph at Bonneville. That has always been the goal.

So far, it has a 7 point roll cage built to racing specs, 22 gallon fuel cell, battery trunk relocated, and a complete Vette Brakes suspension system, which features a transverse mounted, highly adjustable fiberglass FRONT leaf spring (replacing the stock coil springs), tubular A-arms, subframe connectors, and mono-leaf fiberglass rear springs.

A Duramax/Allison is very interesting, especially when accompanied by some ultra-beefy racing disc brakes on all corners to haul things down properly. My goal would be to get some sponsorship $$$ from the Minnesota Bio-Diesel council in exchange for prominately displayed adverstising, gear it to high heaven and see how fast you could go out at the Salt Flats, before the thing turns into a temporary Cessna.

I'm ready to start whenever a low mile, affordable 2WD LB7 drivetrain turns up. Who has an opinion on how badly the firewall will need to be hacked? I hope not, because returning the car to its gasoline glory still might happen someday. The core support area has plenty of spread for the intercooler and radiator. Wiring won't be pretty, but couldn't be any worse than 'Lil Red.

Jim, whaddy think?