Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
'81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? #1491216
08/26/13 05:58 PM
08/26/13 05:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,507
Las Vegas, NV
6bblgt Offline OP
I Live Here
6bblgt  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,507
Las Vegas, NV
A friend has an '81 Imperial & is looking to do something with the car. They're heavy, is staying small block the way to go? What's involved with putting a big-block in one? Has anyone done a modern HEMI conversion?

Digital dash all works, how difficult is it to maintain its use with "major' changes under the hood. What headers work with the stock front suspension/chassis?

Looking for ideas - the good the bad & the ugly!!

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: 6bblgt] #1491217
08/26/13 06:18 PM
08/26/13 06:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
It's an F/M/J chassis. Any of the stuff used on those cars should fit.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: 6bblgt] #1491218
08/26/13 06:19 PM
08/26/13 06:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,883
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Online content
I Win
stumpy  Online Content
I Win

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,883
Grand Prairie,Texas
That is not what I would call a good project car. They aren't very popular so anything put in it will not be salvageble as far as resale goes. If your friend want's to hotrod something I would suggest selling the Imp and getting something else.

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: stumpy] #1491219
08/26/13 08:03 PM
08/26/13 08:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,368
Michigan
MarkZ Offline
Worthy
MarkZ  Offline
Worthy

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,368
Michigan
Quote:

That is not what I would call a good project car. They aren't very popular so anything put in it will not be salvageble as far as resale goes. If your friend want's to hotrod something I would suggest selling the Imp and getting something else.




I suppose so, but it does get tiresome seeing the same cars over and over again with varying paint and trim packages. You don't have to get crazy with it to turn it into something nice if it's already in good shape.

I think those J bodies have a curb weight of about 3600 or 3700 lbs. 360s will slide right in and all the cop car goodies from the Diplomats are direct bolt-ins (sway bars, axles, coolers, etc). Headers for F Aspens will go in without any clearance issues. Firm Feel also makes a plethora of parts for the platforms now too if you want it to really stay glued to the road.

Remy-Z has a really cool one he just put together last year if you're looking for ideas.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: MarkZ] #1491220
08/26/13 08:20 PM
08/26/13 08:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline
I Live Here
Magnumguy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
I know he's not allowed to be mentioned (so I've heard) or his website, but on Mopar style dot com, Dave has done a beautiful job with his J Imperial.

Crate motor, and such.

Just go to his site and go to forums.


"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Magnumguy] #1491221
08/27/13 10:42 AM
08/27/13 10:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1 Offline
master
Commando1  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Quote:

I know he's not allowed to be mentioned (so I've heard) or his website, but



Wait. This is a new one on me. What did I miss?

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: 6bblgt] #1491222
08/27/13 10:49 AM
08/27/13 10:49 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck Offline
Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck  Offline
Not enough dumb comments...yet

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
Depends on how much he wants to spend and how much work he wants to do. On the cheap and cam, intake carb swap with headers would be a start. If he wanted to step it up one, a 360 Magunm engine w/ cam upgrade along with the above would be next, One could go w/ a stroked small block or Big block if the sky's the limit.
Not crazy about the shaker, but I think those cars a re cool.


[IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/pui5j.jpg[/IMG]
Coming soon!!!!
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: 6bblgt] #1491223
08/27/13 01:00 PM
08/27/13 01:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
I like the cars and wouldn't mind driving one. The tacky woodgrain decals tend to turn purple with time.

Done right they can be pretty cool.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: feets] #1491224
08/27/13 01:07 PM
08/27/13 01:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
R
RUNCHARGER Offline
I Live Here
RUNCHARGER  Offline
I Live Here
R

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
I think they'd be cool with a new "Hemi" conversion. You could swap in a big block easily but it wouldn't be as cool.

Sheldon

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Commando1] #1491225
08/27/13 01:40 PM
08/27/13 01:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline
I Live Here
Magnumguy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Quote:

Quote:

I know he's not allowed to be mentioned (so I've heard) or his website, but



Wait. This is a new one on me. What did I miss?




Goes back aways. Probably late 1990's or so. Must be OK now. It's a Mopar only site, never quite got why it was taboo for awhile.


"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Mr.Yuck] #1491226
08/27/13 01:52 PM
08/27/13 01:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050
Niles , Ohio
A local guy was running one with a turbo or super charger.I cant remember which and some other goodies.It moved pretty good for what it was.Rocky

Last edited by therocks; 08/27/13 01:53 PM.

Chrysler Firepower
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: therocks] #1491227
08/27/13 02:31 PM
08/27/13 02:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
D
dogdays Offline
I Live Here
dogdays  Offline
I Live Here
D

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
It's a perfect place to put a GIII Hemi and matching automatic transmission. Sort of a retro 300. About the same size and weight, so you know it'll go and still get good mileage so it can be driven.

I really like those cars, as drivers or cruisers. Also can't keep my eyes off clean Miradas. They have very nice lines.

Can't remember the last time I actually saw one of the late Imperials on the street.

If you want a hot rod get a Duster. But for a smooth driving car that has a little class, a Hemified Imp would be first-rate.

R.

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: 6bblgt] #1491228
08/27/13 08:38 PM
08/27/13 08:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581 Offline
master
Chris2581  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
440 or late model Hemi is what I'd go with.


Nautilus Racing-
We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1491229
08/27/13 11:13 PM
08/27/13 11:13 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
Copper Dart Offline
pro stock
Copper Dart  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
Quote:

I think they'd be cool with a new "Hemi" conversion. You could swap in a big block easily but it wouldn't be as cool.

Sheldon







Common sense, the least common of all the senses.
Mom.

For fear of ridicule, society stifles creativity.
Ricky Valdes
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Copper Dart] #1491230
08/28/13 08:43 AM
08/28/13 08:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,912
APACHE JUNCTION AZ
J
Joesixpack Offline
I Live Here
Joesixpack  Offline
I Live Here
J

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,912
APACHE JUNCTION AZ
lol they were weird looking Pro Stocks...thats for sure

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Joesixpack] #1491231
08/28/13 08:45 AM
08/28/13 08:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,912
APACHE JUNCTION AZ
J
Joesixpack Offline
I Live Here
Joesixpack  Offline
I Live Here
J

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,912
APACHE JUNCTION AZ
Super Gas anyone?

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Magnumguy] #1491232
08/28/13 09:02 AM
08/28/13 09:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
BigBlockMopar  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
Quote:

... but on Mopar style dot com, Dave has done a beautiful job with his J Imperial.
... Just go to his site and go to forums.





I used to hang around there I think 4-5 years ago but I thought 2 years ago that site had folded already. Site or forums are nowhere to be found at least.

Moparstyle.com-domain doesn't resolve to anything although it still seems visible under Google.

Did he block foreign countries from his server perhaps?

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: BigBlockMopar] #1491233
08/28/13 12:00 PM
08/28/13 12:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
With Dave there's no telling.
He landed a ton of money in a very short period of time. The cash got to his head and he started throwing money everywhere.
When there was a fuss that arose between his attitude and Moparts he took his toys and went home to make his own site.
I met Dave long ago and wasn't impressed at the time. He was far too cocky.

Maybe he either calmed down and settled back into society or ran out of money.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: BigBlockMopar] #1491234
08/28/13 12:18 PM
08/28/13 12:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,047
Bowling Green, KY
C
cudaboy Offline
master
cudaboy  Offline
master
C

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,047
Bowling Green, KY
Quote:

Quote:

... but on Mopar style dot com, Dave has done a beautiful job with his J Imperial.
... Just go to his site and go to forums.





I used to hang around there I think 4-5 years ago but I thought 2 years ago that site had folded already. Site or forums are nowhere to be found at least.

Moparstyle.com-domain doesn't resolve to anything although it still seems visible under Google.

Did he block foreign countries from his server perhaps?


its still around.

http://www.moparstyle.com/forums/activity.php

Dennis

Re: '81 IMPERIAL project what can be done/what's practical? [Re: Joesixpack] #1491235
08/28/13 12:41 PM
08/28/13 12:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
The NASCAR Imperials looked good but lacked power.



We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1