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B4U help

5K views 25 replies 6 participants last post by  TMCKER 
#1 ·
So, can any of you guys provide me with some links to a few mods Id be wanting to do? I already have my suspension pretty well figured out (thank you for those stickies!). My mod questions here would be the air box, 9c1 power steering cooler, rear disc brake conversion (or axle swap, for the next part...), gearing change, and does the 9c1 have a better steering box (more responsive, quicker ratio, etc.)? I have access to a wrecked 95 Impala SS, all front end damage. I was thinking maybe I could snag that rear end to gain disc's and better gearing...I want this car to be a daily driver that I take to the 1/8mi strip on Friday Fun Nights, and maybe hit an autocross with a time or two. Again, just for fun. Not planning on winning, just want to be able to get out there and raise some eyebrows in a full size!
 
#2 ·
One thing I swear by with rear discs is with the stealth brake bolt/proportioning valve mod. It keeps the car from nose diving and the rear caliper brackets from seizing. Rear brakes are actually effective.

I did the Swiss cheese air box mod and it seemed to make a difference but not as much as with a k & n cold air intake that comes with the box to help shield it from engine heat. The intake paired with 2 1-2" exhaust with x-pipe sounds great and definately frees up some power.
 
#3 ·
Yes, I'd snag that SS rear end or just get the disk brake parts off of it,
though that would mean pulling the axle shafts off to get the backing plates.
Remember though, your B4U rear is the wider version similar to the SS, that gives
it that cat-like wider stance, so maybe you can find someone selling just the rear disk brake
backing plates to save some coin and would be a bit less work than swapping the whole rear.
You can buy all the other parts at Autozone or RockAuto (Calipers & Brackets, hoses, & rotors)
Keep in mind, either way, you'll have to run new hard lines on the rear end out to the wheels
which can get messy if you havent bled brakes before.

The rear ratio is only slightly better in the SS with a 3.08:1 ratio to the B4Us 2.93:1.
So not really worth the expense of buying the entire rear in that regard.


Nab
 
#4 ·
Decisions decisions

Yes, I'd snag that SS rear end or just get the disk brake parts off of it,
though that would mean pulling the axle shafts off to get the backing plates.
Remember though, your B4U rear is the wider version similar to the SS, that gives
it that cat-like wider stance, so maybe you can find someone selling just the rear disk brake
backing plates to save some coin and would be a bit less work than swapping the whole rear.
You can buy all the other parts at Autozone or RockAuto (Calipers & Brackets, hoses, & rotors)
Keep in mind, either way, you'll have to run new hard lines on the rear end out to the wheels
which can get messy if you havent bled brakes before.

The rear ratio is only slightly better in the SS with a 3.08:1 ratio to the B4Us 2.93:1.
So not really worth the expense of buying the entire rear in that regard.


Nab

Ive bled brakes, but as Ive said before, Im no mechanic. Parts guy, yes, wrench turner...not much lol. So, pulling the whole SS rear end would gain me the disc's, and a 3.08, which is barely better than my 2.93, but would provide me with a LITTLE more umph on the track. What would a sane person pay for a 95 SS rear end? Ill probably need to redo the brakes at the same time, and Id add the metering bolt mod at that time as well. Ive never converted anything from drum to disc brakes, and not that I dont trust my mechanics here, but the two I DO trust to do that are ALWAYS super busy. What about the power steering fluid cooler? As far as I can tell, thats one of the few things a 9c1 has that the B4U does not, and I would want that as well. Is that something I should just pick up from Autozone and have installed? Or do I need to find a 9c1 unit? Is that possible with the stock power steering I have now? And which steering gear box do I need to find for a quicker ratio?
 
#5 ·
Yes, you can still get the police option PS cooler from Rockauto or maybe even autozone.
1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE 5.7L V8 Power Steering Return Hose | RockAuto

Police cars also had stiffer springs and shocks. I'd go with the Monroe Severe Service shocks
which are just as good as the Bilsteins but half the cost.
1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE 5.7L V8 Shock Absorber | RockAuto

As for the steering box, the Impala SS also had the quick ratio, so look up that application.
1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA 5.7L V8 Steering Gear | RockAuto

Nab
 
#7 ·
Following up on hat Nab mentioned. The 9c1 cooler "return hose" is available from places like Autozome. Got mine either there or advanced auto parts and it's only $5 or $10 more....so why not? Been a while since installing but all you need as far as how and other hardware is listed here and is about the 5th or 6th item down.

Impala SS Technical Archives


On the rear, I had a 2.93 drum in the car originally and installed a stock 3.08 rear with disks from a imp. It was a little better....but, wanted more gearing. :smile2: Later installed a entire 3.73 rear (that I bought from Nab :| ) and sold the imp rear. Much happier with that choice and its still going strong.
 
#8 ·
Thanks!



that link took me to the site, but when i clicked on the power steering cooler link it said the site couldnt be reached....I think Im going to try and pick up that Imp rear though. Gain me the discs, and a little better gearing that will still be decent highway mpg.
 
#10 ·
coolers

So, Ive noticed that Autozone and others have all new coolers for the tranny fluid, power steering etc. Are these new aftermarket ones "better" than the stock GM ones? Is there a such thing as too cool? I mean, can using HD larger capacity coolers have a negative effect on the vehicle?
 
#14 ·
coolers

So, Ive noticed that Autozone and others have all new coolers for the tranny fluid, power steering etc. Are these new aftermarket ones "better" than the stock GM ones? Is there a such thing as too cool? I mean, can using HD larger capacity coolers have a negative effect on the vehicle?
Any answer to this question here? Just know that some fluids have an optimal operating temp, and I dont know if upgrading the stock coolers with HD ones will drop those temps "too" low or not. Also, does the Street Trends "Ram-Air" hood actually work? So many aftermarket makes claim gains, but fall short. I like the looks of it, and if it actually works well then I will work it into my build budget.
 
#13 ·
.

See, this is when being a parts clerk really helps. I can get all of that stuff STUPID cheap! I do have a question about those green silicon 9c1 hoses....where can I find them???
Those were offered on the 94-96 9C1 cars. There are some individual hoses new for sale up on eBay and a full used set for ridiculous money...$225.

I have a full set already cleaned up that I may let go for $100 + shipping if you're interested. Even after over 20 years these hoses (which are referred to as "lifetime hoses") are still in great shape. Have had mine for over 5 years on the car without issue. They're a GM part and I like the look with my setup.
 
#17 ·
#22 ·
FWIW the SEO tubing power steering cooler will not keep your power steering from boiling if you plan to autocross or do HPDE events. The tubing is useful for cutting up to make connections to a real large radiator cooler but makes very little difference in cooling the fluid.

Thats the kind of info im looking for. I saw napa has finned radiator style coolers for other applications, i was wondering if any of those could be adapted to work. And, i take it there is no such thing as "too cool" then?
 
#23 ·
Done!

The trade is done! So happy with it. My wagon was in better shape cosmetically. But, the tranny was about to crap out on me. This Cappy is a 7/10 cosmetically, and 8/10 mechanically Id say. Needs a tune up, some suspension stuff is a little worn out, but it runs like a top and shifts like butter. Going to try and get it detailed out really nice, see if I cant breathe some life back into the dash plastics and leather seats. Lift it up, blast it with a ton of degreaser and wash it all out, put some POR on the bare metal....Ill get some pics of it later on this week.
 
#24 ·
The trade is done! So happy with it. My wagon was in better shape cosmetically. But, the tranny was about to crap out on me. This Cappy is a 7/10 cosmetically, and 8/10 mechanically Id say. Needs a tune up, some suspension stuff is a little worn out, but it runs like a top and shifts like butter. Going to try and get it detailed out really nice, see if I cant breathe some life back into the dash plastics and leather seats. Lift it up, blast it with a ton of degreaser and wash it all out, put some POR on the bare metal....Ill get some pics of it later on this week.
Congrats! Glad you like your new B4U keep us posted with pics too.
Jim
 
#25 ·
New Beast

Heres a few pics. Im going to get the oil changed this week and get it up on a lift to see whats going on underneath it. Ive already had a few offers on her, and sadly, with my current financial situation, I have to consider them. BUT, Im not entirely sure yet. And, I guess the picture files are too large. So, Im going to figure that out and try to post them again....
 
#26 ·
Pic size

Heres a few pics. Im going to get the oil changed this week and get it up on a lift to see whats going on underneath it. Ive already had a few offers on her, and sadly, with my current financial situation, I have to consider them. BUT, Im not entirely sure yet. And, I guess the picture files are too large. So, Im going to figure that out and try to post them again....
No idea why its saying my pics file size is too large. I used my phone to take the pics, which is the exact same way I took the pics of the old wagon. Soooooo, IDK why they wont work now. And, Im not sure how to resize them on my computer here. Anyone got any suggestions?
 
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