🔧 BUILD Shawns 1971 Impala Donk

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Interior/Top
LS Swap
Wheels
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BOOST TIME!!!!

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Well boys and girls my new project is finally home. Ive always had a hard on for the Donks (71-76 Caprice or Impala) and always told myself since 1994 that I was eventually going to build one. My buddy mike at the time had a 74 Caprice Vert with 30's and Vouges (google them if you dont know what they are) basically 30 spoke cragars and vouge tires. Its a classic old school gangster look. Over the years he built a few more and sold them and always offered them to me first and I declined because of my love of G Body's as well. When I bought the Regal a couple years ago, I really looked hard at the Donks and believe it or not they were going for half of what they are going for now. Even last summer they coulda been had for about a 1/3rd less maybe a little less for what they are going for now. I was set on a 71 or a 75 for 2 reasons. 71 is the most sought after and fetches the most money as its known as the ACE. 75 because it was the year I was born, and thought that would be pretty cool. Didnt care if it was a HT or Vert, kinda preferred that HT as I dont think Chgo weather is weather for Verts. Pay a extra $10k for a Vert, no thanks.

So when my buddy and I made a deal for the Regal months ago and I knew he was serious. I got serious in my search for a donk. As most of you know I went to Miami for 4 days last month. Had a shit load of them lined up to look at and found either garbage or guys that wouldnt move off what I thought was too high of a price. Few that I thought were too high, have actually sold since then, so I'm thinking price wasnt too high. While in Miami I met this dude Josh and him and I clicked and became friends. Super cool white boy who is in to donks as well, not generally something you see white boys building. He told me he would keep his eyes and ears open and if close enough would do the leg work for me. But told me if he found something I would have to hi-tail my ass down there asap as when they are priced right they sell in hours. Just so happened we decided to go down to Orlando this weekend because we found $61 RT airfare and the biggest donk/g body show just was going on. Figured I might be able to buy something there. Called Josh to tell him we were coming down and if he planned on taking his car to Orlando. He said he might know of a 71 going up for sale with a motivated buyer. I said well fuck let me know asap.

Touched down in Orlando Friday night and had to be up early Saturday to cruise to Ft Lauderdale to see this 71. Pull up to this gated community with $1m+ townhomes and get buzzed in by security. Pull up to the house and she was sitting in driveway and looked as clean as the pics I was sent. Took it for a ride, BSing with Josh, my buddy Ralphy and the owner of the car. Talking about everything from sports to woman to cars. Come to find out this rich fuck is a collector and has 2 other 71's besides the one I bought, and just purchased another on top of 6-7 other cars he has. I guess the Wife has a rule, every time he gets a new one something has to go lol. While BSing I kinda feel him out and get the idea he doesnt want this car going to a black guy who is going to ruin it with big wheels and a LS swap lol. So I played my white privilege card with him. He was asking $25k and very easily had him down to $20k. My final offer was $17.5k and he said he would sleep on it. Told him if he agreed in the morning then it was his job to get it to Orlando before Sunday night. He woke me up about 8am saying the car was mine and was on the way to Orlando. He showed up, we exchanged cash and paperwork, took it off the trailer and parked it at my Airbnb. We were going out for the day/night, so I pulled the coil so the fucker wouldnt start in case someone wanted to steal it lol. Also backed it in so a tow truck would have a hard time stealing it as well.

Talked to a few of the Chgo guys down there for the show and got lucky as one of the haulers had room for me to get her home. Car was dropped off in Midlothian today at $how and Go Customz and turns out Playboy a friend of mine just opened that shop up. Does nothing but suspension and motor work. Talked pricing about shortening my rear end, coilovers all the way around, new axels and adjustable control arms to squat this car. Basically a "California Lean". Front end will sit at stock height with a 26" rim and the rear end will squat 3-4" lower. I have some 26" Billets but probably going to put new barrels on the rear rims. Right now they are a 5.5" lip and I want that 7" lip on the rear, hence the reason for shortening the rear end. Most of you think of Donk and think of those 71-76 sitting on fucking 4x4 suspensions with 30" wheels. Yes those are donks as well, but not the look I'm shooting for.

Bob Kazamakis

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Well as mentioned the cam had score marks on 4 lobes caused by the lifters
See my last report, you probably understand it better than me

He didnt say, he just said something was going on with my lifters. He said the cam is still totally useable, but recommends the guy I'm selling it to get new lifters.

View attachment 144144

I'm curious to know what they said about the IRON number on the 1st report. They have it in bold.
 
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Shawn1112

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I'm curious to know what they said about the IRON number on the 1st report. They have it in bold.
They didnt know it was a fresh build cam/heads, see below

Original report
Fuel may be related to sampling cold. In any case, 1.3% fuel isn't cautionary even if it might've had a hand in thinning the viscosity a bit below grade. Up in the spectral results, there are a few items that have our attention. Chrome is excessive to a point where it could possibly show a ring issue. Monitor oil consumption and seek inspection if operational issues are noted. Iron (steel) is high for just 600 miles too. Averages are based on a ~3,900-mile run. If silicon is from dirt, it could be contributing to wear. Check for air filtration issues and resample in 300 miles.

I let them know and they responded with this
SHAWN: Amended for sample info. Fuel may be related to sampling cold. In any case, 1.3% fuel isn't
cautionary even if it might've had a hand in thinning the viscosity a bit below grade. A few items are high in
the spectral results: chrome, iron, and silicon. They may be elevated compared to averages, but that's not
too atypical after a rebuild. Metals likely reflect wear-in and silicon is mainly from harmless sealers. We
should find good improvement in the highlighted elements at your next sample, especially if all is well on
your end. Averages are based on a ~3,900-mile run
 

Shawn1112

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I really shouldnt be that high, I'm thinking in the 750-900whp range now.
Here is my thing bro, the bottom end is being built. Why not turn it up now instead of doing all this shit later and double handling everything.
Not only would I be double handling everything, then I need to get the tune revised when I turn it up. Fuck all that, do it all now and be done with it.
 

boostedguy05

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I really shouldnt be that high, I'm thinking in the 750-900whp range now.
Here is my thing bro, the bottom end is being built. Why not turn it up now instead of doing all this shit later and double handling everything.
Not only would I be double handling everything, then I need to get the tune revised when I turn it up. Fuck all that, do it all now and be done with it.


Old School Yes GIF
 
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FESTER665

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I really shouldnt be that high, I'm thinking in the 750-900whp range now.
Here is my thing bro, the bottom end is being built. Why not turn it up now instead of doing all this shit later and double handling everything.
Not only would I be double handling everything, then I need to get the tune revised when I turn it up. Fuck all that, do it all now and be done with it.
I agree, thats why I think youre going to end up having a comma in the total. :bowrofl:
 

Shawn1112

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Cant wait for "Okay guys, so I want the title of fastest donk in the United States...." :s00ls:
I can assure you thats the farthest thing from my mind. Those dudes have $100k+ in their drivetrain.
If I do a track day more than twice a year, I'd be shocked. This is going to be a street car that will hopefully hang with most shit that pulls next to me.
Guy almost doubles his horsepower goals in a matter of weeks. I approve!
And totally unplanned and wasnt my expectations. I had zero intentions of building the bottom end, that was the farthest thing on my mind.
But as I mentioned, in a prior post, pay once, cry once. Might as well bite the bullet and do it now. I know myself and if I didnt do it now, I'd be ripping the blower out next year to get it ported.
 

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