RE: IML: 80-83 imperial question.

["Rob P" <fristpenny@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The 360 will bolt right in.  The only differences are in the balance and one 
motor mount-I can never remember if it's the right or left side.. 
Schumacher's kit is nice, but you can just buy a 360 mount at Napa and save 
$100.  If you're real cheap you could just shim the mount with washers, 
you'd be shocked how many cars you find that way.  Everything else will bolt 
in, but you will need to change the balance either with a special flexplate 
or by getting a 360 torque converter.  I don't think the efi would support a 
360, so you'll probably have to switch to carb-2bbl or 4bbl or some type of 
aftermarket efi.  The external block is basically identical, so there is no 
problem with clearances etc.

Manhattan (now Brooklyn) Jack has a 360 in his '81 and my '83 has a 360 4bbl 
and 727.  It had a factory 4bbl manifold and kept all the original 
accessories-including the a/c and air pump.  Although it probably would have 
failed the visual based on the 4bbl, it passed the fairly stringent NYC dyno 
sniffer emissions test fairly easily.  The 360, 727 and driveshaft were 
taken out of a 360 Mirada CMX which I think was a 1980 only car.  The  only 
real issue with the 727 is the indicator on the steering wheel is sometimes 
one tick off.  If you're careful when shifting it is fine.  There are plenty 
of cars running 12 second quarter miles with 904s, so if I were you I'd 
avoid the hassle and stick with the 904.  The 8 1/4 will hold up fine to the 
360, but the 727 has a higher (lower numerical) first gear than your 904 (or 
999 whatever they are) and it will like more than the stock 2.24 to get it 
moving.  I have a 2.94 limited slip in mine and I'd like to get a little 
more gear.  The 727 also uses up more power to get moving so the car will 
feel a little slower anyway.

I recently put a Magnum crate engine in it and I'm contemplating a 500 trans 
swap.  That's a 904 with overdrive and will give me more pickup and a 31% 
overdrive.  They bolt right up to small blocks,  but the mount must be moved 
back. I think mine already is moved back some for the 727 and these cars 
have no torsion bar crossmember back there so it should be much easier than 
putting it in a Dart.  The 500 is also fatter in the back, so it may require 
some trans tunnel mods.  Right now this is just a pipe dream, but I do a lot 
of that.

Rob

> From: "Brandy Elitch" <belitch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: IML: 80-83 imperial question.
> Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 15:42:22 -0800
>
> I have had an '82 Imperial (Frank Sinatra edition) for some time.  It
> had the original EFI, but nevertheless performed well until the end,
> when it kept stalling. However, at that point, it had a couple of
> hundred thousand miles on it, so I cannot complain.   I would really
> like to put a 360/727 in it.  Can you explain what is entailed in doing
> so?  Has anyone put together a conversion kit?  I am particularly
> interested in clearances (e.g. exhaust manifolds), motor mounts,
> radiator, wiring, etc.  Thanks in advance for your help.
> Brandy Elitch
> Santa Rosa, CA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rob P
> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 3:07 PM
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: IML: 80-83 imperial question.
>
> Where are you located?  The last thing I need is another one, but....
> doesn't mean I wouldn't want a peek.  81-83 are basically
> indistinguishable.
>   There were some very minor trim differences (chrome around headlights,
>
> more detached pillows on the seats) and I believe the radio options
> changed,
> but otherwise everything should be the same.  I don't think you'd have
> to
> sell a clean trans am to get one.  They generally don't have the
> greatest
> resale value.  I have seen several for under $1000.  A nice one won't
> set
> you back more than $2,500- 3,000.
>
> The main thing to look for is to see if it has been converted from efi.
> If
> it hasn't how well does it run? If it has, was it a factory job or a
> backyard hack job? Be somewhat leery of any non-factory conversion, but
> I
> have had one for five years with a 360 4bbl and 727 trans and it has no
> issues with the conversion other than a LOUD fuel pump and a fuel gauge
> that
> reads full for half a tank and then drops twice as fast as it speeds
> toward
> empty.
>
> Rob
>
> >From: henry ford <fordsfairlane@xxxxxxxxx>
> >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: IML: 80-83 imperial question.
> >Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 13:49:18 -0800 (PST)
> >
> >I was riding with my wife while we went to family and friends this
> easter,
> >and ( thanks to the welth of info from the IML web site) I was able to
> spot
> >2 80's imperials sitting at a local used car lot, one car was sort of a
>
> >gold color, and the other was blue. both needed a paint job, but other
> than
> >that I dont know much about the cars, the car lot was closed , \
> >
> >the reason im posting this is to let any member who maybe looking for
> one,
> >to email me and I will help them buy the cars. I cant aford to buy them
> ,
> >and yes I already tried begging my wife to let me sell my near mint 86
> >trans-am. or atleast trade it for the imperials , but she wouldnt let
> me.
> >
> >both cars look about the same, but Im not sure what year they are just
> yet,
> >will ask the car lot when they reopen .
> >
> >my question is how can one tell what year they are just by looking ?
> what
> >to look for?
> >
> >
> >
> >---------------------------------
> >Do you Yahoo!?
> >  Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
>
>
>
>
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