BOOSTED BIRD
April 8, 2024
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
DYNAMIC 88
While most of us equate the term “bubbletop” with early-’60s Chevys, other GM brands had their own versions of these sleek sport coupes, including Oldsmobile. Although these cars shared the same slim roof design, along with its highly celebrated rear window, other unique changes left no doubt about the special nature of these individualistic and stylish machines.
Orange Squeeze
When you do a lot of work, as Juan Navedo has on this hot vintage 55 Chevy, it tends to turn a lot of heads on the street and on the show circuit. This is not Juan’s first time down the custom road. As an electronics technician by trade and an automotive hobbyist by choice, he has owned 15 customized vehicles over the years, and his 55 Chevy pickup is the culmination of all those years of experience. It ranks at the top of his list.
SPRING TRAINING
The Posies Super Slide spring kit comes with all the parts you need. The supplied lower shock mounts have several holes drilled into them so the ride height can be adjusted accordingly. You provide the top shock mount. All the parts are top quality and fit perfectly.
Spotlighter
THE CHIEF OF NEW JERSEY
A Supercharged LT4 383 Six-Speed ’96 Impala SS
Native American Russell Youngblood is a man you’d love to powwow with. Bloomfield, New Jersey is the home and base camp for one of the coolest late-model classic Chevys you’ll ever see. Many feel that the 1994-1996 Impala SS models are to today what the 1955-1957 models were to the ’50s. Youngblood will certainly agree. His dark green-gray metallic is custom from stem to stern—so much so that we’d consider it one of a kind.
Author
Doug Marion
Photography by Bill Erdman
Exterior Upgrades: Custom Bumpers, Hood, and Grille
The Impala SS’s body changes are many and include custom bumpers, hood, and front grille. The taillights are 1991-era sequential while the hood is a custom item from Suncoast Creations.
Performance Suspension Tailored to 9C1 Police Specifications
The suspension has been updated to 9C1 heavy-duty police car specifications. Included are Eibach springs, Bilstein shock absorbers, Herb Adams front and rear anti-roll bars, Medco upper and lower control arms, and an Empire Driveline 4-inch-diameter aluminum driveshaft with safety loop. The suspension has been lowered 1 inch in the rear and 2 inches in front. Simmons 9- and 10-inch wheels rotate P285 and P295-35YR18 Toyo tires. The combo is said to improve handling considerably. So much for the superb chassis and suspension. Yikes!
Powering Up: A Supercharged 383ci LT4 Engine Conversion
Youngblood’s work-of-art engine is the original 1996 LT1, but it has been converted to LT4 specifications. It also has been bored and stroked to 383 ci and features Ross 9.0:1 compression blower pistons. But that’s not all. The induction consists of a Vortec 13psi supercharger with 52psi injectors. Ignition is a factory LS1 system with a MoTeC fuel and spark management system. The camshaft is a special Crane Cams grind. Bumping the valves are Crower roller rocker arms. The exhaust system features tubular headers, Ramdon cats, 3-inch-diameter main pipes, and Flowmaster mufflers.
Transmission Upgrade: Heavy-Duty Viper T56 Six-Speed
Behind this wild powerplant is a heavy-duty Viper T56 six-speed manual gearbox. According to Youngblood, a Camaro six-speed transmission was tried, but it could not handle the engine’s torque output. Crunch time!
Interior Modifications: A Unique Blend of Comfort and Style
The interior has many modifications as well. They include Cadillac Fleetwood carpeting, an Astro van overhead console, 1995 Pontiac Bonneville 12-way seats, and an Alpine audio with 5.1 surround sound system.
From Mild to Wild: The Journey of a 600hp Impala SS
When Youngblood bought his Impala SS in late 1996, he knew he might have to spruce things up to keep the foreign cars in check. One thing led to another, and now he has a 600-plus-hp, 35,000-mile Impala SS that loves a steady diet of both rice and sauerkraut. Motor on, Chief!
