Chevy Impala - Better Handling B-body

Sucp 1211 36 Hotchkis Show Wheels Nitto Better Handling B Body

We did this to not only give you the numerical benefits of the suspension on the same track conditions, but also to show that if one guy with a helper can install this stuff with minimal tools at the track, you can do it at home. We have to say the results are pretty dramatic, as the Impala looked like a tugboat going though the cones. At one point, we thought the bumper was going to drag the ground. After the new stuff was on, the car was flat and much more controllable. We actually reached the limits of the engine before we could reach the limits of the new suspension and rolling stock package.

600-ft Slalom

Before	After
Time	mph	Time	mph
8.39	48.8	7.57	54.0

35 Slalom Before
35 Slalom After

200-ft Skidpad

Before
Direction	Time	G-Force
CCW	14.27	0.60
CW	14.37	0.59
After
Direction	Time	G-Force
CCW	12.67	0.76
CW	12.90	0.74

Just for reference, here are the numbers Hotchkis got with a new 5th gen Camaro SS on the same track, with the same driver. Skid Pad: 0.85g and Slalom: 66.4 mph

36 Skidpad Before
36 Skidpad After

10 Next, the spindle assembly had to go. A little persuasion with a hammer was all it took to free the ball joints. Yes, you are looking at drum brakes. We mentioned this car was pretty much stock. This just illustrates that all this stuff will work with drums or upgraded disc set-ups. We will be upgrading the brakes on the Impala in the near future, so keep an eye open for that.
10 Next, the spindle assembly had to go. A little persuasion with a hammer was all it too
11 The mile-long stock springs were next. These bad boys are under a ton of pressure, so be careful when unloading the lower arm taking them out.
11 The mile-long stock springs were next. These bad boys are under a ton of pressure, so
12 The lower control arms have a cross shaft in them, much like the uppers, so after removing the bolts they dropped right off.
12 The lower control arms have a cross shaft in them, much like the uppers, so after remo

13 The upper arm followed suit. Corey kept the shims in order so they could be used with the new arms to get us close.
13 The upper arm followed suit. Corey kept the shims in order so they could be used with
14 You want to know how soon we are doing this article? Well, this should give you an idea. We are using the display pieces, which are the very first production run. There may be changes to the cross shafts, but the arm bushings and everything else will be exactly the same. John told us he is going to use stock-style crossshafts instead of these billet versions to bring costs down, since the stock shafts are plenty strong.
14 You want to know how soon we are doing this article? Well, this should give you an ide
15 The upper arm slips right over the factory studs, and the old shims were re-employed before it was snugged down. The arms come preassembled with new ball joints and Delrin bushings.
15 The upper arm slips right over the factory studs, and the old shims were re-employed b

16 The lowers also mount to the stock location with new hardware that comes in the package.
16 The lowers also mount to the stock location with new hardware that comes in the packag
17 For this test, Hotchkis decided to try the company's 1-inch drop spring for '64-72 A-bodies with a big-block. These worked out to be a pretty good spring for this application, but Hotchkis will be building a specific spring for the B-bodies shortly. The springs have a rate of 580 lb/in, which will offer more steering response without being too stiff. Plus, the shorter height of the spring let Corey install them without need of a spring compressor.
17 For this test, Hotchkis decided to try the company's 1-inch drop spring for '64-72 A-b
18 Since the new sway bar is much larger than stock, the holes for the straps are just too close together. You’ll use the front factory hole, but a new rear hole will need to be drilled.
18 Since the new sway bar is much larger than stock, the holes for the straps are just to

19 The bar comes with polyurethane bushings that need to be lubed up with the supplied grease.
19 The bar comes with polyurethane bushings that need to be lubed up with the supplied gr
20 When installing the bushing, make sure the slit is facing away from the closest bend, which in our case was forward.
20 When installing the bushing, make sure the slit is facing away from the closest bend,
21 Now the new wheels were strapped on so the car could be set on the ground.
21 Now the new wheels were strapped on so the car could be set on the ground.

22 This will help install the end links on the sway bar.
23 Now the car was flipped around so the rear stuff could be installed. The upper trailing arm was first. Corey took it out and here we see Aaron matching its length with the new one. Since the rear ride height is not gong to be changed, the factory length should be best. The arm can be adjusted to give you 2 degrees positive or negative pinion angle.
23 Now the car was flipped around so the rear stuff could be installed. The upper trailin
24 The bushings were lubed and then the hardware loosely installed. Corey will come back and tighten everything once the car is on the ground to prevent binds and squeaks.
24 The bushings were lubed and then the hardware loosely installed. Corey will come back

25 Next came the lower control arms, but we got wrapped up in helping and forgot to snap pics of them going in. Please excuse this gaffe, but we'll pick up here at the double adjustable panhard bar. Because both ends are threaded, there's no need to remove the one side of the bar to make an adjustment.
25 Next came the lower control arms, but we got wrapped up in helping and forgot to snap
26 The rear sway bar came next. It bolts to the axle with these U-bolts and brackets.
26 The rear sway bar came next. It bolts to the axle with these U-bolts and brackets.
27 The arms of the sway bar face the rear of the car, so new holes will be needed for the end link mounts. There are measurements in the instructions to let you know exactly where to drill.
27 The arms of the sway bar face the rear of the car, so new holes will be needed for the

28 Instead of going the cheap route of just tossing in a few bolts, Hotchkis went the extra mile and provides this strap assembly, which makes the job much simpler.
28 Instead of going the cheap route of just tossing in a few bolts, Hotchkis went the ext
29 The bracket and end link were assembled and mounted to the frame...
30...Then hooked to the sway bar with the provided hardware. There are two mounting holes in the bar, with the furthest one being the softer settings. If you feel the car needs a bit more rear bar, you can just move the end links to the front hole.
30 ...Then hooked to the sway bar with the provided hardware. There are two mounting holes

31 The Impala was put back on the ground so Corey could tighten everything up. Then it was put on the swivel plates so he could adjust the toe settings. Even though the factory shims got us close, we still had a decent amount of negative camber, but not enough for use to worry about now.
31 The Impala was put back on the ground so Corey could tighten everything up. Then it wa
32 Aaron strapped on his helmet and went back out. You can tell the car is noticeably flatter, making it more stable and predictable. We could tell Aaron really wanted more power, as you could hear him on the gas through most of the course, especially towards the end when you really want that last burst of speed as you exit the last cone. Aaron was able to add a little over 5 mph to his speed through the course, which is a very noticeable addition.
32 Aaron strapped on his helmet and went back out. You can tell the car is noticeably fla
33 The skidpad was just as impressive. The car stayed nice and flat, and now starting to unload the inside tire and lose traction. I guess we will need to add a posi if we want to get the most out of the skidpad! The new system added 0.16 g to the counter clockwise direction, and 0.15g to the clockwise.
33 The skidpad was just as impressive. The car stayed nice and flat, and now starting to

Sucp 1211 37 Hotchkis Show Wheels Nitto Better Handling B Body

34 Here is how the Impala looks with all the new goodies. Not only does the car handle much better, it has the look of a super Chevy. We would like to lower the rear just a little bit more, but we know some really like the raked look as do we, just not quite this much. Since Hotchkis will be coming out with springs and shocks for this system by the end of 2012, we will revisit this '64 when those become available. We are sure both components will help even more. Till then, we'll get some discs on the car, and possibly a little more power underhood.

SOURCES
Nitto Tire 6021 Katella Avenue Suite 250 Cypress CA 90630 877-565-8448 www.nittotire.com	Show Wheels N/A www.showwheelsusa.com
Hotchkis Sport Suspension 8633 Sorensen Ave Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 888-735-6425 562-907-7757 www.hotchkis.net