1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo Special Edition - Restoration

Impulsive · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 10:27 am

Very cool. Just know this: OEM parts are pretty scarce. Basically, it's hit or miss. RockAuto has a lot of aftermarket and remaned stuff though, which is a nice safety net.

I'm bringing my motor into the machine shop next week. Its really the final hurdle for me. If everything goes smooth at the machine shop, I think I will be home free. The motor was running 100% ok before the tear down, I'm just worried about parts mainly. All I want them to do is clean it, check it, and reassemble it.

Bart

Count_Chunkula · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 10:51 am

I'm assuming since it has the Trooper application in it, sourcing parts are a lot easier though? Despite it being from a 1st gen, I'd think Trooper parts are much more plentiful.. hmm

Impulsive · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 11:05 am

Read this thread before you pull the trigger on that particular Impulse:

http://www.isuzone.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5631

The 2.6 swap CAN be done, but I don't think it is as simple as just dropping the 2.6 in.

Body parts for Impulses are scarce at best. Totally hit or miss. Pretty much every part that is Impulse only is discontinued by Isuzu. Unless Isuzu has stock of it sitting somewhere on a shelf or in Japan, its pretty much gone. For example, I ordered a specific v-belt for my rebuild yesterday that is for Impulses with no a/c. I had the Isuzu part number, and when I called my Isuzu guy to order it, he said it is discontinued, but there was ONE LEFT on the shelf in Ohio. I also got the LAST water inlet pipe in stock in the USA for the 2.0L turbo (87 specific). A bunch of other parts I ordered are on back order which means they have to come from Japan.

1st generation Trooper parts are a lot more plentiful for sure. I have ordered a lot for my 91 Trooper and a lot of it is back ordered, but it comes in eventually.

The sad truth that I have to swallow every day is that my 3 Isuzus are "extinct" and eventually parts will dry up for sure. Thankfully, my Trooper has the GM drivetrain, so all those parts are pretty easily obtained, and in my part of the country, Pick & Pull has Troopers regularly for body and interior parts. After my 3 vehicles are "done" I will become a serious part hoarder I think. :roll:

If it were me, I would be looking for a nice RUNNING JR Impulse to start on. That way you know you just need to do a refresh similar to what I am doing.

Just remember this: That car is being sold for a reason. That said, it would be really cool to see another JR build on here!!!

Bart

Count_Chunkula · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 4:08 pm

Good reference info! Greatly appreciated

I definitely wanna pick up something new of a different make, can you recommend any other RWD/AWD drivetrain Isuzu's that might suite a young lad like me? Car-wise that is!

Impulsive · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 4:27 pm

Count_Chunkula wrote:

Good reference info! Greatly appreciated

I definitely wanna pick up something new of a different make, can you recommend any other RWD/AWD drivetrain Isuzu's that might suite a young lad like me? Car-wise that is!

Well, the problem will be pretty much the same for all Isuzu cars. And if you are asking me, the only REALLY cool looking Isuzu car made in the USA was the JR Impulse. The 2nd gen Impulses look like freakin' Saturns to me. Just not my thing (hell, the 1990s barely produced any nice looking vehicles, imho). You do have the late 80s i-Mark, the hatchback ones look ok.

If you could find a 1981 i-Mark like this I would buy it on priciple:

http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/2008/04 ... l-on-ebay/

Problem is, as far as Isuzu cars go, the i-marks are rare. The JR Impulses are also rare, but can be found. The JI Impulses are out there, but they look like butt if you ask me!!!

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy a JR, just find the RIGHT one, and be prepared to fix a lot of stuff yourself, and improvise. I brought mine up from AZ, do a nationwide c-list search if you are serious. There are some nice ones for sale now. These cars are just rare, parts are rare, and they take time and money to work on. Don't expect to just run out to your local parts store to get stuff for it.

HTH, Bart

opelboy76 · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 10:04 pm

well said. definitely gotta be hard to find parts for a car that is no longer made, and wasn't hugely popular in the first place.

Impulsive · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:22 am

opelboy76 wrote:

well said. definitely gotta be hard to find parts for a car that is no longer made, and wasn't hugely popular in the first place.

Yup, that's the main problem. I have to say though, the Impulse/Piazza JR is (in my opinion) quite a nice looking, 80s style car. It fits right in with the other j-tin from the era. And being a Giorgetto Giugiaro design from about the same time as the DMC-12, it kinda has that "poor man's DeLorean" look to it. I've even heard people say that the rear end resembles the Porsche 928. So it has a lot going for it. :lol:

I just got off the phone with the machine shop. I'll be bringing the motor in this week. Hopefully by mid next month they will be done with it. I'm over the hump now. All the greasey work is basically done, and I just have to keep cleaning things up under the hood and get the suspension stuff done while the motor is at the shop.

JCCS 2011 here I come!

Bart

Whizbang · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:44 pm

i had an 88 Turbo a little while back! Never got to drive it as much as i had hoped but it was a cool car none the less! Always attracted people

Impulsive · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:01 pm

Yup, the resto is going good. Almost ready to put the motor back in. Here's a couple more recent pics:

Cleaned up trans:
http://www.isuzugeek.org/forumpics/impulse/122.jpg

Motor professionally cleaned, checked and sealed and ready to get put back together:
http://www.isuzugeek.org/forumpics/impulse/93.jpg

Engine bay ready:
http://www.isuzugeek.org/forumpics/impulse/102.jpg

Its been a real challenge. Very tedious, lots of parts hunting, etc. I REALLY hope everything goes smooth when I turn the key.

Bart

4G63BT · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:21 pm

wow!!!RS TURBO very few now these day,,,great find!..

Glomerus · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:15 am

Cool car and cool process! Keep it up! :tu:

Palos · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:50 pm

Hi, I have the same exact car which has been out of commission for a few years. Hopefully it will be up and running again. I'm going to be watching this thread. Any updates?

Impulsive · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:01 pm

Actually, yes, progress can be seen here:

http://www.isuzone.org/forums/showthrea ... post307515

I just haven't taken the time to update on this forum. Not much Isuzu love here. LOL.

Right now, i just need to get the intake manifold and common chamber back on and the rest is cake. Should be driving it again soon!

Bart

Impulsive · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:02 pm

Palos wrote:

Hi, I have the same exact car which has been out of commission for a few years. Hopefully it will be up and running again. I'm going to be watching this thread. Any updates?

PICS PICS PICS!! So you have an 87 Turbo Special Edition as well? Stay in touch as I will have some spare parts at the end possibly.

Bart

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:43 pm

Can't view your build thread there without login

You know you can just copy your update posts and paste here

Impulsive · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:48 pm

UtahSleeper wrote:

Can't view your build thread there without login

You know you can just copy your update posts and paste here

Yeah, I've been meaning to, but I was thinking of just doing a big build thread at the end.

Bart

Impulsive · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:35 pm

Here's a pic of the completed engine bay. I am only fluid away from turning the key for the first time since Decemeber 2010.

Full thread here: http://www.isuzone.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22593

I'm hoping for success!

Bart

ToolZ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:44 pm

Bart, that looks spectacularly clean!
Great job as always. :tu:

Any chance of a "First Start Video"?

Impulsive · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:50 pm

ToolZ wrote:

Bart, that looks spectacularly clean!
Great job as always. :tu:

Any chance of a "First Start Video"?

Oh yes, there will be a video.

I will either be smiling or crying in it. LOL

Bart

ToolZ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:52 pm

When is the big day?

1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo Special Edition - Restoration

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