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Comments
Okay, let's say it is technically a 2000.5 model
Good luck at the dealership tomorrow.
Oh yes, the 3800 V6 engine in the Impala is computer governed up to 108MPH (More or less).
Also if you rev the engine while the tranny is in park past 4K RPM, the computer will also automatically cut the fuel supply and shut down your engine to prevent damage.
Rest:: Quit watching the 'X' files and "Men in Black"...
I haven't used it as I am afraid the car will develop warp speeds to catch aliens...LOL
Come to think of it a nice shiny black base Impala would have been a better car than the crappy Ford Crown Victoria in the movie.
I bought one and installed it
I couldn't install it in the recommended place (between the mass air sensor and the throttle body) because the hose has a bend in it, so I installed it in the air filter box between the K&N and the mass air sensor
results:
I didn't notice much in terms of throttle response in regular driving (the K&N had already improved that significantly)
I did notice that passing on the freeway, accelerating from 55-65 was much easier/smoother
also, coming home from work, I have to enter a highway from a stop sign at a point that is the bottom of a BIG "hill" (basically, I have to floor it going up a hill because traffic is moving fast) -> I noticed significant improvement in throttle response and pickup in that situation
would I notice more performance increase if I had been able to install the tornado in the recommended place? dunno...(the mass air sensor has several pieces to change the air flow...it might be undoing some of what the tornado is trying to do)
check out this article about the tornado that mentions an Impala (albeit a 96 model):
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010611/0172.html
anyone know of how to route a wire harness from under the dash in the passenger compartment through the firewall to the engine compartment?
(esp. those of you who have installed the JET module)
The advisor says they need to find the trouble and then see if the extended warranty people will cover the needed parts. I am thinking they will refuse, hope I am wrong.
Our regular service advisor has left this dealer. It's a shame becuase he is a real sharp guy. It seems these folks move around a lot.
To me the shim kit fix is a 'Band aid' approach to the welding problem on the early cradles.
Perhaps you can request to have a new 2001 or 2002 cradle installed.
I can tell you the problem has been effectively corrected in the 2001 model year. Re-welding the original cradle will not solve the problem in the long term due to the complexity of proper aluminum spot welding.
I just imagine like 2 or 3 or 4 guys doing all this work because of a design mistake. I guess it happens in a 1.0 version of almost any car.
RE-welding the brackets has proved to be futile unless is done to perfection by a seasoned expert in welding aluminum, with the right equipment ofcourse.
GM now welds the rear brackets all the way around since the 2001 model year, hence eliminating the problem from the OEM point of view.
The cradle was the main sour spot in the 1.0 version of the Impala.
When GM realized their mistake, they changed the design spec to correct it. No shame in a first year bug, if they take the necessary actions to correct it. No need to defend them. They did the right thing after the fact.
I will be visiting the Oshawa assembly plant next year and I 'll let you guys know what I see there first hand. It must be an interesting place!
Of course, if you have no record of it, then that's another story...
Good Luck....
Wonder how Impala smoker's rate the cigarrette lighter...
How about the second power point outlet? Do you use it?
Hey we have to keep posting...we are among the top ten list topics.
I keep my cell phone adapter permanently plugged into the rear power port.
I'm also quite fond of the rear armrest/cupholders. It is not only handy when transporting passengers, but you can use them to hold spare beverages as well!
What are your feelings on the coin holder?
The rear cupholders are not nearly as good as the front console ones. They need to be deeper.
Rear A/C center console mounted vents would be a welcome addition as well.
How do you feel about the front/rear map lights?
The only experience I have with the front map lights is when I accidentally turn them on while adjusting the rear view mirror.
If you think this topic is busy, you should check out "inconsiderate salespeople". Man, I stirred up a hornet's nest over there. Apparently, the car dealer industry is an honest, honorable, and noble pursuit where deceptive practices hardly ever take place. I never knew that.
Check out the engine cradle pics:
http://www.thrasher-ep.com/Monte_Carlo_htm/monte_carlo.shtm
Also, did you know that there is no 4T65E limited slip available?
http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?PARTNUMBER=67004
I flipped myself when I first opened that lid to gain access to the ashtray.
I just turned 4000 and I do see some minor things they should work on for future impala's.I still put the key in the steering wheel and when I drive the wife's Cav I try shifting where the wipers are....
That would have been nice to know before I did however, as the shut down was not a fun moment in history. Not that I would advocate that kind of driving, but frustrating that a car of this caliber couldn't hit closer to the other end of my speedometer.
Otherwise, I haven't experienced shut down, just that darn service vehicle light. It's in the shop now, will keep posted. I rented a malibu, not an impala but pretty good pick-up when necessary.
I've dreamed about it, and I don't see why Chevy can't make it happen. The engine almost looks like the intercooled 3.8L one that came with the Buick Grand Nationals back in the mid-1980s. Those cars were also VERY fast. Car & Driver did predict the return of an Impala SS variant with a V-8 for 2003. However, I'd take an intercooled supercharged 3.8L instead of a V-8 anyday.
The shim TSB was applied around 28k miles. This current popping does not give the same noises like the cradle popping did. I could feel the popping in the floor of the car as I drove it when the cradle mounts were the problem. THe new popping sounds like it is in the struts, strut mounts or upper suspension area.
OK........ 'today' the dealer tech replaced the intermediate steering shaft. We never complained about the steering popping or anything related to the steering. The pop happens when stopping, starting or slow manuvering. I have had the LS on the car hoist at work and can find nothing that would cause this noise. I am a bit more understanding since I am a mechanic. (I don't like the term: automotive technician , but it is the common term now)
With in a few miles from the dealer my wife was on her cell phone to the service writer explaining that the car was not fixed and the car would be back on thursday morning and we were not paying another deductible fee on the extended warranty. I feel we should be refunded the deductible since the car received a repair it did not require.
Let me say this about my wife; she is in an upper level administration position with a court system, she deals with judges (large egos) and large budgets etc. When she makes a point she does it nicely but firmly.......if you follow me. LOL
We shall see what tomorrow brings.
ttyl
Tony
btway........ we still love the Impala. Just what is it about this car and what it does to our senses?
My wife's sister bought a 2001 Buick Regal. Well , now you know my wife was all over the car comparing stuff. My wife's sister is 19 years older than my wife, The sister and her husband are retired, so the Buick fits them better. They felt the Impala's ride was a bit stiff for their taste. Yet our LS Impala has a better fit and finish than the Buick. The Impala is out fitted a bit better too.
It's funny that the mechanic first thought it was the drivers seat was loose. And when you think about it, it's about the same noise and feel.
In my case in started at about 12k and I finally had them install the shim fix at about 18k (this was the first fix available at that time). I now have almost 29k with no return of the noise.
I'm just reiterating all this so the new people to the board won't get confused as to noise's and probable problem(s) attached to them.
The noise a car makes is arguably one of the biggest troubleshooting tools a mechanic has at his disposal. At least this was true of your older professionals. The new ones just tend read codes and if it ain't there then they're lost.
On a side note..I think we should petition NASCAR drivers to ditch the Monte and start driving the Impala. Set up properly, I think it would look great. Anyone else?
The Montecarlo can stay in NASCAR as far as I am concerned
The old Cradle Clicks were fixed with a shim kit, whichtook only 25 minutes! All is fine now:)Already put on 2000kms, click free!:)
Service engine soonlight came on(again, after a few months). Ishut the car down, and restarted, TADA! It disappared! A GM mechanic(who does private work onthe side for us) told us it is not that big of a deal, and usually nothing is found wrong.
Paul
If you use subscriptions, subscribing to it would be an easy way to keep track of it. It is also linked to the Impala Owners board, which is accessible from the link at the top of this page.
Hope this helps.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
TOC (the other car - in this case a truck) has over 60,000 miles. Spent the mortgage payment on the maintainence recommended like decarbing the trottle body and replacing some worn part that caused a cooling fan to not work properly..(V 10 engine) and whatever
the maintance manual called for Everything should be great. Ha!
Next oil change the service guy says- You should consider an engine flush- power flush to rid it of any loose debris or sludge- sometime soon - only $105.
Let me add this vehicle has had the filter and oil changed religiously every 3,000 miles. I thought that's one of the reasons you do that. Is this just another unnecessasary dealer gravy thing or should we think about it? Thanks for the input. BDIME
The fresh oil must dissolve the traces of sludge after every change. Also, it is better to change oil with hot engine, to let the melted parafine drain out.
I believe, the engine flush is not needed for well-maintained engine. Except if it have a reputation to accumulate a lot of sludge. Mostly engines which needs adding oil, not because of leaks, but because of oil evaporation. Higher rev, heavy duty, etc.
Any case, it would be less expensive (and less radical) to put 30/70% to 50/50% blend of synthetic oil the next time. Synthetic does not produce sludge (it does not contain parafine), and dissolves the sludge already accumulated. Practically, this is the same thing as flush, only the flushing happens in natural way, while driving.
What about something like 2 quarts of Mobil-1 ($9 at Pep Boys), the rest the usual oil? Better if also Mobil: synthetics are compatible with natural oils, but who knows, how compatible are oil additives of different manufacturers.
Disclamer: this is just common sense; I do not know much about cars.