2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

discgolfer

The other day I pulled up next to a Chevy Truck, and the Exhaust tip was in the shape of the Chevy logo! Looked pretty cool. Any body else seen these, or know where to get them? THX

teo

I believe I have seen those 'Bowtie' tips right here:

www.chevymall.com

night_owl1

Borla makes a cat-back kit for the 2000 3.L Impala. Stainless steel with split exhaust tips. $945 from them but you can get it cheaper at Jegs.

b4z

Plus lower apillars under the rubber mouldings. Parts of the doors, etc.

impalaboy2001

Well after 15,000 miles, its time for me to change tires, so i just decided to break down and buy some 18" ICW Racing 606H GT Sport Rims from http://www.icwracing.com. And also decided to get some 245/40/18 Kumho Max Performance tires. The whole deal came to $1,700 from Big 10 Tires, in my home area. They got a 12 month no Interest no payments plan. I'll post some pictures on here as soon as i get em put on the car, which should be this weekend. My next project is to put a Razzi Ground FX package on and some blue neon glow lights.

tomaso7

I see all those hints at using Zaino Polish products but if you live in Canada, Zaino Bros won't send it. You have to order from this country. Try e-mailing zainopolish@home.com. That's an address in Canada. A reply will give you all the info you need. I found Zaino to be better than Zymol with lower prices too!

b4z

Found zymol hard to get off and didn't like the fact that you had to rewash the car after buffing it. Those first couple of days after a car is waxed is when it looks the best. After it is washed some of the wetlook disappears. Will never use zymol again.

wyoimp

Took my younger son White Water Rafting near Buena Vista, CO on the Upper Arkansas River. Had great time! Of course one THE highlights was driving in the LS from Cheyenne to Buena Vista and back via Denver. My son got a taste of Rush Hour traffic, long sweeping turns on I-70W, and heavy rain. I drove the two lane the rest of the way (CO 91 and US24) via Leadville. High Altitude and wet curvy roads! :-) I haven't had this much fun driving a car since my '80 200SX Datsun. This car sticks to the road like glue, little or no body lean, and you can easily drive into the turns at the posted limit vice the lower speed for the turn or S turn. You could tell it was higher 8,000 feet plus - took a little more pedal to get the same speed. Average gas mileage for the trip was 30.7!
Got to use the On Star to report an accident (Not mine) due to a heavy down pour on the way back. Quick response and clear reception.
The car swallowed camping gear for two in the trunk with no problem.
Don't know what all the fuss is about stock tires - those Eagles seem quite capable to me! No tire squeal in the corners and no excessive, if any road noise. Then again my other vehicles are a '91 Grand Voyager (Transmission number 4 [120,000 miles]) and a '75 K10.
I too, wonder about the thin paint in the jambs.
As for Cruise Control downhill - works as advertised. Hit the brakes to slow down - it goes off. No braking to slow it down vice adding gas to keep up the set speed. Then again all the Cruise Conrols I'm familiar with work the same way - gas to speed up, coast at or above set speed.
My wife claims my son and I think the LS is a toy. NOT! It's for MOTORING, driving is just going from Point A to Point B and enduring it.
;-)

timbotimbo

I was wondering if any of you sunroof veterans could tell me of any maintenance that shoud be performed on the tracks, seals, or mechanism. I never had one before so I'm unfamiliar with how to care for it.

Thanks,
Tim

frankf3

I have been trying to get things setup so I can take my family on a tour to watch Impalas rolling down the assembly line. Has anyone ever gone on one of these tours. I have been trying to arrange things but it seems that every time I call, the mailbox is full and not accepting anymore messages.

Tim, as for the sunroof, the only thing I have done to mine was to apply silicone to the gasket to solve a sticking problem I was having. I just used an old rag and an aerosol can of silicone. I sprayed some silicone on the rag and wiped it on the rubber gasket around the sunroof window on both the sides and the bottom of the rubber gasket.

nick01

In the General Motors factory where I worked, we made thousands of gaskets of different types and sizes for all the GM cars. To keep the things from sticking togeather while manufacturing and shipping or installing on a lamp or bumper or whatever, you take an old sock and fill it about half full of talcum powder. You know, the after your bath type, or baby powder will do. Then you go over the gasket or rubber strip tapping it lightly with the sock. Dont over do it. It also works great if your garage door strip is sticking to the floor in the hot summer weather.

Nick

nick01

I dont know about Oshawa, But this is the procedure you would use where I worked. You would call the switchboard at the plant you want to tour and tell them what you want. They ring the the person that will take the information from you about how many in your party and when do you want to go thru. They set you up a time and date and your ready to go. These telephone numbers are usually listed in the local telephone directory where the factory is located. Long distance infomation operator should be able to get the number. Some areas of these plants are off limits to tours for safety reasons and there are some things they just dont want you to see.

Nick

teo

http://www.usatoday.com/money/bcovthu.htm

ghostwolf

I printed the picture of your car with the oval tips, and everyone thought it looked so great. As you said, it does look great (not my imagination) from the back, which is how your picture was taken. I wish I could have seen what you meant about how it looked from the sides. At any rate, the discoloration factor you discussed would deffinately swing me toward what you decided on, my wife already thinks I spend too much time keeping the "baby" detailed.

ghostwolf

I know this does not apply to Impala, could apply to any car, but I was wondering if there was any knowlegable people here about tinting.. mainly what brand of tint is the best, how to make sure you get good quality, is there any specific tones of color or anything like that, that looks best on the impalas?

Thanks!
ghostwolf

bh0001

I had my Impala tinted at a local shop near my work. I can't remember the brand, but I had the front doors tinted with 35% and the back doors and rear window with 20%. I went with the smoke grey colour. It looks really sharp with the navy blue.

When I was shopping around I looked for the following:
- length of time in business (13 years for the shop I chose)
- cleanliness of work area (spotless!)
- grarantee on materials and workmanship (lifetime)
- "samples" of their work
- friendliness and knowledge
- price (a VERY distant last - virtually not part of the decision)

Good luck!
Brad

impalaboy2001

I've heard a lot of people say that the 3M film tint is the best one out there. I also believe they offer a lifetime guarantee.
Chris

night_owl1

I went with a company that has been tinting cars since 1982. Cleanliness is important since you don't want dust/dirt under the tint. I chose the top of the line tint from FormulaONE. It is a metallic based tint that looks like smoke. As a general rule, smoked tint is dyed and it will fade in time. Metallic tints won't. The FormulaONE tint had a lifetime warranty. They gave me a credit card type of warranty card that I thought was more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. I just discovered that they stuck a warranty sticker on the inside of my glove compartment so if I have a problem, I don't have to worry about not being able to find the warranty number. I thought that was a nice touch.

In the end, you get what you pay for. You can pay $99 to a guy working out of his garage and get a $99 tint job. You can pay a premium price and get fantastic results.

Of course you could pay the premium price and receive the $99 tint job.

night_owl1

If you are interested in this device for your Impala, go to the Accessories & Modifications board.

teo

http://www.gmme.com/chevrolet_cars/caprice/caprice_ss.htm

hvan3

I used 35% tint. It's call Sungard. Comes with lifetime warranty.

The ultimate question to ask the tint guy is.....have you installed window tints on 2000/2001 Impala before? Luckily for me, the guy did an Impala a week before I took my car in. Having experience on the Impala is very important. Not all cars are tinted the same way. Certain cars require that they remove door panels to get the lower section of the windows tinted.

Expect to pay around $120 for 5 windows.

teo

Does it considerably helps to lower interior cabin temperature?

If so by how much percentage wise? (Assuming we are using a car parked under the sun whole day and the ambient temperature is 90F+ as an example)

I am considering put tints on my Impala but I would like to hear recommendations and see if this is worth it not only to protect the interior from harmful UV rays but also to aid in controlling interior heat and temperature.

discgolfer

Teo,

   Thanks for the link...

   Did anybody else take a look at these?

 http://www.chevymall.com/shopping/proddetail.asp?search=exhaust+tips&curItem=1&productID=310

   Does any body else think it would look cool with dual exhaust out the back, with these tips?

   Just curious....

vcjumper

Will slow the warming of the car interior but parked for much of the day outside without good air circulation it will get as hot as without tint from my experience. It definitely helps protect materials from UV though. I have had tint before and am getting Solar Gard 35% all around installed on the Intrigue Monday.

wldock

If you go with 245/40_R18 tires your speedo will be off by -3.4%. Now...245/45_R18 tires would be off by only 0.2% and you will have just a little bit more sidewall to help protect thoughs 18s.

Just a thought. Here is a tire size chart:

http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

hunter39

I also used FomulaOne window tint and was pleased with the results, Here in Arizona you can have a darker tint on the passenger windows in back but a tad lighter is required in the front. I know some states don't allow tint at all, but in AZ it's a necessity, it cuts down on the amount of heat that comes thru the windows driving around, but I will agree it does little to stop the heat from building up in the car if sitting all day in direct sunlight.

hunter39

I think I'm starting to get that loose seat track on the drivers side of my LS, Did you say they replaced it or just adjusted it?

During braking I have noticed it kind of clicks, but doesn't seem to really rock back and forth, does this sound like what your did?

jpstax

I've read, in other forums, that a lot of people think Fram air filters are #2 (behind K&N). I'll try one if all you poeple out there agree. I just want to get a little more air in my engine.

cyyz

Although a car with or without tinting will eventually be just as hot sitting in the sun, tinting will help the air conditioner work more efficiently overall, especially with a dark interior. On a very hot and sunny day, the a/c must compete with both the hot interior and the sun that also continues to heat the interior as you drive. This translates in running the fan on a higher setting for much longer and why we can't just turn off the a/c when it's cool. With tinting, as the car cools down, there is also less 'light' which the tint is cutting down on so the intensity of the sun entering the interior is reduced thereby allowing the a/c to work better and save the blower as well.

cyyz

Keep in mind when deciding on the percentage of tint is although most shops will do a standard 35front/20 rear, it is officer's discretion whether the front tint is too dark. He/She must be able to clearly see the driver from both sides through the front door windows. Laws vary from province to province (I'm sure also state to state) in that you may not be able to tint the front doors (e.g. - BC). In Ontario, you can legally tint the fronts to a max of 35% and whatever you wish from the rear doors back but the front tint grade will be affected by factors such as the rear tint grade and also the colour of the interior as darker interiors will make the overall tinting look darker.

Sorry for the 2 part post. For some reason, I get a "server hangup" message when I try to post in its entirety.

cyyz

Has anyone used this product for a long period of time? I'm curious as to the effects over years of use as in does it eventually cause cracking of the paint on plastic bumper covers or spider webbing of the paint. What about getting the product on the rubber and trim. Also, can it be removed. I once had a car Permashined and although it looked great at first, over the course of a few years, the colour started to yellow.

ghostwolf

I was looking at Chevy's website http://www.chevrolet.com/impala/imp19_faq/index.htm

and it had a section in the FAQ about delayed locking. My car does not do this. I tried the different settings with the radio, can't find anything about how to activate/deactivate this feature, and I don't see anything about it in my Impala book. Does this feature exist for the Impala, or is it a mistake with the Impala Website?

Can someone tell me how to activate this feature?

Thanks!

00impala

I went over to Kelly blue Books site and they already have the 2002 Impala Prices up. The only things I can tell that are different is that the Split A/C controls are now standard on the Base and the Cassette Radio is also standard on the Base. I went there because My wife and I considered trading the Z24 for a Base 2001 Impala, We drove a Blue one on Friday and she just loved it! The only options it had were Anti lock Brakes, Cruise Control and the Cassette Radio, MSRP of $21,001 and the dealers price of $19,545 including Dest. Charge and Ad fees,or $18,795 with the rebate and another $250 for that paint protector refund we bought on the Z24. I guess it would have been $18,545 less her trade difference. We then decided to wait, there is a $750.00 rebate going on now, But the Interest rates even at my Credit Union are still way too high, 7-8% range and GMAC was %9. At least I now know my Wife has interest in the Base Impala, She Wants a V6 in her next car and loves the Gear Shift selector on the steering column and the Bench seat,and the Smooth ride over my LS.. Maybe we will hold off for a 2002 unless the Interest rates make one even more attractive. Also they list 3 shades of Red for 2002. and a Yellow for Taxi's Don

9899olds

If it doesn't work; take it to your dealer. Had 16 cars with roofs and never had a problem; maybe chevy has a flaw..

Waxing of an auto is yesterdays technology..Read the owner's manual..Seat covers are a better investment and less work..

Once you start with the wax bit; it never stops; but it's a good time killer over the weekend.. You can always tell a car that has been waxed because some of the stuff turns white on the plastic trim or there are huge areas that were never buffed..

Somebody was asking about a cat-back exhaust system for the 3.8 and mentioned something like $900 for a piece of pipe??? That's 10% of an Impala's cost...rather stiff don't you think???

hunter39

Tire pressure monitor went off again... careful checking showed no nails or other problems with any of the tires. All were dismounted and run carefully through a water tub. All tire pressures were the same when they checked them initially. Don't know what the problem might be. When the wheels were off I carefully checked my cradle. I was wondering, not to beat a dead horse, but all my welds appear to be all around on the back of the cradle, there are no gaps of any significance, curious...I have a build date of 3-00'

Also while coming home on the freeway, I noticed I was in a nest of 3 Impalas, the strange thing was we were all Medium Regal Blue. I was the only LS though...

impalaboy2001

I finally got my car back on friday with new ICW Racing 606H GT Rims and a set of Kumho Ectsa Supra 245/40/ZR18 tires Trac AA Temp A. The car handles much better then it used to. My speedomter is off by a little bit - I should have gone with 45's instead. I also have a slight vibration on the steering wheel while I'm traveling between 45 and 60 mph. I'm gonna have big 10 tires check it out this week.
Chris

9899olds

I assume you are in a southern state where there are no chuckholes/bumps on the road surface??? The wheel and tire combo is outstanding and what did the whole setup cost???

Warranty on the tires????

impalaboy2001

you assumed right, I'm from northwest Florida, Ft. Walton Beach to be exact. The wheels were $225/ea and the tires about $160/ea. The whole combo deal came to $1,750, from Big 10 Tires. Warranty on tires is as follows: Free replacement first year or 25% of tread, then prorated to final 2/32 of tread, covered for 6 years. http://www.kumhotireusa.com

hvan3

Are you going to lower your car? I thought about getting 17" wheels, but didn't want to sacrifice the ride comfort. The current LS wheels with Goodyear tires are ok for now. How's the ride comfort? Do you notice more bumps?

I noticed that your headlights are "clear". Did you do anything to it? My corner lights have "orange" reflectors. I would love to have "clear" headlights all around. What's the trick?

impalaboy2001

Yea eventually, I'll end up lowering the car - does anyone know what the cost is for it (labor and parts)? But, my next project is gonna be a Razzi Ground FX Kit and blue Neon lites all around. Does anyone have any ideas what color I should paint my brakes (calipers?) or should I just leave them black??? As far as bumps go its not bad at all, its almost the same as with the factory wheels and tires. I havent done anything to my headlight, I dont think the camera got the orange reflector in there.

rolling1

I'm about to trade in my 2000 blazer for a new impala I've read about the cradle noise,has the problem been fixed in the ewer models. Is there any other problems with these cars. I'd hate to get another bad chevy (2000 blazer.

teo

Cradle problems were fixed for the 2001 model year. The problem was fixed on cars beginning with a build date of 10/00. Your best bet is to purchase a new Impala with a build date of 12/00 or newer. Also during between 11/00 and 12/00 GM began to install the new and revised radio amplifiers or otherwise known as the '103' units. If you buy an Impala older than 11/00 you run the risk of getting stuck with the poor sounding amp known also as the '104' models.

Other than that buy with confidence. The Impala is a cut above in all respects to the old and outdated Blazer trucks...no comparison there!

My '01 Impala LS has 2,100 miles and it has been flawless so far. It hasn't gone back to the dealer, not even once, for anything.

jeffreyw1

Love those new rims you got for your Impala. Did you have to alter anything on the suspension to utilize that size of rims? On the color for painting your brake calipers, I think blue or red would look great for your silver Impala, but that is only my opinion. I do think you should paint them though to give it that great look like the Z06 Corvette has. I seen a photo of a yellow Z06 Corvette that had red painted brake calipers.

jpstax

Haven't had any problems until last week. Roof got stuck 1/2 way closed. I had to reach through the front window and activate the switch with my left hand, while pushing the roof closed with my right hand. Haven't opened it since. I'm taking it back to my dealer (under extended warranty).

b4z

Great looking rims. Much better than some i have seen. What is the width of the rims? I am assuming stock backspacing, so they fill out the fenderwells a little better right?
Are they painted silver?
Have you thought about taking off the grey body side moulding?

roderacer

Sweet looking setup on your LS! They match the car which these days is rare.

Definitely get the vibes checked out!

RR

b4z

Since i waxed the impala 2 weeks ago with meguiar's cleaner wax, i decided to do the camaro yesterday.
The cleaner wax did a pretty good job on the imp, but fineline scratches are still visible.
On the camaro i did the mother's three step process. 5 hours worth. Cleaner. Sealer/Glaze. Carnuba Wax.
It looks absolutely amazing, as it does every time i do it. And this is on a car with an 8.5 year old paint job.
The sealer glaze really brings out the shine.
Hopefully i can do the impala with this process, but it will probably take 10 hours due to the sheer size of thing.
Highly recommended wax process if you have a car that is darker in color.

impalaboy2001

Haven't done any mods to the suspension, but i do plan on lowering my car in the near future. I'm thinking about going with a blue color for my brake calipers. I found a good paint kit online from http://store.yahoo.com/machv/brakcalpaink.html I'm trying to go with a 2 tone color on my Impala, maybe blue side moulding??? and change the blue wood trim inside to a blue color??? I'm using 18 X 7.5 wheels, silver.

Chris

b4z

Anybody have any oil usage problems? I am down 1/3 quart at 2000 miles. Hoping it stops when the rings seat.
I remember mcdill had some oil use and blue smoke upon start up. Me too.
Whatever happened to mcdill?

teo

I am close to 2100 miles....I'll check my dipstick to see if my Oil has gone down as well..

No blue smoke here.

I am using 89 Octane Exxon or Chevron gas.

Have you changed the oil yet?