Chevrolet Impala Accessories & Modifications

teo

Where did you read that????

impalafreak

latest issue of motor trend...just picked it up today.

teo

I have read in the latest edition of Autoweek that GM is working already on a redesign for the Montecarlo SS coupe and the next generation car will be a V8 RWD model.

No mention of the Impala SS, however.

impalafreak

we will just have to wait and see.

kimpala1962

The only thing I was able to find on the Impala SS. Was that in model year 03 refreshing those two platforms ( monte Carlo and Impala) with a supercharged V6 or shoe-horned LS-1 V8 sporting a ss trim package. This is too be done before gain a complete redesign when they move to GM's new Epsilon platform for 2005 model year....
Does anyone know what the Epsilon is? Please tell. I found this in Future telling Edmunds.
walter

[Deleted User]

It sounds like the 94-96 SS scenerio. Just when they get it right, they stop making it. However, this time they have a new one waiting in the wings.

They'll probably discontinue that one when they get it right too! ;-)

woo_by

if you're interested in this device, I posted about it in the main Edmund's Impala board...

also, please read the following post for a question I have...:)

kimpala1962

Is anyone aware if putting Dual Exhaust on their car voids the factory or extended warranty?

roderacer

I saw a silver LS on my way to work today. It had the black plastic door guards on the edge of all 4 doors. The protectors followed the contour of the edge perfectly and looked sharp.

Can anyone help me locate a mfr. or where to go for these? I am a stickler for protection of my black LS' door edges.

Thanks!
RR

night_owl1

I think I have seen what you are talking about at Checker's auto parts. I was thinking of ordering the door edge protective shield from Griots Garage. It looks like the same 3-M material that Chip Guard and X-cel uses for their "clear bra." It's 1/2 inch wide and you buy it by the foot. Part number 77633 at $1.00/foot if you are interested.

roderacer

Thanks for the info! I may have to do a search for those vendors you mentioned as I have never heard of them...

Thanks again!
RR

[Deleted User]

Go to www.partsamerica.com. It's the online arm of Kragen/Checkers/Schucks auto parts.
They'll probably have the edge guard. I've seen stuff like that at my local Kragen. I was thinking of getting the clear color, or if possible, silver to match the car. I don't want to use black myself. Too noticeable for me.

night_owl1

All three (Griots Garage, X-cel and Chip Guard) are on the Accessories page of my site:

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

I asked the gang at Chip Guard to make a shield for the top of the rear bumper. I always want to set things on it so I can close the trunk when my hands are full but am afraid of scratching the paint.

macgyver24

I just purchased a used 2000 Impala used as a dealer courtesy car, fantastic shape. But it only came with one keyless entry remote. I tried to get the dealer to throw in an extra one for my wife, but he claimed it was factory programmed and it would be very difficult to get another remote. Is this true, and if not, do I just need to get another remote with the same part number as the one I already have and then use the radio to re-program them both? Thanks for any advice or tips.

night_owl1

Ok, that's a load of horse pucky. Page 2-11 of the 2001 manual, "If a transmitter is lost of stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer." You can reporgram your transmitters through the vehicle customization settings of the radio. From page 2-21: Turn ignition to ACC or ON and turn the radio off. Press and hold the DISP button on the radio for about 5 seconds until SETTINGS is displayed. From page 2-27: Press SEEK up or down until it says FOB PROG. Press PREV or NEXT button to enter the submenu. Begin will be displayed. Press the DISP button to start programming. When PUSH FOB message flashes, press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter at the same time and hold it for 15 seconds. A chime will sound to verify the transmitter is learned. Press the DISP button again and repeat this process for the next remote. You can do this for up to 4 remotes.

Impala remotes are often offered on E-bay, you can order it through your dealer's parts department, or online from a number of Chevy parts dealers. See the the Accessories page on my site for other sources.

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

macgyver24

Thanks for the info, night_owl1, that's what I needed to hear. And cool site you have, too, BTW.

Regards

Corey

woo_by

look in the main Impala board if you're interested in this mod/upgrade

macgyver24

Success with the keyless remote. I found one on ebay for $8.95US plus shipping and got it in two weeks. The part number on my remote is 25678792. I'd be interested to know if other Impala owners have the same remote. I'm figuring that is the case, since it has "Canada" on the back, and the Impalas are made in Oshawa Ontario, just down the road from where I'm at...

dennisw3

I am looking for a set of the standard black steel wheels for a 2001 Chevy Impala. If you've upgraded your Impala to a set of fancy wheels and are wondering what you're going to do with those black steel wheels laying in the garage I would be interested in helping you solve your problem
Email to DWoodAudio@aol.com
thanks!

garyw

Are there any better looking after market non-all red tail lights for the Impala. Something simpler and more elegant.

Are there any good aftermarket websites for the Impala.

Thanx.

[Deleted User]

If there's an aftermarket accessory for the 2000+ Impala, it or it's source is listed on Nathan/Nightwowl's website: http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

I also recommend checking out the 2002 LS Sport on the Chevy Website. If you like the look of those tailights, you could order them and the center applique from your local Chevy dealer, or save big bucks by ordering online. (Nathan's site also has links to discount GM parts dealers.) It'll still cost $300-400, I'll bet.

lov

It has been a while since I have posted here being the quiet fellow that I am. But I just had to give all you knowledgeable fellows on this board a crack at this question.
How much less air do I need to take in through my 3.8 litre impala when the temp is -30 C. than when it is +30 C. and could I jeopardize my engines performance by trying to allow more -30 air by K&N filter etc.?

Also would I have to use a different oil than what K&N provides because at -30 it could be as hard as a rock and not filtering--also would apply to foam filters? Perhaps OEM filter would better?
I have been thinking of checking out the airbox in my impala and I don't want to do anything foolish as I might be tempted to
As you might imagine from the above I live north of the 49th paralell.
Lance

impalad

A supercharged L67 3.8 can replace the L36 normal aspirated that comes in the LS or upgraded base Impala (both hook right up to the 4T65e transmission.) Does anyone know if the base Impala w/ 3.4L has the same transmission & if it would work to stuff a L67 where the 3.4 was? - D.

teo

Yes, the 3.4L V6 Base Impala has the same transmission but the "Lock-up" converter could be different...

Go to:

www.gmpowertrain.com

for more info...

macgyver24

We have a 2000 base Impala with the cupholders that fold out of the armrest. My wife was leaning over from the driver's seat to get something out of the glovebox, and she put too much weight on the cupholders. The part that folds out and connects the actual cupholder portion has broken at one of the hinges. It's just a matter of getting a new piece to fix it, however instead of paying a whole lot of money for an obscure part with no part number, is there something else we could do? We've rented Impalas before that had real cupholders in the armrest, I'd like something like that. Open to any suggestions from others who have base models

teo

The old "Fold out" cupholders found on the 2000 Impala base with front bench seats have been replaced on later build dates with "REAL" cupholders. They redesigned the armrest of front bench seat equipped Impalas to include fixed cubby holes and 2 fixed cupholes within the console assembly. GM changed this amid complaints of the flimsy "Fold out" cupholders that can break easily such as yours.

My sister's 2001 Impala base (Build date 6/01) has the new revised front bench console.

I would ask and see if they can swap the old console for a new one under warranty or at least you can ask how much would be the whole console replacement, which I highly recommend over the old console design.

00impala

"RENT" another Base Impala, and "Borrow" a Socket Set.,..:)

night_owl1

I was looking in the service manual for something and come up with an interesting idea. I think its possible to install a Monte Carlo instrument cluster into an Impala. Why would you want to? Because we could get the oil pressure and volt meter guage. Unfortunately, the only way to try this out is to get a MC instrument panel. I am unwilling to order a brand new one from GM just to try this out.

If anyone has a line where I can get a '01 MC instrument cluster pretty cheap (junk yard, etc) let me know.

teo

Nathan, no need to do that. Better yet, you can swap the instrument gauge cluster of a new 2002 Impala LS Sport, which has the Oil Pressure and Volt gauges, with the one in your '01 Impala LS.

I don't know if our cars have the wiring to support the two extra set of instrument gauges.

Perhaps I would love to get the 3 spoke Montecarlo steering wheel instead. It has the Cruise Control on/off switch in the steering pod as oppossed as in the turn signal stalk as is the case in the Impala.

impalaboy2001

I've been looking all over the internet for an indiglo gauge for the Impala LS. The closet thing was one for a 98 monte, which is totally different than the Impalas. Has anyone come across one?

night_owl1

I am still stuck trying to get an instrument pod for cheap. I was looking for a '01 MC pod because I have the manual for the '01 Impala that also applies to the MC and it doesn't look like there is any difference between the two harnesses. I don't know if the '02 harness is different from the '01.

Looking at the pin outs for the harness, I don't think there is a seperate connection for the extra guages. It looks like it is handled using internal logic. This is why you cannot add on a seperate tach just by connecting it to the tach line. There is no tach line. The ECM sends a signal along the data line saying "Tach, display 1000 rpm."

I am not sure that this will work, which is why I don't want to order a new pod.

night_owl1

Have you expanded your search to 00-02 Montes? It seems like there are more things for the MC, even though many parts can be used in the Impala.

teo

Nathan, will you be ordering only the instrument cluster pod or the whole entire dashboard assembly?

I don't think the MC dashboard will fit smoothly in the Impala because of the way the door panel edges are shaped.

Are there any implications with the digital odometer mile counts if you replace the instrument cluster pod? I think so..

wyoimp

How about trying to get a dash from a Police Impala? The only problem might be the oil pressure gauge. Sometimes the sending units are set up for a gauge or an "Idiot" light. Let us know how it works.

night_owl1

I am only looking to change out the instrument cluster. The IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) calculates the mileage based on the class 2 vehicle speed message from the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). So a replacement IPC would display the mileage of the vehicle that it came from. It is something to keep in mind.

What really turned me on to this idea is that all of the sensors are handled by the PCM. For instance, in an older car, the speedo was directly linked to the transmission using a cable. All the gauges (oil pressure, tach, coolant temp) were directly connected to the corresponding sensors. In the Impala, all the sensors are sent to the PCM. The PCM decodes the information and passes it ALL through one electrical conductor, the class 2 serial data line. So in the older car, you had a oil pressure switch (on = low pressure, off = acceptable pressure) or an oil pressure sensor (changed values as the pressure changed). From what I can tell from the manual, it looks like the sensors are the same between all models of the Impala and Monte Carlo.

The description of how the IPC works seems to support this assumption. However, it could be that the PCM is programmed to only send a ON/OFF type of signal. In which case there is no hope. However, the only way to check this is to contact Chevy (yeah, right) or find a IPC and try it out.

Still looking for a source. None of the junk yards in my area have a MC. This may be one of those back burner type of projects. If anyone has a lead on gettting one cheap. let me know!

teo

Wow! Interesting info...keep us posted.

macgyver24

Followup from post 226: To "fix" my crummy fold-out cupholders, I decided to purchase a tan-coloured cupholder from Canadian Tire, this unit screws into the carpet so it doesn't move, has two adjustable "Spill-Master" cupholders that will fit everything from a small coffee to a BigGulp, and a small bin I can use for garbage. I like this setup better than the cupholders in the armrest, since I can fold the armrest out of the way without having to worry about the passengers in the back seat getting a free drink. Also any drinks stay in place solidly, wheras in the fold-out cupholders they kind of flopped around. Plus it was a lot cheaper than trying to find the right part, only $14 Canadian. If anybody else is interested, go to www.canadiantire.ca and search for these part numbers:

0371275 Black
0371276 Blue
0371277 Grey
0371278 Tan

Or if you're in the US you can probably find something similar at your local PepBoys or AutoZone.

night_owl1

Dan sent in some photos of his experimental ram air setup. This is pretty cool. The photos are on the Impala Photos page.

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

impalad

Trying to build a race engine? Buy an L67 @

http://www.sharpcarz.com/3800/engines.html

Buying w/o warranty saves money & since you might wanna vamp it up, the warranty would be voided anyway. Look at: http://www.thrasher-ep.com/Monte_Carlo_htm/monte_carlo.shtm

Don't forget to beef up the engine cradle & fuel pump.

Upgrades to the engine can include:

Intercooler, machined heads, performance camshaft, rocker arms, NOS, fuel regulator, throttle position sensor enhancer, smaller supercharger pulleys, cold air induction & air intake temp relocator, reprogrammed PCM, ignition, coils, ignition wires, performance sparkplugs, hi speed fans, performance thermostats, heat insulated exhaust manifolds, exhaust headers, hi flow cat & U-bend replacement, stainless cat-back exhaust, & if catalytic converters are not your thing, straight pipe & O2 sensor simulators.

and much more!

FYI - Thrasher emailed me that they are working on a kit to replace the 3.4L LA1 with the L67 3.8 supercharged engine. The base Impalas are lighter anyway & the same weight as a Monte SS.

All kinds of transmission, handling, braking, & miscellaneous products are out there.

My favorite 4 sites are:

http://www.thrasher-ep.com/store_htm/store.shtm,

http://www.grandprixstore.com/,

http://motorsports.westserver.net/products_frame.htm,

http://www.southfloridapulleyhq.com/,

Anybody got a blank check ready? -D

wyoimp

You're a man after my own heart. All those "goodies" to make a homemade Impala SS. Like you; Champange Taste and Beer money.
Check out Night Owl's sight. He has a link to a guy that did drop the Supercharged 3.8 in his Impala LS.
Don't forget to update the dash with a Cop or 2002LS Sports Package dash, to get all the gauges.

impalad

Yah, I went to that site & corresponded by email & he kept having problems, I think he forgot to drop the fuel tank & put a hi flow pump. Also pistons & rods are different & he didn't change them out. Quoting Thrasher's website "there are enough changes where it is more feasible to replace the entire L36 normally aspirated engine with a complete L67 supercharged one rather than trying to update one."
About the dash, I'm trying to find an A-pillar gauge cluster. -D

impalad

Anybody else bought the Sport package rims yet? I found mine thru a wholesaler for $450. Brand new, no scratches, off a 2001 Monte SS.

wwnf

Anyone use these type of bulbs? Do they improve visibility? If so, what should I look for? Got part numbers?

Thanks

Joe

impalaboy2001

I've installed the xenon headlight bulbs in my impala and I really like them, the light is clearer and visibility is about the same. I spent about $44 for each set, and so far changed out low beams and fogs. If you go to my site, I've documented my install and I alos got pictures and part numbers for these lights.

Chris

http://members.cox.net/2001impala

roderacer

Nice site, man. Like the mods you have done with the LS.

Regarding the xenon lamps. Is the aftermarket wattage the same as the factory?

You ever think about removing that dealer decal on the right side of the trunk? When I was ordering my LS, I specifically required them not to put any dealer "commercials" on the car.

Keep up the good work, Chris.

RR

impalaboy2001

I'm using 80watt bulbs for the low beams, which i believe is 25watts more than factory, and fogs are still the same wattage.
Eventually I plan on taking decal sticker off, I'm one of those guys that doesnt own a blow dryer, so i just have to ask my girlfriend sometime.
Chris

impalaon20s

I HAVE THOSE BULBS FOR MY LOW BEAM.. THEY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.. I CAN TELL, WHEN ONLY DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS (HI BEAM) ARE ON.. I TURN LIGHTS ON, THEY ARE ALOT BRIGHTER AND HAVE THAT BLUEISH LEXUS/MERCADES LOOK TO EM. I HAVENT CHANGED BULBS ON HI-BEAMS, CAUSE I HEARD OF WIRING MELTING

impalaon20s

ANYONE KNOW IF/WHEN SOMEONE WILL MAKE CLEAR EURO TAILIGHTS?

teo

"ANYONE KNOW IF/WHEN SOMEONE WILL MAKE CLEAR EURO TAILIGHTS?"

I hope they never will. Our Impalas are a notch above the Eastern rice crispies rockets. If you want the "Asian clear tailight look" (Trust me the Europeans never invented this silly trend, but for some reason the Asians put their name on it) get yourself a Honda Civic or Honda Accord.

impalaon20s

I FOUND A SITE , SOME OF YA'LL MAY BE INTERESTED IN.. THEY SELL A FLOOR CONSOLE FOR SEDAN (NOT LS) MODEL, AND COMPUTER LAPTOP MOUNT FOR 2000+ IMPALAS.

http://www.jottodesk.com/usa/CCIpics.shtml