Chevrolet Impala Accessories & Modifications

vblstud

I also bought the mudflaps for my 2002 LS and the holes barely line up. At least they go in the holes but I have to drill a few on the rear because there is no screw where the hole is. I will post pictures when I have a chance.

Rob

vblstud

I bought the RU-2590 from http://www.martelbros.com/cgi-bin/store/ws400CS.cgi and it fit onto the hose with alittle force and time and seems to be doing just fine hanging there. I didnt take the part of the air box that is connected to the computer so it kind of rests on it. It doesnt look that bad.

Rob

nosirrahg

I installed the mudflaps on my 2000 Impala, and as I recall I had to drill at least a couple of holes on the rear ones then. Probably except for adapting for the rear wheel well lining, they aren't much different than the original ones.

vblstud

The car is idling very funny and has died after turning on the a.c. Does anyone know if my cone K & N could be the problem. I had to put the old filter back on because it goin into the dealer tomorrow for a checkup. Anyone have the same thing happen? Plz reply back.

Thx

Rob

vblstud

I was wondering what the difference is in the bumper. Different fogs or anything? I know about the license plate cover.

Rob

[Deleted User]

If it doesn't do it with the stock intake, and it does it with the aftermarket, it could very well be.

OTOH, a number of people have complained of hesitation at one time, including myself, and had an ECU software update which cured the problem.

BTW, why did you opt for the cone filter, and not a drop in K&N? If there are any sensors in the airbox, the fact that you now keep it open could lead to a false reading, and incorrect ECU signals to the distributor, fuel injectors, etc.

night_owl1

Hey Gary, I'm pretty sure you were the one that brought up the fact that the stock airbox is junk. If you look at the intake airhorn, it ends about 1/4 inch away from the surface of the filter element. This reduces the effective filter area. Remove your filter and look at it and you'll see that only one section is dirty.

There are no sensors in the airbox. There is one mounted in the duct.

night_owl1

If you look at the bottom edge of the bumper, you'll see that there is a difference between the LS and LS sport.

vblstud

I saw that the sports package has an underspoiler that bolts righ onto the ls one but im not sure why that plate fits on the sports bumper and not mine. I was also wondering why the ls sport has that plate if your cant drive with it on??? Well in Illinois anyway. And do the sport gauges fit on the ls? Just a thought

Rob

vblstud

What do you use to get the letters off? I want to change the color to silver on my black ls. Please reply.

Rob

atbear

I want to get the Sport front license plate cover and the Sport instrument panel/guages on my 2002 LS... anybody know if either fits? or can you make them fit? thanks, just a follow up question...

00impala

Get a legnthy piece of Dental Floss and wrap it around both index fingers and slide it behind the nameplate, it will slide between the metal and the nameplate, thru the adhesive and you can remove them that way, then just lightly pick off an remaining adhesive with your fingernail, it should all come off fairly easily. Remember to clean the area with some rubbing alcohol before you apply the new colored nameplate. Also measure in some manner before you remove the old so you know where to position the new. Don

wyoimp

Just changed the air filter (13,500 mi / 15 months since new). Noticed the top half was dirty, not just the circle part. Also lots of bug debris at the bottom of the box. Will eventually get a K&N filter. Anybody try the SLP or other Cold Air boxes out there. Anybody try modifying the front of the filter box? Wonder if cutting out the front of it would make it flow better? Instead taking air in through a small snorkel, it would blast through the entire filter.
Thoughts?

Wonder how long the flexible rubber duct, between the air box and throttle body, stays until it becomes brittle and cracks. Should it be washed and treated with something at every air filter change?

atbear

Gonna Install Eibach Pro-Kit springs on my 2002 Impala LS soon. They say you can use 'em with the stock shocks, but do y'all think that KYB GR-2 shocks would be a good match for the springs? They lower the car about 1.4 in the front and 1.7 in the back. Would this void any warranties? Thanks!

Drew

atbear

I wanted to go ahead and bite the bullet and go with a Borla exhaust system (I made my brain convince my wallet that this system would last forever, so it was worth it)..... BUT... it seems that Borla has discontinued the exhaust system for the 2000-2002 Impalas!!! I just wanted to know what y'all think of this, and if you have any ideas for me on how to get a system..... I would appreciate it so much... the old part number for the 2000 model exhaust was BOR-14879 if that would help... I'm still looking around on the web to see if I can find out any more info.. thanks, guys

bertus_bikkel

Just installed a 'Hidden Hitch' on my 2001 LS today. Was a piece of cake. I still need to the wiring. Does anybody know if GM has provided a connector, somewhere in the trunk, to wire a trailer hitch. If not, what is the best place to tap into the existing wiring.
Thanks.

Bertus

atbear

I ordered a Thrasher Cold Air Induction kit today... I'll let y'all know how it goes.. see ya!

vblstud

I went to the Kerr Webpage today and look what i found. http://www.kerrindustries.ca/home.htm

It seems cool to me but it says you need the 9C3 package with 6j7 option. Can someone tell me what that all means and can i do this to my normal 2002 LS??

Thx

Rob

[Deleted User]

I would imagine you also need a badge and a gun.

night_owl1

Gary's witty remarks aside, 9C3 is the surveillance package and 6J7 is described as "OEM Flasher. Controls both the head and taillights for emergency and pursuit use." I believe these are only available on the police Impalas. It is possible for a civilian to get a police equipped Impala, but you won't get all of the LS goodies.

[Deleted User]

It's just that I was under the impression that it is illegal to impersonate a police officer in most municipalities.

night_owl1

In Rob's previous post, he didn't mention that he was going to impersonate a police officer. There are volunteer firefighters that use their own vehicles to get to the fire station and are authorized to install emergency equipment such as lights/sirens. So are some members of emergency and disaster agencies. You could also install strobes etc on cars for show use. Some of the police/emergency equipment would lend itself easily to the car show circuit. The equipment tray would be a great place to install amps, A/V equipment, etc. Heck, with the way people drive around here, I wouldn't mind the extra protection the push bar would provide.

[Deleted User]

"Consists of front and rear corner strobes, front grille LED's, siren speaker, and special concealed light and siren controller. Requires undercover police package 9C3 and option 6J7 (wig/wags and backflash).
This package utilizes special miniaturized LED;s and siren controller to provide the ultimate in concealment."

With the above description from Kerr, and Rob saying they seem "cool", it didn't sound like they were going to be used for volunteer fireman or EMT use. He sounded like someone who thought it would look cool to have police and siren lighting on their Impala.

You're right, though, Nathan. I shouldn't have assumed, even if it was a logical assumption. I'm sorry. I owe you one.

vblstud

Yeah anyway i was just thinking it would be cool im not a cop or anything but i like the idea of people slowing down for me. I used to own a caprice and i saw this all over. Im not gunna pull anyone over just saw those undercover cars and wondered how much it would cost to put them on. Kerr hasnt emailed me back so i dont know any information. Just curious

Rob

[Deleted User]

LOL. I have people slowing down in front of me all the time, without any special lights. It drives me bonkers. I want them to speed up!

I don't know if they think I'm a cop pulling up on their tail, or they're just idiots(like the drivers that immediately move into the left lane as soon as they get on the highway, even when there is no traffic in the right lanes).

It doesn't seem to happen as much with my other cars, though. Could be my imagination.

night_owl1

Actually, the funny ones are the guys blowing by in their import specials, do a double take when they see my car and drop from 90+ down to 45. Don't you notice that people are more willing to get out of your way when you are in the Impala?

[Deleted User]

Nah. They just slow down in front of me. But, there aren't a lot of Impala police cars in my area, so maybe they're just morons. We've got a lot of those on the roads here.

vblstud

I think you guys are understanding why i want these lights. Just to scare some people at parties and seeing imports run as i turn on the lights at a race or something. Its not like im gunna arrest them. Or maybe pull over some hot chicks. Just my input.

Rob

atbear

Not sure if you've heard of anybody who has done it, but I installed a Thrasher Cold Air Induction kit on my car today with the 9" cone filter (took about an hour and a half). The Thrasher fits nicely in the Impala (not completely flush, but still is a good fit). I can definately feel the difference. Not necessarily off the line acceleration, but after getting to 2300-2500 RPMs there is no drop off like before, you keep accelerating right on through. This is definately a good mod for the Impala! My exhaust will be next (high flow cat with dual exhaust)... so I'll let you know! I just wanted to let you know about the Thrasher in case I was the first Impala you knew of with it installed.

Drew Blanchard
Baton Rouge, LA
2002 Impala LS

night_owl1

Ok Gary, you called that one right. Vblstud did want to impersonate a cop. =P

[Deleted User]

I was wrong once, myself.

vblstud

Atbear can you post some pics of your mods when they are complete?

Thx

Rob

PS: Impersonation of a cop is ok unless you get cought.

chevy_fan

I've searched everywhere, but can't find a way to disable the Daytime Running Lights and/or Auto Headlights on my 2002 Impala LS. Does anyone know the secret? There must be a way.

Thanks for any suggestions. The typical, generic GM tips I've found don't seem to work (dome light, fuse, etc.)

Thanks!

atbear

Sure, that'd be no problem, but-- where's the best place online to store the pics (free and easy)? I also installed a 180deg thermostat, but that was simple, and you can't see it, but it did lower my engine running temperature 15 degrees!

copychick

nightowl, I've definitely noticed more people moving out of the way now that I'm driving the Impala instead of the Saturn. At first I thought I was imagining it, but now I'm convinced.

Ah, it's good to feel powerful!

[Deleted User]

Were you running hot to begin with? If not, you should use the recommended temp thermostats. The engine was designed to operate best at a certain temp.

night_owl1

If you want, you can send me the photos and I'll post it on the ImpalaHQ site. I already did an article on the CAI systems because I was getting so much e-mail about it and credited you for the info.

As long as I have the space, I'll put up photos of anyone's Impala if they submit the photos to me. Preference is given to cars that have been modified in some way.

night_owl1

My wife had a '95 SL1 and when we got her a new MPV, she kept saying how the Saturn was a great car and how she was going to miss it.

Three weeks later, the van is living up to Mazda's "Zoom zoom" marketing pitch and I have not heard about the Saturn at all.

[Deleted User]

I wish more mini-van drivers would go zoom zoom. The ones around here go zzzzz zzzzz

tommy42

GM Tech Link has a page on disabling. August 2001 article . Dealer has to do it with only with approval from Tech Customer service

cabello

Hard to believe but my 2000 chevy impala ls was stolen last night......alarm set and sitting in the driveway.....no broken glass.....no horn alarm going off.......nothing...

[Deleted User]

That stinks! I'm curious, though, as to how much value your insurance company gives to your LS.

If it's enough, you can put it towards a new Holden based GTO or Impala SS, and drive a beater until then.

bh0001

That sucks! How on earth do they manage to steal an Impala without setting off the alarm? Anyone have any ideas so the rest of us can keep our cars safe?
Brad

cabello

i will let you know what the insurance gives me and pics of the recovered car if ever....im sure they had a shopping list and just needed parts...it was most difinite pros....

roderacer

that indeed sucks, cabello. Sorry to hear about that. I assume that you either didn't have OnStar or the "pros" were quick to disable it, thwarting any attempts to track the vehicle's whereabouts....

[Deleted User]

Doh!!!

atbear

I'm sorry, man.. I've had a car stolen before and it ain't fun at all, hopefully you'll get your back unharmed.... I wonder of course how they got passed the alarm and such, but even more puzzled about how they got passed the fact that you need the exact key for that car in the ignition for the car to even start..... how do y'all think they got passed that??? hmm....

[Deleted User]

I've heard of this streamlined, newfangled, atomic-age, miracle device called...
a tow truck, and its mechanical cousin, the flat bed.

roderacer

check for missing car keys, cabello.

roderacer

well, on a semi-related note, my buddy had the center caps from his '01 Monte SS stolen from him last night while on Chicago's South Side.... but they left the rest of the car intact.