Potentialimpala

I just joined the forum to ask a serious question because I cant find much info anywhere else. I'm seriously considering buying a non running 06 impala base model for cheap and dropping an ls4 into it. I calculated the amount of money for the ls4 engine, radiator, trans, and impala would be way cheaper than if I bought an ss. So I'm wondering what I have to do to the car to fit the engine and trans in? Iv'e heard this has been done before so I just want to know how? Any info would be great, thanks.

V8ImpSS

Find a non running impala in good shape (good luck) and then buy a totaled SS or GXP or Super with a good running motor and all the parts will be there. Then you could sell all the other parts and sell the body for scrap to recover some money. Since you won't want a car that had a front end collision, I'd get a wrecked Monte SS with the sportier front end and put it on the impala. I plan to do that to mine one day, but it's an $800 bumper plus another $500 for the brackets and misc stuff plus $400 for the matching side skirts and then paint, a $2500 project.

Potentialimpala

I don't care about the looks I was just wondering what modifications to the car do I have to do in order for the trans and engine to fit properly.

V8ImpSS

Wiring and pcm/tcm will be you biggest issue. The cars themselves are no different, but your going to need alot of parts under the hood.

TheMonteMan

if you do a search on montecarloforum.com theres a thread on this. a member did it to a 6th gen monte. did you take your time into account when you did your totals. time is money. personally i feel this swap is ridiculous since the wbody came with this drivetrain in it, and they arent overly expensive, but if you are overwhelmed with the need to do this i would pick the gxp for the donor take the tap shift bilstein struts, and brakes. definitely an upgrade over the imp/mcss stuff.

94ss06gxp

iTrader: (5)

just sell and buy a SS. . .

neilownz

Boost the 3.8 or whatever and be done.

1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT

iTrader: (23)

buy a rwd v8 instead

straitchev

The cost to make this flip wouldnt be much more different than buying a used imp ss that also comes with better wheels, sunroof and kick *** SS emblems on the head rest.

94ss06gxp

iTrader: (5)

QFT

LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

This.

This.

And this.

Don't get me wrong...I'm a big proponent of engine swaps and have done a few over the years, but they are a headache. If the car is already available with the motor you want, you should save yourself the trouble and just buy that car instead.

From experience, I can tell you that any swap will:

1. Cost more than you originally thought.
2. Take longer than you originally thought.
3. Have problems you had never considered.

Of course, once it's done, there's a feeling of pride that you'll never get from just buying a car.

73metalman

Here's how I like to reply : If you have to ask about a project that big (yet straightforward), then you shouldn't do it.

I once had a roommate who had a V6 Camaro and asked me about putting a V8 in it ( 2001?). I told him to sell it and buy a V8 model.

You'll get plenty of experience fooling around with a V8 model let alone trying to convert one. You asked, we answered.

73metalman

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...item5d33941a46

$11k- not a bad deal when you consider what you're getting.

What I would like to see is a manual conversion i.e. the G6 trans.

The_Madcat

That and a complete ls6 intake swap kit would be awesome!

One can dream!

straitchev

I find working on a 5.3 FWD more difficult than a RWD vette.
Let the engineers worry about fitting 10lbs of stuff into a 5lb bag

V8ImpSS

I had a C5, and now have an '02 T/A, the LS4 is by far the biggest pain in the ***. the Denali is the easiest