Ls4 swap for base model impala?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
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Ls4 swap for base model impala? 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.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
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.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
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.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: nj
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.
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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.
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
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.
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
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.
$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.
