I'm 17 and quite new to everything about cars. All my life I've wanted a Chevy SS car. My parents recently gave me the keys to their '07 SS when they traded their '98 Silverado Crew for a new '08 Silverado Crew.

What I want to do is add some more horses to my Impala w/o spending a whole lot of cash. I know there's the K&N AirCharger and that's probably where I'm gonna start first, but can anyone tell me where to start?

Also, I want to add a new hood with working scoops and also make it look more aggressive than it already is. Can anyone help with this too?

Thanks in advance

 

Well the K & N route is probably all you can do on the cheap. K & N has both the drop in filter and their CAI setup. The drop in filter is around $50 andI believe the full CAI is around $275. The full CAI supposedly gains 13 HP peak and generally 5 - 10 throughtout the whole RPM range. Of course this is information from K & N so make of it what you like. It does make the engine sound meaner though, but there are some quirks that go along with the system that may need to be addressed periodically as with any mod.

The LS-4 engine is pretty much a one off of the LSx engine line, so there are not many upgrades like you may find for a LS-1. Plus the transmounted engine makes serious things a bit difficult to work on without dropping theit out of the chassis. But FWIW, you do have the LS-6 heads so there isn't much improvement in that area that you mayneed to explore.

I hear there are tuning devices that can be used at least in the 2006 models. The 2007 models have a more secure system so cracking the codes and modifying the computer hasn't been done successfully yet by the manufacturers of these tuners, as far as I can surmise.

Some people have flipped their motor mounts or installed aftermarket ones and have seen a real SOTP improvement over the stock configuration.I guess the theory is the new or flipped mounts are stiffer, somore energy is sent to the wheels as opposed to the chassis.This is an easy thing to do, but you may run into strange vibrations and some uneasy feelings when going over bumps or stopping quickly. This may be worth a try, but beware.

Outside of that, your next step would be some nitrous oxide. There are kits for the LS-4 out there.A turbo kit is also available for around $6,000...But going with power adders, you may want to have an additional $2500 lying around to fix the transmission when it blows. Plus with the FWD set up, putting all the power to the ground will be difficult. If you put slicks on to maximize traction for these mods, you stand a real chance of breaking the half shafts.

The best thing you can do is run premium fuel through itif you aren't already.You probably will see a .3 to .5 second improvement in your track numbers. I did.

As for modifying the hood for a scoop, to each his own. Personally I like the stealthy look of my car as is.

Bottom line, I bought my SS for the 4 doors and trunk with a sensible car in mind. What I got was all that, and some serious factory power in a sleeper form. In stock form these cars are about as good as you can get, so just enjoy the looks on the faces of your friends and others when you light it up!

Enjoy your car, and thank your parents!

 

i would have to agree I own a 2004 impala whic was an old police vehicle in TN and the stealthliness of my (white) car is irreplaceable I have the 3.8l v6 with the limiters and govs off and it still makes heads turn off the line and when you cruise up next to them on the highway and punch it. I would go with a cold air intake and poss. eliminating the cats and there is always the option of weight reduction.

 

Couldnt of said it better. There isnt alot of aftermarket for the SS at the moment

 

like they stated above, theres not too much out there for the LS4, but if you wanted a hood check here.........
http://www.mpd-inc.net/Impala.htm

the gold impala you see there in the pic on the left, i know the person who owns that vehicle.(sauce, thats dasred's car, lol) its a functioning ram air hood.

 

A great way to gain HP on the 00-09 Impalas is to bring it to an exhaust shop and have them remove the U-bend. There is a point where the exhaust pipe makes a series of 90 degree turns before flowing out the rear. As Im sure you can imagine, this is very restrictive on airflow. Most mom & pop muffler shops will remove this "U-Bend" and replace it with a straight pipe for relativley short money. This will add horses and make your exhaust a little louder, but also may cause some interior drone. I have not done this mod so I cannot say for certain.

 

I have done it.

 

...And? Thoughts looking back on it?

I ask because I am interested in doing the mod myself but have not heard anyone's 'pros and cons' list.

 

Its the cheapest mod you can do for the HP. The UBend is a restriction. Fix it ASAP. I have 2 Impalas and both UBends are gone.

 

How is the drone on the interior? Does it create excess rattling etc.