Just got a 04 Impala SS...need a little advice

[tiendee]

I just bought myself a 04 Impala SS Indy Edition for my B-day. It only has 7,200 miles and is in mint condition. It's completly stock. So, I was wondering where can I start at to start adding a little extra HP and getting the most out of my engine? I'm basically a newbie when it comes to modifying so if I wanted to keep it under $1000, for now, where can I start? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

Will post pics soon.

[JoshMcMadMac]

Originally Posted by tiendee

I just bought myself a 04 Impala SS Indy Edition for my B-day. It only has 7,200 miles and is in mint condition. It's completly stock. So, I was wondering where can I start at to start adding a little extra HP and getting the most out of my engine? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

It is the same 3.8L supercharged engine as everything else, so it all applies! Exhaust, intake, and tuning are the common places to start. Nice birthday present.

[spidamanSS]

Yeah the 04 Impala SS does have the L67. If you want to keep it under a $1000 than I recommend this:

INTENSE-Racing.com: INTENSE™ Level 2 3800 L67/L32 Performance Package

Good bang for the buck. You can get a lot of the parts used for a little bit cheaper if you want to go that route.

[72chevman]

Simple upgrades are

1. 180 Thermostat
2. Some sort of air intake SLP, Wizaired or home made fenderwell
3. Either a off the shelf PCM or a custum tune (ZZP, Overkill)
4. A downpipe with high flow cat does wonders
5. Stock mufflers flow fine, but have no sound. You will really not gain much with mufflers except growl. I prefer dynomax & magnaflow. If you cut off the resonator stay with a turbo type muffler ( not flowmaster), or the interior drone and exterior raspyness will be ANNOYING.
6. Many people get a front STB and larger sway bars

I have done the above simple mods to 3 different W-body cars.

I have sound clips here:

My pics & sound clips

Read the 4 pages of tech articles here: (especially the mods you don't need section)

tech articles

[fastech]

My advise is three fold: 1) you want mods that get you more power
2) you want mods that will not use more fuel and will enhance your fuel economy
3) you want mods that will set you up for future mods (supporting mods)
These include CAI, exhaust downpipe and other exhaust mods, PCM, lighter rocker arms, etc.