falling in love

[1986montecarlols]

I think another car type is beginning to catch my eyes. Its the 94-96 Chevy Impala SS.

Rare
Fast
Sleeper

Does anyone know much about them at all? Anyone own one? I think when I start grad school in 2 years I may want to get one. I get a 20K loan for grad school and ill need a good daily drive anyway. What you guys think?

 

[Munkey B]

with the rear axle not being centered in wheel well.
looks totally odd to me. and unattractive. so, sorry, no love from me on Imp SS.

 

[midwestls]

I say go for it. These cars are beautiful, (if you ask me). I've always wanted one and they, along with a GN and a 59 Caddy are one my most wanted list. I seen a guy not that long ago with a black one with a paxton and a T56. Nasty, smoked a 911 GT3 in the quarter, I think there might be a YouTube of it.

 

[mhamilton]

Would try to get a '96, had the better cluster and a few issues fixed. Never noticed the rear axle not being centered, actually haven't heard that from anyone before.

I have a '96, got in in '97, currently has 190k miles. Only problems have been 3 water pumps, a p/s pump, just recently the a/c compressor. Engine still runs as good as day 1, and doesn't burn any oil.

Have you seen the SS forum? www.impalassforum.com

There are some things to watch out for--the infamous OptiSpark can be trouble, although I've never had to touch mine. The AIR pump is also prone to fail (a faulty design), but there's a factory Service Bulletin where it can be removed and the computer flashed.

 

[1986montecarlols]

hmm

these cars dont come with air ride suspension like the continentals did in the early 90s right? I know they are POS too lol and extremely expensive to fix. I have heard something about the axle seals going on them or something too I think that guy has a point there. I really like the car because it looks almost gangster like mafia type of car. Its so shady lol. I get 20k a year if I need it in grad school but the only thing is i will only need about 6k because eastern michigan university is really cheap for me. IM going to check out that forum as well. Thanks ill always want a monte carlo around too though lol.

 

[midwestls]

No air ride.

 

[megaladon6]

they're pretty good cars. you get a 350 LT1, 4l60e (maybe a 4l65?) and a 30 spline 8.5in posi rear with 3.08? gears. and since it's based off a caprice you can make it look like a cop car so the real cops leave you alone.
i'd gather have a g-body but that my personal aesthetic opinion.
in regards to the rear not being centered, you can see in the pic that the rear wheels sit a little forward of center in the wells. they make longer/adjustable control arms to counter this.

 

[1986montecarlols]

well

these are the closest things to a new car that I even like lol. When I had the grand prix gtp years ago it was nice but front wheel drive. Very hard to work on. I think I prolly will get one of these but im still going to keep my monte carlo and do work to it as well. I often wonder why these cars were only made 3 years? Anyone have any detail on that?

 

[Blake442]

Impala SS production was slated to keep running, and is even in a few '97 model year brochures, with an additional color(silver), but was never produced . It was discontinued because GM changed the plant that they were built at to build Tahoe's and Suburbans because the profit margin was higher, dispite the success of the b-body platform.

Yes, they do sell extended rear lower control arms to center the wheel in the opening.

They all came with the 4L60e. T56 swaps are becoming pretty common, and are totally awesome.

The ImpalaSS forum is a great source for info, I'm a member over there as well...

'96 is the year to go for. Only year for a floor shifter. It is also the only year that they offered the analog dash, better than the stupid digital display that fails. Mine did in my '96 Caprice and I replaced it with a cluster from a Z28, another swap that's becoming common. There's a gentleman that converts the wiring so It's plug and play.

By '96, they had added a weep hole/vent to the opti-spark that would prevent moisture from becoming trapped inside the unit, causing them to fail. Earlier ones are very sensitive, and mine has literally been soaked with coolant (when my water pump went out) and still never had a problem.
'96 was also the first year for OBDII, and its pretty sensitive compared to the OBDI, so check engine lights are common. I've seen a number of people switch from OBDII back to OBDI. My check engine light has been on since 15K, and the stealership was either too lazy or not skilled enough to get it solved for my grama(who bought it new) and I've driven it from 30K to 119K with it still on and it runs fine, but the light is annoying.

I love my Caprice, and though I've considered selling it a number of times to help fund my g-body projects, I just can't bring myself to do it...

 

[78mali350]

the impala SS still existed after these. It just switched to a FWD supercharged 3.8 from the last year of these to 2004 then switched to the V8 for the SS in 05 but still FWD