Chevy Impala 2004 Redesign - READ ONLY

233 messages, Last post on Sep 10, 2003 at 7:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

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#107 of 233 by atbear Feb 26, 2003 (11:55 pm)
And, no I don't think the 3800 is the best engine in the world, or the most powerful in the world... but it's damn good.. super reliable, and very torquey, and that's what I want. It's a fine engine and it's so good, it's held it's own for more than a dacade.... and that's what we're trying to get across....
#108 of 233 Speed Limiter by 02lssport Feb 27, 2003 (4:52 am)
Hmm, maybe it was 105. I only glanced at the speedometer quickly. Ya know I was watching the road! lol That DHP PCM wll fix the limiter yes? Well that could be a bad thing for me. Atbear check the radio secion. I want to ask you something about your new rear speakers.
#109 of 233 atbear by alpha01 Feb 27, 2003 (5:25 am)
more than a decade? I remember reading a Car and Driver article for the Intrigue, I beleive, stating that the 3800's basic architecture dates back to 1962. I'll try and find the exact exact issue at home tonight. After 40 years, it should be reliable. ~alpha
#110 of 233 by atbear Feb 27, 2003 (8:44 am)
I believe it's back to 1978, but not sure about that exact date. The 3800 used today is based off the Buick 231 block. It's gone through many revisions...
#111 of 233 regfootball et al. by formersuver1 Feb 27, 2003 (10:20 am)
I've just finished over 3 years with the 3.5l. dohc in the Intrigue--never had a problem with the car itself, almost 40,000 miles. I've had Acura Legends (Sterling), Volvo, Mercedes turbo diesel, Camry, etc. etc. I've now gone to the Buick Regal, largely because of the 3.8 engine. It's very torquey, utterly reliable (I've no idea where you get the alleged manifold problems--GM did have a problem, according to my brother-in-law for part of the 1999 model run, with the sealant used in the gasket installation, but that was relatively limited and quickly fixed, although I suppose some could still be showing up--usually happens at around 15-20,000 miles (my brother-in-law is a service manager at a large Buick-Pontiac dealership). He said the very few problems he's ever seen have happened because people paid no attention to coolant level....anyway, I prefer the pushrod because of it's very flat torque curve. I do a lot of merging from around 30 mph and need to get up to speed (around 50-60) fairly quickly. The 3.8 is a nice even strong pull-- The dohc would do it, but only when I stomped on it. If I wanted to accelerate from 75 mph to 85 mph, dohc wins hands down--but let me count the times I ever wanted to do that....never! Remember, it could be a lot worse, we could have bought a Taurus!!
#112 of 233 this topic by vcjumper Feb 27, 2003 (6:10 pm)
Isn't it kind of obsolete since the only "redesign" is sticking the 97-03 GTP motor in the 04 Impala? Whats all this engine talk? There is always going to be a small vocal minority of people who prefer large displacement pushrod engines just as there are people who prefer cruising in Harleys over zipping around on a crotch rocket. Is flooring an automatic car and driving in a straight line the complete measure of car's performance? What about the twisties!
#113 of 233 by atbear Feb 27, 2003 (6:28 pm)
You are correct on all points, vcjumper.
#114 of 233 by 02lssport Feb 28, 2003 (5:03 am)
Just to show how reviewers can have such different views and numbers... From New Car Test Drive... "Since you can get the big 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 as an option in the lower-priced base model, the Impala becomes the least expensive GM car powered by this gutsy pushrod engine. Chevy claims it will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is quick for this class." "When the Impala was introduced as a new model in 2000, Chevrolet was aiming for a car to carry the heritage behind that famous name. The result is a capable, quick, and fun car that drives nothing like Impalas of old. And that's good news. You can bet there was debate whether to dredge up the image of old ill-handling Impalas by resurrecting the name, but for younger generations who never knew the older versions of the car, "Impala" will mean something entirely different. The Impala delivers excellent value among mid-size sedans, with decent handling, immediately recognizable design cues, and a long-list of amenities."
#115 of 233 vcjumper and others like you by 02lssport Feb 28, 2003 (5:34 am)
Go learn something: http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-gmmot- ors4dec04.story GM will continue to use OHV engines and continue to improve the design to keep up with OHC engines. These OHV engines from GM will continue to produce more HP (as in the Corvette V8 compared to the likes of the Mustang V8 or BMW v8) and continue to be less expensive to produce, lighter, and more fuel efficient. Why don't you head over to the Vette forum and inform them that the engine design in their #1 rated sports car is old outdated technology and that they are part of a small minority. Huh?
#116 of 233 02lssport by vcjumper Feb 28, 2003 (7:17 am)
The 3800 motor is a far cry from the Z06 motor. I've driven 3800, 3100 and 3400 equipped cars on cold winter mornings and I do most of my driving from 55-85mph. I cannot afford a z06. For these reasons I prefer OHC. If GM has decided OHV is better than OHC, why have they been replacing many OHV motors with OHC ones (2200 ecotec, 4200/3500/2800 vortec, 260hp 3.6L global v6 3.6l)