3.4L Turbo Impala --> 4.6L V8 Marauder

blackf0rk

blackf0rk

TRILOGY № 86
Hello everyone! I'm extremely glad to be here! I used to have a 2002 Chevrolet Impala that was turbocharged this last July. I'm co-owner of the NAIOA (North American Impala Owners Association); even though I don't have an Impala anymore ;). The reason why I switched is because I got sick of tuning it, mostly because of problems and things due to other more detailed evil stories which I can explain later if you wish. I'd rather not think about it since I have my Maurader now. :)

I really love this car; I've wanted one ever since I saw the first ones on a lot. Of course, brand new back then, they were way out of my budget. Fortunately circumstances changed so I could get one.

I'd like to mod my MM as much as possible without voiding any warrantys that I'm paying for, or without screwing it up. Let's face it - the MM is a great running car; I'd like to keep it that way :rolleyes:

I've been looking everywhere on this forum looking for some sort of page that has a list of MODs and Webpages I can goto to get those MODs. I'm aware of the Manufacturers section on the forums, but I'd like to know what YOU recommend.

The first thing that I could see worth getting, is this Superchips plugin for my OBDII port. Anyone recommend that? Also, where can I find some CAI for sale?

I'm sorry to sound demanding - I hate it when people did that on my Impala forums. :mad2:So know, I'm asking nicely....please :help:;)

Also, one more question. Compared to a turbo setup - how involved is a premanufactured (for our MM) SC setup? My custom turbo setup for my Impala was almost too complicated :mad: (One of the reasons I had to give it up):puke:
 
blackf0rk said:
Hello everyone! I'm extremely glad to be here! ...
I'd like to mod my MM as much as possible without voiding any warrantys that I'm paying for, or without screwing it up.
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blackf0rk, welcome to the MM.Net :welcome: and Happy Maraudering. :D

Mods?? :rolleyes: Nobody has done any of that here. :rofl:
 
Welcome blackf0rk!
I'm sure you will enjoy this site and all the Marauder maniacs who post here.
A computer chip/tune and 4.10 gears seem to be the general concensus on best bang for the buck.
If you are still under warranty.... DEFINITELY get a download tune rather than a plug-in chip. I made the mistake of buying a plug-in chip (must open up the EEC computer box) and it is very easy for the dealer service dept. to tell that you've been modding the MM.
 
blackfOrk - Welcome to the MM site. :welcome: You came to the right place lots of good info and nice folks. :D Enjoy your new ride.
 
Welcome to the board. Was your 02 Impalla really turbo charged? I thought they had a super charger on them. Or did you replace that for the turbo?
 
Lots of chips to pick from.

CAI-pick
JLT, K & N and many others.
Of course, I've read some dealerships are against these as well.

If you want to mod, be prepared to pay for playing.
 
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! And yes, my Impala was actually Turbo'd. The 3.8L Impala's were supercharged in 04. Mine was an 02 3.4L - so I had it turbo'd:cool: (not from the factory, it was all custom) It was plenty fast, but not tuned as it should've been which cause major headaches. Plus, in Wisconsin, GM Vehicles and their injectors are having conflicts with the gas used here in Wisconsin; some kind of reformulated crap. So that was just another problem to pile on to it.

Where can I get these 4.10 gears from? I'll do a search for them myself, but if someone has a link handy; it would be appreciated.:depress:

As far as the Superchips; thank you Joe for your insight on possibly staying away from these types. How and where would I get something like a "download tune"? And I'm just assuming that this would have to be by some sort of technician with a computer and program etc?

'Fourth Horseman': (Or anyone who could answer this): In your MOD list you say "Real Functioning Auto Meter Oil Pressure and Volt Meter Gauges" Does this mean the ones from the factory aren't real? Please tell me they're real or I'll be really pissed!:mad2:

Much respect to you all...:bows:
 
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blackf0rk said:
'Fourth Horseman': (Or anyone who could answer this): In your MOD list you say "Real Functioning Auto Meter Oil Pressure and Volt Meter Gauges" Does this mean the ones from the factory aren't real? Please tell me they're real or I'll be really pissed!:mad2:
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The volt meter is real, but the oil pressure gauge is not. It reads an unwavering 60psi or so, and the sender is a simple on/off switch at 6psi.

The fix is to replace with a genuine Auto Meter sender and gauge, which a pretty simple job. The face is cosmetically slightly different than what Ford uses, so if you want the two to match, you'll need to replace either the face in the oil pressure gauge, or replace the entire volt meter to match the new oil gauge.

TTYL
David
 
blackf0rk said:
'Fourth Horseman': (Or anyone who could answer this): In your MOD list you say "Real Functioning Auto Meter Oil Pressure and Volt Meter Gauges" Does this mean the ones from the factory aren't real? Please tell me they're real or I'll be really pissed!:mad2:

Much respect to you all...:bows:
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I replaced my oil pressure gage with a working one. I took the two(2) gages apart and made one that matched the original. Where in Wisconsin are you located? Welcome to the club.
 
blackf0rk said:
'Fourth Horseman': (Or anyone who could answer this): In your MOD list you say "Real Functioning Auto Meter Oil Pressure and Volt Meter Gauges" Does this mean the ones from the factory aren't real? Please tell me they're real or I'll be really pissed!:mad2:
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What the others said above is correct. Like most (all?) recent Ford products, the oil pressure gauge is just an idiot gauge. That Ford wouldn't put a real gauge on a car they market to a performance enthusiast crowd is just :bs: The good news is that the upgrade is easy and not too expensive.
 
DavidB said:
The volt meter is real, but the oil pressure gauge is not. It reads an unwavering 60psi or so, and the sender is a simple on/off switch at 6psi.

The fix is to replace with a genuine Auto Meter sender and gauge, which a pretty simple job. The face is cosmetically slightly different than what Ford uses, so if you want the two to match, you'll need to replace either the face in the oil pressure gauge, or replace the entire volt meter to match the new oil gauge.

TTYL
David
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As DavidB said, the Voltmeter is real, but is is in no way accurate.
It reads about a full volt LOWER than the Autometer Voltmeter does.

And unless you smoke, the cig lighter is useless...
You can pull it out and cut a hole for a third gauge.
I have installed a Transmission Oil Temperature gauge in its place.
If you are planning on a SC'd Marauder in the future, you may want to
put a boost gauge
in the Oil Press slot, and scoot the gauges one place to the right.

Oh, and put the GREEN boots over the gauge lamps.
The GREEN GLOW matches the interior lighting very well...
 
Well that really sucks:alone: If I was to buy two different gauges (volt and oil press) are all of the wires there that I need already up there or will I have to be an electrician too?

2003_MM_FYRE49: I'm from southern WI (said Wiscaasun). Milwaukee (said mwaukee); as specific as I get :P
 
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With the stock computer programming, our cars are crazy about 4th gear... in Ford's quest to get more mpg's, they're set up to shift into overdrive at anything much over 6 mph.

Unfortunately, whenever you tickle the go-pedal, not much happens in overdrive and the car feels like a pig.

I've found that hitting the O/D off button around town lets the car be much more responsive... you might start by just doing that while your looking into other goodies.

Turbo-Impala? When I first read that, I thought you didn't know what you were talking about... then I read more and realized how much I had to learn. Enjoy the Marauder!
 
gpfarrell: Yea, I do not use overdrive at all unless I'm on the highway or going over 45/50mph for prolonged periods of time. And I have found that when not using over drive it's more responsive; but that's not a surpirse, it's one more gear the thing has to shift out of.

I was actually talking about this with one of my good friends who happens to be a mechanic (A dern good one at that). He said you shouldn't ever drive your car in city conditions (accel and stop) with OD on because the transmission and clutch etc, all that mechincal stuff in there, will wear out faster because it has to do more work. I'm sure it could be a point of argument, but this is what my friend told me who has seen problems with this general idea all the time :rolleyes:

And yes, I get the whole "Are you sure it's a Turbo" all the time when I had the car. People treated me like a complete fool. Then I opened to hood and said, "That looks like a Turbo to me" :cool4: It's to be expected tho - there aren't too many around. In fact, I believe I was the first one to do it to the 3.4L Impala and have it work. One other guy did, but he blew up his engine so he doesn't count:flamer::P
 
blackf0rk said:
gpfarrell: Yea, I do not use overdrive at all unless I'm on the highway or going over 45/50mph for prolonged periods of time. And I have found that when not using over drive it's more responsive; but that's not a surpirse, it's one more gear the thing has to shift out of.

I was actually talking about this with one of my good friends who happens to be a mechanic (A dern good one at that). He said you shouldn't ever drive your car in city conditions (accel and stop) with OD on because the transmission and clutch etc, all that mechincal stuff in there, will wear out faster because it has to do more work. I'm sure it could be a point of argument, but this is what my friend told me who has seen problems with this general idea all the time :rolleyes:

And yes, I get the whole "Are you sure it's a Turbo" all the time when I had the car. People treated me like a complete fool. Then I opened to hood and said, "That looks like a Turbo to me" :cool4: It's to be expected tho - there aren't too many around. In fact, I believe I was the first one to do it to the 3.4L Impala and have it work. One other guy did, but he blew up his engine so he doesn't count:flamer::P
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Imho, you'll fit in real well around here. WELCOME!
 
Welcome aboard! You said the 04 Impalas are S/C ? We have the police package Impalas for patrol. A supercharged one would be welcomed by my people. Do you know if the police packaged Impalas are S/C?
Before I get flamed. We can purchase a package Impala, fully equipted, for less than a CVPI with nothing on it. There was about a $5k price difference the last time I ordered one. That and my Chief hates Fords...
 
blackf0rk said:
If I was to buy two different gauges (volt and oil press) are all of the wires there that I need already up there or will I have to be an electrician too?
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You can reuse the existing wiring and harness for the new gauges. There are quite a few threads here about the installation, and there's at least one with photos of each step. :)

TTYL
David
 
9C1 (Police package Impalas) are not SC'd. Although for the right price, anything can be accomplished :) I would imagine this would be a hard deal to pass with a dealer because the dealer would have to arrange for a SC to be installed on the 9C1 Impala. Since they (9C1's) don't come from the factory with a SC option, you can't just order one. The 9C1's and the Imapal SS have the same tranny though :beer:

Also, the gear ratio's of the 9C1 are better than the standard civi 3.8 Imapals; just thought I'd add that.
 
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