I am looking to do a major overhaul of my 2002 Chevy Impala. I would like to get more power from my engine.?

Question

I have a 2002 Chevy Impala just he base model. It has a stock 3.4L engine putting out 184hp. I would really like to get more power out of an engine that size, I know its capable of better horse power. I know I can change out the headers and get better ones, but I would like to get some get good suggestion to really improve the performance. I was looking into Superchargers, but I am not completely sold on the idea. I'd like to if it would produce good results, but will it, that I do not know.

I do not want to do an engine swap.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Answer 1

The 3.4 is the culmination of years of modifying 2.8 and 3.1, although the manufacturer was able to modify and build the 3.4 into what it is today. I have the same engine in my 2001 Pontiac Montana pulling the same horsepower. It would be wiser and more cost efficient for you to buy a 2002 Impala that has a stock 3.8 in it. If you decide to modify, you might modify yourself into bankruptcy, because you will have to modify alot of other thngs, and also have alot of things recalibrated. Not worth the headache in my book.

Answer 2

WAIT---you don't understand a few things--the car is computer controlled--try disconnecting the battery cables for 15 minutes, then reattach everything properly--clean the posts while you wait. The computer should be reset and it may run better. Those headers you mentioned only reduce the back pressure and take away from the performance of an everyday driver car---so no headers. A newer unrestricted muffler?? Maybe but I doubt it...the computer senses a muffler change and that will affect the performance too. So a lot of noise doing absolutely nothing. More air?? Most people forget to put in a new mass air flow sensor---more air should make more horsepower--but not enough to make a difference with THAT motor. My suggestion of resetting the computer and a new clean stock air filter will help a little and not cost a whole bunch of money. beating that car is pointless--the car will only perform as engineered--no amount of useless crap add-ons will do much--probably will be worse--YOU are reading too many ads for useless crap that only make the speed shop wealthy.

Answer 3

Two things to think about, first is if your transmission will handle it, second will the cv axles handle it. You can add a supercharger, like the ones that they have on the Monte SS of the same year/engine. Of course there is the lil things like the cold air intake, exhaust, and lighter rims. If your going to dig in deep, check out some of the other websites for people that have done cam swaps, head swaps, and beefed up their trannies to run the same car into the low11's in the quarter. Super chargers do help, but remember, once one thing gets modded, everything has to get modded to stay with it

Answer 4

If you are getting 184 hp from 208 ci I would think you were about at the limit. I hope you don't live in an emission control state. How did you calculate your hp ? Do you have access to a dynamometer ?You could look at some gear ratio changes. HP doesn't help much unless you have the gears.

Answer 5

V6? if it is, Brodix has a set of cylinder heads
cylinder heads are the most important power adder


http://www.brodix.com/heads/v6.html

Answer 6

if you don't want to get a new engine than by new and good spark plugs and buy a engine/transmission turbo kit

Answer 7

put in a ford its just as bad