The Chevy Impala nameplate has quite the history attached to it, dating all the way back to the late ‘50s. The final tenth-generation Impala launched for the 2014 model year as a four-door, front-wheel-drive sedan with either a four-cylinder or V6 under the hood. Naturally, for some folks, this just wouldn’t do, and the solution is obvious – LS swap!
At least, that seems to be the thought process for YouTube user Travis Smith (@travissmith4546), per a series of videos documenting Smith’s at-home conversion that transformed this tenth-generation, 2017 Chevy Impala into a rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered fun machine.
“I’ve started a little journey here, 2017 Impala,” Smith states in the first conversion video. “Essentially, broke a valve spring, dropped a valve, motor’s toast. And I weighed my options, and I thought, ‘you know, it’s time to LS-swap this thing.’”
In the same video, we see the factory rear end on the Impala removed. “Looks like plenty of room for a Ford 8.8 to me,” Smith says.
After installing the new rear end, Smith turned his attention to the front end of the vehicle, replacing the factory motor and transmission with a fresh 5.3L LS V8. Naturally, a swap like this requires quite a bit of cutting, welding, and reconfiguring to get it all to fit, but Smith seems up to the task. The engine sits decently in the bay, albeit a bit tight, while the transmission required a little bit of extra cutting in the cabin, although the center console was kept intact. The new headers also needed some adjusting. Eventually, though, everything gets bolted in and Smith takes it for a drive.
First impressions show a good deal of promise, although there are still a few issues left to work out. The most recent video shows the Impala getting new rear end, specifically 4.11 gearing with posi. Put it all together, and this tenth-gen Impala is looking (and sounding) like a true enthusiast machine.
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Comments
they lost me at that rear end hack job.
you could have fit in a camaro etc cradle with a proper set up. instead typical diy welded steel beams carnage.
and in 3 months after he has “tracked” the f out of it will post it for sale for 90000$ cause he knows what hes got! no low bidders!
sad.
Agreed, it’s a complete hack, unsafe and reduced the vehicle to a pile of worthless junk.
I only wish Chevy would have built it like this I would buy it in a second
Chevy has GOT to do this!!!! I’d pay almost ANY price for a well-engineered RWD V8 Impala!!! I LOVE my beautiful 2015 Burgundy 2LZ. She has the bigger 20″ factory rims too. I keep her polished & swirl-free. Frequent Seafoam use in the gas & oil too. Has never seen Ethanol…..only certified Top-Tier Premium from Shell.
She runs GOOD.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T KNOW.
GM made a Caprice in Australia from 2011 to 2017 with an all aluminum L77 6.0 and 6L80 RWD and imported them into the US. Mostly used in the Police departments. Rated at 156 top speed and a 2.67 or 2.76 rear end. WithIn Oz it was called a Commodore or Holden. Bit also came in a FWD 3.9. GM gave a ride along in one of these at Phenix Raceway before a Nascar race there in 2011. I own a 2015 Caprice with the 6.0. This just wrecked an Impala trying to turn it into a V8 Caprice!!!!