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Newer Impala Aluminum Subframe Compatibility?


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Posted

I recently got into a "LITTLE" accident and it bent the front cross section of my subframe. I found an aluminum subframe out of a newer Impala that had been slammed in the rear. Could i use this subframe in my 1999 Regal GS, w.e any modifications?

Posted

Billboost over on gmforum.com did that with his car. Should bolt right up and shave some weight.

 

Sent from my HTC Awesome using Tapatalk

Posted

w-body.com/showthread.php/50652-W-Aluminium-Subframe

 

I have not seen any pics to confirm or deny whether they fit or not. I know from first hand experience that the steel subframes fit between gen 1 & 2, but I haven't looked at an aluminum subframe closely enough to see if they are the same. Anyone have good pics of the subframes side by side or measurements of any differences? If I get the chance this weekend I will take a look at my friend's '01 Impala and try to get measurements but my camera is downright terrible.

Posted

what? gen 1 and gen 1.5 cars use the same cradle (except 88-90 frames that do not have the lq1 mounting points)

 

gen 1/1.5 WILL NOT FIT gen 2.

 

But gen 2 cradles can be inter-swapped. This one i know has been done: 98 gtp can use an aluminum frame from an impala and NOT A SINGLE OTHER PART is different. same control arms, same power steering lines, rack mount points, etc etc etc. i cannot speak to whether the 04+ gp has the same cradle. ALSO... if you have a gen 2 U-van... same cradle again!!! (excluding AWD models)

Posted (edited)

edit - nvm ignore what i said

Edited by WrathOfSocrus
Posted

Not sure if the aluminum subframe would fit in a gen1/1.5 but it will definetly fit in any gen2. If you get one you'll want one from an 01+, they gave them more welds that weren't there on the 2000 making them stronger. I have one from an 02 for sale in CNY if anyone's interested.

Posted
so will the Aluminum cradle fit gen 1 and 1.5 cars?

 

No, at least not without the complete front suspension as well. And LQ1 cars have a different, stronger mounting system that's different than all other V6's that requires the 91+ first gen cradle.

Posted
Not sure if the aluminum subframe would fit in a gen1/1.5 but it will definetly fit in any gen2. If you get one you'll want one from an 01+, they gave them more welds that weren't there on the 2000 making them stronger. I have one from an 02 for sale in CNY if anyone's interested.

Aluminum subframe was 06+ only...

  • Like 1
Posted
Aluminum subframe was 06+ only...

 

That's what I thought. And wasn't it exclusive to the 5.3L LS4 V8 models?

Posted

No, all 06 plus 3rd gens have them... I dont remember if the 3rd gen GPs got them in 04 or 06 though

Posted (edited)
No, all 06 plus 3rd gens have them... I dont remember if the 3rd gen GPs got them in 04 or 06 though

My brothers base 2008 GP has an aluminum subframe, don't know about the other years.

 

Edit: misread the post, guess this is a worthless comment now o-well......

Edited by cubsfan24
Posted
No, all 06 plus 3rd gens have them... I dont remember if the 3rd gen GPs got them in 04 or 06 though

 

04+

Posted (edited)

Aluminum subframes came on 2000 - present Monte Carlo / Impala, 2004-2008 Grand Prix, and 2005-2009 Lacrosse. 1997-2003 Regal, Grand Prix, and Intrigue were still iron.

Edited by jman093
Posted
Aluminum subframe was 06+ only...

 

This is incorrect. 00+montes and impalas had the aluminum subframe. In 04, the GP's started to get them, as the above post says.

Posted
Thanks for correcting me

 

Honestly, if we consider the 95-99 Lumi's and Montes "Gen 1.5," the 00-05 Monte / Impy should be considered "Gen 2.5" as there's more difference in them from the older gen 2's than the Gen 1 and 1.5's have.

Posted

I agree that there are some interesting differences in the 2nd gens. The monte/impala has bigger brakes than the others, and the aluminum subframe, although aside from the brakes and subframe they're pretty much the same car. I also found it interesting that the century/regal/intreague have a 109" wheelbase while the monte/impala/grand prix have a 110.5" wheelbase.

  • 12 years later...
Posted

Can you take can you take the subframe out of a 04 Chevy Impala 8th generation and put it in a 09 9th generation Impala

Posted

I believe the 04's were more subject to cracking, so I would go with a newer year.

  • Like 1

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