Performance-wise, I have done the simple things that countless others have, namley open up the intake with a Team SS system (A Mark Michna masterpiece!) and replace the stock mufflers with dynomax Ultraflos (#17286). I also use a Fastchips PCM to bump the spark advance (see my dyno results ) to take advantage of premium fuel and also firm up the shifts. I have also bolted on a set of front and rear Herb Adams sway bars. These monster bars totally change the way the Impala handles in turns. The front bar is tight with dual ball joint end links. The Impala with it's factory suspension is no slouch, but the HA bars really turn the beast into a 4200 lb. slot car!
One of my favorite mods has got to be replacing the stock Impala front seats, which are nothing more than leather and vinyl covered police car seats, with Bonneville bucket seats
To address the lack of factory gauges in the 1996 Impala SS, I have added gauges to monitor engine and transmission oil temperature and oil pressure, along with an LT1 Scanmaster from Bob Bailey.
I have prettied up the engine bay with corvette plastic valve covers, custom fuel rail covers from Mallory Billet Aluminum, SEO silicon hoses, and painted coolant recovery tank. I got tired of looking at rusting components under the hood and have addressed this problem by painting the steering box with POR-15, replacing the harmonic balancer hub and by gasket-matching, cleaning up and jet-hot coating a set of stock exhaust manifolds.
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