Originally Posted by bumpin96monte

I'm surprised you can't hear it inside the car at all. Even when my GXP was totally stock, you could hear it somewhat inside with moderate or heavy throttle. I'd definitely think about a muffler swap if youd like to hear it better.

My point is that, at least for me, I prefer the exhaust note of a v8 over a v6 - especially when comparing am LS V8 to a GM v6 (even more so when compared to a 3800). Admittedly, the LS4 doesn't sound as good as say an LS in a vette or something where it has true dual exhaust, but I still think it sounds decent and is part of the allure of having a performance oriented car like an SS.



I wouldn't worry about the torque destroying the transmission, especially totally stock. It's not going to break right away (unless youre actually abusing it) and will break down sooner or later anyways. At that point, you can throw a few upgrades at the rebuild to make it more robust in the long run. If you're too afraid to use the torque it makes for fear of breaking it, then you may as well sell it and get something that you can actually enjoy. I've got about 55k miles on my GXP, still on the stock trans with zero issues - knock on wood. But I've also got money earmarked for an upgrade/rebuild when it does go. My last Impala (a 3500) was having a lot of trans issues bone stock by 100k miles with absolutely zero abuse, so it's just part of the game with the 4t65 in general - some are just more lucky than others.

That really isn't my point though, I wasn't talking about WOT torque while beating on the car. I'm talking about the torque it's making at normal cruising RPM/throttle position. The problem with the L67 is that until you hit the gas hard enough to close the bypass valve, the thing is a low compression dog. I prefer the extra linear grunt down low with the LS4 for daily driving.

To your second point, if your gtp had more torque than your LS4, either the gtp was modded a good bit or the LS4 is broken. Stock for stock, the ls4 is up like 40 lb ft +, there should be no comparison. Of course if you're talking modded, that's a totally different ball game.


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I remember you talking about this before in another thread, and I honestly still can't understand what you're talking about.

I honestly can't think of any car where I've ever been unhappy with how it reverses. Even a sub 100 hp econobox should be able to get going more than fast enough for anyone in reverse, much less in a 300 hp car. Just press the gas a little harder if it isn't reversing fast enough for you...

As I think I mentioned in a previous thread, if your LS4 monte really is as bad as you claim, either it has maintenance issues or your expectations are too high for what it is. If the car is working right, you shouldn't have to 'stand on think he pedal' to get going in a 300 hp car.

Originally Posted by 96z34man

the Envoy Denali I wanted to buy hauled *** like the devil was chasing it wearing Roseanne Barr's face.

Originally Posted by wolsblood07

Didn't the LS4 V8 in these cars have a weird thing where it deactivated 4 of the cylinders unless they were needed?
Just give me the 80s 5.0 liter H.O. V8 in all its low tech glory and I'll be happy.

Originally Posted by bumpin96monte

Yeah, they deactivate 4 sets of lifters under light load cruising. GM still does this on some of their newer v8s to try to help with the CAFE fuel requirements. Only issue I have with it is the sound with louder than stock exhaust. When it kicks in, the sound isn't good, although you can't really tell with stock exhaust. Good thing is, it's easy to disable with a tuner on the LS4 if you don't like it.

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Originally Posted by 96z34man

Speaking of "still can't understand," what maintenance issues PRECISELY would rob an engine of low-end torque?

Originally Posted by bumpin96monte

There are all kinds of things that could hurt performance and low end torque:
Low compression, a bad lifter, transmission clutches slipping, bad ignition coil, improper plug gap, partially clogged fuel injector, clogged cat, leaking intake manifold gasket, carbon buildup in the chamber, etc etc etc. Its extremely difficult to diagnose issues remotely to say what could precisely be wrong with your engine.



I think you may be confused as to the purpose of that list. The intent is to list preventative maintenance items- things that are known to wear or go bad in a set interval and should be replaced to avoid known issues.

It does not cover all of the other maintenance items that can pop up at random for various reasons. No PM list is going to tell you to replace a starter at a set mileage, but if you come out one morning and it's seized up, you have to maintain it for the car to work properly.



That further reinforces my point then, your LS4 monte has a maintenance issue. For it to have less low end torque, its down more than 50 lb ft of torque from where it should be. See comparison charts below - the ls4 should have 300 lb ft from 2k to 5k rpm, the l67 barely gets to 280 lb ft. See the charts below:







​​​​​​If your Monte will not move at idle in gear, it has a problem. I have literally the exact powertrain and the car should roll in gear under just idle power.



There certainly is something wrong with it, but like I said, it's hard to diagnose drive ability issues online. Perhaps you should take it to a reputable shop to have it checked out as it definitely sounds like something is wrong.

I'm not sure why you're so hung up on the word maintenance. Something is broken and needs to be fixed. Call it whatever you want.


I think my frustration is that all of the negative comments you post about the ls4 stem from your experience with a car with issues. I don't want a newbie to think that the complaints you have are true of all ls4 cars.