I just bought this 2002 Monte SS. Ithas some cosmetic issues and the SS seems crooked on the right door. I know that these SS badges can be purchased from GM, I have bought them for my Suburban lol. So what makes an SS an SS?
Thanks

 

from wiki, it has either a 3.4 engine for LS, or an SS which has the 3.8 N/A or 3.8 supercharged engine. Hope that helps.......




Trim levels initially consisted of the LS, and SS, the latter being the first front-wheel drive SS in the Chevrolet lineup. The LS used a 3.4 L OHV V6, while the SS got the 3.8 L V6. A Supercharged SS model was added for 2004 and 2005, though the naturally aspirated SS continued as well, but was relabeled as LT.

 

Thanks- I didn't know when the supercharger was added. So it really is an SS. There was bodywork on the right side, could have replaced the badge crooked

 

If you've got the 3800 then its an SS, supercharged versions only came in 04 and 05. I know theres differences in the VIN numbers but i don't know them off hand.

 

SS is just as fast as an LS... mind-boggling.

 

The SS dates back to the early 60's I owned several Super Sports Impala's, Camaro's and Chevelles. The SS package on a 62-63 Impala had Bucket seats, console, fancier dash accents, the suspension was a bit heavier, handling was a bit better to. If it is not an SS then it could be a "Clone" what some call a Super Sport wanna be.
same with the Pontiac Tempest - GTO's and other Cars in the GM line. Now you can find the SS, RS, LT, LTZ, Z34, (then the Camaro Z-28 RS, or an SS/RS) has to do with the front grills and bumpers. The Vin# also told the insurance company you owned a Muscle Car and your insurance cost you more money. They also use it to determine what they will give you for it when it is Damaged and can't be repaired.
The tell tale for all of it is in the VIN # if you know your local GM dealer well you can take the VIN# in and they can print out what your car is and the options it came with from the factory. ( Such remote locks etc.)

 

The ultimate answer is the VIN. In my case I just looked at my titled and SS is listed in the model description.

Pending no one pulled an engine swap, here's the simple rules on the SS vs non-SS in the '00-'05 Montes:
'00-'04 - An SS was a Monte with a L36 non-supercharged 3800
'04 - You could have an "Supercharged SS" (factory verbiage) with a supercharged 3800.
'05 - SS was now restricted to only the Supercharged 3800 (the non-Supercharged 3800 was now the LT).

You can actual verify what engine the car came out of the factory with. Open the trunk and on the inside of the trunk lid staring at you should be a sticker with your VIN and a bunch of 3 character codes. Here are the codes for the engines:
LA1 - 3400 3.4L v6
L36 - 3800 3.8L v6
L67 - 3800 3.8L v6 Supercharged

I hope that helps.

 

Thank you! I am pretty sure then it's an SS- nothing under the hood seems to have been disturbed. I had to put a radiator in it and it still had that annoying little plastic rivet in the bottom of the cooling fans.
Just a few more wrinkles to iron out and she'll be a reliable winter ride.