Chevy Impala Engine Replacement Cost [Labor & Parts]

If your Chevy Impala requires an engine replacement, it is time to start gathering information and estimating the cost of your repairs. The first thing you should know is what engine is in your Impala.
The best way to find out what engine is in your car is to look at the original sticker and maintenance manual that came with the vehicle or check online.
A Chevy Impala Engine replacement will cost an average of $4,800. An engine replacement for your Impala can range from as low as $3,200 up to $9,300.
If you’re wondering why there is such an extensive range, there are various engine sizes, installation costs, and engine conditions you can choose from.
Read on to learn about the various factors that will determine the cost of your Chevy Impala engine replacement below.
When Do I Need To Replace My Engine?
If your engine is running poorly and the problems seem to worsen, you should consider having it inspected. A professional examination of your engine will identify any major or minor repairs you need to make on your Impala.
If your engine is beyond repair, then it’s time to replace your engine. Replacing an Impala’s engine is a tedious and costly process, but it will be worth the price in the long run.
Different Chevy Impala Engine Options
The first step to replacing your Chevy Impala engine is knowing which engine you have. The engines that may be in your Chevy Impala include:
- 2.4 Liter 4-cylinder engine (2014 – 2021)
- 3.4 Liter V-6 engine (2000 – 2005)
- 3.5 Liter V6 engine (2006 – 2011)
- 3.6 Liter V6 engine (2014+)
- 3.8 Liter V6 engine (2000 – 2005)
- 3.9 Liter V6 engine (2006 – 2016)
- 5.3 Liter V8 engine (2006 -2009)
These various engines came in the Chevy Impala from 2000 to when the Chevy Impala was discontinued in 2020. Once you know what engine your vehicle has, you can estimate the cost of an engine replacement.
Engine Installation Costs
The next step to replacing your Impala’s engine is determining how much it will cost to have it properly installed. The installation process includes removing your old engine and installing a new one in its place.
Your new one must also be appropriately tuned and aligned to ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible.
A typical engine replacement will take around 15 hours to complete, but this time will vary depending on the mechanic you choose. The average hourly labor rate for a mechanic is $110.
With a range of $80/hour up to $150/hour depending on the mechanic and their specialization.
Here are some of the labor cost you can expect to pay at different auto repair shops:
- Chevrolet Dealership – $1,800 to $2,500
- Local Mechanic – $1,100 to $1,600
- Engine Specialized Shop – $1,500 to $2,100
- Non-Chevrolet Dealership – $1,950 to $2,400
The prices above only include the labor and not any parts. Many national franchise auto shops will not do an entire engine replacement because they lack the equipment and space.
National auto shops also try to do quick repairs to get as many customers in and out of the shop in a short amount of time.
In many cases, even a dealership will send your car to someone specializing in engine replacement to keep their bays free. Next, we will discuss the cost for various engines, which are in addition to the fees above for labor.
Chevy Impala Engine Replacement Cost
With so many different engine options over 20 years, it’s hard to determine the cost of a Chevy Impala engine replacement. Here is a list showing possible engine prices if your Chevy Impala is a model year between 2000 and 2020.
2.4 Liter 4-cylinder engine
- eBay – $650 to $3,700 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,500 to $2,500 (Used)
- Dealer – $4,200 to $4,700 (New)
- Refurbished – $2,700 to $3,600
3.4 Liter V-6 engine
- eBay – $400 to $1,000 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $700 to $1,400 (Used)
- Dealer – $3,000 to $3,900 (New)
- Refurbished – $2,500 to $3,200
3.5 Liter V6 engine
- eBay – $424 to $980 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,000 to $2,000 (Used)
- Dealer – $3,200 to $4,100 (New)
- Refurbished – $2,700 to $3,300
3.6 Liter V6 engine
- eBay – $780 to $1,900 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,300 to $2,500 (Used)
- Dealer – $3,900 to $4,700 (New)
- Refurbished – $3,000 to $3,700
3.8 Liter V6 engine
- eBay – $780 to $3,200 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,500 to $2,900 (Used)
- Dealer – $3,900 to $4,700 (New)
- Refurbished – $3,300 to $4,200
3.9 Liter V6 engine
- eBay – $425 to $1,200 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,000 to $1,600 (Used)
- Dealer – $3,200 to $4,100 (New)
- Refurbished – $2,700 to $3,300
5.3 Liter V8 engine
- eBay – $1,100 to $1,750 (Used)
- Salvage Yard – $1,900 to $3,700 (Used)
- Dealer – $5,100 to $6,000 (New)
- Refurbished – $4,200 to $5,300
These are some of the prices for new, refurbished, and used Chevy Impala engines to help you determine the cost of your engine replacement. It’s a good idea to shop around and find the best price that you can.
New and refurbished engines will typically have a warranty with them, so you will have protection if anything goes wrong after the installation.
Signs That Your Engine Needs To Be Replaced
There are many signs that your engine can give off, but some are more serious than others. Here are examples are just a few:
Check Engine Light
If your car’s check engine light comes on, you should immediately bring it in for an inspection. The problem could be pretty small and simple to fix; however, the issue could also be severe if not looked at right away.
Vibrations and Noises
Engine vibration and unusual noises can signify that you need to take your vehicle in for an inspection. The mechanic may find something small, such as a belt tensioner, or they could find something more serious like damaged pistons. Either way, it will have to be inspected if these symptoms occur.
Unexpected Loss of Acceleration
If you notice a sudden loss of acceleration, you should take care of this as soon as possible. The problem can be as simple as a dirty throttle body or something more serious like the need for a new transmission. No matter what, you will want to get it checked out to avoid problems on the road.
Once your engine starts to fail, it will cause many troubles for your Chevy Impala that can be very expensive to fix. If you’re having these issues, the best thing that you can do is take it in for an inspection and get a diagnosis on it right away.
Best Way Maintain Your Chevy Impala Engine
There are many different ways to maintain your Chevy Impala engine, although most of them will be preventative measures.
Oil Changes
The first way is to complete regular oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or once every three months. This will ensure that your engine stays properly lubricated and that all moving parts are suitably protected from corrosion.
Keeping Your Engine Clean
Another way that you can maintain your engine is by keeping it clean. Every time you fill up on gas, try to get some fuel injector cleaner and add it to the tank before filling up. This will ensure that no buildups occur in the fuel system or around the valves.
Scheduled Tune-Ups
Finally, try to complete regular tune-ups every 60,000 miles. The first step of a tune-up is an oil change followed by the replacement of spark plugs and wires and the filter for your fuel system.
Cleaning or replacing these parts will ensure that everything is running at peak performance and help prevent any unnecessary issues.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is a wide range of engine replacement costs when it comes to an Impala. The best thing for you to do if you are experiencing any issues with your vehicle is to bring it in for regular inspections and be proactive about taking care of any concerns.
You will also want to complete the above maintenance procedures to prevent any issues from occurring in the future. Know which engine you have, and don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price on your new engine!