Need Your Advice

[BB'SND4SPD]

I have a '00 GAGT. I'm looking to do some modifications to make it faster and more powerful, but nothing tooooo drastic. I have a k&N drop in filter and that's it, well other than slotted rotors. I know I should get a cat back system, but which one Borla or SLP? What else could I do. I mean I hear all this about CAI systems, but are they better than the RAM Air that is existing? Lastly, what about performance chips, ie Jet Chips or the digital PCm that's offered on gmpartsforyourcar.com? Are either ones worth while? If I did all of the above mods, about how much hp would I gain?

[matts]

a major contributing factor between borla or slp is money. if you've got the extra few hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket then borla would work. if you're strapped for cash SLP is your ticket. some people say they like SLP over Borla anyway, some are vice versa.
most people agree that CAI is better than the stock ram air setup. i've never really looked at a factory ram air for the GA, so i cant really give my opinion. :)
same thing goes for chips. some swear by them some call them a total waste of money. it'd be worth it to me to eliminate the speed governor. but i like to drive fast. :P i had a chip in my truck and i could tell a difference.

[Stephen's GA]

On the exhaust like matt said its gonna boil down to price both have there the pro's

CAI is better than the factory R/A unless you seal it up and make it more functional but i would just invest in a true CAI.

Chips well Jet doesnt seem to offer a chip that works all that good in are GA's dont get me wrong they are ok but not really worth the money.

If you want a good chip its a little pricey but it does what it says itll do itll take you from 170hp to 190hp completely removes govener no top speed:D and gives better shift points go with ASEchips.

[BB'SND4SPD]

Thanks guys. Although money always plays some sort of factor, If the performance of the borla exhaust is that much more noticable than the SLP, then I would spend the extra $$. But I hear SLP gives you 12hp which brings the standard GT from 175hp to 187hp. Borla, I hear, guarantees a gain of up to 10% of your total hp which would be 17hp taking it to 192hp. I already have the K&N drop in which adds 5hp, so SLP grand total=192hp/borla=197hp. SO is 5hp really worth the extra $200?
As far as the induction, I will probably buy a CAI, being that the stock RAM AIR only adds 5hp. What kind of hp gain is a good CAI good for? And I've never heard of those chips you mentioned. How much is a good CAI and how much are those chips?

[Stephen's GA]

The ASE chip retails for $300 you usually find em for $299 LOL but they are worth it here is there link http://www.asechips.com/

And the CAI there are many to choose but here is one from American Performanceof Colorado $185 and they have a few differ ones to choose from. http://www1.ecxmall.com/stores/americanperformance/Detail.bok?searchpath=d8346805f8f0d83feefc&category=Alero%2FGrand+Am+Performance&start=11&total=18&no=38

There is also a few threads on here that show you how to make your own CAI by using the civic intake avail from autozone its alot cheaper and works just as good.

[BB'SND4SPD]

Thanks guys. I'm going to look into it. The only question I have about the CAI is do I have to cut a hole in the fender wall trim or do I have to completely take it off?

[MJE95GAGT]

Originally posted by BB'SND4SPD
Thanks guys. Although money always plays some sort of factor, If the performance of the borla exhaust is that much more noticable than the SLP, then I would spend the extra $$. But I hear SLP gives you 12hp which brings the standard GT from 175hp to 187hp. Borla, I hear, guarantees a gain of up to 10% of your total hp which would be 17hp taking it to 192hp. I already have the K&N drop in which adds 5hp, so SLP grand total=192hp/borla=197hp. SO is 5hp really worth the extra $200?


SLP makes more hp, it has 2.5" piping compared to the 2.25" of the Borla. Its just some people prefer the sound of Borla, SLP can be loud for some, especially you old folks :P

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by BB'SND4SPD
I already have the K&N drop in which adds 5hp, so SLP grand total=192hp/borla=197hp. SO is 5hp really worth the extra $200?
As far as the induction, I will probably buy a CAI, being that the stock RAM AIR only adds 5hp. What kind of hp gain is a good CAI good for? And I've never heard of those chips you mentioned. How much is a good CAI and how much are those chips?

First off.....HP is not accumulative so you can't just add numbers. Modifications work together to not only increase HP but also total performance, so you may get btter throttle responce, but no HP gain for example.

Exhaust only will give you about 8 HP but you'll feel a slight loss of low end.

This is what you can expect, quoted from another thread:

Originally posted by kubiache
When High Performance Pontiac (Dec '03) did the install and dynoed before and after, they came up with a before of 141whp (stock) and after installing SLP and APOC CAI 158whp.

Alot of guys will buy the SLP, remove and sell the muffler, and put a Magnaflow Camaro style muffler in it's place. Then you have the best of both worlds, performance and good tone.

Originally posted by MJE95GAGT
....., SLP can be loud for some, especially you old folks :P

It's not the loudness.......it's the rasp that get's to me. SLP sounds like there's gravel rattling around in the pipes when you back off of them. :D