3.4 Stock... it's about time to unleash the beast!

[SeattleGT]

Hey guys, its about time for me to do a few mods. Being completely unmechanical I don't know where I should start.

Ive been in contact with a few local shops about ordering/installing a Header, and a new Power Control Unit. Im also really interested in getting the Borla cat back system. Thats about all I really know that I want. I'm hoping you guys can give me ideas on other items I am overlooking.

It seems that most of you go with The Other Guys header/s. They seem to be the most expensive out there, is that because of performance, or are you just paying for the name?

Also on the power control unit... I was told there is no removable chip for my engine. He said he found a power control unit that plugs into my computer. He says it adds upto 25Hp, and recalibrates the Air/Fuel ratio for maximum performance. Price for this is 259.00 with installation of about $30. Is this something anyone has done?

It also seems from a few websites (Street Arsenal) I have looked over that I should upgrade my throttle body, price is nice and cheap. They also sell an Upper Intake and Lower Intake that seems very resonable for the performance.

Though once again I have absolutely no idea on the correct (if there is one) order in which to install mods, or of a good local place to order from. Would you suggest me buying these parts maybe offline and then finding a local shop to install. Or just find the shop and let them get the parts in?

Any information would be appreciated. I know I covered a few things that have been brought up elsewhere, and I'm asking alot of questions, but I appreciate the help!

[TheLamonizer]

i think a lot of people believe that SLP will give you more gains than borla. i dont know how or why though.

[SeattleGT]

But the Borla looks really nice. I havent seen any good pictures of the SLP. The pictures I have seen didn't make the SLP tips look polished...

Hmm nevermind, I found a better picture. Is the Borla exhaust made better or someting? Why the high price?

[Xidion]

borla = superior

[coupe]

SLP=superior

[DowmaceWH99]

SLP will give you a louder sound, and more power, whereas the Borla will have a better tone to it, and looks all shiny. Of course this all from what I've heard from others on the forums, personally if I was going for performance definately go with SLP

[the mitchell]

borla has an awesome sound.

[kubiache]

Borla = 2.25", mellow tone

SLP = 2.5", loud and proud

[azeniskid]

2.5inch anyday of the week.

[TheLamonizer]

okay guys i wasnt meaning to turn this into a borla vs. slp battle so lets get on topic :D

[Xidion]

some one run an ALPon a 2.4 post the sound then some one do borla.

[SeattleGT]

SLP has my vote for the price, and I would definately like an aggressive tone

[kubiache]

Ok, check this out to hear what SLP sounds like.

Red SE is me, Black GT is H.O. Driver, just taken this weekend.

I have S&S headers w/ cat, SLP catback.
Tim has SLP with no cat.

1 - Me @ idle (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00458.MPG)
2 - Tim idle (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00459.MPG)
3 - Me, 35mph drive by (couldn't get into 4th in time) (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00460.MPG)
4 - Tim, 35mph drive by, 4th gear (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00464.MPG)
5 - 100mph fly-by. (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00452.MPG)

[SeattleGT]

cool, unfortunatley this crap computer at work has no soundcard... I'll check it out at home

[Themeneea]

WTF????

they sound like 4 bangers

[Xidion]

on an SE i ment a 2.4 not a 3.4

[Xidion]

and that SLP sounds like ass seriously.

[Ishan]

yeah.. those don't really sound to good..

[RamAirGAGT]

I would go with SLP if all I had to do was idle. Sounded nasty when reved. Does Borla do that too?

[Kdawg207]

nope

[Blackrider]

Well My combo of choise is S&S Headers, Magnaflow high flow cat SLP piping with a Magnaflow muffler.

Stay away for Street Arsenal Crap. if you are going to get the manifolds done, Wait untill you have the cash for getting the heads done too. it saved you having to rip the top end of the engine apart again. :)

[kubiache]

For those saying it sounds like crap who haven't heard it in person, keep in mind a GA will never sound like a V8. The raspiness in mine is from the headers, which can be cured with a resonator. His sound is because of no cat.

[car audio dave]

actually kubiache, lots of people say that mine sounds like a v8 with the few mods ive done. these are also mods that i recommend:
- Cold air intake with K&N filter
- random technology catalytic converter (no longer available)
- flowmaster 80 series exhaust
- ASE chip replacement (not an add on, board is resoldered)
- street arsenal ported lower intake manifold

if anyone wants to hear mine, i cant record it, but i might be able to have you call me and i can play it over the phone. LOL

[Blackrider]

I would go DHP now that they are avalable.

[kubiache]

Dave, plenty of people have told me it sounds like a V8 too, but no one that knows jack about cars. i.e. No muscle car owner/lover has ever said to any GA owner, "wow, that sounds just like my GTO."

Either way, if you don't like, don't go with that setup, I'm not offended. I like it, but yes, it took some getting used to. The only thing I MAY change is that I may swap out the cat for a resonator. But we'll see. There's other priorities first.

Edit: As it's been said before, if you want performance go with SLP, if you'd rather have a mellow drone, go with Borla. Here's a vid of what it sounds like inside the car with SLP.
In-car Vid (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak2/MOV00455.MPG)

[Pte Socks]

does anyone have an opinion on S&S vs TOG headers? if im not mistaken, TOG headers are cheaper but they dont appear to be as long, thus the performance might be less. Im really curious to see which has better performance

[Blackrider]

Originally posted by Neo-Blue99GASE
does anyone have an opinion on S&S vs TOG headers? if im not mistaken, TOG headers are cheaper but they dont appear to be as long, thus the performance might be less. Im really curious to see which has better performance
S&S are cheaper, The TOG Vs S&S argument has been covered lots, i knwo for a fact that there are some good threads on GAGT.com Not to sure about here however.

[Pte Socks]

hmm so GAGT.com is the place to look then? Personally, I just want dyno sheets to prove which has better gains and which will last longer

[kubiache]

Nobody has dynoed the S&S headers yet. You can probably count on very similar gains, but a little advantage S&S has (IIRC) is that they do have longer pipes.

[Prospeeder]

Kubiache I thought your cars looked and sounded awsome, are they really fast, cause i want mine to be super fast so i can show off at school

[kubiache]

^ The difference is night and day. Get a catback first if you don't have one already. But yeah, you'll move...trust me.

[95SE3100H80]

i cant hear the sound, but are you two racing in that one video that says , "100 mph"... because it says you run a 14.8 and he is pulling on you (if you are racing, no sound)... what mods do you guys have done...?

[kubiache]

^ He can't beat me at the track.....yet. But he beat me there from a 25mph roll coming over that hill, I blew the start...excuses excuses. He wasn't pulling, but I wasn't gaining. We were just kinda going the same speed at that point. We both have intake and SLP, but I have S&S headers, and he's doesn't just yet.

You need to get some sound, man. That's the best part.

[95SE3100H80]

i personally dont think it sounds that bad.... it doesnt sound like a v8, but it isnt so what is the problem? v8's sound good but it doesnt mean that 6 cylinders sound like crap

[RamAirGAGT]

I'm not comparing it to a v8. I am saying it sounds nasty even for a 4. Just my opinion, though.

[SilverGA]

I'm running 2.5" cat back into Flowmaster 80 series and exiting out of duel Camaro SS tips. The sound was a bit annoying at first, but the power was noticable. Over time the sound of the exhaust has mellowed to where it is a nice deep sound. At high revs, there is still the signature "Flowmaster whine"....but none of the people I beat seem to mind.

[Blackrider]

Originally posted by SilverGA
I'm running 2.5" cat back into Flowmaster 80 series and exiting out of duel Camaro SS tips. The sound was a bit annoying at first, but the power was noticable. Over time the sound of the exhaust has mellowed to where it is a nice deep sound. At high revs, there is still the signature "Flowmaster whine"....but none of the people I beat seem to mind.

I love my 80S It A bit raspy at about 5 grand but as you said the people we beat dont mind.

P.S. Since when did the 3.4 in the ga come with an OHC (Over Head Cam)
:P

[thomas uzarski]

I have SLP StainlessSteel Dual Exhaust on my 2000 Pontiac GrandAm SE1,I love the sound , plus Borla wouldn't fit, because i don't have the cutouts for the dual exhaust.

[H.O. Driver]

Cat-Back:
SLP is cheaper, flows more, has drone and loud exhuast note, larger piping, stickly for performance.

Borla is quiter, better tone, no drone, in addition to having a resonator, more pipe bends, smaller piping, decent flow, still tons better than stock.

However, if you are looking for performance and plan on doing more mods, blower or turbo, and racing, aka, trying to go fast and get the most, go with SLP. eventually you will out flow the 2.25" piping of the borla. (about 275 whp you will begin to out flow Borla, which may take the GA a while)

Headers:
TOG, good quality, good tone, dynoed a 18 whp gain with a stock alero.
http://www.theotherguysproducts.com/images/grandam_dyno.jpg

S&S, longer tube, good quality, yet to be dynoed, track proven. Decent gains

Still personal prefrence with headers though.

[H.O. Driver]

Originally posted by 95SE3100H80
i cant hear the sound, but are you two racing in that one video that says , "100 mph"... because it says you run a 14.8 and he is pulling on you (if you are racing, no sound)... what mods do you guys have done...?

I also had a passenger in car, he didn't :P

^ He can't beat me at the track.....yet. But he beat me there from a 25mph roll coming over that hill, I blew the start...excuses excuses.

I was able to down shift to 1st with my skip shifts with my DHP <-- love it so far. Dave was stuck in 2nd for a long time. We raced up hill, by the 1/4mi he was catching up. Since I have my adjustable timing we'll see how close I am at the track. Aint nothing like some 104 octane with the ability of 13* of additional advance timing. :lol:

[kubiache]

^ yeah we'll post new video after 4/4. We'll see how that timing treats ya! ;)

[H.O. Driver]

It better treat me well, you better be faster too ;)