Getting a little bit more

[smoove_b]

Hi, I recently picked up a GA SE1 with 3400V6 and was wondering how I could pull just a bit more power from the car. However I have two problems: 1) ignorance of performance upgrades and, 2) concern of fuel economy/efficiency. How, exactly, could I "easily" pull a bit more power from the 3400 and what would be sacrificed?

Thanks
B

[erimar77]

first off, people are going to tell you to use the search button located in the upper left

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/search.php?s=

to make this a little easier, search for port and polish, cai, cold air intake, exhaust, k&n

[RocketFast321]

yea what the Bacardi Guy said :)

[mopowr79]

Jeez guys, cold air intake, SLP exhaust, DHP Ecu, now how hard is that. I like search as well as anyone else, but sometimes get sick of searching through 150 relative topics without getting an answer. Above mods will gain a bit of power without sacrificing mileage. Intake could run you as little as $20 for a warm air intake to $180 for a Doctor Speed cold air intake. SLP will run about $475 shipped, DHP is $315 with $100 core charge included. mopowr79

[StaindGreen9]

Originally posted by erimar77
first off, people are going to tell you to use the search button located in the upper left

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/search.php?s=

to make this a little easier, search for port and polish, cai, cold air intake, exhaust, k&n

My search button is in the upper right. :D

[smoove_b]

Yeah, I used the search button located in the upper _right_, but I didn't quite know what to search for. I came across a few posts but none of them really answered _my_ question.

Now, how hard would the cold air intake be to install? And, what do these upgrades do?

Thanks,
B

[99blackSE]

Well intakes arent too hard to install... can do em pretty quick i guess. All of em add power, intakes kinda shift power to higher rpms but not that much of a shift. With the exhaust, intake, dhp you should see an increase in gas mileage and notice the power increase as well...
DHP is a reprogramming of the PCM, (http://65.109.52.43) that is their website, you can read what it does there. Exhaust is exhaust... adds more power and will make your car sound different depending on the muffler.

[smoove_b]

Originally posted by 99blackSE
Well intakes arent too hard to install... can do em pretty quick i guess. All of em add power, intakes kinda shift power to higher rpms but not that much of a shift. With the exhaust, intake, dhp you should see an increase in gas mileage and notice the power increase as well...
DHP is a reprogramming of the PCM, (http://65.109.52.43) that is their website, you can read what it does there. Exhaust is exhaust... adds more power and will make your car sound different depending on the muffler.

From what I see on the website, my Grand Am doesn't appear to be compatible (ie, not listed). You have to give me a little room for error since I'm not really a "car guy", but I do want to learn how to work on the vehicle.

Could you throw together a "shopping guide" of sorts? Basically I want to know what I should buy first then next and so forth (I assume the biggest performance enhancers first?). Or is there a site with this ability already out? (I can't seem to drum anything like that up with google.)

Thanks,
B

[Bjornboy81]

check out www.pfyc.com they say that it's avalible for the SE model.

[Pte Socks]

Just a note, more than anything buy yourself or build a nice WAI or CAI and a 2.25" exhaust. The chip is a nice addition but it does require you to run premium gas which isnt so good. A CAI could be installed by you but it will require you to have some tools ( ie, a socket set, flat head screwdriver, and a torque wrench because you will have to remove your front driver tire ) However, a CAI is also harder to clean as you have to basically remove your tire everytime you recharge it, so if you dont wan to have to deal with that, get a WAI. As for the exhaust. Everyone on here chooses the SLP exhaust because its 2.5", fairly cheap, and loud. If your not that much a of a fan of a loud exhaust, look at the custom route or a Borla exhaust. Both of which will run you more. As for pipe sizes for your exhaust, probably go with the 2.25", as you wont lose low end and will still make you breath much better for the higher rpms.

[Bjornboy81]

^isn't the stock exhaust 2.25"? I'd go with 2.5" personaly....these cars have a lot of low end torque and the 2.5" will help it breath much more easily on the top end.

Also check out underdrive pulleys. www.fastfwdperformance has them for about $100 and they add up to 5+hp.

[Dave C]

http://65.109.52.43/products.htm
^ its the last one under Digital Horsepower 1.0 PCM Units

exhaust and CAI will allow air to flow more easily, they will also make your car sound louder (for exhaust, most people go 2.5" exhaust if they plan on modding the engine more, 2.25" if you plan on leaving it alone). DHP chip will change the timing I believe, prolly want to take this out before you take your car in for warranty work...

you could also get a new throttle body, which also allows air to flow better. or ported and polished intake manifolds (air flows better, too). also, headers and a new exhaust downpipe will do the same thing.

It really depends on how much you plan to put into your car. if you want to go all the way, you can get a super/turbocharger with a new fuel system. if you do this, you probably want to already have exhaust and a couple other things on the car first.


Most people start with exhaust and CAI. Next maybe headers and a new downpipe, or PnP'ed manifolds and a new TB.

[99blackSE]

my .02 cents on N/A buildup.

I hope to eventually one day go headers, heads, manifolds, TB, cam, DHP.

I dont think you get everything out of manifolds and TB with stock heads.. not sure on that though.

Custom headers, exhaust, heads, manifolds, cam, and PCM...

one day...