i want to go fast!

[sublime922]

i want to go fast but i cant find anything for my engine to do it with!! help me out!

[92CamaroRS]

well pretty much anything for the 3300 will have to be custom made! sorry to tell ya that. i know thats not what ya wanted to hear. i did my exhaust for 480$ with a new hi flow cat
i thought it was a good deal!

[sublime922]

i already have custom magnaflow exhaust and air intake, plus k and n air filter

[92CamaroRS]

well thats about it unless your willing to start to shell out thousands of dollars for custom parts.

[bminder]

I'm not familiar with the 3.3 other than knowing that it's a little brother to the 3.8. Some tricks you can try: Put a 180 degree thermostat, keeps it cooler and will make a little more power.
Take off the air intake tube from the Throttle body, is there a mesh screen over the TB? The 3.8s have one that smooths the air flow over the MAF sensor, but restricts airflow. I've taken mine off and noticed a little more power. Does the 3.3 have a mesh screen?
Those are two little tricks...

[sublime922]

yea i have the screen but doesnt that mess up the mass air flow sensor and screw with the computer after u remove it?

[92CamaroRS]

it didnt in my car
i actaully got better gas mileage fromit too! about 1-2 mpg bette which = to about 15-30 mpt

[bminder]

There's been alot of posts on the Bonneville and Grand Prix boards, and the general consences is that you just need to try it and see how your engine responds. It's held in place by a big C clip, that if you carefully remove it, and pull it out gently you can always reinstall it.
What it's there for is to smooth the air flow over the MAF sensor for a better idle and more consistent measuring of the airflow. (I'm assuming on these engines the MAF sensor is on the Throttle body, is it??On the old 3.8's it was a big honkin' thing on the tube leading to the TB)
I've read that the screen restricts airflow by 10-15%.
When I took mine off on my 3.8, I noticed no difference in idle, and increased power and gas mileage... the engine is breathing easier.
Tell me, what does the screen look like?? Is it just some wires running accross like a tiny chicken wire fence, or is it a fine mesh-honeycomb screen?? My '96 3.8 has the fine mesh screen and it's about 1/4 inch thick.. a big restriction is you ask me.
It's a cheap, free mod you can try and reverse if you carefully remove it.

[92CamaroRS]

yup that is exactly what it looks like and it is a big tube that is infront of the tb. it bolts right up to it.

[bminder]

I think this is a fun mod to try.
Take the tube off the throttle body, and take a look at the screen and C clip on the TB.
Get a needle nose pliers to GENTLY compress the C Clip and take it out of the groove it's in. GENTLY pry out the mesh screen on the TB. Store them in a safe place if you ever want to put them back on.
Put the tube back on and tighten the clamps.
Another hint: I don't know what the air filter box is like on these Grand Ams, but on my '96 Olds 3.8, there was a big plastic wall right after the air filter (On the clean side) that had a cone in it to let air through. I noticed that this thing was tacked in with some plastic welds. I took my drill and a bit and carefully drilled out the plastic welds and removed the plastic wall and cone thing. BTW, the air filter was always getting dirty in just the spot where the cone let air through, so you know it was restrictive. I'm sure the reason it's there is to quiet the intake sound when you step hard on the gas.
After removing that and the MAF screen, the engine became a lot more responsive.
Try it, you'll like it.

[sublime922]

what about rerouting the air intake hose from behind the battery to going straight behind the radiator fan with the opening facing the radiator? this should let more air in from the fan plus through the grills in the fron of the car when driving. and does anyone know if it is possible to get a 3.8 into the grand am? ive seen a few onsale on ebay and wanted to try and put one in but i dont know what would be involved with it

[bminder]

I don't think that would be a good idea. You could route the air tube like you said, but it seems to me that then you'd be sucking in hot air from the radiator, and you want it as cool as possible. When the car gets up to operating temp, it might even feel like you've lost power because of the engine sucking in hot air.
Someone with more knowlegde than me would have to tell you if you could drop in the 3.8. You'd need the computer and wiring harness, and I don't know if it would work with the tranny, but it would be an awesome swap if you could put in a Series 2 3800. THey have 205hp.

[ephiny526]

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR MAF SCREEN!!!! haven't you boys ever heard of code 33? the maf screen is there for a reason. and don't listen to the nonsense that it's a more "turbulent free" airflow. THAT'S BULL. Envision this process by thinking of your kitchen faucet. The little screen on the end. Take it out and watch your water flow increase but also notice it splash around and surge. You can see the uneven flow very easily. Put the aerator back in and see it smooth out in a more regulated even flow. Look at the end of most hair dryers and they will have a screen in them. Of course this is to prevent getting your hair sucked up in there and catching your head on fire BUT it also disperses the air in a more even, regulated pattern. Think of the construction of a dam on a river. You KNOW it is restrictive. It "holds back" the natural flow of water and regulates it to a desired given amount. Why? To do something productive with the process of flow. Just like your MAF screens.

The screens are there simply to provide a steady, stable, regulated environment for the most precise calculations available.

[92CamaroRS]

ive taken mine out and have had it out for over 3k miles and no problems yet. engine ran rough for the first few min but that was becaus i had sprayed the entire intake down with tb cleaner so it was kinda flooded. but its ran great ever since until i found out my pcv valve was cracked and ill see how it runs after that has been replaced today!

[Gran Damn]

Originally posted by GAguy
ive taken mine out and have had it out for over 3k miles and no problems yet. engine ran rough for the first few min but that was becaus i had sprayed the entire intake down with tb cleaner so it was kinda flooded. but its ran great ever since until i found out my pcv valve was cracked and ill see how it runs after that has been replaced today!
If it does run great you are very lucky,in our shop we have replaced more than a few sensors for the reasons that ephiny has given you.

[bminder]

Epiphany,
you need to CAREFULLY reread my post about the screen being there to smooth out the airflow. I did not say removing it smooths the airflow. You didn't read it correctly.

Gran Damm,
please explain to me how removing the screen will damage the MAF sensor...

Sorry to dissagree with you boys, but if you read on the Bonneville Club site and the Grand Prix owners site, many knowledable guys (technicians and hotrodders) have done this mod without problems and noticed increases in power and even MPG.
I've had my screen off for 7 months in all kinds of Wyoming weather, and it's all been positive. I'm sure that the mesh screen makes for a nice flow over the sensor, but the fact is that it's also restricting airflow which in turn reduces power. My screen is 1/4 inch thick and you can't hardly see through it because of the twist in the pattern.

I've heard of no one getting a code 33, which is excessive air flow.

The bottom line is that this mod is easily reversible if you don't like it or trust it.

[ephiny526]

1. i'm not a guy.

2. show me the proof in the gain in hp.

3. the maf screen is there for a reason. with your reasoning, you could say that the air filter is restrictive. yes it is restrictive, by design. it has a purpose though, doesn't it? the maf screen gives the sensor a stable environment so that accurate calcuations can be made.

4. if everyone jumped off the bridge would you too?

5. E-P-H-I-N-Y

6. this mod can only free up hp, not make it. you have to do some mods to your engine in order for this to work. and even then, it's HEAVILY modded engines. and if your engine is that heavily modified, why are you using a MAF system anyway? You should be on Speed Density with a custom chip.

[Gran Damn]

What we have noticed is on some of these you get a bad tip in hesitation. My guess is that since the sensor is close to the throttle plate the change in throttle angle creates momontary turbulence and wacky readings. On the 3.4 the sensor is in a straight flow of air and has few problems when the screen is removed.

If yours works good that is great it is always nice to get free power!

[bminder]

Well, Miss E-P-H-I-N-Y, you need to do some more reading before you dismiss this out of hand. Do you really want to learn something here, or do you just want to argue?
If you want to remove your air filter, go right ahead, but making your point with something absurd like that doesn't refute the facts. (FYI, many guys DO remove their air filters for 1/4 mile runs because it also improves breathing.)
I agree the screen is there for a reason. But just because GM did something doesn't mean it's the ultimate, perfect solution to something. Many times things like the MAF screen are compromises. They have lots of things to consider, like little old ladies who don't want to hear any intake growl and want a perfectly smooth idle. They sacrificed a little power by placing a screen that happens to be restrictive so the engine's idle and metering is more consistent.
The screen is there to try and provide a smooth flow over the sensor, but it's also a restriction, and therefore it reduces power. By removing it your engine can breathe easier and you "free up" more power, whether it's modded or not.
Some have noticed a rougher idle at times, but the majority who have been doing this are seeing no change in idle, and an increase in throttle response and even fuel economy.

Here are some websites to further your education, and to give you some proof you're demanding:
http://www.zzperformance.com/zzp/free_mods/TB_Screen_Removal.htm
http://www.gp-owners.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=29&CAT_ID=7&Forum_Title=L36+Powered+Cars
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/index.php

On the last 2 sites, you'll have to do a search on MAF screen to find the posts.

By the way, it's fun to jump off bridges. You should try it.

Gran Damm, your reply didn't explain how removing the screen damages the sensor. The hesitation you mentioned seems strange. Everyone I've read that's done this has noticed increased throttle response.

Like I said, you don't like what it does, put it back.

[Gran Damn]

The screen helps protect the sensor from debris that will damage the sensor wires.

[bminder]

I'm sure the screen would do that, but that's what the air filter is for. If debris like that is getting past your air filter, you'll have bigger problems than a damaged MAF sensor.

[bminder]

Has anyone checked more into the compatibility of the 3.8 engine parts for the 3.3? Would the rockers work?

[scott9050]

Originally posted by ephiny526
DO NOT REMOVE YOUR MAF SCREEN!!!! haven't you boys ever heard of code 33? the maf screen is there for a reason. and don't listen to the nonsense that it's a more "turbulent free" airflow. THAT'S BULL. Envision this process by thinking of your kitchen faucet. The little screen on the end. Take it out and watch your water flow increase but also notice it splash around and surge. You can see the uneven flow very easily. Put the aerator back in and see it smooth out in a more regulated even flow. Look at the end of most hair dryers and they will have a screen in them. Of course this is to prevent getting your hair sucked up in there and catching your head on fire BUT it also disperses the air in a more even, regulated pattern. Think of the construction of a dam on a river. You KNOW it is restrictive. It "holds back" the natural flow of water and regulates it to a desired given amount. Why? To do something productive with the process of flow. Just like your MAF screens.

The screens are there simply to provide a steady, stable, regulated environment for the most precise calculations available.

Not true, I have descreened every MAF car that I have ever owned with no problems. MAF manufacturers in the aftermarket do not have screens even when they use stock electronics (C&L) and they work properly. The screen is a secondery trash collector basically put there to stop anything large that the filter missed.

[scott9050]

Originally posted by Gran Damn
If it does run great you are very lucky,in our shop we have replaced more than a few sensors for the reasons that ephiny has given you.

There are people who do not do it properly and do not clean the MAF wire with electrical contact spray, a big no-no when playing with your MAF.

[Alex 47]

jet chip makes a chip for the 1993 grand am 199$$ for stage one and 209$$$ for the stage 2 i m still trying to look for a chip for the 1992 if anyone has found one for it can u tell me please