My New 2005 Grand Prix

**extreme** · 06-24-2009

New to the boards and would love some recomendations and tips. Have done a lot of reading and just want some help now. I just bought a 2005 Grand Prix 3800 series III of course.. Looking into getting some goodies to make it faster. As of right now I plan on doing the fowllowing; MSD Coils, MSD Wires, Iridium Plugs, Cold Air Intake, and Full Exhaust.

Now the thing is what brand of Cold Air Intake is the best bang for the buck? Recomendations for Exhaust? Id like 2.5 or 3", something that sounds mean and good, however not too loud and I just want to keep the single exhaust and not duals. What type of downpipe?
Any recomendations on where or what to get for a tuned computer or chip? And does anyone make underdrive pullys for this car?

Also would like to lower the car. Any specific brand youd reccomend? Anything I should do suspension wise? Was told to get Comp G struts.

Let me know. Thanks for the help guys!

**vailskier3** · 06-25-2009

build your own intake...look at the how to section for that mod. others i'm not too sure about, i'm going to be looking into those others soon...

**tod1d** · 06-25-2009

does your car have a super charger?

**extreme** · 06-25-2009

Originally Posted by tod1d

does your car have a super charger?

No it sure don't. I wish it did.

**tod1d** · 06-25-2009

MSD coils and wires are a waste of money, the stock coils&wires and spark plugs are more then enough
my cold air intake made the exhaust sound better, not sure if the performance improved, have to dyno it know for sure
my car came with two mufflers so can't comment on altering that also there is no u-bend on our cars

what you could do for better performance is the HV3
https://www.zzperformance.com/grand_...=214&catid=113
it used to be necessary to buy one designed for the series II engine but now it looks like they offer one for the series III engine as well, it's got me thinking about doing that mod

new pcm will make a difference
running synthetic oil is a good idea if nothing else it gives you longer oil change intervals

**Panther427** · 06-26-2009

I second Avoid the money wasting MSD COILS AND WIRES. Hogan Performacne makes down pipes. Most company out there should have an exhaust system. SSC for spring.

**extreme** · 06-29-2009

Thank you for all the input. Appreciate it. Im deffinantly looking into doing that intake insert. Im looking around for a 3" exhaust. I might build a CAI, but looking around for one, but they are so damn exspensive for this car. And deffinantly want to do a tuned computer.

**blueguy** · 07-01-2009

Mods for your L26 Grand Prix should be as follows IMO...

1) Custom CAI - Make your own, shouldn't cost more than $75-$100
2) 180* Thermostat - $10 or less at your local auto parts store
3) ZZPerformance PLOG - Or Powerlogged Front Manifold. The Stocker is casted BAD.
4) ZZPerformance Downpipe - Your choice...I'd get a 3" Catted Downpipe
5) Custom Exhaust - Keep the resonator, Mufflers of your choice...3" is overkill for a N/A motor...keep it around 2.5" or so.
6) Autolite 605 Spark Plugs & PRJ/MSD/TDC Racing Spark Plug wires...agreed don't waste your money on MSD Coils, but the wires are great...I've had them for over a year Daily Driven and love them...no problems.
7) ZZPerformance HV3 Upper Insert - GREAT N/A Mod
8) Tuned PCM - ONLY get one from Overkill Motorsports, Intense-Racing.com, or 3800 Performance
9) Intense-Racing Poly Motor Mounts - Helps getting power to the ground...I love mine

10) Shift Kit -Get one from TransGo from Triple Edge Performance - Home Page
11) If you feel the need to go farther...get some High Ratio Roller Rockers from Yella Terra (1.84:1's are awesome as you can still use the stock valve springs) OR a Cam...My XP is the shiznit

**Panther427** · 07-02-2009

Nice list the the N/A powered 3800 bluegtp91

**BoostedComp** · 07-09-2009

yeah i was about to chime in but man blue91 just covered everything perfectly. very well said

**extreme** · 07-12-2009

Thats an awesome list. Thanks for the help!

**extreme** · 07-22-2009

okay so Im getting ready to buy a lot of stuff for the gp. So is the best plug the Autolite 605? Or would an iridium plug be any better? Is the AC Delco Iridiums any good? Or any other plug youd reccomend? Also since I am doing a tune up right now coil pack wise, my car has 140k on it. So they probably should be changed what would you reccomend stock oems for $70 for all 3 or MSD for $120? Will I notice a difference with the MSD? And between PRJ & MSD what wires would you reccomend? The PRJs are $130 and I get msds for $75-100. What size of wire would you reccomend? Also thinking about getting a down pipe with a cat. What size would you reccomend if I keep the rest of the exhaust stock for right now?