Thread: suggestions on what to do next?

hey, got a 2002 grand prix gt. now, i know there isnt much to do with the N/A motor. ive used the search bar. but i was just wondering what i should/could do next, and if it will actually add power. as of now, i only have a k&n CAI, cat delete, u bend delete, and pro xs mufflers(if that is relevant). i want to squeeze as much power as i can out of the motor without spending a crap load of money. im not looking for a racecar, just a little more power. i cant afford a top swap right now, so that out of the question for the moment. now....suggestions?

read the sticky under general tech, safely modding your 3800... it will answer all your questions....
theres a part called a hv3 insert ( i think that's what its called) from zzperformance. that can give you about 30 more HP look into that.

Originally Posted by Lionel

read the sticky under general tech, safely modding your 3800... it will answer all your questions....
theres a part called a hv3 insert ( i think that's what its called) from zzperformance. that can give you about 30 more HP look into that.

hmm, ive read that before, but a long time ago, looks like ill have to refresh eh? lol. ill look into that hv3, i heard its a gasket replacement or something for ur intake. thanks man.

the hv3 is a piece inserted into your upper intake and produces better flow IIRC. as far as the gasket reference, the job is as easy as replacing your UIM gaskets.

butttt at $200, you may as well save a few more bucks and source out the parts for a top swap

see, the thing about the top swap is, my car just rolled 117k, its my dd. idk how well the reliability would be if i topw swapped now. i would love to do that, but idk if i would need a rebuild on the motor or what..

depends how far you go into modding really. doing the top swap gives you the chance to replace your gaskets from the block up, which if you haven't replaced the gaskets yet you'll want to soon.
if you stick with a 3.8 or 3.4 pulley with headers and your cai for a top swap, reliability shouldn't be too bad. trans would be the main thing you'd have to worry about.

but if you don't top swap, replace the gaskets anyway, add the hv3, headers, 180 t-stat(no power there) and you'll notice a considerable difference.
you'll need a tune regardless which route you go.

alright, so i shouldnt have a prob with runnin a 3.4 wit full support mods on my number of miles u think?and i would get an hd trany most likely. thanks for the help man, i appreciate it.

alrighty then, well...looks like ill save up and just go all out with a swap. could i swap it and automatically just drop to a 3.4? with all the neccesary mods to support it of course, but thats a possibility?

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

Yes you can drop to a 3.4", just be sure you've got enough money lying around when you blast a rod or piston to pieces. To run a 3.4" safely on a top swapped car your going to NEED headers, your going to NEED either an IC or Meth...and supporting mods like plugs/wires/t-stat/ported blower/TUNE for important than all of the other ones though.

The point of top swapping isn't about pulley size like the L67/L32 cars...your making the same amount of power with half the boost because the higher comp makes up for it. That's why a bone stock top swapped car with a tune and headers will run door to door if not beat a 3.4" setup GTP.

i know about all the support mods, i wouldnt drop or anything unless i had the money for full support..but i didnt know that a top swa[ had that much more power. thanks for the help blue, i didnt know that it gave u THAT much more power..i thought just the same as a stock gtp.

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

Ported intake? Both the Upper and lower ported will probably net you 5 crank horsepower IF that. Pointless to do to lower unless you have head work to match the larger runners...If your staying N/A and don't want to cam it then get ER rockers, HV3, a ported TB, poly mounts, a custom tune, PLOG, and 3" DP...done.

well...now im debating on whether to save up and just buy the top swap, or just try and build a N/A motor up. im leaning towards the topswap. u can get alot more power it seems for relativly the same price. thanks for the help u guys, i appreciate it.

Originally Posted by CTKGP09

kinda off topic but how do you like your mufflers? do they sound good?

i love them. they sound really, really good IMO. its not outragiously loud, and its def not quiet. its a deep rumble. i am very happy with them.

Originally Posted by CTKGP09

thanks i was looking at those out of curiosity a little while back

dude, if ur lookin at gettin mufflers, just pay the money for the borlas, wicked nickys.com has them for pretty cheap, i got them for like 85 each. its worth every penny,.