Thread: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21
  1. #1 Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    SE Level Member 08grandprix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Carrollton,Ga
    Posts
    3
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I own a 08 pontiac GP 3.8l v-6 base model. I have a intake, flowmaster muffler, Jet chip stage 2 and a 180 thermostat. What performance upgrades do you recommend? (Im not rich) Thanks
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,022
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...car-17482.html

    read that.

    oh no, you fell for a jet chip.

    those dont do anything really at all, its just a scam.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
     

  4. #4 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    5,928
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by 08grandprix View Post
    I own a 08 pontiac GP 3.8l v-6 base model. I have a intake, flowmaster muffler, Jet chip stage 2 and a 180 thermostat. What performance upgrades do you recommend? (Im not rich) Thanks
    The cheapest one I can think of is a Jet Chip delete. Outside of that, you've got... Maybe $100 into this car already. I don't know what your definition of rich is, but you'll probably wind up $205 in headers, optional $200 on HV3, and another $130-200 on a "canned" tuned PCM from one of the fine vendors, such as Reptile, or Overkill (Do your own research on vendors - there are more out there, too - custom would be better than canned). So, there's like $400 - $600 for a mild performance upgrade.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dirtyzville, Missery
    Posts
    31,287
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    But...it is still N/A...and unless boosted is still gonna run 15's...which...isn't fast by ANY means.
    Sold WBody's: '03 Blue GTP/'98 Green GTP/'98 Silver GT/'05 GXP
    '99 Chevrolet Silverado Classic Z71 4x4 - K&N Intake/Gibson Exhaust #TRUCKTHINGS
    '12 Buick Regal Turbo - ZZP CAI/20% Tint/HID's
    '89 Ford Mustang LX Notchback - LM7 5.3, 4L80, 9", HX40
    '04 Chevrolet Corvette MRM A4/LS1 - TSP LT's, 3"O/R X, AFE S2 CAI
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    are these things really high 15 second cars N/A?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    GTP Level Member dmahlikGT's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,931
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I was waiting for a comment like that lol.N/A can get out of 15's with good mods.My boy a year ago had a 2000 gt coupe with 102k miles.His mods were plog,2.5in catless dp,fwi intake,pcm,180 thermo,hv3 insert,rockers,minor weight reduction and fresh tires and he ran 14.8 @ 93.talking bout N/A being slow.I bet if he put a cam,headers,colder plugs,res delete,and a triple edge tranny 13's could be seen.
    04 GTP-3.6 pulley, custom tuned, Intake, headers,thrush exhaust, al104 plugs, 180* stat, shift kit, flipped mounts

    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Wow, not worth it.

    Turbo and go fast as **** lol.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    GTP Level Member dmahlikGT's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,931
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Some people just dont like boost, or dont wanna have a second full time job looking for knock or leaks or something breaking,replacing, fixing, having to worry about reliability issues in the near term.
    04 GTP-3.6 pulley, custom tuned, Intake, headers,thrush exhaust, al104 plugs, 180* stat, shift kit, flipped mounts

    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Then a cam is not for you...

    Neither are headers.

    And stock temp plugs for a N/A is all you'll ever need.

    You only change the temp when you add boost or change compression....

    And you'll only break things if you abuse things or install them incorrectly.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    GTX Level Member cerick08GP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    782
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Probably one of the few honest performance mods you could do would be a HV3 insert from ZZP. It costs $200 and a fairly simple install, and your PCM doesn’t need to be modified.

    Another fairly good one might be a tranny shift kit from TEP. They cost like $65, and people in general seem to like them.

    On a side note, if anyone can get you a tuned PCM without giving your car a lobotomy let me know! Please. I tried some time ago with Overkill, long story short I’m still stock.

    Ten years of continuous driving excitement and counting!
    2008GP
    ||HV3 insert||PowerSlot rotors w/Hawks||LED interior||MSD 8.5mm
    2002GP||sold
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    5,928
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by cerick08GP View Post
    ...if anyone can get you a tuned PCM without giving your car a lobotomy let me know!
    What does that even mean?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #13 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    GTX Level Member cerick08GP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    782
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by SlowNA06 View Post
    What does that even mean?
    Well, let me just preface this post with a statement. I have zero PCM tuning experience. While researching a tuned PCM I kind of ran into a wall or two. Let me start with the PCM tuning by a little review by model year for the 04+.
    04-05 = plug and play, easy chessy
    06 = pop in a 05 tuned PCM (minimal issues like a potentially reversed gas gauge)
    07= pop in a 05 tuned PCM and hope for the best, I have read that few people have done. And I’m stressing the word few. From what I recall these installs never go smooth, and involve addressing lots of codes that pop. Unfortunately not many people have been forth coming in their experiences. There was a guy who posted some info on 3800tech, basically a nightmare story that ended in his car running “OK”.
    08 = I have never even heard of anyone pulling it off

    In my emails with Overkill he seemed interested and confident he could get a tune going for an 08. However I expressed my concern with losing functionality in other areas like my instrument cluster, DIC, remote starting, air bags, etc. Then the whole plan came to a stop. My concern was based on how this old 05 PCM would communicate with the BCM, not to mention all the other stuff. Or if it would communicate at all, since the 08s are the only CAN bus GPs. So I guess my "lobotomy" comment was the potential severing of the PCM and BCM. I have no doubt a tune could be done on an 08, but it wouldn’t be an easy process.
    Last edited by cerick08GP; 10-26-2010 at 04:32 PM.

    Ten years of continuous driving excitement and counting!
    2008GP
    ||HV3 insert||PowerSlot rotors w/Hawks||LED interior||MSD 8.5mm
    2002GP||sold
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #14 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    SE Level Member 08grandprix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Carrollton,Ga
    Posts
    3
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Thanks for all the help so far. I have no plans to rule the streets(or track) just to have a fun car. I enjoy working on and improving rides whether it be my Gp or a Yugo..... So turbos and all that expensive stuff is probably never going to happen but is on the long list of wishes. Exhaust work headers,downpipe,plog all within reach. ($0-500) upgrades is about my budget. I have alot of people and animals to feed..lol Now I must disagree with the put downs on the Jet Chip, I can feel a difference. $250 difference porbably not but a difference.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  15. #15 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    EX GTP OWNER shawngtp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Grand haven
    Posts
    1,300
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by dmahlikGT View Post
    I was waiting for a comment like that lol.N/A can get out of 15's with good mods.My boy a year ago had a 2000 gt coupe with 102k miles.His mods were plog,2.5in catless dp,fwi intake,pcm,180 thermo,hv3 insert,rockers,minor weight reduction and fresh tires and he ran 14.8 @ 93.talking bout N/A being slow.I bet if he put a cam,headers,colder plugs,res delete,and a triple edge tranny 13's could be seen.
    Common guy are you serious? 13's?? ^^^
    Reply With Quote  
     

  16. #16 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    MILWAUKEE
    Posts
    31,340
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by shawngtp View Post
    Common guy are you serious? 13's?? ^^^
    with a cammed, headered GT, why not? ive seen it done many times.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  17. #17 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dirtyzville, Missery
    Posts
    31,287
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Because WE aren't YOU.
    Sold WBody's: '03 Blue GTP/'98 Green GTP/'98 Silver GT/'05 GXP
    '99 Chevrolet Silverado Classic Z71 4x4 - K&N Intake/Gibson Exhaust #TRUCKTHINGS
    '12 Buick Regal Turbo - ZZP CAI/20% Tint/HID's
    '89 Ford Mustang LX Notchback - LM7 5.3, 4L80, 9", HX40
    '04 Chevrolet Corvette MRM A4/LS1 - TSP LT's, 3"O/R X, AFE S2 CAI
    Reply With Quote  
     

  18. #18 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    placebo effect?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  19. #19 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    5,928
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by cerick08GP View Post
    08s are the only CAN bus GPs
    Really? I've seen that 05 and 06 GXP's are. But yeah, I guess that kinda sucks.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  20. #20 Re: Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l 
    GTP Level Member SuperSport's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    1,100
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Bio248
    lol, a jet chip stage 2......
    Its a stage 2! Theres nothing funny about it. Stage 2 iz serious bizniss...
    2001 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    Comp G Wheels - SS Corners - Infinity Sound - Tint - Digital DIC Swap - 893 Fogs

    Reply With Quote  
     

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Supercharger for '07 grand prix base model 3.8 L26
    By tino153 in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 09-26-2011, 08:14 PM
  2. Performance upgrades
    By striker007 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 01-14-2010, 11:29 AM
  3. 2005 GP Base 3800V6 upgrades???
    By JohnnyBlaze6954 in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 08-31-2009, 08:57 AM
  4. Base model in need of a Supercharger
    By imjustanobody34 in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-23-2009, 12:07 PM
  5. 235/50-18 will these fitt base model 06 Grand Prix?
    By Shake_Zula in forum Tires & Wheels
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 02-17-2009, 02:07 PM
Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •