Thread: What can an N/A mod do for YOU?

So I constantly roll across individuals asking "How can I make my Grand Prix GT quicker?" often with the caveat -- "please don't say Top Swap or Turbo--" I asked the same thing myself. And the answer from everyone? Top Swap. Many don't want a top swap. I've put a few bolt on's on, and I'll tell you, mod, by mod, what it did for me. I have an 04 GT2, but it should be pretty similar across the board.

Started off with an INTENSE fenderwell intake (FWI): Definatly made it louder at WOT, sounded pretty good, and a very slight difference in speed, though it may have been psychologically induced by the new sound.

Then I forked over the money for an HV3. This was by far the biggest night/day difference, I didn't really notice much of a drop in the lower end of the powerband, but it definatly pulled much better above 4k RPM's.

Then I got a set of headers, everyone in the N/A world is usually torn between Headers and a Power Log. Like you hear from everyone, go for the Headers. Speed Daddy's are cheap and easy to make good. Especially 04+'s because they dont really have a U-bend to get rid of, which is one of the bigger things that'll open you up on other models. So again. Headers. This you will notice a bit of a drop in the lower end, but when you're on the gas, how often are you under 2500 RPM's really? And if it bothers you that much, you can get steeper gearing. Pulls really well in the upper RPM's.

And finally to wrap it all up, I got an INTENSE PCM And that really tied it all together. Did I notice a HUGE gain out of it? No. But I did notice firmer shifts and a smoother pull. With the upper end of my powerband having most of my power, 4K+ RPM's its really nice. Especially since in stock form, the N/A's run out of steam in the upper RPM's.

Everyone has their preferences on brands and what have you, but this is what I have, and really, other than a good tune, you're going to be within the same ball park no matter what you get. After that you can opt for a Cam, Rockers, Heads, a Stroker kit, but that's all extremely expensive, that being said, the power starts getting addicting, and I think I'm going to go for that Top swap next.

Pics of the intake?

Nice little write up.

Do you ever wish you did the top swap first?

Originally Posted by Slowpoke

Do you ever wish you did the top swap first?

Yes and no, I've got some good supporting mods for when I do it, now, and until I get it together, I've got a nice little DD.

It's not gonna stop with a top swap. Before you know it, you will be intercooled, cammed, and running a tiny pulley.

Not bad for a NA setup.

This^

Boost opens a lot of doors. NA pretty much limits what you can do power wise.

Did you notice a change in gas mileage with all of these put together?

Originally Posted by Jakescoots

Did you notice a change in gas mileage with all of these put together?

Looks about the same, (me gassing the S#!+ out of it notwithstanding) Next fill up i'm gonna check up against my old data.

I too have a problem with liking what the intake sounds like, haha

As far as gas mileage my mods arent too far from the OP minus the tune, but i get roughly 20-30 more miles to the tank over stock. and yea its smart to mod while N/A to get some power then top swap. i just have a few more supporting mods left til im top swappin.

I pretty well agree with everything here. I first started with a open cone intake, meh. Can here it sucking in air when you punch it. Also used to hear annoying top end chattering. Then I got an Overkill PCM, really made a difference to me. Then headers install, Matt is right, stick with smaller primaries. As Pacesetters have some of the largest primaries, I lost some bottom end. Then finally the HV3. I think HV3+Headers are great and it seems to just eat until you get to about 100/110 then no power. And.... go big... turbo.

Originally Posted by matt5112

I found switching from pacesetters to SD's netted lower boost levels (see increased flow.)

Another point for the ebay headers haha.

Yeah, well I got Nick's Pacesetter's for the same price as SD.... so why not.

I got a set of pacesetters on the cheap too, all welded up for no leaks, seems to do good.

Originally Posted by fireprix

I got a set of pacesetters on the cheap too, all welded up for no leaks, seems to do good.

Until you run a huge cam like me...then all hell breaks loose...including the welds...lulz.

I like the write up!
Helps me figure where i wanna go with my upgrades in the future. Prior to Top swap/turbo that is lol

So we're saying a set of Speed Daddys are the way to go?

Being a N/A guy that doesn't have the $$ (or interest) for a top swap ATM, I think theres some good stuff here. Blower/turbo or not, I think these are nice little engines to have, kinda sporty but not too bad in other respects.

In short, nice info here!