Thread: Suggestions on Modding

Keep it stock until you can afford to mod it well. I say this because most of us have been there and done that. The longer you read and make buddies and help them, the more you learn, cheaper parts are and same with installs.

Good eye jeeves^

No...its true. That is how restrictive our exhaust is. SLP headers (which are basically the same thing is SSAC's or Speed Daddy's from EBay...which is the brand you should buy) installed on a bone stock Bonneville SSEI netted 29 FWHP. That's TO THE WHEELS...which is about 36 horse to the crank. And proper tuning I don't see why even a little more than that is out of the question.

If I could do it all over it'd be like so...

Speed Daddy Headers
Devil's Own Alky Injection (100%)
#42.5 Injectors
Open Cone w/ ZZP MPS (Probably a 3.25" at that point)
Then get a ported TB/ported blower HP Tuners custom tune...

After that...cam.

Then mucho small pulley...and possibly headwork.

here: 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP STAINLESS STEEL HEADER: eBay Motors (item 190387106157 end time Nov-02-10 17:41:17 PDT)

Search here for it...there are TONS and tons of threads on it...keep in mind...google is your friend.

Originally Posted by footballplaya3k

You can't go wrong starting with headers. That's what I wish I would've done first. A dp is a waste of time and money.

Did you read that before you posted it? So let me get this straight, you think that a DP (assuming it includes a u-bend delete) is a waste of time and money!?!?!?! Replacing one of the most restrictive / KR inducing components of the exhaust system is a waste??


To the OP:

You don't need headers to mod safely. Hell, you don't need HALF the things you will be told you need.

You NEED to begin to monitor your KR readings, you can tell how far you can go with your car if you can monitor these readings.


Blue: our exhaust system isn't restrictive at all. Actually, many of the top 10 3800's run with stock cat-backs!!!! it's the pre-cat system that blows. Mainly the front manifold and the DP/ubend.

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

No...its true. That is how restrictive our exhaust is. SLP headers (which are basically the same thing is SSAC's or Speed Daddy's from EBay...which is the brand you should buy) installed on a bone stock Bonneville SSEI netted 29 FWHP. That's TO THE WHEELS...which is about 36 horse to the crank. And proper tuning I don't see why even a little more than that is out of the question.

If I could do it all over it'd be like so...

Speed Daddy Headers
Devil's Own Alky Injection (100%)
#42.5 Injectors
Open Cone w/ ZZP MPS (Probably a 3.25" at that point)
Then get a ported TB/ported blower HP Tuners custom tune...
After that...cam.

Then mucho small pulley...and possibly headwork.

Was that with a tune?

Originally Posted by copgtp

Did you read that before you posted it? So let me get this straight, you think that a DP (assuming it includes a u-bend delete) is a waste of time and money!?!?!?! Replacing one of the most restrictive / KR inducing components of the exhaust system is a waste??


To the OP:

You don't need headers to mod safely. Hell, you don't need HALF the things you will be told you need.

You NEED to begin to monitor your KR readings, you can tell how far you can go with your car if you can monitor these readings.


Blue: our exhaust system isn't restrictive at all. Actually, many of the top 10 3800's run with stock cat-backs!!!! it's the pre-cat system that blows. Mainly the front manifold and the DP/ubend.

1. Did he even mention once about replacing his cat-back at all??

2. When its cheaper to do headers instead of a plog and DP combo, wouldn that render the plog and DP combo a waste of money seeing how you could get something better for the same price?

3. Blue knows that the pre cat system is the most restrictive, thats why the headers were first on his list?

lets think before we type

Jarred...your signature cracks me up I'm still waiting for time slips It got rocked by a little 'ol XP car with a bigger pulley and no IC Just messin' with ya...and ya...your #3 is ftw.

Originally Posted by copgtp

Blue: our exhaust system isn't restrictive at all. Actually, many of the top 10 3800's run with stock cat-backs!!!! it's the pre-cat system that blows. Mainly the front manifold and the DP/ubend.

Really? You of all people should know that when I'm talking restrictive exhaust I'm talking pre-cat back. I am fully aware that the factory catbacks are good to 350 FWHP before starting to cause flowing issues. To add to this... monitoring knock on a stock pulley'd car is honestly...pointless. You know it as well as I do. Scanning for KR is on worthwhile when you start dropping pulley sizes. Knock on a 3.8" is not going to have any ILL effects on a car...unless there is something else wrong with it. I recommended headers, since the guy is wanting to know what is the right path to take for modding...headers are a great first step. They get rid of the horribly case factory front manifold, the cat, u-bend, tiny ass downpipe...but I'm sure you know that. I'd rather spend $220 on headers...then go out and spend more money on an Aeroforce...so for whatever they cost...$250? My Open Cone/Speed Daddy header car would toast a car with just a scan gauge...for the same amount of money. Sounds productive to me.