99 grand prix performance questions.

**Kebo75** · 11-04-2012

ok guys im brand new to this forum and i have quite a few questions. i have a 99 grand prix gt 3800 series 2 with 80k miles on it and i have some questions about performance chips, cold air intakes, and some other performance mods i can do for as cheap as possible. part of the reason i'm really wanting to beef up my ride is i have a cocky friend with a 2004 mazda rx-8 4 speed automatic and he is always talking trash and that his car could take my car. i haven't raced him yet but yes i know his car will hit far higher top speeds than mine. i really want to race him but i don't want to until i know i can beat him. after looking at 0-60 times and some other specs and stuff and it looks like a pretty close match. first of all i would like to ask about performance chips, i would like to hear from people that have used them not just want to talk about them like they have. do chips work? how much? better gas mileage? cold air intakes. who's the best? who's the biggest bang for my buck? can i really feel a big difference? will it make my exhaust sound better? better fuel economy? im also open to other (hopefully cheap) performance mods for my car. thanks guys hope to be hearing from you soon.

evan.

**ItHurtz** · 11-04-2012

top swap, gt's are slow, so are rx8

**Kebo75** · 11-04-2012

top swap?

**ItHurtz** · 11-04-2012

www.grandprixforums.net very top middle says search

**Slick2500** · 11-04-2012

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/top-s...info-7763.html
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**dmahlikGT** · 11-04-2012

You would take him off the line and if I were you id shut it down around 70-80mph or else he will pass you. Dont go for chips,just search thru these forums for proper mods.

**Kebo75** · 11-04-2012

yeah thats pretty much what i thought. looking at the specs of it i think its going to be pretty close. i think i'll take him off the line but he will pass me about 75 like you said. my speedo only says 115 and i know his will hit 145 so im not crazy about racing him top end. im just glad he doesn't have the 6 speed manual.

**Kebo75** · 11-04-2012

i'll be honest guys i really don't know jack about performance on new front wheel drive cars hardly at all. i can make an old rwd v8 without a computer really fast but this front wheel drive v6's are really confusing to me so have a little patience if i ask too many questions

**Kebo75** · 11-05-2012

so what exactly is a top swap?

**ItHurtz** · 11-05-2012

Putting a supercharger from a gtp on a gt engine
http://www.grandprixforums.net/top-s...info-7763.html

A top swap motor has higher compresion giving it about 5% more power at the same mod level as its originaly SC cousin

The SC cannot be bolted on to the L36/L26 heads because of the engine differences stated above.

It can be less costly than a motor swap, and you get to change many engine gaskets, possibly ones that need to be replaced

PARTS LIST

Heads from SC motor (Either Series will do, all the blocks are the came so all the heads can be interchanged)
Head Bolts, can be OEM replacements or Studs, up to you(Stock are Torque to Yield(one time use)
Thread Sealer (the head bolts go into the coolant jacket, and if they aren't sealed, they will weap coolant out)
Head Gaskets
Rocker boltsSame reason as the head bolts
Valve Cover Gaskets
Harmonic Balancer From the SC motor
Tensioner for SC belt
Idlers for Sc beltThese require bolts that aren't on the L26/L36
Coil Pack BracketThe tensioner and one of the idlers bolt to the SC Coil bracket (some 97 and 98 cars may not need a different bracket)
Lower Intake Manifold from the SC motor(The bolts are the same, so you can use your old LIM bolts if needed)
Lower intake Manifold Gaskets(the Aluminum ones are the Best)
Fuel Rail(you need the one that matches your fuel system, 97-03 gets the standard rail, while 04+ needs the return-less)
Fuel InjectorsAre not a requirement, but you should run the SC injectors or better flowing units
**Injector connectors may be required on some years
Supercharger
Supercharger Gasket(If you use a Gen III M90 you need O-rings as well)
Supercharger Belt
Throttle Body from SC motor(This isn't required but recommended)
Throttle Body Gasket
Colder Thermostat I Recommend 180*, but that is all personal preference
1 Step Cooler Spark PlugsUsually recommended for the Top Swap
Fluids Oil(a change needs to be done after Swap and before engine is started) Coolant(you will loose a good amount doing the Swap
Oil FilterFor above change
Tunned PCM Stock Gt settings are way too aggressive for a SC application, I suggest a tuner, but if you don't have time, a Canned tune can work
Exhaust Manifold Gaskets (optional)

**Kebo75** · 11-12-2012

thanks for the info cause when i googled it i got results like changing cams and all other kinds of stuff. but putting a super charger on my car is probably a little bit too much cash for me at the moment.

**Slick2500** · 11-12-2012

If you didnt notice I posted a link to the top swap thread and the modding your 3800 thread as well. Read up on there, and pretty much anything else in the how to section.