And ... it begins.

**jdwyat** · 08-03-2010

I've looked at a mechanic, and to start off.. .I have him pricing out the below list.

· New Spark Plugs (Platinum?) Mechanic recommends them.. only because "they last longer".

· New Spark Plug Wires (MSD Ignition / red) yes.. cause I want the color. LoL

· Fuel Filter Change

· New Thermostat (upgrade to a 180*/160* Thermostat) I just recently replaced the original thermostat.. I neglected to replace it with a 180. The coolant system was flushed then. Now, just going to replace the thermostat.. again.

· Lower Intake Manifold Gaskets/Coolant Elbows (2)
(metal gasket?) I asked the mechanic if he could find a metal gasket to replace with. He's searching....

· Replace headers w/ Speed Daddy or equivalent & Replace Cat w/ Magnaflow. The existing Cat needs replacing, and might as well jump to something that has a tad more rumble... I can't for the life of me find the Speed Daddy headers you all so love...

· Transmission Pan Drop/New GM Transmission Filter (Replace 3-4 quarts with Dexron VI, not Dexron IV)

· Supercharger Oil Change (Replace with 2 New Bottles of GM Supercharger Oil)

· K&N Air Intake/ Jet MAFS replace. I'm seeing what his prices are on the two parts. I mentioned I'd like to simply tie a conical filter directly to the MAFS. We might do that... I just want to see where it's positioned after installing the MAFS.

· Check Motor mounts. This goes along with looking under and over the vehicle for other potential issues. (already did new brakes, thermostat and belts before hitting this forum)

Suggestions, questions, helpful advice. All feedback is welcome.

**tayl5645** · 08-03-2010

The Supercharger Oil is a SUPER Easy thing that any one can do on thier own. Took me 20 minutes and only cost me in the realm of $20. If i can manage something Anyone can!

**Bio248** · 08-03-2010

you could seriously do the majority of that stuff in a day, and the rest of it the day after. take your time, learn something about your car, and be able to fix it the next time its broke.

**blueguy** · 08-03-2010

And platinum plugs suck...and the JET MAF does absolutely nothing. GO read my Safely Modding thread if your going to start throwing performance parts at it.

**AmericanRiceEater** · 08-03-2010

Do you have the GTP ?

**SlowNA06** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

And platinum plugs suck

Copper plugs are great only if you like to change your spark plugs every 15k miles. Otherwise, get something more expensive.

**jdwyat** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

And platinum plugs suck...and the JET MAF does absolutely nothing. GO read my Safely Modding thread if your going to start throwing performance parts at it.

I did.... that's where that list came from.

and yes siree.. GTP
I'm not looking forward to draining the supercharger. I researched it a bit, and thus far the biggest concern I see is to ensure it's absolutely cold before I pull the drain plug.

Most everything on that list will be worked by yours truly. I need the mechanic to help me with doing the intake manifold gasket/headers/cat. He has the necessary tools... He's also going to try to get me a better price on parts... I found the Magnaflow Cat for almost 300 .. he can get it for 150. The difference more than pays for his labor. I will be hands on though.. gotta learn somehow.

And since this is also my daily driver, until I can secure another vehicle.. I'll need to have someone around that knows what the hell they're doing.

Platinum plugs don't appear to be as outrageous a cost as I originally expected...
I can see the benefit of paying a little extra and not having to change them out as often.

I figure if they last 50% longer than copper.. than they've justified the difference in cost.

**jdwyat** · 08-03-2010

re: Bluegtp91

I read the thread @ http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...car-17482.html

Is there something I missed?
you mentioned for me to read it.. . If I'm jumpin ahead, or screwin up. Please do let me know.... I don't wanna blow the engine! I looked online for "worst case" and found them selling for around 2700 minimum.. So.. yeah. Anything to prevent that would be great.

**SlowNA06** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by jdwyat

I found the Magnaflow Cat for almost 300 .. he can get it for 150.

ZZ Performance

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 08-03-2010

You are gunna need alot more that 3-4 quarts of tranny fluid on a pan drop. Get at least 7 bottles.

**jdwyat** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

You are gunna need alot more that 3-4 quarts of tranny fluid on a pan drop. Get at least 7 bottles.

So... 4 quarts with Dexron VI, 3-4 quarts of Dexron IV ?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 08-03-2010

get what ever the newest DEXRON is but you will need prolly 7 bottles. When i did mine I bought 6 and had to go back and buy one more so thats why I say get 7 of them.

**SlowNA06** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by jdwyat

So... 4 quarts with Dexron VI, 3-4 quarts of Dexron IV ?

...why would you want dextron 4? Put in nothing but 6.

**Scimmia** · 08-03-2010

Platinum plugs aren't recommended on a supercharged engine because they can create hot spots. It has nothing to do with the cost. On the other hand, as long as you aren't dropping pulley sizes on the blower, platinums shouldn't be a problem.

I'm not sure why you would want to downgrade your spark plug wires, but whatever.

GM has the aluminum LIM gaskets. Shouldn't be difficult to find.

The headers are on ebay. Speed Daddy is the name of the seller.

There is no such thing as Dexron IV. If you're talking about Dexron III, I don't see any real reason to use it anymore. You'll need 7-8 qt of Dexron VI (GM spec is 7.4 for a pan drop).

The K&N intake and Jet MAF are pretty well useless.

**blueguy** · 08-03-2010

It isn't really the point of lasting longer...it is hte point of copper plugs work very well in these cars...If you don't go colder then they will last about 20-30K...such as AL606's or a tad colder 605's. If you plan on modding and barely dropping pulley sizes then 605's will work great and last a long time for copper core plugs. I'm not saying that you can't buy them but since the cost of copper plugs are so cheap...but platinum plugs have just been proven to be beatin out by coppers everytime.

As for the JET MAF...it also...has only been really truly proven to show a very maginal gain on LS4 cars...not the 3800...it is a waste of money...and the money you waste on a K&N Intake...I eve tel you in there...make your own for less than a 1/3 of the cost of that junk.

**BillBoost37** · 08-03-2010

Lemme set a few things staight here.

Platinum and iridium plugs do last longer. In doing so they are a harder metal that gets much hotter than a copper plug. This means they are more likely to cause piston chipping, KR causing predetonation than a cheap POS copper plug. Which is why anyone that cares about their car will run a copper plug.

I've done literally hundreds of transmission services. The FSM states 6.5 quarts of fluid for the service you plan on doing. I've found that 7 is a closer estimation and I tell folks to automatically buy two gallon containers as it's usually cheaper in quantity. 4 quarts will not cut it and you may damage the trans running it that low.

Aluminum gaskets can be found either at a GM dealer or add a T on the end of the normal Fel Pro part number. That's the metal version.

LIM's there's really no special tools needed to do this job except a torque wrench and to ensure you have a 3/8" socket as well as a 10mm. The LIM bolts are 3/8" not 10mm as GM would have us believe.

**Scimmia** · 08-03-2010

I'm going to go against the grain here and say if you want spark plugs that will last longer and work well with boost, iridiums aren't a bad choice. NGK actually recommends them, and they're used successfully in numerous other car communities. The 3800 community is so set in it's ways that they've just brushed off iridium plugs.

**BoostJunki3** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Lemme set a few things staight here.

Platinum and iridium plugs do last longer. In doing so they are a harder metal that gets much hotter than a copper plug. This means they are more likely to cause piston chipping, KR causing predetonation than a cheap POS copper plug. Which is why anyone that cares about their car will run a copper plug.

I've done literally hundreds of transmission services. The FSM states 6.5 quarts of fluid for the service you plan on doing. I've found that 7 is a closer estimation and I tell folks to automatically buy two gallon containers as it's usually cheaper in quantity. 4 quarts will not cut it and you may damage the trans running it that low.

Aluminum gaskets can be found either at a GM dealer or add a T on the end of the normal Fel Pro part number. That's the metal version.

LIM's there's really no special tools needed to do this job except a torque wrench and to ensure you have a 3/8" socket as well as a 10mm. The LIM bolts are 3/8" not 10mm as GM would have us believe.

yes the lim bolts had me scratchin my head one day i thought i had a bad socket lol.....

**brandonl2000** · 08-03-2010

Originally Posted by Scimmia

I'm going to go against the grain here and say if you want spark plugs that will last longer and work well with boost, iridiums aren't a bad choice. NGK actually recommends them, and they're used successfully in numerous other car communities. The 3800 community is so set in it's ways that they've just brushed off iridium plugs.

Yes, iridiums would be a fine choice. The Autolite tech manager recommended these (refer to the quote in "Safely Modding your 3800 Engine").

**AmericanRiceEater** · 08-04-2010

Just get autolites lol. Either way your spark plugs will work lol. You should direct your attention to different things. It sounds like your pumped for your car which is a good thing. I started modding my car about 2 months ago and cant stop. But one thing i do reccomend is that you go to Pep Boys and buy everything you need to make your own CAI. Otherwise keep following up with safely modding 3800 engine forum and ask questions along the way. Also if you do plan on going with speed daddy headers be sure to buy a thicker flex pipe and some band clamps for them. As far as a tuned PCM goes i really reccomend that you talk to a guy on here named Reptile he does better tunes than 3800performance for cheaper. Last, always keep your head up. After dropping around 850 on my headers and intake i felt like i wasted money because i didnt feel any big gains. Once i put in the tuned PCM and 3.4" MPS i was a happy mofo. The tuned PCM gave my car a new personality and the 3.4"MPS changed the power. The large gains will come after the first couple mods. Stay on track