Hey everyone! I've been lurking around here for a while now, been learning a bunch so I don't sound like a complete idiot when I ask a question.I'm located about a half hour outside of Philadelphia, PA.
I have a 2006 base model GP (Series III 3800 L26, N/A) and it's been good to me for the couple years I've had it... and I'm hoping to start to be good right back to it. I'm no mechanic (computer geek), so you folks have been incredibly valuable already. I've put 30,000 miles on it, so it's up to 65,000 now. Since I've got a 1,000 mile trip coming up this week, it got an oil change, spark plug change (Autolite 606), and a MAF and throttle body cleaning - without any prior knowledge just a couple weeks ago. The improvement in driving (jury's still out on mileage) is pretty solid so far and has me excited to get modding.
As far as mod plans go, my shopping list has evolved several times in the short time I've been learning this stuff. The theme will be to make it more fun to drive without decimating my bank account. This is my daily driver, not a track car (probably 350-400 miles/week), so huge mods are outside the scope of my intent, as is anything that will leave me for days without a vehicle. If I can keep it around or under $1000 (for now... I've hear terrible, terrible things about mod addiction), I think I'll be happy. Not interested in S/C... I think I'd probably go turbo if I wanted boost, but that's neither here nor there.
Since it's a 2006, I'm a little fuzzy on PCM issues, so I'm hoping to do mods that will not require a tune, and save the tune for last. So, here's what I've got in mind... please feel free to critique. Remember, I'm not remotely trained in the automotive arts, so telling me I'm an idiot is perfectly acceptable
- 4" ID short ram intake, big honkin' K&N cone - $50?
- 180* T Stat - $14
- ZZP 304SS PLOGS - $192
- ZZP 3" 304SS Bolt-in Downpipe + Cat - $275 (Will this throw codes?)
- Suspension stiffening stuff I'll bug y'all about later (sway bars, strut tower braces)
I'm still unsure of if I should consider a Cam (ZZP seems to sell some that don't require a tune) and rockers, just rockers, or neither. I've heard mixed reviews of the ZZP HV3 - mostly, I'd be concerned with losing my low-end power. Is GM fuel system treatment worthwhile to improve performance and mileage, or just snake oil? Is the "dogbone flip" still a good mod for 2004+ GPs?
And just to make this the longest intro post ever, I'd appreciate any info I could get on finding a shop that would tune my PCM (impossible?) or what I should look for in a pre-tuned one when I get to it. Oh, and I have read the thread a few hundred times (and every other similar thread I could find)... just to get that out of the way.
So, critique/help or not, HI! ...and thanks for making it all the way through that post, haha. Seriously, if you read that whole thing, I think I might owe you a beer.
