Thread: "Tune up" performance, exhaust, possible mods and Seafoam?

Originally Posted by CycoPuppet

Ok so I have posted here before with a list of problems I got from Firestone while back during a oil change/inspection spring deal. I followed the advice I got here for most of the issues and ended up spending a 5th of the cost they claimed it would be. I still have exhaust issues, o2 sensor bad and after this awful winter my car is feeling suicidal. I have a few questions. 1 is "tune up" I want to bring life back into my car. I read some articles and such to get ideas on what is involved. I changed the air filter, k&n. Oh before I forget, my car is 2001 gp gt. No mods at all. Anyway, I don't want to do any top swapping or turbo mods or anything drastic. I'd like to know what are the best plugs and wires for my car, How hot or cold, fuel filter and any other parts involved in a tune up that actually perform well. Also I have no idea how bad my exhaust is. Pretty sure I need new mufflers and there's exhaust coming from under the driver side door. Since I do want to increase performance somewhat, what is recommended for a car not going for major mods? Should I do the ubend delete? Is there simpler ways and parts for under there? Not looking to be loud and flashy but more cheap and economical. Any advice about restoring and or increasing power/perfomance would be awesome. Also, seafoam, snake oil or worth it? I know that it should be done before tune up but should it be done at all? Another thing is when I try to accelerate faster, my car shifts at higher rpms. Like between 3-4k upper 4k and at times 5k.

I will have more to ask later as advice comes in. Thanks for your patience.

You shouldn't have changed a K&N filter if its cleanable. That's the point of a K&N you just clean instead of replacing. I'm not even sure how to comment on your question about RPMs and acceleration. That is a fundamental concept of performance, when you accelerate hard your car's engine will shift at higher RPMs to harness the higher power output found at higher RPMs. Every engine and transmission do this; did you phrase your question incorrectly?

Originally Posted by coolone

Tune up would cost next to nothing if you do it yourself. Sea foam, Oil change, new plugs, wires, clean map, maf, new PVC, air filter, fuel filter, tranny pan drop and filter, flush cooling sys

^^^Quoted from another recent thread; I think these are the items you should be concentrating on. I can't see any reason to buy anything "performance" related. I'd go straight to rockauto. com or the local parts store.

No I meant I got a k&n filter. And as far as rpms, it seems like since this winter my car is working harder. Almost seems like something is clogged if that makes sense.