New to all this - some ?'s

[getsumbaby]

I have a couple of questions, as I am new to the Grand Prix world.

1) From everything I read, KR is the big killer. And to combat that you need to keep the engine cool, right? What are your thoughts on aluminum radiator? It helped my mustang out alot!

2) I have no idea what is happening with my car so I need to scan it. Do I need to buy a AreoForce Interceptor Gauge or something similar to do this?

3) As I am starting to MOD the car I understand I need to get a tuner or a tuned PCM. The prob. is I cant find a tuner online. Can somebody provide some links to good tuners, please? And should I get a ZZP PCM to start off?

4) Does anybody know anything about the 'RamChargers L67 Scanmaster'? Is this a gauge as well as a tuner? Is it worth the $?

5) Anybody know of any clubs in SoCAL? I figure this would be the best way to get info on the car, tuning, ect.?

I'm sure I will have alot more questions later.

Thanks,
Ed

2002 GTP ... Stock for now - but parts on order

[TDCRacing]

I have a couple of questions, as I am new to the Grand Prix world.

1) From everything I read, KR is the big killer. And to combat that you need to keep the engine cool, right? What are your thoughts on aluminum radiator? It helped my mustang out alot!

2) I have no idea what is happening with my car so I need to scan it. Do I need to buy a AreoForce Interceptor Gauge or something similar to do this?

3) As I am starting to MOD the car I understand I need to get a tuner or a tuned PCM. The prob. is I cant find a tuner online. Can somebody provide some links to good tuners, please? And should I get a ZZP PCM to start off?

4) Does anybody know anything about the 'RamChargers L67 Scanmaster'? Is this a gauge as well as a tuner? Is it worth the $?

5) Anybody know of any clubs in SoCAL? I figure this would be the best way to get info on the car, tuning, ect.?

I'm sure I will have alot more questions later.

Thanks,
Ed

2002 GTP ... Stock for now - but parts on order

OK.....



1) You already have an aluminum radiator on the car and if you take a look at my mod list you'll see that im fine with the stock radiator so far and im in 103* heat. If you ment an aftermarket radiator.....well the answers no. A radiaotor is not going to help you any at all right now. To combat KR you basicly need to mod. Headers,Fenderwell intake may help some ect ect.


2) If you have a laptop you can do two things. You can buy an hp tuner for 500 that is a tuner and a much more comprehensive scanner than the aeroforce is. You can reprogram any parameter in the pcm with the tuner and do much more than I can even begin to tell you. Or you can spend 250.00 on the aeroforce. Also the aero force can not display nearly the amount of parameters as the HPTuner can. But it does show about 21 I belive.


3) HPTuners.com >> Performance At Your Fingertips As for the pcm's that you can buy from a vendor or elsewhere. Don't do it. I was very close to doing it and instead I got a tuner-Havent looked back yet-and don't plan on it either. Save for a tuner.


4) I belive it is just a scanner. Save your money and get an HPTuner!



5) nope dont know of any. but i can tell you that we have a regional disscussion areo on these forums. It is on the main page or you can follow this link. West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY) - Grand Prix Forums (Grandprixforums.net) . I can also tell you that this is an awesome place for info on just about anything. There is a lot of people here with a wide range of knowledge about many many things.



I'll give you my advice one time. I didnt learn from my mistakes on this because before i did it the way i though was best at first I learned from someone elses mistake. If you want to go faster........



First mod should be a tuner. Period.

[Zef_66]

I agree with everything that TDC said. But also wanted to note that you can also buy a used DHP PowerTuner. DHP doesn't make them anymore, and while the support is slim, are just as useful as a HPTuners. I know TDC doesn't like them much, but they are a good, cheaper alternative. Check in the for sale sections of the boards and you will surely find some for sale.

And like I said, I don't want this thread to turn into the pros and cons of the tuners, as that has been done before. If the OP is interested, he can research for himself. But I just wanted to point out another option.

[TDCRacing]

Right I agree with that. To be honest I have never used a dhp tuner. I have just heard from dhp users that they didnt like some things about them. But hey everybody does have there own opinion. And 200 dollars cheaper for a dhp may just change there mind.

[Sabrewings]

I got my DHP PT from a NAIOA member who hardly used it for $200. I would've never paid $500 for it, but at $200 it's much easier to swallow and gives you a ton of freedom. No more dependence on others if something needs to be changed.

Also, there's always the possibility the source code will be released and continue to be supported by the community.

[getsumbaby]

Damn - I have been tearing up the internet looking for a used tuner - NO DICE!! I will keep looking for a little bit. If I dont find one here soon I will end up getting the HP. Here is my order of purchases: IF I need to add let me know. I am going to start spending some $$$ here pretty quick. I need to lay the smack down on my cousins stang (my old S/C '86 Saleen)!!

1. Tuner
2. CAI
3. 180* Therm
4. 3" Exhaust (complete)
5. Pulley - 3.4 or 3.2 (not sure yet - will have to scan first)
6. 1.9 Rockers and springs
7. Alt and Fuel pum mods
8. Water/Meth Injection
9. F.1 hood and spoiler
10. Rims and tires

Ed

[Sabrewings]

You need cooler plugs and a DP at least before you drop pulley sizes. You'd be lucky to run a 3.4 with no knock with a lot of those mods. Still a ways off from a 3.2.

[getsumbaby]

You need cooler plugs and a DP at least before you drop pulley sizes. You'd be lucky to run a 3.4 with no knock with a lot of those mods. Still a ways off from a 3.2.

Damn, really? I thought that was alot - ha ha. I already have the plugs and will get the DP with the exhaust.

Oh well - I will get there eventually.

Ed

[Sabrewings]

If you're wanting to push that far, you're probably better off skipping the DP and going straight for headers.

[getsumbaby]

I would love to - but when I put them on my Mustang it was a full time job tightening the damn things. If they only made headers that never come loose.....

Ed

[TDCRacing]

I own a 95 5.0 so I know what you mean about that. I have headers and have had no problems yet