Thread: Here We Go... Modding Season

Its about damn time i join the group and Mod my car (Simple bolt on's at the moment) Im planning on getting down to 3.4in Pulley on my 97' since im just a typical high school working for minimum wage, money is tough so easy mods at the moment. Heres my plan of what to (and yes i have read "Safely modding your 3800 car" multiple times)
1: Lower TStat
2: AL104s
3: New Spark Plug Wires
4: Speed Daddy Headers
5: Tuned PCM from 3800performace
6: Serpentine Belt
7: Intake (already Made my own)
8: 3.4 MPS
9: Aeroforce Scan Gauge

With those simple mods right there i hopefully should be able to run 3.4 knock free. I just need to have that edge over stock GTPs and a few more ponies Now here comes my questions..

1: Which Spark plug wires should i go with? Since my theme on my car is black/red, red wires in my engine would spruce things up a bit. Im debating between Taylor 8mm or MSD 8.5mm. Which ones are more reliable and would be best for my setup?

2: Can i buy AL104s right now with new Wires? Since my car is stock besides the intake i can easily afford New Plugs and wires. Would i be able to successfully run AL104s and New Wires on a stock car (Since those two are pretty cheap) for awhile until i get the other mods in?

Other than that i think i got everything set to run a 3.4 puller, any more input would be awesome. Just wanna go fast, nough said brahhhhh

stock replacement wires seem to be the best IMO

and those mods make a huge difference over a stock gtp Good luck!

One more question, The TStat comes in 180* and 160* typically i see people go with the 180* but why? isnt colder better? I think im going with the 180* TStat but just wanted to ask for sure, i want my car done right. So 180 or 160? I do run my car all year long in michigan, it is not stored in winters, its my DD if that makes any difference.

it was old trick for the cars before tuning to send more fuel to the motor..
some people say 195is the best some say 180 is
i prefer the 180 cuz IMO the stock t-stat runs a little hot, but either way your car will be fine.
dont go 160 it messes stuff up with out proper tuning and doesnt do anything good for what your build is asking for

theres various opinions on t-stats on these. i honestly never see high temps on stock t-stat, but im also without a blower. i wouldnt run 160 unless you live in death valley.

What about running AL104s and new wires right now? Since I'm getting to a 3.4 setup eventually, can I just buy the plugs and wires now and be fine until I get the rest of the mods? Or do I have to wait until I get everything else done to run 104s? Cause plugs and wires are cheap so I can purchase them right now

youll be ok but remember you want the hottest spark possible

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

What about running AL104s and new wires right now? Since I'm getting to a 3.4 setup eventually, can I just buy the plugs and wires now and be fine until I get the rest of the mods? Or do I have to wait until I get everything else done to run 104s? Cause plugs and wires are cheap so I can purchase them right now

You could or just buy and store them untill you get the 3.4. Either way won't matter, but I wouldn't even bother putting in the plugs yet.

Stock replacement wires will be fine, but why not spend the extra coin and get some Taylor wires?

Taylor wires on PFYC are $45, cheap. MSD wires are $75. I was wondering if there was a big difference between them or if the MSDs are better due to the price change.

You would only be paying for the name, and thats it.

AC Delco wires, they be black, and cheap.

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

1: Lower TStat

WHY? (Yeah, I bet you don't know the answer) If this isn't getting beat on 1/4 mile after 1/4 mile, don't bother.

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

6: Serpentine Belt

...modification from stock? Or did you accidentally put maintenance in your mod list?

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

1: Which Spark plug wires should i go with? Since my theme on my car is black/red, red wires in my engine would spruce things up a bit. Im debating between Taylor 8mm or MSD 8.5mm. Which ones are more reliable and would be best for my setup?

Taylor work well. I forget if the MSD's fail or not. Someone else ought to clear that up. Regardless, both are totally overkill, so don't worry about the stats, just the red.

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

2: Can i buy AL104s right now with new Wires? Since my car is stock besides the intake i can easily afford New Plugs and wires. Would i be able to successfully run AL104s and New Wires on a stock car (Since those two are pretty cheap) for awhile until i get the other mods in?

You can buy the plugs. Do NOT put them in until the 3.4 pulley is on.

My MSD wires are awesome.

The coils however, no.

A stock belt tends to a be a tad loose on a 3.4" IMO...too much give for me, you can also use the stock belt and upgrade to a Bonneville idler and give it more belt wrap, not that a 3.4" really spins fast enough to slip anyways.

T-Stat, 180*.

If you haven't done LIM gaskets and flush out the dexcool I'd do that as well...and port that blower when you put the 3.4" on.

I was only going to buy a new belt to limit slip with a 3.4 pulley. Porting the blower would be awesome, BUT I'm no mechanic at all and have no idea how to perform this task and what tools, plus I don't want to spend at least $150 at the minimum at zzp for a ported case. For the wires Taylor and MSD both seem to work well and so do new stock ones. I'll probably go with Taylor wires since they are much cheaper than MSDs, and I'm leaving my coil packs alone.

there is no time of the year better then modding season

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

Its about damn time i join the group and Mod my car (Simple bolt on's at the moment) Im planning on getting down to 3.4in Pulley on my 97' since im just a typical high school working for minimum wage, money is tough so easy mods at the moment. Heres my plan of what to (and yes i have read "Safely modding your 3800 car" multiple times)
1: Lower TStat
2: AL104s
3: New Spark Plug Wires
4: Speed Daddy Headers
5: Tuned PCM from 3800performace
6: Serpentine Belt
7: Intake (already Made my own)
8: 3.4 MPS
9: Aeroforce Scan Gauge

With those simple mods right there i hopefully should be able to run 3.4 knock free. I just need to have that edge over stock GTPs and a few more ponies Now here comes my questions..

1: Which Spark plug wires should i go with? Since my theme on my car is black/red, red wires in my engine would spruce things up a bit. Im debating between Taylor 8mm or MSD 8.5mm. Which ones are more reliable and would be best for my setup?

2: Can i buy AL104s right now with new Wires? Since my car is stock besides the intake i can easily afford New Plugs and wires. Would i be able to successfully run AL104s and New Wires on a stock car (Since those two are pretty cheap) for awhile until i get the other mods in?

Other than that i think i got everything set to run a 3.4 puller, any more input would be awesome. Just wanna go fast, nough said brahhhhh

Valvetrain mods.