That One New Kid

[ItsMeDc]

Hey everyone,
New to the forum and pretty excited to start modding. Just purchased a used 2000 GTP 3.8 that is really clean and rust free. The car is stock and literally just had new tires, bearings, brakes, oil, and filters installed. I'm definitely looking forward to driving this beauty. My buddy had the same car and definitely recommended it along with this forum (as he was an avid member a while back). Which brings me to my first question on the forum: What would you recommend as far as starting to mod? What types of mods should I invest in first to start putting some horsepower and performance on the car? Maybe share some of your first projects and mods to your ride

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Sup.


The reading mod comes first.

[matt5112]

If you want to keep it, and make power: the transmission.

If you want to make just a little more power, downpipe/plog or headers and a smaller pulley.

List of things you don't need:

Tune, intake, throttle body spacer, catback etc.

[Matt Palm]

Intake will allow you to hear the blower whine. Make your own though

[matt5112]

If you want to hear the blower whine, cut the drivers side of the box open before the air filter.

It's even less expensive than making your own.

[ItsMeDc]

Yeah I have been looking at some of the DIY intake threads (i.e Home Depot). The only concern I have with that route is how to safely mount the ECM. I know the K&N and Wizaird etc. have the mounting plate for them.

I been interested in plogs, any good places you all suggest to buy from? I know ZZP has them. And can those go in with the stock downpipe, exhaust, etc?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

PCM's are weather proof and shock proof, mine just sits on the frame like a boss.

[matt5112]

plog would ideally go with a downpipe. ZZP is the only one who makes one.

It will probably crack at some point though.

ECM (PCM is what we call it because it controls the transmission and engine, thus powertrain control module) is pretty tough. Just zip tie it down.

[Matt Palm]

Zzp has revised them and i guess they dont crack anymore

[matt5112]

Zzp has revised them and i guess they dont crack anymore

As of when?

The stainless version? Because I thought those can still crack.

[Matt Palm]

Idk when they changed it over. But i guess they no longer crack as long as you dont wrap them

[ItsMeDc]

That's what I saw in some of the reviews too Matt, some say they cracked but some say the new ones are fine. Ideally with a plog would it be better off with a downpipe+cat or minus a cat. I live in Michigan so there aren't any major emission laws like I know Cali has.

[Matt Palm]

Well you can send your stock cat back and get a $50 credit if you select the pre paid label in option 2.

[matt5112]

Yes, because you can sell it to a scrapper for more than that.

[ItsMeDc]

I like this idea! Free and easy, plus everywhere I find recommends cone filters and such to be a waste of money for what they add (or don't) to hp. I like the idea of hearing that blower whine

[ItsMeDc]

If you want to hear the blower whine, cut the drivers side of the box open before the air filter.

It's even less expensive than making your own.

Free and easy, a good plus in my mind. Plus everywhere I read says cone filters are a waste of money for what they add (or don't for that matter) to hp. Plus I would love to hear that blower whine a bit more

[87IROCZOWNER69]

Fyi if you mod you do in fact need a tune.

[matt5112]

Fyi if you mod you do in fact need a tune.

Pretty much the only reason you'd need a tune is if you changed injectors or the cam.

[ItsMeDc]

My buddy who had his GTP recommended changing all fluids (which I thought would help, I mean couldn't hurt to tune the basics). But also changing sparks and plug wires to replace the stock. Is it worth it? This being my first project car, I want to stick to the engine and keep the stock look, sleeper looking, thus the questions about what to start with first. I should mention I don't have immediate access to a garage as I am in college and living in a house without one. I have all the tools, but I do have access to a car lift, welder, air tools, full shop etc. back home (dad works on his LS7 Corvette day and night). Just want to find some starting engine mods before I get into the serious stuff.

[matt5112]

If you can do brakes, you can do exhaust mods and a pulley swap.

Fluids is a good idea. There is engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering, coolant, supercharger oil and brake fluid.

For plugs: AC Delco 41-101. For wires, a premium stock replacement, ideally with a lifetime warranty. You could get something fancy, but they're not going to help you with anything but lightening your wallet.