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Do I need a tune?

FriboRage

FriboRage

New member
I originally wanted to top swap my 08 base, but as I sat around trying to save for it.. I changed my mind.. just doesnt seem worth it to me anymore, especially on my dd.

So now my plans are just simply, ubend delete, cai, hv3, in that order.

Do I need to tune for these mods? It may be a stupid question, Im not sure... Im just aware of the pcm issue on 08's and the idea is making me nervous about not being able to mod at all.

Also, are there any other recommended mods for the NA car not looking for a top swap? (Dont want turbo either).
 


A mild tune might be in order. Would probably serve you better to do a CAI, full Headers (Speed Daddy from Ebay, work well at $200), and then HV3 with a tune. Then consider maybe a cam, rockers, depending on your preference possibly some tranny work, shift kits and what not...
Without going the boosted way theres not alot to do with these to make power. Turbos make more power but take alot more work than a top swap goes, unless you have a machinist/mechanic cousin with a shop, and another DD for a couple weeks... then turbo away :th_thumb-up:
 
FriboRage said:
I originally wanted to top swap my 08 base, but as I sat around trying to save for it.. I changed my mind.. just doesnt seem worth it to me anymore, especially on my dd.

So now my plans are just simply, ubend delete, cai, hv3, in that order.

Do I need to tune for these mods? It may be a stupid question, Im not sure... Im just aware of the pcm issue on 08's and the idea is making me nervous about not being able to mod at all.

Also, are there any other recommended mods for the NA car not looking for a top swap? (Dont want turbo either).
Click to expand...

Honestly...how far do you want to the go with the car? If your mechanically inclined and have deep pockets you can go well into the 13's N/A...its just a sh1t ton of work. Hell, if you got the transmission for it...you can toss the bottle on it and run 12's.

I'd set her up like this...

Fenderwell Intake of some sort...make one
180* T-Stat
Autolite 606 Spark Plugs
New Wires (Upgraded or stock...doesn't really matter, but PRJ wires are *****in)
Speed Daddy Catless Headers (Your '04+ anyways...so your car doesn't have a U-Bend from the factory...and use the stock catback...you'll thank us)
ZZP HV3 Upper Insert
HP Tuners...you'll need the pro version to tune your car just fine...or take it to somewhere close to you to have it professionally done or someone that knows their way around the 3800 platform...plus, it isn't too hard to tune a N/A car
Yank off your throttle body...and clean it. Then get some 1500/2000 grit sandpaper and a flapper wheel...and polish the inlet and outlet. Worked well on my DBW TB 2.2 Cobalt...since there aren't TB upgrades for the '04+ 3800.
TransGo Shift Kit...get one from Triple Edge Performance
Poly Mounts...get 'em from ZZP...the upper ones. Then, get new solid rubber lower engine/trans mount
As far as it sits now...that's a 14's car if you can drive.

Then...it's either cam or rockers...both...get upgraded valve springs...Crow Cams 105's w/ Retainers...and either get 1.95:1 Roller Rockers from Intense or ZZP...or get a GT1/GT2 Cam from ZZP. With head work on top of that...I don't see how 13's would be out of the question if you were driving it right and it was tuned to its full potential...

TLSheff said:
A mild tune might be in order. Would probably serve you better to do a CAI, full Headers (Speed Daddy from Ebay, work well at $200), and then HV3 with a tune. Then consider maybe a cam, rockers, depending on your preference possibly some tranny work, shift kits and what not...
Without going the boosted way theres not alot to do with these to make power. Turbos make more power but take alot more work than a top swap goes, unless you have a machinist/mechanic cousin with a shop, and another DD for a couple weeks... then turbo away :th_thumb-up:
Click to expand...

OP says he doesn't want boost. Therefore...kinda like beatin' a dead horse :th_tongue2:

LOL
 
Well Im not really looking for crazy gains or any serious racing.. It's just that my first car was a 2.4l 4cyl Grand Am, and when I bought my Grand Prix it took me a few minutes to adjust to the additional power of the 3.8 v6, and since I drove it home the first time, I love the way it drives.. I think it pulls really nicely, compared to my old GA anyway. Im just lookin to make it a little more fun to drive... and maaaaaybe have some fun at a few street lights :th_biggrin2:.. so like even 10,20,30hp gains are more than enough.

So... seriously, my '08 doesnt have a u-bend in the exhaust? After all this time reading about this horrible curse on Grand Prixs... lol. So I dont need any exhaust work except for the addition of headers? Stock is fine?

As far as the tuning goes.. you mean I actually can have my car tuned? I've been under the impression that an 08 is impossible to tune. I also read about putting an older computer into it and having the gas gauge read backwards, but I heard there are issues with an 08 with this approach as well.

What exactly does a shift kit do? I've been thinking about getting a stronger transmission in the future so I can beat on it a little without worrying about it.
 


So... what kind of power do these cars make at the wheels NA?

I've read around the forum and I've seen people say numbers between 140 and 170whp... I know I've read 200 in a few places but Im guessing that's at the crank.
 
Ok, so then starting at a base whp of let's say... 165 stock... I add on...

CAI
hv3
plog
ER Rockers
Overkill tune

Where do you think my hp would fall with those mods? Crank and wheels?
 


Meh...my buddy made 200 even with a GT2 Cam, PEM's, L67 TB/injectors, HV3, 3" DP and a custom tune all through a motor and transmission that had over 180K...so I'm sure a non tired trans/motor might have made more power.

But one a bone stock N/A car...expect around 160 or so...since the blower cars make about 190-200 to the tire stock.
 
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