• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Performance upgrades for base model GP 3.8l

08grandprix

08grandprix

New member
I own a 08 pontiac GP 3.8l v-6 base model. I have a intake, flowmaster muffler, Jet chip stage 2 and a 180 thermostat. What performance upgrades do you recommend? (Im not rich) Thanks
 


08grandprix said:
I own a 08 pontiac GP 3.8l v-6 base model. I have a intake, flowmaster muffler, Jet chip stage 2 and a 180 thermostat. What performance upgrades do you recommend? (Im not rich) Thanks
Click to expand...

The cheapest one I can think of is a Jet Chip delete. Outside of that, you've got... Maybe $100 into this car already. I don't know what your definition of rich is, but you'll probably wind up $205 in headers, optional $200 on HV3, and another $130-200 on a "canned" tuned PCM from one of the fine vendors, such as Reptile, or Overkill (Do your own research on vendors - there are more out there, too - custom would be better than canned). So, there's like $400 - $600 for a mild performance upgrade.
 
But...it is still N/A...and unless boosted is still gonna run 15's...which...isn't fast by ANY means.
 


I was waiting for a comment like that lol.N/A can get out of 15's with good mods.My boy a year ago had a 2000 gt coupe with 102k miles.His mods were plog,2.5in catless dp,fwi intake,pcm,180 thermo,hv3 insert,rockers,minor weight reduction and fresh tires and he ran 14.8 @ 93.talking bout N/A being slow.I bet if he put a cam,headers,colder plugs,res delete,and a triple edge tranny 13's could be seen.
 
Some people just dont like boost, or dont wanna have a second full time job looking for knock or leaks or something breaking,replacing, fixing, having to worry about reliability issues in the near term.
 
Then a cam is not for you...

Neither are headers.

And stock temp plugs for a N/A is all you'll ever need.

You only change the temp when you add boost or change compression....

And you'll only break things if you abuse things or install them incorrectly.
 
Probably one of the few honest performance mods you could do would be a HV3 insert from ZZP. It costs $200 and a fairly simple install, and your PCM doesn’t need to be modified.:th_thumbsup-wink:

Another fairly good one might be a tranny shift kit from TEP. They cost like $65, and people in general seem to like them.

On a side note, if anyone can get you a tuned PCM without giving your car a lobotomy let me know! Please.:th_winking: I tried some time ago with Overkill, long story short I’m still stock.
 


SlowNA06 said:
What does that even mean?
Click to expand...

Well, let me just preface this post with a statement. I have zero PCM tuning experience. While researching a tuned PCM I kind of ran into a wall or two. Let me start with the PCM tuning by a little review by model year for the 04+.
04-05 = plug and play, easy chessy
06 = pop in a 05 tuned PCM (minimal issues like a potentially reversed gas gauge)
07= pop in a 05 tuned PCM and hope for the best, I have read that few people have done. And I’m stressing the word few. From what I recall these installs never go smooth, and involve addressing lots of codes that pop. Unfortunately not many people have been forth coming in their experiences. There was a guy who posted some info on 3800tech, basically a nightmare story that ended in his car running “OK”.:th_nervous:
08 = I have never even heard of anyone pulling it off

In my emails with Overkill he seemed interested and confident he could get a tune going for an 08. However I expressed my concern with losing functionality in other areas like my instrument cluster, DIC, remote starting, air bags, etc. Then the whole plan came to a stop. My concern was based on how this old 05 PCM would communicate with the BCM, not to mention all the other stuff. Or if it would communicate at all, since the 08s are the only CAN bus GPs.:th_shakinghead2: So I guess my "lobotomy" comment was the potential severing of the PCM and BCM. I have no doubt a tune could be done on an 08, but it wouldn’t be an easy process.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the help so far. I have no plans to rule the streets(or track) just to have a fun car. I enjoy working on and improving rides whether it be my Gp or a Yugo..... So turbos and all that expensive stuff is probably never going to happen but is on the long list of wishes. Exhaust work headers,downpipe,plog all within reach. ($0-500) upgrades is about my budget. I have alot of people and animals to feed..lol Now I must disagree with the put downs on the Jet Chip, I can feel a difference. $250 difference porbably not but a difference.:th_thumbsup-wink:
 
dmahlikGT said:
I was waiting for a comment like that lol.N/A can get out of 15's with good mods.My boy a year ago had a 2000 gt coupe with 102k miles.His mods were plog,2.5in catless dp,fwi intake,pcm,180 thermo,hv3 insert,rockers,minor weight reduction and fresh tires and he ran 14.8 @ 93.talking bout N/A being slow.I bet if he put a cam,headers,colder plugs,res delete,and a triple edge tranny 13's could be seen.
Click to expand...

Common guy are you serious? 13's?? :th_scratchhead: ^^^
 


You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top