Anyone with Grand Am GT and alero knowledge please read!!!

[Base-To-GT Alero]

i have a 2003 alero base model with the 3.4 in it and i really like it alot. i work down at my fathers car lot and through this i have been able to test drive a 2005 grand am GT, which even though it only had minor diffrences to mine, is quite a bit faster overall in acceleration and various other details. Now anyone that knows cars knows that the alero is just a grand am with a diffrent interior and body shaping, this being said it is also a known fact that most anything mechanical that can be done to a grand am can be done to an alero. anyways what i really need to know is this: i've been able to do a successful swap on the ram air intake system from this grand am GT with no hasstle but now i would like to see if there is a way i can swap out my stock exhaust system with larger piped dual exaust system. i understand that for this to be successful im going to have to take each pipe off from the manifold back the entire lenth of the car, all i need to know is, is this possible? and is there any other way that i can tune my alero to meet up to the zip that the Grand Am GT provides?

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

Yes. You can use the Pacesetter Monza CATBack exhaust system which has 2.5" plumbing all the way to the tips. Same one that fits the Grand AM GT. Same hang points and a bolt on operation. Also, headers and a re-programmed PCM module from DHP plus other mods. Thread below has info on the DHP PCM.

Click here

Here is a pic of our '02 Alero GL2 with S&S ceramic coated headers. Same ones for the Grand Ams with 3400 engine. Also, it has a RSM Racing 62mm throttle body.

[Hungrycat7]

You should scrap the Ram Air! They really are pretty worthless! Just get yourself a cold air intake and forget the Ram Air!

[lamehonda]

But it sounds so freeeking awesome. RAM air. Say it too loud and kids start crying.

[BNaylor]

On the CAI make sure it is a real cold air intake and not a warm air. Best one for the Alero 3400 is like the one below. This is a true FWI - fender well intake. The filter cone is located under the driver's side fender which takes advantage of the high pressure area behind the driver's side headlight.

Going in next month as soon as my son comes home for summer break from college.




Here is a shot of one of the the exhaust tips (two) from the Pacesetter Monza CATBack exhaust.

[Madcat455]

Wouldn't the fact that the Alero's area between the headlights being closed off, negate the ram air???

The GAGT has openings that the RA ties into.

[BNaylor]

Who says the area around the Alero headlamps are closed off or sealed from any airflow? Plenty of airflow in that area so a FWI works fine and the HP increase using a CAI/FWI blows away Ram Air systems that are only good at higher speeds. At lower speeds a Ram Air system is worthless. Also, at the strip like at Friday and Saturday Night Drags you remove the driver's side headlight.

[Madcat455]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Who says the area around the Alero headlamps are closed off or sealed from any airflow? Plenty of airflow in that area so a FWI works fine and the HP increase using a CAI/FWI blows away Ram Air systems that are only good at higher speeds. At lower speeds a Ram Air system is worthless. Also, at the strip like at Friday and Saturday Night Drags you remove the driver's side headlight.

I was referring to the area between the headlights in referrence to the Pontiac factory RA kit

I never inferred that your CAI kit was worthless, as I am NO authority in that area.

But...

When I look at both of them:



Vs:



I see that the Alero is much less likley to benefit from the grafting of Pontiac's Ram air kit on it. As the Alero will not get as much airflow into the ductwork as the Pontiac will allow.

Especially considering that the bottom of the ductwork seals off the possibility of air entering from below the bumper area.

So... as pointless as the RA kit is on an actual GAGT... it's even more so on an Alero... that's the point I was trying to make

just my

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Madcat455

So... as pointless as the RA kit is on an actual GAGT... it's even more so on an Alero... that's the point I was trying to make

I see your point but we actually agree on it. My point in this thread which was really addressed to the OP is a CAI/FWI would have been the better route for cheap horsepower instead of installing the GA GT factory Ram Air system as it pertains to the Alero. Without degrading his accomplishment or before speculating I would be curious as to how it was installed and whether any provisions were made like any mods for airflow at the front end.

Also by the first pic below regardless of the fancy intake part all you see is one extra duct/snorkel to the left hand side of the airbox. Note that it still has the right snorkel that drops down into the fenderwell and is basically similar to a stock airbox.

In the second pic the GA owner of this GT left the Ram Air stuff intact although the airbox is removed but added a CAI. Ram Air in this instance is non-functional but for obvious reasons.

[Base-To-GT Alero]

thanks guys that info all really helps out alot, that exhaust system looks awesome and ill have to look into that.

but now i got a bigger question for anyone out there willing to tackle it.

i have annother post open called will a 3.8 supercharger mount on a 3.4. read it and anyone with any info on this is greatly appreciated!!!

[Base-To-GT Alero]

actually i didnt know it puts me back at the top of the pile when i make a reply so well heres my predicament

alright to my buddy is trying to sell me this supercharger he pulled off a 02 grand prix GTP and im trying to figure out if everything would work out. he has the computer and everything for it and it seems like it would be a really awesome swap. my buddy just graduated from itt tech in automotive department and he seems to know his way around this stuff pretty well. he says that the 3.8 block is exactly the same as the 3.4 block just with a diffrent manifold and headers, ext. he believes that the set up could possibly just be a bolt up set up but he is very skeptical because he is unsure of all the work that would be involved, this is pry my only chance to get this stuff for this cheep so i need to know ahead of time what im getting myself into. thanks

[BNaylor]

The blocks are not the same. The 3400 V6 engine is based on a 60 degree design and the 3800 V6 90 degree. The Eaton M90 Gen3 blower is technically too big for the 3400 engine. The problem is the heads are different to include the lower intake manifold so trying to bolt up the M90 blower from the Grand Prix GTP is not really bolt on. There are Grand Am and I believe Alero owners that transplanted the complete L67 SII 3800 engine.

[xeroinfinity]

I would agree the Ram air is a joke from GM, a 5hp joke.

Though the 2-3 plastic air dams that go just inside of the headlights does help direct air thru the radiator better.

Both my GA's headers melted the ram air ducts so they are about as worthless as titts on a bull!! CAI all the way !!

You can buy a super charger made for the 3.4's, you can gain about 75-80 HP.
Though it'll cost you more then what the car is worth... you can find it here(under GA). http://www.z-spec.com/catalog

I want a turbo, but they are hard to come by for the 3.4s without making your own from scratch. Here is a mouth watering site with one, its so shiney!
http://www.turbochargedpower.com/99-04%20Grand%20Am.htm

A nice disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

[BNaylor]

And for the non-believers here is a GA with a L67 shoe horned in.

[xeroinfinity]

It is tight in there! Does look nice...
I'd sure hate to change those plugs . lol

The real sweet part is the 4t65E(or possibly the 65HD) it realy puts the power to pavement , way better then the 4T40-45E's in the stock N bodies.

If thier wasnt so much piggy backin the PCMs I'd do this swap in a new york minute ! I do have a complete 03 3.8 SC with the trans.

What is the stock HP on the newest 3.8's Bob ?