Increasing the Horse Power

Hello Everyone,

I have a 1999 Malibu, and I would like to know how to I increase the horse power?
Can I do it by changing the ECU ?
Is there a simple and cheapest way to do it.

Your help is much appriciated.

yes you can buy a performance chip (ECU). or a cold air intake

I would start with intake, then do exhaust. If you're still not happy, check out headers, larger throttle bodies, ported manifolds, etc.

start with a proper exhaust ( just a muffler isn't doing anything as the rest of the pipe & cat are still restrictive ) and a true cold air intake ( not hot engine bay air - get a cone filter into the grill or fender or it most likely won't be much better than a noisemaker ) you could get an underdrive pulley from Fast Forward Products for the 3100 engine too.. i guess it would work on a malibu?

there is no "chip" in any GM OBDII car. the ecu must be reprogrammed. i don't think anyone does this for the 3100 and i don't think that it would do you any good other than removing your governer so your malibu can top out ~ 130mph, unless you've done some MAJOR work to the engine. the 3100 is pretty well engineered at this point in time ( notice there are now 3400's and 3500's too?? ) and a simple reprogramming won't do much. you can reset the shift points for the tranny but it wouldn't do much IMHO.

hey doctor speed, you probably want to check this out:

click me (http://discussions.gmforums.com/showthread.php?t=41106)

as far as the chip goes.... visit asechips.com $300 but you can't run NOS with it

i keep forgetting you 97+ boys have a few more options..

does anyone have one of those ase chip/reflashes? anyone with dyno results? i figure if i traded wiring harnesses and ECM's from a 98+ GA or Malibu i could share in this fortune..

..but a chip or reflash should be the last thing you do. you don't want to go back and change ECM settings because of your larger TB or ported plenum or shaved heads etc.

RSM has a supercharger for 3100sfi engines that would fit your malibus - but it's ridiculously expensive. for that money you might as well put a GTP motor in it.

Jet performance products has a programer out there (the JET68002). I just ordered mine and I hope to get it in a few days. But I would deff. do an intake and full exhaust first. FDP Performance does a nice true COLD air intake for the malibu. As for the exhaust I did mine custom since pre-bent stuff is impossible to find for our cars.
Rich
1997 Malibu
FDP Cold Air intale
Custom Exhaust
JET Chip (coming thursday)
Throttle Body Heater Bypass
Ported MAF

Get headers!! http://www.performance-exhaust-headers.com/chevrolet/index.html