97 V6 3.8ltr - Performance Upgrades?

Please dont flame about getting the Z I know... I know.. (It will be a purchase in a few years, I dont want the gas mileage insurance ups etc etc :) so you can put away your flamebooks.)

What can I do to give some performance on a low budget? I have a Flowmaster Dual Exhaust on it. What else would you guys suggest? Could you link prices with products too?

best bang for the buck i think is the edelbrock head/cam set?, supposed to give around 120hp. maybe thats only for the earlier ones, im a little foggy

best bang for the buck i think is the edelbrock head/cam set?, supposed to give around 120hp. maybe thats only for the earlier ones, im a little foggy


Would that be 2 3 to 1 headers and what kinda cams?

and have a price range?

We are talking about a V-6 you sure 120hp?

thats what i heard, this is mostly word of mouth, its an edelbrock kit, not headers, its like cams and i think heads.

on second thought, its a lost cause, please donate the engine to me ^^;;

:P this is for my new car dude :P git yer own engine

This is why I don't understand why people buy a six cylinder. They decide to modify it and end up spending more on thier sixer than it would cost for a z28 and the z is still quicker and a hell of a lot more fun to drive. You may spend a little bit more on gas but it is definately worth it. And if your plan is to get one eventually, why not just get one now and mod that. If you are going to get a v6, don't nodify it. Save your money and let it be.

This is why I don't understand why people buy a six cylinder. They decide to modify it and end up spending more on thier sixer than it would cost for a z28 and the z is still quicker and a hell of a lot more fun to drive. You may spend a little bit more on gas but it is definately worth it. And if your plan is to get one eventually, why not just get one now and mod that. If you are going to get a v6, don't nodify it. Save your money and let it be.

Good point only mods will be oil change and sound system etc. :)

i got a question how fast do ppl get their 6 cylinders... jus wonderin wat type of time they can get.. i couldnt imagine anything better than about upper 13 n thats wit a bunch of mods...how fast do they get

www.3800performance.com

friend of mine runs low 12s, 12.1x. go over to www.camarov6.com forums, you'd be surpised. 12secondv6 and LittleG, both also in the new jersey f-body club im in. James (12secondv6) is in 12s and craig (LittleG) is in 13s without tuning or wieght reduction.

I hate it when ignorant bastards downtalk all sixers and include 3.8s. Stock for stock 3.8 f-bodies can take pre-97 mustang GTs, and all v6 stangs. They're plenty quick and handle real well, especially with the 1LE package. Aftermarket is plentiful for 3.8, and gas milage is still 30 on the highway. And a hell of a lot cheaper on insurance.

So, aj_racing7, please educate yourself before speaking. Thank you.

I know a v6 can run 12s. I have seen four bangers run 12s. But to be able to get a the same car with 2 more cylinders for near the same price, wouldn't you go for the one that has 2 more cylinders, more cubic inches, a ton more parts to modify with, and a lot more potential?! A v6 with relatively the same modifications as a v8 is still going to be slower. If you want to make a six cylinder Camaro run 12s go for it. I have no problem with that. All I am sayng is it's gonna be easier and cheaper using a v8. Around here there are a whole bunch of ignorant cocky bastards who think that their cars are fast as hell and they can take anybody because their car says Camaro or Mustang on it. It's almost like they don't know that their stock sixers with an exaust tip and a k&n filter really isn't that fast(but don't tell them that). Now I'm not saying you're one of those people or your car is like that rs, but they are the ignorant ones. I have read your posts and you seem to know your stuff. I didn't mean to offend you at all. I was just saying that it's probably not worth modding a v6 when you can have a z for the sam price.

Oh and for upgrades... is your flowmaster 2.5" or 3"? if it's not 3" you may wanna look into that, more flow and better sound. Intake also, the SLP one is good and a lot of people use K&N's. A tad more intensive you might want a limited slip in the rear and/or higher ratio gears (you have 3.08's; next up is 3.23 and then 3.42, any higher and gas milage hurts. also higher ratios need 3-series carriers or spacers.) Next would be... mybe a throttle body spacer or 160 degree thermostat. Then maybe tuning. Right now my 3" magnaflow catback is in my living room and my car is on jackstands in the middle of a conversion to 3.42 gears (with a shitload of help from John/FormulaLT1), and the thermostat i've had. tuning and intake are on my to do list and the throttle body spacer is a possibility, so I have more info on any of these if u need.

Actually mine has the 3.23 and as far as flowmasters I dont know, I dont have the car yet. I'm curious about throttle body pricing what to look for what i have and then the ram air can you tell me more about it with price?

I know a v6 can run 12s. I have seen four bangers run 12s. But to be able to get a the same car with 2 more cylinders for near the same price, wouldn't you go for the one that has 2 more cylinders, more cubic inches, a ton more parts to modify with, and a lot more potential?! A v6 with relatively the same modifications as a v8 is still going to be slower. If you want to make a six cylinder Camaro run 12s go for it. I have no problem with that. All I am sayng is it's gonna be easier and cheaper using a v8. Around here there are a whole bunch of ignorant cocky bastards who think that their cars are fast as hell and they can take anybody because their car says Camaro or Mustang on it. It's almost like they don't know that their stock sixers with an exaust tip and a k&n filter really isn't that fast(but don't tell them that). Now I'm not saying you're one of those people or your car is like that rs, but they are the ignorant ones. I have read your posts and you seem to know your stuff. I didn't mean to offend you at all. I was just saying that it's probably not worth modding a v6 when you can have a z for the sam price.

Alright man, I see where you're coming from now and agree. Us 6er owners just can get a little touchy about being smaller than you all.

I mean... uh... not having those 2 dead weight cylinders :wink: 6er = weight eduction = faster!!! :evillol: :evillol: :evillol: :smokin:

Well stock yours has what mine had/what are sitting in my garage, 3.08's. I think the RPO for that is GU6?... but I'm not sure. When you said it didnt have options I assumed that too. Throttle body spacer the idea of it is to cool down the air in the TB, and colder air = denser air = more air in = more power. there's a really informative thread on it at camarov6.com, ill find it for you.
Cold air intake (not ram air), usually runs some where near $200-210. again more air in and more air out = more power. also this will complement youe exhaust in terms of both power and tone: intake and exhaust multiply each other's efficiencies.

Well stock yours has what mine had/what are sitting in my garage, 3.08's. I think the RPO for that is GU6?... but I'm not sure. When you said it didnt have options I assumed that too. Throttle body spacer the idea of it is to cool down the air in the TB, and colder air = denser air = more air in = more power. there's a really informative thread on it at camarov6.com, ill find it for you.
Cold air intake (not ram air), usually runs some where near $200-210. again more air in and more air out = more power. also this will complement youe exhaust in terms of both power and tone: intake and exhaust multiply each other's efficiencies.


What is diff between RAM air and CIA?

One works for the goverment, and the other is a vehicle performance upgrade.

Sorry, all jokes aside, a CAI and Ram Air are essentially the same thing. The idea behind both are to make a less restrictive intake snorkel. You are not actually gaining "cold air" because the CAI runs to the same spot as your stock airbox, just less restrictive route. The ram air takes air from outside of the hood of the car, and is said to "force" air into your intake, but this is not correct unless you are exceeding about 120 mph, because your motor sucks air faster than you can drive it in there. So in the end the Ram Air might be a better setup for performance because you might actually get some colder air since it is basically a straight shot from the outside, but it is also more expensive, requiring a new hood w/scoop.

How hard would it be to make a RAM Air intake with a 3.8ltr engine with a Z28 or SS hood?

Wow, I just got a crazy idea!!!!!! The 3800 series was in the Grand National, and thoughs things are fast as shit, so can you drop in a turbo package into the V6 making it essentially a Grand National. A Camaro body, with a Grand National motor, that would be a fun car.

the CAI is cheaper, produces around the same gains, and actually gets more air. Because it takes air from under the car it has a higher pressure air stream being forced into it (a few inches of clearance between the ground and the car = high pressure air stream; whereas theres little pressure above the car because of the freedom of motion for the air). Other than that, I know if you want SLP's ultra z hood can be fitted with an airbox to make it functional... :shrug:


As for the GN theory... I'll let Hypsi take that one :P

Wow, I just got a crazy idea!!!!!! The 3800 series was in the Grand National, and thoughs things are fast as shit, so can you drop in a turbo package into the V6 making it essentially a Grand National. A Camaro body, with a Grand National motor, that would be a fun car.


it doesnt quite work that way. its a little more involved than swapping parts. what ever happened to hypsi?

Damn I thought I had a brilliant Idear. Shucks

and the weight reduction arguement doesnt really help our cause. the eights may be heavier, but atleast they have the power to get these fat little cars moving. what it does help is the weight distribution and road handling. i remember looking at the door sticker and, without doing the math, noticed the 3.4 has dam close to 50/50 distribution...

lol it was a joke, and i agree

If the sixs have 50/50 what about the V8's 45/55 or farther

first, sorry 97 havent been on in awhile. im rusty on picking up the joke vibes.

second, the sixers have near 50/50. i believe the eights have like i think 58/42 and the sixers have closer than that to 50/50. they arent RX-7s or anything but the sixers are a little better...

58/42 How is their more weight in the back...............? ............Oh you mean 42/58........

Oh crap im lost............ :uhoh:

well i think that general consensus dictates front/rear but i could be wrong. either way you get the point

good question, does anyone know what the actualy numbers are???

Wow, I just got a crazy idea!!!!!! The 3800 series was in the Grand National, and thoughs things are fast as shit, so can you drop in a turbo package into the V6 making it essentially a Grand National. A Camaro body, with a Grand National motor, that would be a fun car.

The 3800 that's in your car is the RWD 3800 Series 2, the Series 1 RWD 3800 is what was in the GN's. Keep in mind that throwing a turbo on an engine that isn't setup for such an upgrade will only cost you more in the long run. Also the bottom end is completely different, i believe the older RWD 3800's cranks were setup like SBC cranks. Comparing the Series 1 to the 2 is like comparing apples to oranges, and i dont think they make a good drink mixed together.