Build my car up!

[Vipey1337]

Just like the title says. 99 Grand Am SE 3.4L with 168,000 miles. I haven't replaced anything except the alternator I cooked with my sound system, the AC compressor, and the timing belt just about a month ago. So here we go:

I'm going to start upgrading the cheaper stuff. I already have a cold air intake, so that will stay for a while.

What I'm looking for next is parts that AREN'T STOCK, and ARE BETTER THAN STOCK, but yet aren't ridiculously expensive. Suggestions for:

Exhaust System and required parts
Spark Plugs
Struts
Wheels
Tires
Supercharger (if they even exist without custom build)
Strut Bars
etc. etc. etc....

Anyone that can list a good blob of things I can upgrade that will improve my hp, speed, handling, and all that fun stuff please post here with links and everything. I want to have a unique grand am for my area So far most of the stuff I've looked at is from Auto Accessories Giant, but I have a feeling there are better deals out there. Even if you comment on just one thing it's cool. Thanks guys!

[xeroinfinity]

For starters we hav a thread here where we hav listed several places where you can find aftermarket parts.
heres that Link .

Their are lots of stuff out there but a lot of its expensive as hell!

Exhaust- thiers SLP(around $480) & Borla(around $650-700) Custom pricless (around $250-300).

Parts for your car has good products and not bad on prices.

I think theirs only KYB(notkillyourboss) aftermarket struts.

Z-spec (aka RSM) they hav superchargers.... Around $4500 ! Their are turbo systems too, they are listed on that first link, around the same price. I would go turbo!

Check ebay on strut bars, Z-spec has them(along with several other sites) but their stuff is pricy :-/
I bought a Pair on ebay for under $100.

Since you already hav a CAI, I'd get an exhaust Modification!!!
If you hav the $$ headers are really nice too, with a larger exhaust it'll free up quite a few ponies.
http://www.ssheaders.com/V6.htm has them, cant remember how much tho.

Another thing, down the road in the near future You probly should consider changing your head/intake gaskets, since you hav 168k, it wouldnt hurt any, but maybe your wallet

[Vipey1337]

So just go to an exhaust shop and go "build me an exhaust" and they'll be like "k" ??? Wouldn't I then need to buy a muffler and headers and things like that? Or the stainless steel pipes for them to make the exhaust?

BTW, what about spark plugs?

[xeroinfinity]

A muffler shop should carry most suplies to make an exhaust.

I am using the Flowmaster 80 series#42583.

Not all shops carry all makes and models of mufflers though.
2.5 inch pipe from the converter back to the muffler is a good size with a good sound.
That flowmaster has 1 inlet and dual 2.5" outs, so you can hav duals out the back
Other companies do make mufflers that are simular.
Should be several pipe shops around where you live.

On plugs, I stick with AC Delco's Iridiums, they last along time, and dont faul out easy.
Several options on the wires, most people just stick with GMs wires , any high quality 8mm wire is good though.

btw- headers run around $600. I paid $750 years ago, a real pain in the a**(pita) to put on

[Vipey1337]

Flowmaster's website says that muffler is for firebirds... doesn't say anything about grand ams. Does it still work anyway?

Also, I'd need to get a high-flow catalytic converter... any ideas? What other parts from the headers back?

Thx for being a big help

[Gir-_-]

you want to make sure that what you're building on isnt going to crap all over ur face =p

take steps ahead before modifications,

So far ive replaced every single coolant hose, new AC Delco Iridium plugs (local auto shop, $4.90/plug... Taylor Spiro Pro wires 8mm (from pfyc.com) <-- good combo, burns clean... You might want to look into changing your fluids a bit... start running some synthetic engine oil... I use Mobile 1 Extended Performance .. think its like 30w or w/e ... ill take a look later. Also look into using Royal Purple Max ATF for your transmission fluid, I did this job on my transmission due to the hard shifts in the DHP PCM, helped it out... so it wasnt such a harsh change on the trans... the job cost me about $140. went to my local kwik kar place... and had them order up a few quarts of the stuff from a local shop... and all you NEED TO DO is a simple trans filter change ... it'll drain fluid .. new filter =p new cherry lookin synthetic in the trans .. give it about 2 weeks before going balls out lol

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Vipey1337

Flowmaster's website says that muffler is for firebirds... doesn't say anything about grand ams. Does it still work anyway?

Also, I'd need to get a high-flow catalytic converter... any ideas? What other parts from the headers back?

Thx for being a big help

That muffler is a universal one, fits many cars and trucks.
On our GAs it sets sideways in the back, like the stocker.
Look at PFYC.com and see their SLP kit, it uses the Flowmaster 80series.

I forget what highflow cat I'm using, they can be pricey tho.
IMO You dont hav to use a highflow cat, its not nessesary unless you hav headers. Wont even see/feel that much of a gain for the $$$.

And as Gir said trany filter & fluid change is always good. OUr manuals state they are to be changed every 50kmiles, most dont get that change till around 100k.
Even your brake fluid is supossed to be changed out at 30k mile intervals who has done this one

My SE is running on all synthetics, power steering, trans, engine oil, dexcool, and I hav even exchanged the brake fluid a couple times as required :P

If you need anything else just ask

[Vipey1337]

I'm going to go get a tune-up next time I'm home. I'll see about all those replacements

Then I'll do spark plugs/wires and strut bars I think.

Then exhaust maybe.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...d+am&category0=

If I want to go broke I can buy this Borla exhaust kit, but what else am I going to need? Can I use my stock cat converter or no?

Thanks a bunch guys.

[Jmoney3318]

Yea the Stock Cat still stays when you replace the new exhaust it replaces from the cat all the way to the back

[Jmoney3318]

speakin of building the car up yo Xero and Gir would puttin new ported manifolds show and improvement in performance cuz im thinkin of pickin it up and i just wanted to knnow if it adds any horses or actually what it really does.... and Gir i know you know alot bout that PCM u got is PFYC.com better than Milzysmotorsport.com PCM or are they the same and would your guys prefer lowering the car or gettin the chip ???

[xeroinfinity]

Ya kinda Jmoney.
My SE has the upper and lower intake ported and polished, and I also hav a 62mm TB, & w/exhaust mod it all works well.

If you look inside the Intake its rough and the opening arent real big. When they are ported they grind out material to accomidate more volume, which means more air more fuel. They also enlarge the TB opening, and enlarge the ports going to the lower intake, and its enlarged to the heads. Head can be ported too.

This all adds up to a larger volume of air going into the cylinders which means more Fuel.
Polishing means just that. After grinding its good to get things as smooth as possible. If not you get turbulance, and that slows down air flow.

When I first done intake P&P I noticed an OK gain,
but after I redone the heads and swaped the cam out(this last spring) its way faster than most GT's* (*along with other internal mods too)

Vipey1337, If I were you I'd just get the SLP or custom.
Thats crazy Borla wants almost $700.
Man you can find a shop locally That I'd bet can do you a 2.5" cat back for $300 or less!
Borla sounds good, its just the muffler design inside that gives it a bit of a lower/louder note.
It is louder too, if the policia, in your area, like to harrass people w/loud pipes I'd think twice. Tickets suck

btw Vipey, after I installed my strut bars I could tell when turning it was tighter , didnt get alot of that tire squall or over steer(or push) when turn either

Hope that clearifies that for you guys.

[Jmoney3318]

yessir! that helped alot and therefore i will purchase the UIM and LIM and now i just need to figure if i want to get the PCM or lower my car.... cant decide between them

[xeroinfinity]

You can get a those DHP PCMs from PFYC for $100.
Lowering your car is cool to, tho it'll cost about $250 for springs.
GAs look great lowerd

....... that would be a difficult decision !

[Vipey1337]

I also want to get my car lowered and possibly add a body kit when I decide what shade of silver to paint it next, or if i'll just keep it the same. How low and what lowering springs do you recommend? And if I did get a new 2.5" exhaust, wouldn't I be bottlenecking at the catalytic converter?

I guess that also leads to what lowering springs I should get :P

[Jmoney3318]

i would reccomend not goin anything lower than 1.75 cuz then youll get into problems and shit with your struts and all that garbage im lookin to go 1.5 front and back, most likely gunna pick up 1.5" by sprint wanted to get sum Eibachs but them things are so damn expensive and the lowering is just gay cuz it slike 1.5 front 1.2 back or something dumb like that i think it should all be even all around but then its just pointless for aero dynamics and all that nonsense