few performance questions...

[berryjo5]

hey guys,
i own a 2000 grand prix gt and im looking to do a few performance modifications... so far best bang for the buck im looking at cold air intakes and also some other air intake work but i was wondering if anyone out there has had any good luck with performance chips as well. i basically stumbled across these performance chips that plug into the OBDII connection and use a method called ECU Flashing to increase horsepower.. i had never heard of this method. i am agaisnt using sensor overrides so i was wondering what you guys think about these ECU Flashers. i provided a website for you guys to take a look at what im talking about specifically.

i would appreciate it greatly if i could get some feedback on your opinions.

http://www.voloperformance.com/volochip.html

thanks guys

[grandprixgtx00]

actually, you would be surprised. the PCM upgrade works wonders. there are tons of companies that offer them for the grand prix...a couple of them being Intense racing, ZZP, and Delco (3800performance.com)

if you get a cold air intake, the PCM upgrade will really compliment the CAI.

another cheap upgrade for the GP's that will give you apx. 5HP or so is a Ubend delete. I'm pretty sure i have mentioned it before to you...but here is a link to the part.

[BNaylor]

Up to 25 hp and 15% increase in fuel economy? I'd have to see it to believe it . Sounds too good to be true. Nothing beats the traditional upgrade to a Stage 1 PCM module from our favorite companies...the ones mentioned and add DHP (Digital Horsepower).

Also, from your link I see the programming only modifies certain tables like fuel injections maps. Doesn't even remove the speed limiter.

[berryjo5]

yea i thought about that too... (still having the speed limiter). so you honestly think i should just go with a stage one ecu upgrade then rather than a simple OBDII ecu soft flasher or sensor overrides eh? just a big price difference is all. so to fully understand an ecu upgrade... an ecu will change things such as shift points engine temperature (as far as when the cooling fans come on), fuel and air adjustments, removes speed limiter etc? what are the side effects? will i get a service engine soon light or anything? and also does an after market ecu still make use of all the sensors?

sorry for all the questions, just trying to learn as much about it as i can.

[grandprixgtx00]

Originally Posted by berryjo5

yea i thought about that too... (still having the speed limiter). so you honestly think i should just go with a stage one ecu upgrade then rather than a simple OBDII ecu soft flasher or sensor overrides eh? just a big price difference is all. so to fully understand an ecu upgrade... an ecu will change things such as shift points engine temperature (as far as when the cooling fans come on), fuel and air adjustments, removes speed limiter etc? what are the side effects? will i get a service engine soon light or anything? and also does an after market ecu still make use of all the sensors?

the only "downfall" is that you will want to run Premium fuel to get the full benefit from the PCM upgrade. other than that...you will notice a huge different, especially if you add CAI and ubend delete.

Up to 25 hp and 15% increase in fuel economy? I'd have to see it to believe it . Sounds too good to be true.

oops...didnt even check out the OP's link haha. yeah, i wouldnt waste your $60.00 +S&H on something that probably isnt even going to make a difference. i would spend the extra $50.00 and get the 1.0 PCM upgrade.

[tblake]

I've got a DHP 1.0 PCM from pfyc.com. Bob recommended it, and it sure woke the GTP up. The best feature would have to be the cooler motor (never gets above 190), but I really like how it shifts with performance shift on.

Pass on that stupid soft flasher crap. What happens if it messes up your PCM? Then there you sit with a car that doesnt run.

[BNaylor]

I noticed that vendor does have recent negative feedback on EBay.

The DHP v1.0 PCM is the first one I ever used in my GTP. Even ZZP used to sell them before doing their own programming and marketing the ZZP v1.0. However, I now use a custom programed Intense but the DHP is still one of the best Stage 1 PCMs around. I have one in my '01 Regal GS with no other real intake or exhaust mods. Also, have one in my son's '02 Olds Alero GL2. One thing I can say for sure is you actually feel the improved power and overall driveability in the seat of your pants. Highway fuel economy went up especially cruising at higher speeds like on a long trip.

[tblake]

Bob, where did you find one for your sons alero? Are there any for say a 2002 Grand Prix se with the 3100? I've seen them for GT's but none for SE's.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tblake

Bob, where did you find one for your sons alero? Are there any for say a 2002 Grand Prix se with the 3100? I've seen them for GT's but none for SE's.

Tim, from PFYC. I posted the complete installation of a DHP PCM for Alero and Grand Am at our N Body forums. See link below. I am not aware of any for the GM cars with the 3100 V6 from our regular vendors like ZZP, PFYC or 3800Performance.com.

Click here

However, there is a company called Milzy Motorsports that has them available for the 3100 V6. Same cost and core procedures. This is the same company where we got a P&P UIM for his Alero which I have not installed yet. Also, a good alternative for 3800 mods. See link.

http://www.milzymotorsports.com/

[tblake]

Thank You Sir! I will look into them for sure!

[tblake]

Nice Job with the Alero writeup! Nice car! Your family sure takes car of their vehicles.

On behalf of my G/F, thanks for the link to the 3100 GP PCM. I think she'll be trying it out in a month or two. Ill report back.....

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tblake

On behalf of my G/F, thanks for the link to the 3100 GP PCM. I think she'll be trying it out in a month or two. Ill report back.....

You're welcome Tim. Yeah, let us know how this turns out. We have no experience with the Milzy re-programmed PCMs other than knowing they do exist so any info or feedback would be helpful. Plus did you notice all the mods available for the 3100, 3400 and both L36 and L67 versions of the SII 3800 including 6 speed manual tranny conversions? Another guy that does both 3100 and 3400 mods is Mike Petersen at MP Racing. That is where we got the custom CAI/FWI from.

[tblake]

LOL, no, I found the PCM for the 3100 and then went right to sleep. I had to get up early, my sister was leaving for college and I had to work bright and early. Which I just got home. (snagged another shoplifter today!) Thats 4 in the past 5 days totalling about 500 bucks. Not too bad!

6 speed trannys for 3800's? I'll have to take a look now, you got me curious. Do they have a higher gear ratio OD, or just a lower 1st gear? Is it a completly different tranny? Or a 4t65e thats been modified? How is this one controlled via the PCM? It must have another shift solonoid,.... Wow, so many questions.....

[tblake]

Nevermind, manual tranny conversions, mis-understood. Thats different, but still leaves a lot of questions.... (clutch/clutch pedal/master,slave cylinders/flywheel/...PCM)