Tuning a 98 Grand Am

[gandhi_2006]

Hello all, I am looking to upgrade and tune up my 98 Grand Am SE 3.1 V6. I am looking for Easier tune ups that can be done "quick", or very easily.

If i could get popular brands from youse guys that would be sweet. Sites for these products would be cool too.

Thanks

[CraiGM]

Ive read your statement at least 5 times and I need to know... What is your definition of a "tune up?"

I dont know if you are talking about tune ups in general, performance, or actually tuning.

[gandhi_2006]

sorry i shouldve specified. I mean for a performance, i would put chips in but i have heard alot of "nos" for those so i would like to get better Horsepower ect. I do have a "chip" that is not a normal chip that i am looking at http://www.performancechiptuning.com/Volta...+Chip+Module/7/

Let me know what you think.

[CraiGM]

They dont do anything. You need an actual tuner. What I used was HPTuners. It actually can go into your PCM and change the tables/values/etc.

Im going to say it again so hopefully you dont waste your time thinking it might possibly work. The performance "chips" do NOTHING.

[Killiger2009]

no they do something...they throw codes and put more torque down so ull squeal tires wen the pedal is baely down and its trashes the IAT

[Pontiacgt201]

Good Chips come in bags or tubs. crappy chips you buy online and install in grand ams. there are no true performance chips for grand ams

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Oh gawd...I can't believe they still advertise these "mods".

As the others said, this is a straight up scam. Save your pennies for a real tune.

[gandhi_2006]

ok i understand that im not looking for chips (i got chessy puffs) no i am looking for actual performance enhancing tune ups.

i need good brands and stuff that will actually work on my car. its old with an old engine and i know it can do way better i am already gettin around 40 mpg, so i am looking for more HP and what not.

[CraiGM]

They dont do anything. You need an actual tuner. What I used was HPTuners. It actually can go into your PCM and change the tables/values/etc.

Im going to say it again so hopefully you dont waste your time thinking it might possibly work. The performance "chips" do NOTHING.

^^^You should have listened to that guy the first time.

He said you need an actual tuner. An example is HPTuners. It is tuning software. It costs a lot of money. If you have the pocket, you better have the know how. Because its not easy. Lots of numbers, lots of tables, lots of variables. Put a decimal in the wrong place you could break something, not know what you did wrong, and never find it.

There are some other tuners out there, but different software, same story. Dyno places use them to tune your car. Maybe look up your local dyno.

There is nothing you can just "plug in" and get more power. Even with tuning software, it has very little effect on nearly stock N/A engines.

If I were you Id worry more about bolt ons.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

^^^You should have listened to that guy the first time.

He said you need an actual tuner. An example is HPTuners. It is tuning software. It costs a lot of money. If you have the pocket, you better have the know how. Because its not easy. Lots of numbers, lots of tables, lots of variables. Put a decimal in the wrong place you could break something, not know what you did wrong, and never find it.

There are some other tuners out there, but different software, same story. Dyno places use them to tune your car. Maybe look up your local dyno.

There is nothing you can just "plug in" and get more power. Even with tuning software, it has very little effect on nearly stock N/A engines.

If I were you Id worry more about bolt ons.

This.

/thread

[gandhi_2006]

Actually that is what im looking for bolt ons but i dont know any good brands or what actually works that is what i meant the whole time sorry if i mislead you guys

[Ringo64]

Actually that is what im looking for bolt ons but i dont know any good brands or what actually works that is what i meant the whole time sorry if i mislead you guys

so you want performance mods

[gandhi_2006]

Thank you ringo i have never used them or installed them and dont know the good brands or what will actually work remember i have an older car

[Ringo64]

I'm not a GA pro but I'd suggest starting with a Cold Air Intake (K&N is the most reliable brand), an exhaust (chaos will recommend something good). Then if you want to go big, you may want to start preparing the engine for boost, if you want to go turbo or s/c.

Like I said I'm not a Grand Am pro but usually the CAI and exhaust are the first few mods on a car Not sure if there are headers and all that for your engine.

[gandhi_2006]

ok and i am a K&N fan i have a supercharged air filter and oil filter from them and i didnt think the CAI would fit under my hood?

[Ringo64]

they replace your stock air box so I'm sure you do lol

[gandhi_2006]

ok well in that case!! like i said i have never done this kinda stuff before just the normal stuff.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

The CAI that fits the LA1 in 5th gens also works just fine in the L82 powered 4th gens perfectly, since the L82 and LA1 share similar sensor setups.

Magnaflow mufflers are your best bet, with a good glasspack or high flow resonator. 2.25" pipping will work best as well.

[gandhi_2006]

Hey thanks Chaos!! Anything else you recomend?

BTW i listened to that song that you got your name from and WOW absolutly brilliant!!

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Well, those are the basic bolt ons...next you'd be looking at a bigger throttle body, ported UIM and LIM and headers for starters. Since you do have the L82, you can opt for an LA1 top swap, it'll improve airflow tenfold.

And yes, Scar Symmetry is a favorite band of mine.

[gandhi_2006]

ok thank you and as far as a top swap how much work is that gonna be and roughly how much est.?

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Depends on what parts you get.

WOT-Tech is a great source for 60*V6 parts.

[gandhi_2006]

I searched K&N's site and they say they dont make one for my car?

[Ringo64]

I searched K&N's site and they say they dont make one for my car?

Generally it will be a K&N filter and the adapter piece will be made by someone else. Who makes the best for Grand Ams I don't know and someone with one will have to fill in the missing pieces. Just watch out on prices aka watch out for eBay knock offs

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I searched K&N's site and they say they dont make one for my car?

K&N is overpriced anyway, go to Chrome Intakes and get the CAI for the 99-05 LA1 V6 intake.