Print

[Seanson]

whats the best set up?   whats the best CAI, exhuast , etc ... and what kinda numbers can be expected outta 3.5L

[CanyonAB]

Well...for best exhaust performance wise you need an MBRP system. It's easy to build your own CAI for these trucks...see my thread in the performance section for more info. Stock the 3.5L puts roughly 170 horses to the wheels, with an exhaust, CAI, custom header, and a dyno tune I'm hoping to be in the 200-210 range at the wheels.

[Seanson]

damn ... i was hoping for some better numbers ... i have a 99 grand prix with 3.8L and factory numbers say it has 200 hp ... and for now all im guna be able to afford is a CAI ... the big question is whether im guna make one or buy the whole set up

[CanyonAB]

Your "factory" numbers for your grand prix are, like every other vehicle now, rated at the flywheel.

The 3.5L I5 makes 220 horses and 225 lb/ft at the flywheel...throw in driveline loss and that brings it down closer to the 170 horse mark for wheel horsepower.

[Seanson]

good point ... now i feel better lol ... another question is there a big performance difference between the 3.5 and the 3.7 ? i test drove and 08 with the 3.7 and it wasnt as bad as other have told me but im buy my uncles 06 with the 3.5 and i havent had a chance to take it for a rip

[CanyonAB]

It'd be like the 3.5L with a CAI...fairly small difference.

[Back in black]

With my 04' I dyno'd it with a cai and magna flow race magnum,got 190 HP and 180 torque.I had planed to dyno the new one last year for a base line but the dyno broke.So this year I'll have to run it with the goodies installed.  

[zeuce]

after you do a CAI and exhaust I would recommend an efan and the best performance upgrade is a PCM tune! its night and day!

[Back in black]

I have cortex on order,it seems to be a good one.

[Racer X]

Just ordered a 2700CFM efan myself.Hopefully gut the cat this weekend. Then I got do the CAI before the meet.Might not have big wheels on for the meet tho.Just my TSL's

[zeuce]

Racer dont forget to port match the manifold, makes a difference

[Jesse Ray]

Your "factory" numbers for your grand prix are, like every other vehicle now, rated at the flywheel.

The 3.5L I5 makes 220 horses and 225 lb/ft at the flywheel...throw in driveline loss and that brings it down closer to the 170 horse mark for wheel horsepower.

I found the window sticker that came with my truck and it says 242 HP and 242lb/ft at the flywheel for the stock 3.7.  I don't know what it is at the wheels.

[CanyonAB]

I'd guess maybe 180-ish.

[Bruce Almighty]

Racer dont forget to port match the manifold, makes a difference

I feel dumb.... but what is port mathcing 

[zeuce]

you take a dremel or grinder and open up the ports or holes on the exhaust manifold to improve flow. its kind of stupid how the holes dont exactly match the cylinder head from the factory.