Looking for simple performance improvements

[oppyusa]

I have a 2003 Buick Rendezvous (okay, enough laughing ) that is lack luster at getting on the highway (compared to my 1999 Buick Regal (3800 Series II)). I want to give it a little more power to help it get on the highway. I don't have the equipment or facilities to do a big modification. What simple aftermarket items might help? I was thinking something like the casper V-Plus Volt Booster. They just don't make it for the Rendezvous.

Thanks,

Oppyusa

[Young Whitey]

V-Plus Volt Booster: When there is a greater demand on the electrical system - at wide open throttle - the alternator falls somewhat short. A decrease in voltage at that time equates to a slower fuel pump and diminished ignition output. The V-Plus volt booster is designed to overcome that decrease by stepping up the alternator voltage when you are over 70% throttle. The result: Increased fuel volume and increased spark energy.

V-Plus Volt Booster.....$69.00

I bet your fuel pressure is fine at wot on your stock engine, and so is the ingnition. What you should focus on for simple mods is air. You can get a cone intake (make sure its not sucking in hot air) at the expense of worse filtration, and you can get a free-er flowing exhaust at the expense of emissions issues and loudness. You could also get an ecu tuner of some sort, which could be cost effective if you are interested in tuning. Beyond that things get a little less simple.

[torq455]

under drive pulley, bigger throttle body, and PCM tune.

[MY91GT(Z)]

go to fastfwdperformance.com they have dogbone mounts and udp to help u out and ben here or mrz performance has ur bigger tb those lil things should help u out but if u have the mounts like in newer regals and grand prix go to intense-racing.com and get the poly mounts they have for the top dogbones

[86euro]

go to fastfwdperformance.com they have dogbone mounts and udp to help u out and ben here or mrz performance has ur bigger tb those lil things should help u out but if u have the mounts like in newer regals and grand prix go to intense-racing.com and get the poly mounts they have for the top dogbones

Just thought I would ask how poly dogbones will make the thing have more power?

[onefastV6]

The Volt booster isn't going to do anything, it is another one of those products that people waste money on.

Tuning, Ported Manifolds, Exhaust, Throttle Body, Pulley, Plenum Spacers are all decent mods.

[whitelightnin04MC]

Just thought I would ask how poly dogbones will make the thing have more power?

Poly mounts eliminate engine movement during acceleration and shifting. ZZP claims about a 10 ft/lbs of torque on a L67 vehicle with a 4t65e.

[86euro]

Poly mounts eliminate engine movement during acceleration and shifting. ZZP claims about a 10 ft/lbs of torque on a L67 vehicle with a 4t65e.

Good to know, thanks

[SappySE107]

Which is only good for the initial launch and shift points. You aren't getting 10 more ft lbs of torque out of the motor, but rather more effectively putting the power to the wheels. Not gonna do much for getting on the highway.

[bracketracer]

I agree 110%. I don't think I would have added any poly mounts if I only drove my car on the street. I only added the front poly mount to my Sunbird 3.1/5-speed (because it seemed to take the most stress on launch), but installed a new OEM rear & tranny mount (I'll be putting on an OEM dogbone soon too). This seems to be a good balance to keep the engine & tranny in place, without dealing with alot of vibration or noise (the new rubber mounts still absorb nearly all of it). I noticed a big difference because my factory original mounts were completely worn out. I also noticed that I haven't broken any CV axles or joints since, even though I run BFGoodrich G-Force Drag Radials. If I didn't dragrace my car (especially since it's a stick car), I don't think the additional expense of the poly mounts would be worth it. Even racing the car, I can't justify the expense of replacing the other mounts with poly. I think the front J-Body mount is the most important one to do.

[Arns85GT]

There are a whole lot of items to buy that won't help merging on the freeway. The issue here is gearing and breathing. The gearing probably can't be modified without BIG bucks.

Breathing is another issue. Like above, better intake breathing with cool air, and more efficient exhaust will improve the area you're trying for. I don't know if it is available for the Rendezvous, but a good header with high flow CAT and a low resistance muffler will help. So will a low resistance air breather.

If you can get a computer tune up you can help some too. Of course if you have some serious bucks to spend, a turbo would really wake up that Rendezvous.

Arn