3100 SFI Performance Mods - Newb Help =P

[BeastyKato]

I recently purchased a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix SE. I'm 17 and it's my first car, so I'm not very familiar with doing work on cars myself beyond little stuff (ie: air filter, oil, etc.). I've done searchs so don't flame me yet lol, it's just all the info was pretty jumbled up and didn't really give a sure thing on what parts will improve the engine the most.

So first off are there any free performance mods for the car? What are the easiest mods (for me havin' no prior experience)? What swappable parts such as 3400 intake manifold, etc. yeild the highest horsepower increases? How much are those hp increases exactly? And finally what should I expect to pay for these parts?

I don't want a super fast racer or anything just want to boost the power up slightly higher than the Grand Prix GT's 200 horses and so I can beat on my friends Grand Prix GT =P, and just because I think the engines a little weak.

I don't want to spend more than approx. $600-800 on mods because beyond that it just seems pointless to me and I want to keep a few hundred for some better looking and lighter wheels. I'd rather do something smart with the cash if I'm gonna spend more than a grand.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[blackbombshell95]

RE: 3100 SFI Performance Mods - Newb Help =P

u should of bought a 2000 grand prix se.

[BeastyKato]

Well, I couldn't find one of those with 34,000 miles for $3800 .

But thanks for your contribution

[geoffinbc]

Im pretty sure the 3400 intake and heads can be done within your budjet.

But 99 3100 parts and 200+ 3400 parts are not much different.

I say do the typical CAI and the put on a descent cat back exhaust system.

I almost forgot. NITROUS. For well within your budjet you can blow the doors off your buddies car.

[Jack_96Lumina]

just do the juice...

easy win for you.

[StudlyCamaro]

i 3 the nitrous comment

[BeastyKato]

I suppose, I was kinda hoping I'd have the extra power available to me all the time though. It would be fun to have Nitrous though , even though I think it's kinda cheap. What size shot would I be able to put through the engine with nitrous? 50-75? I'd imagine higher than that would cause some problems.

I did find an upper and lower intake manifold off a 2004 3400 on eBay though that's not going for much. As long as the bids don't go to high I'll get it. Will the lower manifold be of any use to me? If it's not I'll just resell it.

[bszopi]

You will need both. The 3400 upper will not bolt up to an old-style 3100 lower. Even with the top end swap, you may only gain around 5hp, which won't really be noticable when driving. Since you don't want to spend more than $1k, you are pretty limited. I'd probably suggest exhaust (including the downpipe, otherwise its pretty much worthless) and a DHP (www.digitalhorsepowerinc.com) reprogrammed PCM. With just the PCm, driving should be more fun and you'll gain some decent power (5-10hp) but it will be much more noticable.

[Rhedalert]

open up the exhaust (including downpipe) go at least 2.25" (stock is 2) cone filter if you insist.