Powering up a 3.4

[elderon]

I realize that the 3.4 isn't ever going to be any kind of powerhouse. However there are many of us here that have them and as much as I search I don't find much posted information about how to make these particular models faster, or what mods are good, where they are etc. Could some of you perhaps post some good info/weblinks/anything for us 3.4 owners. I already have a custom CAI and a flowmaster muffler to start, so the car is breathing better. What other good mods are there. Or how about any good ideas for weight reduction (besides the spare tire and jack) How hard is it to get to at least 200 (flywheel) horsepower? My goal is to at least be able to be a non supercharged Grand Prix GT. Thanks in advance.

[Fullagar]

well....to my knowledge there aren't many more "bolt-ons" that add horsepower. Pacesetter makes a set of headers, that would add horsepower. ignition upgrades dont really add horsepower so i hear, a good idea, even if it doesnt add horse power would be 3.42 or 3.73 and a LSD for the rear. one piece drive shaft (aluminum preferably for better acceleration). other then that i guess you have to dig into the motor to get better horsepower; extrune hone the intake manifold, port and polish the heads, 1.6:1 roller rockers, bore the motor 30 over and get custom pistons, or make a custom turbo set-up. i cant think of anything else at the moment, im sure there is more stuff that can be done though.

Fullagar
93 Z28 M6 M29 K&N FIPK, Accel 300+ ignition, Flowmaster muffler, 12 bolt rear-end.
94 3.4L A4 K&N FIPK, Pasesetter cat-back.

[viper98885]

Check the sig...should help.

[Harbin1]

Try www.60degreev6.com

Now for my two cents:
I just hooked up a Hypertech Power Programmer (really tough to find for our motors) and noticed a significant gain in power. I'm sure it wasn't huge but I've definitely noticed an improvement.

None of the $100 bolt-ons are going to do much unless you do a dozen of them at once. Adding a HP or two here and there will just put a dent in your wallet. In my opinion, just an aftermarket muffler doesn't add much other than imrove the sound. It'll take a true cat-back set-up to get significant gains. On the same note, home-made and "free" mods such as the throttle body coolant bypass are more theoretical than practical. I've tried them and noticed no noticable improvement on the butt-o-meter. Stuff like that might add 5 hp on a 502 big block but not our little V6. I'm sure these "free" mods help a little but it sounds like this target of beating a Grand Prix is personal so the mods are going to need to be addressed a little more seriously.

If you want power from this motor you'll need to do serious stuff like a camshaft, lifters, etc (the whole valvetrain), intake, exhaust (headers and a cat-back), and improve the drivetrain (shift kit, one-piece driveshaft, and maybe a Z28 rear-end).

Hope all this helps.