96 3.8L
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In the Staging Lanes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 60
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96 3.8L
I've got a 96 RS 3.8l (y87) and i was wondering how i should go about beefing it up, my first thoughts are CAI (obviously, but seems like there weren't too many made for this particular model) and then i was reading about Performance chips and it seems like thats a bit of a waste of money. My next thought was slapping a turbo on it but then i realized there's no way a stock 3.8 could handle that, plus it would be a complete waste of money to start with a turbo. Next i thought of exhaust, but alas.. another problem, California... i'm pretty sure there's not much you can do to the exhaust except cat-back that's legal and i don't feel like swapping out headers every 2 years just to pass smog. nonetheless exhaust will probably be next after CAI. i was curious as to if anyone had any suggestions or ideas about how i can gain horsepower yet maintain driveability.
4' 11" 117 lbs of fury!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,441
RE: 96 3.8L
okay first im going to recomend that you please read the stickeys about mod and use the serch funtion
seconed im going to correct the things in your post here
A. a CAI is helpful expcially for a 93-97 because the stock air box is complated and oversized if any camaro will get gains from a cai its 93-97
B. second you dont just slap on a turbo its an expensive and diffucult install but the 3.8 can indeed handle a fair amount of boost IE the GTP so its not the car that cant handle its likey you
C. there are several exaught systems that will be 50 states legal ie shorty headers into i highflow cat into a good catback will pass in cali
beyond that please read the stickeys
seconed im going to correct the things in your post here
A. a CAI is helpful expcially for a 93-97 because the stock air box is complated and oversized if any camaro will get gains from a cai its 93-97
B. second you dont just slap on a turbo its an expensive and diffucult install but the 3.8 can indeed handle a fair amount of boost IE the GTP so its not the car that cant handle its likey you
C. there are several exaught systems that will be 50 states legal ie shorty headers into i highflow cat into a good catback will pass in cali
beyond that please read the stickeys
In the Staging Lanes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
From:
RE: 96 3.8L
I started this yesterday and the computer died. I'll try again.
If you do not know the history of the car, start with a tune up. I also drive a 96 (nota Y87)and live in CA.
I just did mine, Summit repacment coils $35 a piece, I was having random missfires after washing the car. Cheaper than factory.
MSD 8.5 superconductor wires, $65 also from Summit. Autolite double platinum plugs gapped to .070. Loacl autoparts. Serviced the rearend, fuel filter and oil change.
I have a K&N CAI, and Magnaflo catback.
The next step for me the Pacesetter headers and Y pipe (CA legal) and a Magnaflo highflo cat (not quite CA legal but it will pass). The factory cat has 180,000 miles on it. My aluminum 1 piece driveshaft should be here next week, carrier/cv joint is starting to make noise. I got the driveshaft off of Ebay for $120. I will rebuild the rearend if the noise from the driveshaft does not go away with the new 1 piece.
Now because you and I live in CA, internal mods get tricky. Comp Cams does make a few camshafts, but none of them are "legal" for CA emissions use. You can always pull the motor and freshen it up and do a little port work to the heads. There is a company that does sell higher ratio roller rockers, tricks the motor into thinking it has a slightly larger cam, still legal.
Are you trying for more power or economy? If I wanted more power, the easy route would have been to but a V8. I bought this car for mileage and because I drive a 110 mile round trip loop to work daily. On my work trips I average between 26 to 27 mpg. On the open freeway I get between 32 and 34 mpg.
I hope this can help you and others get started on what you desire.
Marc
If you do not know the history of the car, start with a tune up. I also drive a 96 (nota Y87)and live in CA.
I just did mine, Summit repacment coils $35 a piece, I was having random missfires after washing the car. Cheaper than factory.
MSD 8.5 superconductor wires, $65 also from Summit. Autolite double platinum plugs gapped to .070. Loacl autoparts. Serviced the rearend, fuel filter and oil change.
I have a K&N CAI, and Magnaflo catback.
The next step for me the Pacesetter headers and Y pipe (CA legal) and a Magnaflo highflo cat (not quite CA legal but it will pass). The factory cat has 180,000 miles on it. My aluminum 1 piece driveshaft should be here next week, carrier/cv joint is starting to make noise. I got the driveshaft off of Ebay for $120. I will rebuild the rearend if the noise from the driveshaft does not go away with the new 1 piece.
Now because you and I live in CA, internal mods get tricky. Comp Cams does make a few camshafts, but none of them are "legal" for CA emissions use. You can always pull the motor and freshen it up and do a little port work to the heads. There is a company that does sell higher ratio roller rockers, tricks the motor into thinking it has a slightly larger cam, still legal.
Are you trying for more power or economy? If I wanted more power, the easy route would have been to but a V8. I bought this car for mileage and because I drive a 110 mile round trip loop to work daily. On my work trips I average between 26 to 27 mpg. On the open freeway I get between 32 and 34 mpg.
I hope this can help you and others get started on what you desire.
Marc
Thread Starter
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In the Staging Lanes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 60
From:
RE: 96 3.8L
that helps a lot, and i'm looking for power.. I'm just realizing that i shouldv'e gone with a V8 but i couldn't really afford the car let alone the insurance which would have been killer (i'm 16)
