Hey everyone, I have a 1998, 3.8 v6. Amazing car, I just really want to get as much horsepower as i could, Ive been using these forms to get as much information as i possibly could. but to the point, i have a list of everything im getting, and im really hoping to hit about 300hp with my v6. so i was just wondering if anyonecould review my list and tell me what else i could do to get EVEN more. Thank you very much.

SLP air box lid: 5 hp
SLP air intake for box: 10 hp
SLP air smooth bellows: 5 hp
Magnaflow exhaust: 10-15 hp
Magnaflow exhaust cutout: 10 hp
Pacesetter Headers: 20 hp
Meziere Electric water Pump: 10 hp

^^^Obviously i know these horse power measurments arent spot on, its just a rough guess of what they will give me from what i've read.. But im also planning to reprogram the chip and hopefully that will get me right around 300. But any other mods anyone can think of to help out the v6?

 

The bellows and lid won't give you 10 hp sorry to say. The bellows is a waste of money, and the lid might get 1-2 hp on the V6. If you are getting an exhaust cutout, you don't need the catback (you can't run both of them and add their hp gains together, as the cutout would bypass the muffler). I would get the catback over just a cutout, because well, it will sound real bad. 300hp is a tall order for just exhaust and intake mods really, you would probably need a cam to get around there. I would say with an intake,headers,catback, tune you might be around 250hp at the crank.

 

from what i understand or hear.. http://www.jegs.com/i/SLP/847/21046/10002/-1 this kit right here could get close to 20 hp. or around 15 atleast.

 

drewj246: This sort of topic keeps recurring -- do a search -- in the meantime, read this article in full -- all four sections and THEN come back with questions...

http://www.camarohomepage.com/project/index.htm

Keep in mind the only SLP part you mention that is 3.8L compatible is the CAI, they others are designed for the LS1, but lid could be adapted to work; the bellows will not work.

Also don't believe all the advertised HP numbers -- who knows if they are crank or RWHP #s? Only accurate way is to dyno before and after on the same pre-calibrated dyno.

 

First, you won't make 300 HP without some serious money and work

Second, allow me to alter your list...

Whisper lid - 3 RWHP
FTRA/SLP Scoop - 3 RWHP
Magnaflow exhaust - 9 RWHP
Exhaust cutout - 7 RWHP
Pacesetter headers - 10 RWHP
ZZP Underdrive - 2 RWHP
1 piece aluminum DS - 1-2 RWHP

I'll stop there just for fun. Peak horsepower is nothing. You'll feel more from the headers because they increase it across the entire powerband whereas the catback increases peak HP and lowers low end torque.

My car made 208 RWHP with the headers, FTRA, Whisper lid, custom catback, aluminum DS, and ported intakes. This was with a tune. Woulda made around 215 with a manual. That's freakishly high for a bolt on car. Most hit around 195-205.

 

These numbers are way off. 300 horsepower is not possible with just external bolt-ons.

 

You'll never reach 300 RWHP NA. It's a PITA to even get 300 crank HP NA lol. Musicman hit 248 RWHP which is around 300 crank and I hit 242 RWHP. It takes a lot of time and money and could be better spent on 310 RWHP by buying a Z28

 

Im not sure about that^^^ This one i got of a GM high tech performance magazine. and according to them they added a catback exhaust and a cutout and got increased performance from both.... not to mention cutouts just give you a more badass sound from your exhaust so even if it didnt give me any increase in anything atleast it will give me a better sound

 

Hm, I don't ever remembering GMHTP building a sixer. Did they?

 

Did you all look at all the work these guys did at this article?
http://www.camarohomepage.com/project/index.htm

The end result was THIS, figuring 15-18% driveline loss that's 270-280 SAE HP at the flywheel:



You had best have some BIG power adder plans to get your RWHP up higher...