NFS4: What can I buy for my car...

[NokiaDude]

To help improve the performance of my 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS? I've already added a 12 oz. bottle of Berryman's fuel injector cleaner. It seems to be doing something, have to wait until the tank is empty! Other than that what else can I buy for CHEAP and expect a little faster acceleration?

 

[NFS4]

Hehe, if it ain't a Toyota, I can't help ya


K&N air filter?
NAWWWWWWWWWWWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NokiaDude]

How much will an air filter cost? How long to install?

 

[Viperoni]

3.1L engine?

 

[NokiaDude]

Yep, 3.1L 3100 SFI Chevrolet engine. I know it's a pushrod but I want to get a little more acceleration out of it. Sometimes on the freeway it feels like it's run out of breath. I don't have a job at the moment but I'm most likely going to get one in January when our new theater opens.

 

[upsciLLion]

How about a girlfriend? Three fitty a night.

ups

 

[Eli]

Performance = $$.

 

[NokiaDude]

I gotta first clay-bar my car, then wax it. And then a few performance mods and the car will be perfect. Won't have to be embarrased to drive her around in a POS. It'll be a slightly fast POS!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

- Motor work (internals)
- Forced induction
- Nitrous oxide

If adding power was easy, it would have already been done. There's no magic bullet for speed.

- M4H

 

[Chadder007]

Do get a K&N air filter for it. It will help the engine breath a bit easier and more in. A kit to redo the air intake would be about 150-200. You can still just get the filter though for around 30-50. It won't really at "power" but it will feel a bit smoother, especially at higher RPM (above 3000).

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

forced induction always works if you want speed, but its quite expensive, you can try getting an intake and exhaust, help your car breathe a little better, that helps generally, u can also work on suspension, if your car doesn't go fast at least make it handle well, so u can take the turns quickly and give urself the illusion of fast =D

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
forced induction always works if you want speed, but its quite expensive, you can try getting an intake and exhaust, help your car breathe a little better, that helps generally, u can also work on suspension, if your car doesn't go fast at least make it handle well, so u can take the turns quickly and give urself the illusion of fast =D

Generally speaking, Header > Intake + Exhaust - but only because that's the usual choke point. Quality IHE will cost you around $750-$1000 though - for that price you're well into the realm of the Junkyard Turbo.

- M4H

 

[Rent]

GM 3.1s suck to build unless you do it from the ground up.

Save your money for a REAL car.

 

[Sluggo]

Best way to make this look better and go fast is to push it off the nearest cliff.



j/k, couldnt resist.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Rent
GM 3.1s suck to build unless you do it from the ground up.

Save your money for a REAL car.

Stole the words right outta my mouth.

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Rent
GM 3.1s suck to build unless you do it from the ground up.

Save your money for a REAL car.

Stole the words right outta my mouth.

I know a guy who has a turbo 3.1... puts over 350 to the wheels, runs mid-12s.

He rebuilt his motor several times and now he keeps breaking axels (just like lots of turbo imports)

It doesn't help that the GM 3.1 was just an evolved version of the 2.8. *shudders*

 

[TheToOTaLL]

 

[NokiaDude]

My main goal is to let the engine breathe "deeper". The K&N filter looks like the best thing I can buy besides new headers. At $50 for the filter I'll have to wait until my first paycheck in January. The tranny obviously cannot take any more power, it's already had to be rebuilt once and repaired this month because two teeth on the reverse gear broke off while I was in drive!!! Maybe someday during the summer I can completely tear her down and clean every inch of the engine bay, or else get it steam cleaned and rebuild!!

 

[NokiaDude]

Do you think I could remove the OEM box filter and housing and bolt on a cone type filter??

 

[NutBucket]

One thing can be said. If NokiaDude really likes his car that much to build a 3.1 then more power to him. If he truly undertakes said task I'd be interested to hear the progress and see the results.

 

[DieselUV]

I would suggest a MotorVac engine cleaning. I did it and results were very noticeable.

 

[NokiaDude]

If I do rebuild the Lumina over summer I WILL take pics for OT!! Of course this will be an tremendous learning experience for me. Some guys from church I know are true gearheads and horefully if I get stuck I can ask for OT or their expertise.