Performance Chips

I have an 01 Monte LS with the 3.4 engine. Right now the only thing done to it is exhaust by flowmaster..40 series..which at idle makes it sound like the Z34 Luminas. And of course i had to cut off the resignator and replace it with a straight pipe. But right now i'm trying to find a performance chip for the 3.4 or any other suggestions about enhancinc the hp. I have no problem finding everything for the 3.8 or the 3.1. Any suggestions or web sites are appreciated.

i would like to know if there are any good performance chips that you all would recommend for the 04 ls 6 cy 3.4 engine. if so get back at me and let me know what the best one out there is?

This weekend i was talking to my buddy mike about finding a performance chip for my monte, and he mentioned instead of a chip that runs against the engine the entire time its program that to get the extra hp that i'm looking for i should think about putting a nitrous kit on it, a 50 shot wet system with the open throttle sensor. Trying to get a second opinion, ive never dealt with nitrous before mostly me and my friends deal with bolt ons. If you got any input on this feel free, good or bad.

I thought about nitro at one point and time and decided against it for a couple of reasons.

Warranty, cost and possible damage that could occur. Adding a 50HP shot may not be that stressful on the engine but I would be more concerned with the longivety of the trans.

Here are some pretty cool 3400 links..

exoticperformanceplus

PFYC

Hint: The Pontiac 3.4L engine is the same one in your Monte. After market parts for the Grand Am 3.4L's are out there.

TVW

Is the Pontiac 3.4L engine the same as the 6 cy 3.4 ls. and also the aftermarket products for the Grand Am 3.4L will fit on the 04 mc

Most of the parts are interchangeable. Some parts I.E. perfomance chip may not be. The engines and all other companets are the same.

Here are some other cool 3400 links for PCM's..

Digital HP

Intense Racing

I would suggest calling intense racing on the PCM compatability or even custom programming.

TVW

ok i really appreciate the help

Yeah, after reading more into nitrous via wet/dry system i decided against it. Biggest reasons like you siad is the strain that it applies to the tranny and engine another main one was that i was told that using it at any mph before 25 will just smoke the tires. not really what i'm looking for.
Thanks for the links. i'm now looking for something to accent/increase the cat back exhaust.

Keep us posted on your progress....

Borla makes a pretty nice cat back system for our montes. Don't forget the CIA when you do. I like the fenderwell CIA on PFYC.. I gutted my factory airbox a couple of months ago and just put in a flat K&N filter that made a huge difference in sound and perfomance. But I am thinking about getting that fenderwell CIA this summer.


TVW

yeah i was looking at some of the k&n cold air intakes they have on PFYC, the only catch is that they were for the 3.4L in the grand am. but like you said some of the parts may hook up so i found the three parts that i would want to buy and sent them an email with information on those parts and my car asking them if it will hook up correctly.
the parts are
RSM air intake kit
digital horsepower pcm
rsm 62mm throttle body
i think that should help my cat back exhaust sound better a little.

There seems to be some confusion about "performance chips". Years ago, you actually did replace the chip in the car's computer. Nowadays, you use a re-programmer to change the settings in the chip in the car's computer. As far as changing performance, it does that by optimizing the engine settings to make it run more efficient. More efficiency equals more power. Re-programming the computer is how the factory increases the horsepower rating for "high performace" models of the same vehicle.

Some of the things that are, or can be, changed, is timing, fuel/air mixture, RPM redline, and shift points. All this combines to make your car faster. The reason the factory doesn't do this is that they tune the cars for the "average" driver.

All-in-all, it is a very easy, safe way to increase the performance of your vehicle because it doesn't put added strain on the engine, it just uses what the engine already has in it (although you might tend to push the car harder when you drive it!). And, as you add things that increase the efficiency of the vehicle, such as cold air induction and less restrictive intake systems, free flowing exhaust, bigger injectors, etc., the re-programmer can be adjusted for that. Just keep in mind there are different re-programmers out there, so get the one that fits what you plan on doing to you vehicle and how you plan on driving it.

Good points Rchurch,

Programmer vs chip.....

A couple of things cross my mind though.

Could you match or better the program from a well-known chipmaker specifically designed and tested for our cars with the use of a Hypertech programmer? The chip in most cases would be less expensive than a programmer, but one trip to the dealer and an unexpected PCM re-flash and kiss your chip bye bye... Of course most will allow 1 free reprogram should it happen.

Anyone using a chip or a programmer? I would like to see more info on this one...


TVW

I don't have my car re-programmed because I am giving it to my son for his 16th birthday in August. I am upgrading the suspension and brakes but not upping the HP. Maybe after he get to be a very good, experienced driver......

Anyway, I did have an Expedition with the 7.3 diesel and used a re-programmer on it. Made a tremendous difference. You could change the programming as many times as you wanted and also re-set it to stock anytime you wanted. They recommended doing that before you brought it in to the dealer (although they also said it would not affect the warranty).

I've never heard of changing the chip AND re-programming, and I'm not familiar enough to know if you can do that. I do know the re-programmers I have seen have different settings to choose from, and are not "unlimited" settings. Some are for stock engines and some require modifications before you re-program the computer. The best thing is to decide how far you are going with the engine, then research the re-programmers and choose the one best suited for you particular needs. In other words, a re-programmer can be used by itslef as a mild modification, or as just one piece of your complete engine combination.

One last thing...I just ordered the braking upgrade package from 3800 Performance. I got the cad platted, cross-drilled rotors, Hawk carbon fiber pads, and braided stainless lines. The parts should be here Friday, and I plan on installing them this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

Funny story but warning about chips
A guy i know just got his hands on a 2005 f250. well he's always been into enhancing cars and trucks so he decided to put a performance chip on it so he could increase the boost of the turbo. well the idiot spent all day on the internet talking about his truck and how it is now the fastest one around, so when he was called out to prove it he decided to turn the chip all the way to level 6 which he was extremely advised against by the guy who installed the chip and i. putting it to level six told the truck that he was pushing 600-650 pounds of torque, stock. so when he went to race the guy who called him out he boost launched while in 4 wheel drive which if you guessed right blew his transmission and rear end.
here's the kicker he left the chip on when he took it back to the dealership to get it fixed which voided the warranty. for the time being he has a 2005 f250 paper weight.

I like Nitrous!!! Especially on my car. I dont have to worry about warrenties, just if i blow the motor, it gives me a reason to rebuild it and make it better!!!! 50hp aint that great. I have a 150 shot and its seems to be ok. Well for now. Ill find out when i hook it up again...