Hello all, first post here on the forums =P. I have recently acquired a 2000 grand prix GT and i'm liking the car very much. I started coming onto the forum to figure out how i should go about upgrading it. I've learned very much because of this but I have a couple of questions.

First off, I have a few friends that know a lot about cars and so i've also went to them for advice. They didn't really understand what I wanted to do with a downpipe. Though i've seen them mentioned on here in reference to n/a 3800's they claim that downpipes are only relevant to turbos and explained why. So i was wondering if there is a reason that they are used on the forum in reference to non-turbo'ed 3800s?

Second, if i were to buy say a ZZP 2.5" downpipe bolt in with cat, would I see much of a difference in a GT? and how much? i've heard that it only really matters whereas the thinnest part of your exhaust is so is it still limited even without the ubend very much?

Third, what other starting mods would you suggest? I've been confused as people say to go in all sorts of directions. Also keep in mind I'm not planning to go turbo, want to keep it n/a. Does the HV3 really give ~30hp as ZZP claims? how is this even possible for a part thats that cheap? Still I was thinking to go an air intake (and i've heard bad things about CAI's as my city is a pretty wet one lol) then a downpipe and then hv3?

Fourth, I would just like to say that I'm happy to be a part of the forum and look forward to talking to all the cool people on here =P. Thanks.

- Chris

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2000 Grand Prix GT. stock - be jealous

the downpiep will flow much better than yoru stock one, plus it deletes the u-bend, which is the most restictive part of these cars exhausts.

if you get a downpipe, powerlog, intake, pcm, hv3 (yes they do make great power), and ER rockers and youll be very happy with your new car.

welcome to our home!

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

Chris, here is an article about downpipes, complete with charts;
http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix ... .php?id=12

CAI's are actually a good mod. I think if you are worried about water, than you would want to stay away from a FWI (fender well intake). They sit lower to the ground and usually are an open cone filter with no real protection. A cold air intake usually sits in a box so it is protected from the elements. If you go to http://www.easyperformance.com/ and look up the wiz air in the products section. Then click on the "perform info" tab on that page you can see test results there as well.

Here is an article about the HV3 complete with charts;
http://easyperformance.com/Tech_Info/HV ... ntent.html

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'02 Galaxy Silver GTX Coupe. SLP Headers, SLP cat-back exhaust, SLP 1.8 RR, ZZP 3.4/3.25" MPS, SLP hood, SLP CAI, Overkill PCM, 180 t-stat, SSIC, S1 TB, AL 104's, F/R STB's, F-body calipers.

ubend=epic fail. start off with a dp and plog. plog made a massive difference in my car

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ALL GO, LITTLE SHOW

• 2004 Comp G - Modded Like A Mofo And Hibernating

• 1988 VW Jetta - Slammed Slow And Reliable

• 1994 Cadillac Eldorado ETC - Sold

thanks condore



whats a plog? and again, why do they call it a downpipe since apparently thats supposed to refer from the pipe leading from a turbo lol

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2000 Grand Prix GT. stock - be jealous

its called a downpipe because thats what it is, lol. turbo cars arent the only cars with downpipes... a powerlog of "plog" is essentially a tubular front manifold, far superior to the stock one but not as good as headers. zzp makes/sells them.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

if you can hold off to get some headers, do so
if not hit up the classifieds and look for any dp you can find

now exhaust size is relevant to your pref romance desire
3" for f/i
2.5" for n/a

now there are exceptions to those measurements, but from lightly modded to street heavy

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x2

i just got my zzp dp on and i love it, pcm was a great add also, dropped me a couple tenths in the qtr mile. if you have the money i would go cam, if not rockers get the job done.....im stayin N/A too, good to see another person like that lol

also do not bother with a catback/mufflers unless you are looking for a louder exhaust, you get 0 hp out of them

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SLP Intake|SLP Powerflow|ZZP DP|ZZP PCM|GMPP Handling Kit +Rear STB|ZZP Powerlog|ZZP Stage 1 TB|Immaculate Original Paint

x2 little to no hp and endless headeaches from drone

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ALL GO, LITTLE SHOW

• 2004 Comp G - Modded Like A Mofo And Hibernating

• 1988 VW Jetta - Slammed Slow And Reliable

• 1994 Cadillac Eldorado ETC - Sold

I agree with the modlist above:

HV3, rockers, 180*, PCM or GOOD dyno tune, one heat range cooler plugs, PEMs/headers/ZZP P-log, u-bend delete, synthetic oils

If you don't pick up 45HP on the top end, I'd be surprised. Maybe more.

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One Big Ass Mistake America

get a wizaired CAI I have one and I love it.

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well i think that all answered my questions, thanks guys lol

edit: so which DP would i get anyway? im guessing from zzp would be easiest but the options? probably 2.5in but with or without cat?

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2000 Grand Prix GT. stock - be jealous

check your state laws, i know in nj its a couple grand fine if you have no cat

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SLP Intake|SLP Powerflow|ZZP DP|ZZP PCM|GMPP Handling Kit +Rear STB|ZZP Powerlog|ZZP Stage 1 TB|Immaculate Original Paint

haha yea it is. somehow i got away with it. ny youre gonna need a cat for sure. 10k fine from the epa if you dont. it wont hurt performance really.

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ALL GO, LITTLE SHOW

• 2004 Comp G - Modded Like A Mofo And Hibernating

• 1988 VW Jetta - Slammed Slow And Reliable

• 1994 Cadillac Eldorado ETC - Sold

okay sounds good. thanks again guys.

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2000 Grand Prix GT. stock - be jealous

anytime my friend

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ALL GO, LITTLE SHOW

• 2004 Comp G - Modded Like A Mofo And Hibernating

• 1988 VW Jetta - Slammed Slow And Reliable

• 1994 Cadillac Eldorado ETC - Sold