Advice and Education Needed Please

[XanderWiFi]

I have just recently started exploring the option of modifying my Alero but I am completely lost in the sauce. I have searched the forums for the information I need but it only comes in bits and pieces, and most of those I do not understand. So I apologize ahead of time for posting a redundant thread.

I have the V6 3400 engine in a 2004 sedan. I am looking to modify the air intake as I hear this can provide a boost in HP as well as MPG. But from what I have seen, there is CAI and WAI (which I do not even know the difference), custom made, etc. So this being a more specific circumstance, what would you all suggest, where I could find one at a decent price and could any differences be explained please?

I am also looking at modifying the muffler if there is the possibility of an HP boost. I would not mind a low rumble muffler but nothing obnoxiously loud. Any suggestions and locations for such items? And how do they provide the changes they make in HP and sound?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Again, I apologize for this common question but what I have seen so far has not been detailed enough or specific to my plight.

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

I don't have the 3400 but doctorspeed.com should have an air intake that suits your needs and any exhaust shop should be able to help you find the right exhaust system to suit your needs, be sure to at least get a cat back though modifying just the muffler itself is considered a huge no-no.

[XanderWiFi]

Why would modifying just the muffler be a no-go? How exactly does the exhaust system work to make desired changes?

[XanderWiFi]

I also checked out the doctorspeed.com website. How is that a cold air intake when it doesn't have the tube extending to the fender? It looks like it just pulls air from the engine block area under the hood? They also say the Olds Alero lasted until 2005 which is incorrect and actually spell Oldsmobile "Aldsmobile" seems a bit sketchy...

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

typical typo lol, get the stage 3 below the the "cold air box" I'm almost certain that you'll find people on here that have purchased intakes from them, as for the muffler you want something that frees up the flow of exhaust gases that's why I say a cat back system because then you'll have larger than factory piping. and just a muffler doesn't do much but make the car noisy and gets you labeled a ricer

[XanderWiFi]

Definitely don't want the rice burner label. I am not trying to create a race car, I have neither the money or skill for that. I just would like a little appearance and performance boost. Is a "cat back" system something I could actually google and find to buy? What would be a brand name or part name to look out for with that?

wai (warm air intake) is probably more suited for you. a cai (cold air intake) is better but there is a risk of sucking in water during the rain.

reason for the intake modification is 1. less restrictive better air flow and throttle response. 2. cold air is more denser than warm air. more air that can be brought into the engine means more fuel can be delivered which in turns creates more power.

on tha muffler any straight threw exhaust will be loud and most likely ricey (not always) a muffler like a flowmaster is better than stock because its less restrictive than oem (original equipment)

an engine is like a large air pump. the more air that u can move through it the more effiecient it will be. so in reality a straight through ricey muffler theoreticaly should be better.

where to buy? for things like intakes and exhaust ebay is fine. there is'nt much some one can mess up on a muffler or intake. milzymotorsports.com has a good selection of things if you want to go further. the rest will be custom

for a cat back look up pace setter exhaust.

[XanderWiFi]

So I imagine living in a snow belt is another reason I should probably stick with a WAI? The CAI based on the theory of more air=more power, sounds like it gives more HP then. I have heard people can switch them out relatively fast. At the doctorspeed website, are those both WAI and CAI? Do you have another site that you would suggest to look at?

www.mpracing.org is a great site. I know the owner personally and will vouch for his credibility.

[billytheman1188]

Originally Posted by hahano404

wai (warm air intake) is probably more suited for you. a cai (cold air intake) is better but there is a risk of sucking in water during the rain.

Everyone always says that.....but unless your driving through a 2 foot puddle, or driving in TORRENTIAL rain then your going to be fine. I have a CAI and i've driven many times in the rain without a problem. When winter comes around i change my CAI to a WAI so the salt doesnt kick up and get in my filter. Get a CAI.....much better.

As for an exhaust.......

http://www.car-stuff.com/store/?N=11...686+11920+9292

Thats where i bought mine from....it sounds AMAZING....nice deep sound and its not raspy at all. I bought it for like $250 back a few years ago......you can check other sites to see if they are cheaper.

[XanderWiFi]

How simple is it to put this stuff in. I'm no mechanic, but I'm not mechanically illiterate either. The air filter seems like it would just be a lot of arranging and nuts and bolts. The exhaust though...seems like quite a task and I don't have a garage full time or one designed to mod cars.

Either way, I am looking at having to get both a CAI and a WAI aren't I? For the seasonal changes?

wai fairly simple. just remove stock box and replace with pipe and filter. cai youll have to pull bumpr cover or pull back on wheel liner.

cai is your choice. i see engine damage from cai suckin water all the time. if you want to run risk so be it. if you did get cai and want to go wai just remove lower portion.

2009 legacy gt with missing rod, hole in oil pan, and a piston in four pieces.
cause? water pulled from the intake.

my solution? run a warm air. and have custom tubing ( stove pipe , dryer pipe) route out side air up from the bottom to the engine bay. less effective standing still but how much power and fuel economy do you expect sitting still?

[XanderWiFi]

There's no doubt about it, the area I drive in can get WET! Not to mention tons of slush and other crap. For those who are familiar with Ohio, I live in the snowbelt of Ashtabula county. What is the down fall of a WAI compared to a CAI? Less HP due to less dense air?

Any chance there could be pics where to route the CAI if I go that route?

Thanks for all the responses so far, they've been really helpful.

[cherrington17]

i'm not sure if someone said it.. but don't get the doctorspeed version.. save yourself the money and just get it from ebay. its the same thing, and 100% cheaper.

[AJules]

Cold air intake + bypass valve = solution to the rain/snow problem

don't go to doctorspeed, I've heard too many stories about people ordering things and not getting them from them.

For exhaust, you can get pacesetter like billy said for pretty cheap, or you can get the borla exhaust which is probably more than twice the price, but will last a lot longer and be quite a bit quieter.

The diameter of the borla exhaust is 2.25 inch and the pacesetter is 2.5. Because you aren't going to be doing other modifications to your car, 2.25 inch exhaust will be large enough.

[billytheman1188]

The exhaust isnt hard to put on. put your back wheels up on a ramp so you can get under the car easier. The ONLY hard part is getting the bolts off where the cat and exhaust go together.....the bolts rust over time, so you will have to cut them off. putting the exhaust on is easy.....just look how the stock exhaust ran and do that with the new one. it might look a little complicated when you get it and take it all out of the box.....but just use your head. its not bad at all. and if you dont want a 2.5in exhaust cause your not going to do anything else to the car.....just go to a local exhaust shop and have them make a 2.25in. DO NOT spend $800+ on a borla exhaust.... yea, its stainless steel and will last longer. but you can buy spray to put over your exhaust to slow down the rust. Mine isnt coated with anything and its still in pretty good condition (and i drive this car in the winter too, with the shit loads of salt on the road). During the winter i periodically wash under my car to clean up all that crap under there.

[XanderWiFi]

All good info. Now what about wires and plugs? Any choice picks?

[alerored04]

Anything but bosch. Either way you should do a search, all these questions have been beaten to death.

[XanderWiFi]

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...048+4294842813

How would these plugs work? Also, below is a set of new wires. Do these make a difference as well in comparison to regular stock?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku