looking to buy used.. pointers?

<edit: apparently i didnt see the other forums at the bottom, sorry for not posting there>

Hey guys, 1st off, Love the site. Love all the mods and look forward to getting an Alero myself.

Down to business...

So I see there are a few models to be bought. Ive done some reading on the car and was wondering if someone/everyone concur with my results.

I want to get a later model alero 99-04. I like driving standard but unfournatly the GM 3400 (3.4liter) doesnt come in 5speed. Correct?

I see there is potential for supercharging/turbo charging/power chipping and other mods. Ive heard gains of 85-100 horespower with only 10psi? Is this true?

Here is what im looking for.

I dont mind going automatic, but with that in mind, which engine has more modifing capailities? Which model should i inqure about? Which engine can be supercharged, which turbocharged? Basicly I understand other than the body style and the 2door 4door options, the only really difference is he 2.4liter 150hp engine (in 5pd) or the 3.4liter 170hp engine in auto only. Which model with propper modding will yeild the best power results? Ive also heard the 2.4liter has a loud vibrating idle and the 3.4l was quieter and smoother? Id like smoother if possible.

Realisticly which model is the more popular to go with? I am leaning toward the 2door but still open to the 4door. Any input in helping me make my buying decision so i get the right alero would be greatly appreciated!

Does the 4 door handle poorer than the 2 door model?

Ive found a : 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL, 2 dr Sport Coupe for less than $15.000 Canadian with less than 30,000 kms on her.

My mods would most lilkely include;

Power upgrade (Tubro or Supercharging)
Power Chip
Wires
Cams and Lifters
Bigger Throttle Bodies
Ignition
Intake
Exhaust
18"-20" Rims
Suspension Upgrades (strut tower braces etc)
Brakes
Lowering
Body Kit
Stereo
Nitrous (maybe?)
Air Ride (maybe?)

Logicly the 3400 engine with a vortech or whipple supercharger, lifters, cams, pulleys, ignition, exhaust, chip, intake and a 50-100 nitrous shot could yeild as much as 200 horsepower gain.

So in closing here is my thoughts.... Go for a later model Alero with lower mileage. Go for the 3400 engine, settle for the automatic. Start with ignition, intake, exhaust, Throttle Bodies, Cams and Lifters, supercharger, then get a chip custom made for my mods.

<edit: ive just realized that the 2.4l engine is the same as the Cavalier? T/F?)

Would this sound about right to look for? What other mods could I concider for the 2 engines?

Thanks Guys, please email back to pulsarnx@shaw.ca

Jason B

Wow, looks like ya got money to spend, and we're the ones to help you with that!!

Now, as far a engines go, the newer Alero's (2002-2004 I think) actually have the 2.2 liter ecotech engine (they stopped using the 2.4L). The ecotech has A LOT of aftermarket possibilities, but it is still a 4 cyl. The 3400 has stuff out there, but without a big following, parts are relatively expensive. Contact Springs Fastest Alero if you are really interested in a supercharger. He owns American Performance of Colorado (link above) and is currently working on a full kit.

As far as handling, they are pretty much the same (all years), except that the new Aleros do not come standard with 4 weeel disc brakes. There are lots of aftermarket things out there, like strut tower braces, anti roll bars, lowering springs, coilovers (from sound extreme), etc.

Go to www.aleroupgrades.com to look at most all of the options out there for the various engines. That will be the easiest place for you to start. The site has been down, but should be back up soon. It basically lists what is out there and where to get it. It is maintained by Grouch, so if you have questions, you can direct them to him.

IT IS NOT THAT YOU CAN'T GET A 3.4L WITH A STICK. IT IS JUST THAT IT IS UNCOMMON FOR A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ONE ON THE LOT. YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER ONE FROM THE FACTORY WITH A STICK. ALTHOUGH NOW THAT I SAY THAT, MAYBE DUE TO THE PHASE OUT YOU CAN NO LONGER GET A 3.4L MANUAL...
IM REASONABLY SURE THOUGH THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MINE LAST YEAR I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A STICK BUT I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO ORDER ONE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY ONE THE LOT.

The 3400 has NEVER been available with a stick in any GM car. They talked about it going into 2001, but never did it. And a conversion from auto to manual is pretty costly.

So what im hearing is go for the 2.4liter and mod her up, unless i wanna spend heaps on the GM 3400?

Jason B

[j{}n]

yeah, the 3400 basically is a torque monster in the lower rpm's, but at higher speeds, 2.4s have been known to keep up with the 3400s. there are a lot more modifications out there for the 2.4, as the cavalier comes with the same engine, and that is a more "popular" car for modding. you can get the manual tranny on the 00-01 2.4, if i'm not mistaken?
the one major advantage the 3400 has for mods is john from APOC. his whipple charger looks incredible, with 90+hp gain on a stock engine. and for the price it's untouchable (around 4500). those guys have put out some very high quality mods for the 3400.
your mod list sounds good, save the air ride. i've yet to come across someone being pleased with air ride on their alero. if you really must go with adjustable suspension, do juice or coilovers. i'd recommend coilovers; however, overall i'd recommend just regular lowering springs/struts.

[j{}n]

so in closing, if you're really power-hungry, i'd say go for the 2.4, get the stage 4 turbo kit from exploited, a headers back exhaust setup, port your intake mani, get some headers, and a nice shot of nitrous
for suspension, kyb gas-charged struts, intraxx lowering springs, strut braces. if you get the rim size you're looking at, go for brembo brakes and rotors, as they are quite possibley the best out; however, they only fit under 18" + rims. wow, i'm talkative/typative? today.

hope that helps

Yes that does help. I see the 5speed is the Getrag Transmission. Sounds good to me!

Thanks all, anymore info, Im still looking !!!!

Jason

[brsexton]

Or you could go for a 2002+ with the 2.2 Ecotec. Its a great motor with lots of add on's and I am sure more to come. I think if you drove a Ecotec, you would be impressed.

[j{}n]

oops, i meant baer breaks and rotors :rolleyes:

[Fast Eddie]

Originally posted by brsexton@Jan 21 2004, 10:15 PM
Or you could go for a 2002+ with the 2.2 Ecotec. Its a great motor with lots of add on's and I am sure more to come. I think if you drove a Ecotec, you would be impressed.

I've drien one (on lone from the dealer) its was poop compared to my 2.4

[Fast Eddie]

Originally posted by j{}n@Jan 21 2004, 05:35 PM
go for brembo brakes and rotors, as they are quite possibley the best out; however, they only fit under 18" + rims. wow, i'm talkative/typative? today.

hope that helps

they wil fit under 17"s maybe stock 16's with a little grinding, not sure h34r:

Baers will definitely fit under 17's. yiddishbdg has 'em. You may be right about 16's, but who the hell want to grind to fit brakes in?!

As far as the 2.2 ecotech, the only good part is that GM backs that motor with aftermarket stuff.

[brsexton]

Originally posted by Fast Eddie@Jan 22 2004, 02:18 AM
I've drien one (on lone from the dealer) its was poop compared to my 2.4

I guess in the past I was just used to my weak little 1.6L Mazda and the Ecotec just impressed me with good power. I have driven a 2.4l in a rental Cav a few years ago and I do remember that it ran really good. One bad thing I remember about that car is how noisy it was and it ate more gas then my dads 1988 Delta 88.

[b-spot]

I'm gonna agree with brsexton on this one. I didn't consider buying an alero until they came out with the 2.2. I wanted a 5 spd, so the 3400 wasn't an option (plus the head gasket/other issues scared me off). And the 2.4 is a pretty rough motor, not nearly as refined as the 2.2.

The 2.2's come turboed in saabs, Lotuses, and vauxhalls (although destroked to 2.0) so they definately have alot of potential. Also, a 2.2 was taken up over 1000 HP by gm. If that doesn't say potential, nothing does.

I don't really understand how people can say the 2.4 would be thier choice over the 2.2 now that its out. Nothing wrong with the 2.4, but especially from a modding perspective, doesn't stand up to the 2.2.

[/end rant]

[b-spot]

Oh yeah.. this car has the 2.2 eco

[Naich]

If I were you, I'd get the Ecotec 5 speed. If I were buying an alero today, that is what I'd get for sure. The Ecotec is also in the new Saturns, the Cobalt, etc etc, so there is going to be a big aftermarket for them... and even parts directly from GM so it doesn't void your warrenty. GM is also already going to make a supercharger kit for the 2.2 ecotec, from my understanding, to work on the Solstice the year after it is released.

[b-spot]

:withstupid: :thumbsup:

if i was to rebuy my alero this is what i would get, A black 2 door 5 speed ecotech, Cloth interior power windows, power mirrors, sunroof.

thats it to me thats the perfect alero!

wow now im confused. Here is what im concidering....

The Bronze Alero
keep in mind thats canadian dollars.. just marked down from $15k

anyway. I want the 3.4l with the following mods in mind, in order;

Install My Stereo
- JL 5001 amps (2)
- JL 3004 Amp
- JL 10W3V2D2 (4)
- Alpine Head Unit
- 2AWG Wiring Kit
- Battery Isolator
- 3600 CCA rear battery
- 50 Fared BATCAP

Proformance Mods
-Bigger Alternator
-Intake (CAI or see hood)
-Dual Exhaust (remove cat)
-Ignition
-Plugs and Wires
-Headers
-Shift Kit
-Custom Cowel Induction Hood
-Nitrous (track only)

Once those are done, I would look into strengthing the bottom end and getting the RSM supercharger or the like.

Would my money be better spent on the 2.4l 5 speed ?

Jason

ps this is what i drive now