So I have decided that when I'm finished paying off my car, I am not selling it. I'm going to ride it to the wheels fall off! With that being said, in the next few years I will continue to modify my car now. I emailed ZZP about my L36 and they sent this helpful response

I would recommend some or all of the following items:

Water Pump Underdrive Pulley $69.99

GT Camshafts
Model:GT1 $299.99

HV3 High velocity intake insert
Option 1:Add throttle body rubber gasket $200.00

High Velocity Throttle Body for the L36
Year of your car:1999 & newer
Model:Stage 1 $179.99

ZZP 1.0 PCM
VIN :11111111111111111
Year of your car:2003
Model:Monte Carlo (not supercharged)
Option 1:none selected
Option 2:stock gearing
Option 3:stock injectors
Option 4:none selected $89.99

ZZP downpipes
Model:2.5 bolt in offroad
Option 2:None selected
Option 3:Add front and rear gaskets $134.98

Wizaired Cold Air Induction System
Model:Standard
Option 1:Add 4 inch K&N filter $233.99

Spark plugs – A104s, TR55, TR55ix will work. Instead of the GT1 cam you could run ER rockers. With the above items you will pick up around 40hp and your gas mileage/driveability wont be affected. Turbo Tim ZZPerformance.com


I will have to get stuff little by little of course, especially being that I want to get rid of those RS-A tires and those cost some change. Anyway, I look forward to working on my Monte in the future. I just wanted to share this info/email.

 

Thanks for posting the information.

 

IMO, if you're looking to put that kind of money into your engine, you should really consider your other options.

For all that stuff listed + $10 for plugs, + 130 for a cam install kit, you come out to about $1360 (for what they claim to be a 40 hp gain).

For $1300, you could get the WBS L67 top swap:

http://www.wbodystore.com/grandprix/...kit-p-157.html

Which will give you more than a 40hp gain because a stock L67 is a 40hp gain, and you have slightly higher compression. Plus, you won't have any aftermarket parts at all- its all stock stuff, so you'll still have stock reliablility.

The other thing to consider is if you want to keep modding the engine (it gets addictive quickly). With those parts on an L36, you're pretty much tapped out. The only two mods left will be headers and heads- both are pretty pricey mods.

However, if you go the top swap route- you can still do all the basic bolt ons for an L67 (including a pulley drop), and easily make 280-300 crank hp for $1k or so more in mods that you can buy one at a time.

One last thing to consider is if you do decide to do a top swap, you can source your own parts from clubgp, and you could easily pull it off under $1k, and still be able to buy the parts 1 piece at a time.

Just think about how many people have really got into modding their L36's (ie getting into cam swap guys) who have went either turbo or top swap because they just weren't satisfied.

 

I agree with Bumpin. BOOST is where the HP is at. Turbo's are where THE HP is at, but it comes with the cost of $$$ + reliability. A L67 top swap could and should be done with used parts for about $1,000, and you could EASILY add 100-120 HP by doing that, with some other basics, like a ported throttle body, or just going to the N* unit.

Can't go wrong with the Wizaired CAI for now, but go for the 3" downpipe, and a powerlog manifold. Don't forget the U-bend delete pipe. You will be MUCH happier with a top swap.