Opinion Needed: Should I get CAI or add high flow cat for next upgrade?
Should I get CAI or add high flow cat for next upgrade?
I have a 2004 Monte Carlo LS and when tax return comes around I want to make an upgrade to my car. I narrowed it down to either a Wizaired cold air intake or high flow catalytic converter to eliminate the U-bend and complete my exhaust setup that I have with the y-pipe and aftermarket mufflers. I'm just trying to decide which one will benefit me more and I would like some opinions of others that have done these mods to their cars. Thanks!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
With a 3400, unless you plan to get a turbo, I would do this:
- Cold air intake (I have a Wizaird, honestly, I think the Cold Air Inductions looks like a better produced product).
- Have an exhaust shop cut the U-bend out and the resonator. Odds are that will be cheaper or equal to buying a new downpipe.
If you still want to go downpipe with a high flow cat then, do the downpipe next. You can "gut the air box" for a "cheap" cold air intake (and that only costs you some time).
If you have not seen this, it's a good thread about cheap 3400 mods:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...p-power-46071/
- Cold air intake (I have a Wizaird, honestly, I think the Cold Air Inductions looks like a better produced product).
- Have an exhaust shop cut the U-bend out and the resonator. Odds are that will be cheaper or equal to buying a new downpipe.
If you still want to go downpipe with a high flow cat then, do the downpipe next. You can "gut the air box" for a "cheap" cold air intake (and that only costs you some time).
If you have not seen this, it's a good thread about cheap 3400 mods:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...p-power-46071/
With a 3400, unless you plan to get a turbo, I would do this:
- Cold air intake (I have a Wizaird, honestly, I think the Cold Air Inductions looks like a better produced product).
- Have an exhaust shop cut the U-bend out and the resonator. Odds are that will be cheaper or equal to buying a new downpipe.
If you still want to go downpipe with a high flow cat then, do the downpipe next. You can "gut the air box" for a "cheap" cold air intake (and that only costs you some time).
If you have not seen this, it's a good thread about cheap 3400 mods:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...p-power-46071/
- Cold air intake (I have a Wizaird, honestly, I think the Cold Air Inductions looks like a better produced product).
- Have an exhaust shop cut the U-bend out and the resonator. Odds are that will be cheaper or equal to buying a new downpipe.
If you still want to go downpipe with a high flow cat then, do the downpipe next. You can "gut the air box" for a "cheap" cold air intake (and that only costs you some time).
If you have not seen this, it's a good thread about cheap 3400 mods:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...p-power-46071/
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 107
From: Lombard, IL
I have a 2004 Monte Carlo LS and when tax return comes around I want to make an upgrade to my car. I narrowed it down to either a Wizaired cold air intake or high flow catalytic converter to eliminate the U-bend and complete my exhaust setup that I have with the y-pipe and aftermarket mufflers. I'm just trying to decide which one will benefit me more and I would like some opinions of others that have done these mods to their cars. Thanks!
I will differ with the previous responses and say go with the hi-flow cat. I noticed much better performance when I installed my Magnaflow over a stock replacement.
I'm not sure about your air intake box, but my SS basically has a straight thru pipe from the front to the filter so a cai doesn't make as much sense to me, especially for the cost.
