Hello! First of all I'd like to apologize for even making this as I'm sure there are hundreds of these same exact threads. I have read them and done my own research but would still like answers directed towards me and my situation...

I have a 2004 ls with the 3.4 Engine.... i rerecently got interested in upgrading it with aftermarket parts to boost the performance. (as much as i can with the ls anyway) I am still not very knowledgeable on the subject though.

My research has led me to the wizaired CAI from zzp. Is it worth it? What are the gains to be had if any?

just as I was ready to make the purchase, I learned of downpipe modifications. wasn't even sure of what it was at first. nnow again, is it worth it? What are the gains? what size and accessories are right for my car? what should be done first to benefit more?

are there any other things iI can do? I am on a budget and iI chose these because my budget is probably $500.

thank you!

 

Each mod yields limited improvements. For a 3400, here's a few suggested "budget" mods:
- CAI (Wizaird or Cold Air Inductions are two good brands)
- L67 Coils (these are the coil packs found on the 3800 Supercharged engine, I would not recommend paying more then $30 for a set).
- Resonator delete
- Better flowing down pipe and high flow cat (if you can find one, I don't think ZZP makes one for the 3400).
- CAT back exhaust
- A basic PCM re-tune

There may be a few others I'm missing, but that's your short list without going crazy. It just gives a little extra "umph", nothing outrageous.

Beyond that, you can start looking at a 3500 top swap, cams and a host of other things.

Their is limited mods for the 3400 W-body (Monte and a few other) platforms, as most people mod the 3800 (as a result, some of the mods may be a bit more expensive).

Hope this helps.

 

so the downpipeon zzp includes the u-bend delete and the high flow catalytic converter?.

can someone explain the options? i dont understand them and am unsure which one i would need.... has anyone with the 3.4 done this? where did you get it?

 

I would contact ZZP. I skimmed the page and did not see if their pipe are specific to the 3800 or not (I want to say they are). I believe another member here on MCF bought a Magnaflow cat with downpipe (which also had a U-Bend delete) from Summit or Rockauto.

I believe this is what was ordering:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mp...el/monte-carlo
It does not say it's a high flow, but it gets rid of the U-Bend and I'm betting the inside diameter of the pipe is better then the stock one and it's stainless.
But I also noticed on Summit's site two different bolt in cats (one for the 3400 and one for the 3800), so I think that confirms what I thought. I believe you are at a limit of options for the cat.

 

I have contacted ZZP before and they do not have a downpipe. They use to for the 3400 Grand AM engines and these also worked for the Monte/Impala.

I just bought the Magna flow bolt in piped CAT. I don't think this is a high flow CAT. This solves the U-Bend problem as this is straight piped. I have yet to install mine as I received it last week.

Thread Link ---> https://montecarloforum.com/forum/headers-intake-exhaust-13/3-4-engine-magnaflow-cat-44365/


Milzy Motorsports has two downpipe options....

Economy Downpipe w/ High-Flow (T409 Stainless)---> http://www.milzymotorsports.com/mms-economy-stainless-downpipe-for-3100-and-3400-powered-97-03gp-00-05mc-imp/

Downpipe w/ High-Flow (304 Stainless)---> http://www.milzymotorsports.com/mms-stainless-downpipe-for-3100-and-3400-powered-97-03gp-00-05mc-imp/

 

3400 Articles

WOT-Tech
· 3400 enginge is a 60 degree V6 and a 3800 engine is a 90 degree V6à http://wot-tech.com/shop/gm-60v6/articles/cat_62.html



3400 Vendors
· WOT-Tech à http://wot-tech.com/shop/gm-60v6/cat...79d7ba85592ffa
· W Body Store à http://www.wbodystore.com/
· Milzy Motorsports à http://www.milzymotorsports.com/00-05-monte-carlo-impala/
· MPD1 Motor Sports à http://www.mpd1.com/content/montecarlo.html
· Andy’s Autsport à http://www.andysautosport.com/
· DR Custom à http://www.drcustomparts.com/HomePage.htm
· BRM Suspension à http://www.bmrsuspension.com/


-3400 Downpipes

Summit Racing
· MagnaFlow Direct Fit CAT à http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-23433

Milzy Motorsports
· Economy Downpipe w/ High-Flow (T409 Stainless) àhttp://www.milzymotorsports.com/mms-economy-stainless-downpipe-for-3100-and-3400-powered-97-03gp-00-05mc-imp/
· Downpipe w/ High-Flow (304 Stainless)à http://www.milzymotorsports.com/mms-stainless-downpipe-for-3100-and-3400-powered-97-03gp-00-05mc-imp/


3400 Headers

WOT-Tech
· Pacesetter Headers à http://wot-tech.com/shop/gm-60v6/pac.../prod_296.html



3400 CAT-Back Exhaust Systems

SLP
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust System à http://www.slponline.com/category/GrandPrix-Regal-MonteCarlo-Impala-Exhaust.html

Borla
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust System à http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bor-14903/overview/year/2004/make/chevrolet/model/monte-carlo

MagnaFlow
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust System à http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mp...el/monte-carlo
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust Systemà http://www.andysautosport.com/chevro...l00001359.html

Corsa Performance
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust System à http://www.3800performance.com/Merch...gory_Code=ES_H
· Dual CAT-Back Exhaust System à http://www.andysautosport.com/chevro...systems/corsa/

 

KCFITZ78 - Thanks for chiming in. Looking at what you posted, it was YOU who I recall talked about a DP with a U-bend delete for the 3400 (I just could not place the thread). Thanks!

Out of curiousity, on the DP you have, since you have not installed it, can you measure the inside diameter of the pipe? Kinda like I did and posted on my website (see link below):
'04 Monte Carlo SS - ZZP Downpipe

I'm curious if it's double lined like the stock one OR does it open up some....

 

Here are my pics of the new MagnaFlow downpipe with measurements. It is 2.5" OD / 2.34" ID pipe..... but the flex joint is a different style that necks down in two spots to 2.155" OD / 2" ID. The CAT does not neck down and looks to be concentric to the 2.5" OD pipe.

 

Thanks for all the helpful replies and insights guys! I can say ive never really thought about aftermarket upgrades beyond radios and subwoofers. For some reason or another though i'm very interested all of a sudden and cant seem to stop reading up on all this stuff.

I think im gonna go for the wizairedI' CAI for my first mod. I have enough experience that i'll be able to do that myself and it seems like a good place to start..

After that I think I'll go for the downpipe/cat.I was having trouble deciding which one to go with but that magnaflow is catching my eye. I'l.

Whenever that's done iI'll be looking at one of those catback exhaust systems. Which one of those listed would suggest or choose yourself? I trust your guys' judgement here.

would it be wiser to just do the intake for now and do the downpipe/cat And exhaust system at the same time?

Ive been looking into PCMs also.. would installing a PCM after installing those upgrades be something worth looking into? Why or why not?

 

KCFITZ78 - Thanks for the pics and info! That pipe sounds like a 3400 equivalent of a ZZP pipe. Only thing it's missing is the high flow cat.

And.I.Crawl - It really won't matter if you do an exhaust or CAI first. But if you go for a PCM tune, make that your FINAL mod. I'm not sure if anyone offers a good tune for a 3400 (plus the mods listed so far don't require a tune, but a tune could optimize your car, plus you can have other things adjusted like shift points and shift firmness.