Free/cheap Mods?????

[NightRydaSS]

I have been reading about Free/Cheap mods that ppl do to their 4th Gens. I was wondering if anyone uses these, and what their experiences where with them.

#1 Throttle Body By-Pass - Does it hurt the motor at all? I can always reverse it when it gets cold, but i was wondering if it has any other adverse effects on the car. Is it worth the $16 for the kit?

#2 AIR - I have the air box with that damn air pump hose sticking into it. I have seen ppl take that hose out and stick a little crank case type breather in it (looks like a little air filter) and zip-tie it to somthing and seal up the hole in the box. I have heard that the only time the AIR pump works is when the car first starts up, but i find it hard to believe that it isn't constantly sucking air out of my box. Would unhooking the hose set off any codes and F things up? I could always put it back for inspection. Does it help with HP?

#3 IAT "Juice Box" - Ok, last but not least i have been seeing these boosters that attach to your IAT sensor and are supposed to give you HP. It claims it does somthing to your timing and some other crap. The one i saw was called the "Juice Box" on eBay. Now i have always thought it was a joke until i saw 2 ppl (1 had a Trans-Am, the other an SS) with it installed. Ur supposed to unplug ur IAT sensor and stick this little box in it. Does anyone use it? Does it hurt anything?

I have always thought that "cheap" HP is bad HP. U kno, like spending $500 on a Stipped NOS kit to get 150HP. But now im not so sure.

Please advise!!!

[WildBillyT]

1) Shouldn't be a problem since it doesn't get cold enough around here for your TB to freeze up. You don't need to buy a kit.

2) The only time AIR is working is when your cats are cold. It works to heat them up for maximum efficiency IIRC. Dump it if you want to clean up your engine bay. But you may need to get a code programmed out, I'm not sure. When you go to inspection just be sure to drive around a bit first so your cats get up to temp. That way you won't fail emissions.

3) Not worth it. Snake oil.

[Tru2Chevy]

I wouldn't even really bother with the TB bypass unless you were bored and wanted to tinker with the car. The air being used by your engine doesn't sit in the TB long enough to be warmed up by the coolant flowing through it.

- Justin

[NightRydaSS]

ok, so the IAT box is out. U said what i already thought.
TB By-pass i was just thinking about; it says it can add upto 4HP.
as far as the AIR hose is concerned...it shuts off when my CATS warm up?

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by NightRydaSS

as far as the AIR hose is concerned...it shuts off when my CATS warm up?

Yes, the AIR only runs when you first start your car. It pumps air into the cats to help them heat up faster, since they have to reach a certain temp before they can actually do their job.

- Justin

[Pampered-Z]

Like everyone said. TB bypass is probably only worth 1-2 HP for the first few minutes the cars running. After that the TB is still getting heat soap from the engine. If you drag race and the car has time to cool down then it would be of some value, but if you run round~robin the bypass would be negated. Still, it's a $2 fitting and 2 - $2 hose clamps you can get an any hardware store. If your just a daily driver then don't bother with it.

AIR, does nothing to improve or reduce HP. The gains you'll see is from the weight reduction.

IAT box is just a cheap way to gain a bit by tricking the computer. They are suppose to work, but why not just spend a little more for a good custom tune that will yeild more HP.

The real key to HP and performance is getting the engine to breath better or reduce weight,

The free mods that seem to have value are: Cutting additional holes in the air box, getting cold air into the engine. The "Pert shampoo" plug in the elbow. Do a search for the homemade CAI some of the guys here built. That's good low cost HP gain! and the LS1 motors you can cut the EGR tube back.

Don't forget about basic car maintainance either! air cleaner, plugs, wires, fuel filter and PCV valve. Think of this as restoring HP # as you'll loose performance as these parts get old.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by Pampered-Z

Like everyone said. TB bypass is probably only worth 1-2 HP for the first few minutes the cars running. After that the TB is still getting heat soap from the engine. If you drag race and the car has time to cool down then it would be of some value, but if you run round~robin the bypass would be negated. Still, it's a $2 fitting and 2 - $2 hose clamps you can get an any hardware store. If your just a daily driver then don't bother with it.

AIR, does nothing to improve or reduce HP. The gains you'll see is from the weight reduction.

IAT box is just a cheap way to gain a bit by tricking the computer. They are suppose to work, but why not just spend a little more for a good custom tune that will yeild more HP.

The real key to HP and performance is getting the engine to breath better or reduce weight,

The free mods that seem to have value are: Cutting additional holes in the air box, getting cold air into the engine. The "Pert shampoo" plug in the elbow. Do a search for the homemade CAI some of the guys here built. That's good low cost HP gain! and the LS1 motors you can cut the EGR tube back.

Don't forget about basic car maintainance either! air cleaner, plugs, wires, fuel filter and PCV valve. Think of this as restoring HP # as you'll loose performance as these parts get old.

Another good cheap mod is to replace the bellows with a smooth coupler.

[98tadriver]

have always thought that "cheap" HP is bad HP. U kno, like spending $500 on a Stipped NOS kit to get 150HP. But now im not so sure

.

well, im throwing a 125 wet shot on my car, i'll let ya know when thats installed and running low 11s

for the mods u listed-
1.) do it

2.) i did mine but i dont have cats lol

3.) go to radio shack and buy yourself a 3.7kohm resistor, $0.99 i believe thats the one you need, itll tell the ecm that its at a cool 57 degrees

egr delete is another good one- measure up that hole, go to advance auto and buy yourself an Expansion Plug- theyll know what youre talking about

weight reduction is free

you could descreen your MAF, but u dont really notice much

bottom line, little stuff adds up, i was running 12.9s with a lid catback and free mods on street tires, full weight in my 98', which is the worst year for the LS1's

[NJSPEEDER]

i thought it was 5.7 k/ohm?

[bubba428]

Originally Posted by 98tadriver

go to advance auto and buy yourself an Expansion Plug- theyll know what youre talking about

no...no they won't...just tell them its with the dorman bolts in the drawers in the back...then they can find it

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by 98tadriver

3.) go to radio shack and buy yourself a 3.7kohm resistor, $0.99 i believe thats the one you need, itll tell the ecm that its at a cool 57 degrees

This isn't usually a good thing to do, as it will just make you run rich when it's warm outside. The engine will think that there is more oxygen coming in, and dump more fuel to compensate.

- Justin

[procamaroz28]

you can just gut your cat take a crow bar to its internal and start your cat w/ the rest of your exhaust disconnected so everything gets cleared out

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by 98tadriver

egr delete is another good one

What does this do for you? It seems out of the way on the new cars. It isn’t like the old days when you really couldn’t get a decent intake w/EGR. But I might be missing something here. Learn me, no one has explained the benefit to me yet.

[98tadriver]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

What does this do for you? It seems out of the way on the new cars. It isn’t like the old days when you really couldn’t get a decent intake w/EGR. But I might be missing something here. Learn me, no one has explained the benefit to me yet.

its def not out of the way, theres a pipe sticking down in your intake, right behind the TB, pull that sucka out, put the plug in, delete some codes and youre good to go.

it lets more air flow thru, probably smoother as well. and i definately noticed a difference

[Savage_Messiah]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

What does this do for you? It seems out of the way on the new cars. It isn’t like the old days when you really couldn’t get a decent intake w/EGR. But I might be missing something here. Learn me, no one has explained the benefit to me yet.

Its very purpose is to take exhaust out of the manifolds and throw it into the intake mani. This results in both a lot of carbon in the intake, and well if your combustion chamber coudl be filled with a) pure fresh air or b) a mixture of fresh air and already-combusted-exhaust... which would you prefer?