Parts reccomendations

v6buicks

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Hi everybody,

Sorry to post a newbie question, but I am in fact a newbie! As some may have seen in my introduction post, I plumbed a turbo and intercooler onto my L36 Camaro. What you don't know is that I have reached the end of my expertise!

I am looking for some recommendations on the rest of my shopping. So far, the engine is completely stock other than a 180 degree thermostat, EGR and EVAP delete, Autolite 605 plugs gapped to .055", a home made 12G fuel pump hot wire, and an ebay turbo running 2 psi through a front mount intercooler (the lowest I can make my Precision PW40 go). I am not looking to make a racecar out of this. In fact I want to drive it daily.

That being said, I was planning on buying a set of 42# injectors, Walbro 255, LS6 valve springs, and a base tune from Intense.

Is there anything else I should look into? Being turbo and intercooled, am I speccing this out a bit short? I don't want to upgrade the T5 trans or open 10 bolt, so that comes into play as well. I am not completely against running E85, but I was hoping to stay away from upgrading the FPR and dealing with potential tuning issues with low alcohol content at the pumps. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Jon
 

10sec

I haz dat teddy bear smile.
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I would try to find all of the parts you're looking for used and save a ton of money on some other grand prix forums (just google grand prix forums they'll all come up) Some people on here (TCG) probably have the springs laying around and they'll give them to you, but I don't think you need them if you're only running 2psi. If you're planning on heading up into double digits, then yeah you might need them.

It's expensive, but you should look into using HPTuners to tune the car yourself. It's super easy to learn and you can make changes to the car and tune them out right away yourself. Once you're done you can always sell it for almost as much as they are new too.

If you're not trying to make part breaking power pump gas is just fine and 42# injectors. But again, if you're trying to grab 10+psi you'd need at least 60's on E85 or pump gas.
 

v6buicks

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I would try to find all of the parts you're looking for used and save a ton of money on some other grand prix forums (just google grand prix forums they'll all come up) Some people on here (TCG) probably have the springs laying around and they'll give them to you, but I don't think you need them if you're only running 2psi. If you're planning on heading up into double digits, then yeah you might need them.

It's expensive, but you should look into using HPTuners to tune the car yourself. It's super easy to learn and you can make changes to the car and tune them out right away yourself. Once you're done you can always sell it for almost as much as they are new too.

If you're not trying to make part breaking power pump gas is just fine and 42# injectors. But again, if you're trying to grab 10+psi you'd need at least 60's on E85 or pump gas.

Thanks! I do plan on running more boost, and would like to leave some room to grow. The 2 psi is just so that I don't blow something up on my stock NA tune. I'm a bit paranoid about that.

I am not opposed to tuning it myself either, but I hate the HPT website. They made it very difficult to understand what exactly I'll need. Any tips?

I suppose it sounds like I should stick with the 42s and 93 considering how much I plan on driving the car. I've already had a blast driving around with no tune and barely any boost!
 

b4black

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Definitely 60's and E85. Even with the fuel economy penalty, E85 is still cheaper than premium gasoline (cents per mile). There is no downside to getting 60's.


With HPtuners, get a laptop, download the software and then buy the cable. You will be able to figure it out.
 

GTPpower

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What year is the Camaro? Not all of them can be tuned. Fbodies also kind of suck for parameters you can change as well.

I would leave the engine stock and just got with 42# injectors. I'd run it on 87 octane too. It'll be too tempting to turn it up with e85. The t5 probably won't live too long no matter what you do. But you definitely need to keep the boost low.
 

Ron Vogel

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What year is the Camaro? Not all of them can be tuned. Fbodies also kind of suck for parameters you can change as well.

I would leave the engine stock and just got with 42# injectors. I'd run it on 87 octane too. It'll be too tempting to turn it up with e85. The t5 probably won't live too long no matter what you do. But you definitely need to keep the boost low.

If you did a stock tune, you'll need a mini-afc or similar. You are also going to be limited by the fuel pump if you go for too much HP. The stock pumps in L36 cars are lower output than their SC counterparts. I disagree on the 87 octane though. I wouldn't trust the ECU to control detonation after it happens.
 

Mattstrike

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Maybe ask around to see if any of the other guys on the forums can do tuning, they can get you a safe baseline until you have your setup ready and time/money for a dyno tune. My brother has DHP and does all of our stuff, if you're near SE Michigan that might be an option (don't want to speak for him).

I have a '97 camaro PCM tuned for basically a stock L67 setup (injectors, MAP, MAS, etc.) if you want to try that. Stock L67 injectors are probably the upper end of what I would cram down a T5 and stock open diff if it were my daily.

Hell, I don't trust the T5 to hold up to my top swapped Camaro. I already have parts and work path to replacing my T5 with something better, as well as the diff, just have save up for it. I don't expect either to last much longer with the way I drive...
 

v6buicks

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There's no doubt that I will either be running 93 or E85. At the moment I'm leaning toward 93 just because there are no E85 stations around where I work, and very few stations between Indy and Chicago where I travel very often. From the sounds of it I can have a very fun and reliable car with a 93 octane tune and small injectors.

I have a '97 camaro PCM tuned for basically a stock L67 setup (injectors, MAP, MAS, etc.) if you want to try that. Stock L67 injectors are probably the upper end of what I would cram down a T5 and stock open diff if it were my daily.

Hell, I don't trust the T5 to hold up to my top swapped Camaro. I already have parts and work path to replacing my T5 with something better, as well as the diff, just have save up for it. I don't expect either to last much longer with the way I drive...

That's sort of what I was thinking initially. I've followed your threads and appreciate your loyalty to the 3800! What trans upgrades are you considering? Are you wanting to keep it manual?

What year is the Camaro? Not all of them can be tuned. Fbodies also kind of suck for parameters you can change as well.

It's an '02
 

v6buicks

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Why small injectors? You'll need to tune for them either way, so go bigger.

Big injectors can be scaled down, but small injectors can't be scaled up. There is zero downside to 60s, other than being slightly more expensive. You will regret the 42s eventually.

I see. I guess I didn't necessarily mean tiny injectors, but smaller than what I would get if I was running E85. Is it true that getting too big of injectors may cause idling to be tough to tune? Thanks for the advise so far.
 

v6buicks

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Last time I tried to have a grown up discussion about that on here it turned into a 'just go buy an LS car' shit show.

I have something in mind, I'll share more when it's done. Just need to sell my old Honda Rebel first.

Ahh yes. I remember reading that thread. I'll never understand why people suggest that in every situation especially in a 3800 subforum. Lol

Anyway, I look forward to hearing about it. I'd like to get a TKO or something because I THINK it would be a fairly simple conversion. On the other hand, I don't think this is charted territory. Good luck!
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the rear end. My F-body's bone stock 10 bolt has gone mid 10's (1.5 60ft) for over tens years. Unless 3rd gen 10bolts are stronger for some reason, but I haven't heard anything like that before. As far as the t5, I have no experience with them. But I'd imagine if you don't bang gears and don't drop the clutch on boost you should be able to make it live. Get 60# injectors and don't look back. E85 is like liquid sex for 3800's, but being turbo/intercooled, 93 might be just fine. M90 cars love E85 because the terrible efficiency of the blower.
 
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