Help with upgrades

I am looking to do some major upgrades to my car within the next month or so and am looking for some inpute from people that know a LOT more than I do.

Probable parts list:
3 inch cat-back exhaust
Exhaust headers
PCM
3.0" pulley and belt

Please let me know what other things I should be considering doing and also which brands are the best for all of these things. (best bang for my buck - not necissarily THE BEST)

Thanks

you are on the right track

If you're really intent on running a 3.0, you're going to need rockers and a really good tune in addition to those things. You might end up needing an intercooler.

And if you've really got a 3.4 and only a CAI as indicated in your sig, you need to scan your car, because you probably have some serious knock retard and could be well on your way to kissing your engine goodbye.

Edit: Some links for you...

www.zzperformance.com
www.wbodystore.com
www.3800performance.com
www.pfyc.com

You probably shouldn't run a 3.0" pulley with that setup, unless you had a tuner. Chances are it will be pretty dangerous with a out-of-box PCM.

All of arcxnus's companies listed are good. You can also check out www.intense-racing.com

I have an 02. You can check my sig out to see what I have running. However, there are a bunch of ways to go about HP gains with these cars. I have been tuning my car lately also.

Not to start anything, but I'd lean away from dealing with Intense... I've been personally involved in a few situations where they didn't deal too nicely with their customers.

ZZP Performance, PFYC, and 3800 Performance have always done right by me...

As far as the mods go... I'd add a mild cam or rockers to your list. I won't run my 3.2 unless I put rockers or a cam back on mine let alone a 3.0.

Exhaust I think I would go custom
Headers - I like my TOGS
PCM - Custom tune if you can get it, otherwise ZZP or DHP
Pulley - I'd do an MPS so you can change sizes... I like my Pulley Boys setup

Replace the catback with rockers or cam and intercooler

man!! all this info and nobody mentioned colder plugs or a thermostat? I'm kinda ashamed that they weren't mentioned first. you'll need to go to AL 104s/103s or the equivalent and a colder 180* or 160* thermostat on top of all those things mentioned already

So honestly If I could care less about the sound of my car, then that money could be better spent elsewhere for performance? That seems to be the general consensus I have been gathering. So I did not do the exhaust, I guess I wouldn't do headers either. Any PLEASE give me links to what I should get for a scanner. I am very new to this kind of stuff and everyone seems to be harping about theses scanners and I really don't want to have issues.

Whoops, let me be more specific.

It would be a good idea to put the stock pulley back on until you can get more mods, lest you risk the integrity of your engine.

To run a 3.0 pulley, you will need exhaust like you said, headers, bigger downpipe with a u-bend delete, colder spark plugs, a 180 thermostat, a custom tune, etc, plus .. a 3.0" pulley is territory that is hard to define as it differs from car to car, but it's safe to assume that you will need rockers or a cam, and an intercooler, or you'll most likely find yourself busting engine internals from the increased boost.

If you're relying on this car as a daily driver, I really suggest not going as far as a 3.0 pulley, as you'll really be comprimising the reliability of your car. Unless you have the ability to keep throwing money at it, then by all means. At least have an alternate mode of transportation to keep yourself in stride with the downtime your car will probably have. If you're hellbent on a 3.0, though, you might want to check into getting a built tranny as well, because that will probably be the first thing to go.

Lets say I don't want to remove the 3.4" pulley. What mods do I immediately need to do to get this car performing at a safe level?

Best bet would be a downpipe with u-bend delete... Free up the flow of the exhaust so you can get it out of the way...

Downpipe and tune.

Alright, I purchased the downpipe, the PCM, and also the DHP PowrTuner. So I should be sitting ok with the 3.4" now. I am probably still going to do headers soon, and possibly injectors . . . . thoughts on that/other suggestions?

Injectors aren't needed until you start getting exotic with the mods.

The stock cat-back isn't all that restrictive. All you'll gain is change in sound. And remember it's a small displacement V-6 not a thumping V-8.

Be warned the power tuner isn't easy to just start using right away. You're going to have to spend a lot of time with it and reading on the help forum and stuff.
There also might be an insanely long wait till you get it, from the time you order.

Buddy in another club just finsihed getting his Comp G back in running since he fried the PCM by just beginning to use the POWERTUNER and trying a full write.

the power tuner is very difficult to use......talking about staying at a safe level just get a downpipe, colder plugs, T-stat, PCM and maybe headers if you have the money they are not cheap.....dont get too deep into things when your just starting you will regret it (aka engine problems)3.4 inch pullies can be pretty fast.....good luck otherwise

I also just purchased the Autolite 103s, 180 t-stat, and the PRJ spark plug wires - headers will be on the way at some point this summer. Probably not right away.

For a 3.0" pulley you will definitely need AT LEAST a cam/rockers, upgraded valve springs, and headers, (and maybe other stuff in order to run knock free). Other wise... you'll pop a piston faster than you would think.

An intercooler wouldn't be a bad idea for additional peace of mind, but they sure are expensive. More than anything you will need to learn to tune and scan/tune/scan/tune/scan/tune until you're happy with it and your car runs well.

start with the 3.4 running safe but as for the 3.0 def x2 on drummerboys previous post