Spidy Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I've got a 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS with the 3800 II and I'm trying to practically enhance the performance. When I say practical, I mean maintaining or even enhancing my MPGs and not having to do any huge overhauling. I'm new to the aftermarket performance department, but I'm handy enough to do some upgrades. I've heard people putting on cold air intakes, minimal flow exhausts, better coils, spark plugs, plug wires, and stuff like that. Anybody have any opinions on how beneficial these types of upgrades would actually be? Or are they mostly just for ricers and show? Would I actually get better performance or economy with these upgrades? Are there upgrades that I haven't mentioned that would help my cause? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 the best way with that car would be to turbo it? I am not sure, there may be a more practical way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Well, we're a w-body forum (the 88 being an H-Body), but most of us have dabbled in other GM cars, so I'm sure we can be of help. With the 3800, the simplest thing you can implement is a CAI. You're not going to see a whole lot of performance out of just that though. You might see small gains out of good quality wires and plugs. The 3800 does not sound good, at all, with any type of exhaust on it. They are really raspy. A member here likened the noise something akin to "a gaping asshole being muffled by a screendoor". You're not going to see any sort of really noticable gains without some work. Your best bet for performance is going to be the Supercharged 3.8L V6 (L67). I know the LSS was available with the L67. A turbocharger is another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skitchin Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 A true CAI can actually hurt your mileage, because colder air means richer mixture. If you just have a cone on the intake pipe in a WAI setup, your A/F ratio will actually be a bit leaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
base93lumina Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Intense or ZZP sells an N/A to L67 conversion for around $1500, great gains and still get the reliability! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Im not sure if there are CAI for your H-body in particular. Measure first, this one just might fit. If not, use their pieces to make one long enough for you. http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IR&Product_Code=INT-FWI-9805&Category_Code=3800_Induction Replacing the downpipe would help too, to remove the u-bend where the 02 sensor is. The hi-flo cat helps a bit too. This one *should* fit. http://shop.zzperformance.com/store/p/395-Bonneville-Downpipe.aspx Plugs, wires, and coils are a waste, until you are making serious power. OE replacement wires and cheap autolites have worked great for me. OE coils put out plenty of spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pshojo Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I'm doing upgrade to a supercharged throttle body, being larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 i dunno how effective that would be. That would make the TB outlet larger than the manifold intake. That creates air turbulence, which you dont want. ZZP has a ported TB that would be perfect for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to eaton Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 You can supercharge that car for close to if not less then 400 dollars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Top swap and tune is the route I would go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkaab Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Replace anything that is broke or bad. A good tune up wouldn't hurt. Then I would do a Cold Air Intake, some exhaust work, and a tune. Easy stuff to do and doesn't cost that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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