Monte Carlo SS 5.3L question?

[RCL]

Does anyone know if there are available cold air-intakes for the 06-07 Monte SS for the 5.3L V8. Also can anyone explain to me why the same motor that is in the Silverado / Tahoe outputs 320+ hp and the same engine in the Monte Carlo is toned down to 303? Also does anyone have any advice to pump up that output back to 320+hp. Would a new cpu chip or is it more in depth what GM does to tone down performance?

[Cabana Boy]

Probably limited in HP due to FWD architecture.
Limiting HP is easy.

[MalibuMaxxSS]

see above....much more then this to the front wheels would not be cool....even the caddy has limited to the FWD models, with a 500CU motor...that is why the Impala is going RWD in 09 more power to the rear wheels and no torque steer.

[MCGARRETT]

Also can anyone explain to me why the same motor that is in the Silverado / Tahoe outputs 320+ hp and the same engine in the Monte Carlo is toned down to 303?

Because it's facing east-west instead of north-south, and on top of a transmisson that can barely handle the hp/torque combo that even te de-tuned 5.3 has. Quick, name another 300+hp FWD non-GM car?

[RCL]

Would you damage the transmission or engine by putting on new intake and catback system to boost power since it is fwd? or is it a waste of time to get better performance out of a fwd car. I saw some old 98-2002 grand prixs with fwd pushing 400hp(obviously with some mods), is that overkill then for fwd? In short i am interested in purchasing a 06-07 Monte SS, but i am trying to find out ways to increase HP without going crazy and breaking the bank? Has anyone seen any real numbers on performance as far as 0-60 or quarter mile for the monty?

[Cphelps]

I believe some people have increased the HP on the 5.3, however I think the tranny is definitely a weak link that should be taken into consideration.

I would suggest that you check out the LS4 front drives section of LS1tech.com, http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=108
There are many who have modified the car there, you will probably get more response there, since that section specializes in the vehicles you are considering.

[MCGARRETT]

The Monte Carlo SS hits 60 in about 5.5-5.7 seconds, with a top speed of about 156mph, darn fast if you ask me.

You can modify these cars, the problem is the tranmission, it really shortens the life span of the automatic, there are some companies that do sell re-built 4T65-E's with improved components for severe use.

Maybe a GTO is more what you are looking for?

[87aero]

The SS doesn't use the 4T65 found in most cars. It uses the 4T65-HD (for heavy duty in case ya didn't already guess that). It uses a bigger TC and stronger shafts and can handle more power than you might think.

[MCGARRETT]

Yes, I knew that they had beefed it up even more, but still, there is only so much even an HD can take.

[SDRacing]

Originally Posted by 87aero

The SS doesn't use the 4T65 found in most cars. It uses the 4T65-HD (for heavy duty in case ya didn't already guess that). It uses a bigger TC and stronger shafts and can handle more power than you might think.

yeah i agree with you and ive seen several gxps kicking A$$ and taking names with well over 300 hp, taking hard launches at the drags. So i believe a cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust would not hurt this hd tranny. I mean, were not talking about a turbo/supercharger installation.

oh, and by the way, good choice of car!

[big swede]

Originally Posted by RCL

Does anyone know if there are available cold air-intakes for the 06-07 Monte SS for the 5.3L V8. Also can anyone explain to me why the same motor that is in the Silverado / Tahoe outputs 320+ hp and the same engine in the Monte Carlo is toned down to 303? Also does anyone have any advice to pump up that output back to 320+hp. Would a new cpu chip or is it more in depth what GM does to tone down performance?

Here is a picture of a cold air intake fir the Monte if you want a look. http://mymonte.com/discussion/index.php?showtopic=18732

I have heard many people say that fwd cars put more power to the wheels but the reality is that even with identical engines the rwd car will put more power to the rear wheels because they always have better engine packaging which helps when it comes to intake and a more equal exhaust from one side to the other. That being said the W-Bodies do have a fair amount of torque management built in but I belive it has more to do with keeping a rookie driver safe more than anything. The first LS4 W-Bodies had a few torque converter problems that then killed the tranny but I haven't really heard of any issues since they fixed the torque converter.

Listed below is just some of the improvements made to beef up this tranny to deal with the LS4:

- 258mm, RI 15 Torque Converter
- Enhanced Heavy Duty 3.29 Final Drive
- 2.93 Effective Final Drive
- Transmission case for transmission mounted starter
- Net-formed Input Sun Gear
- Ceramic bead Peened Final Drive Sun Gear
- Input/Reaction Carrier Assembly
------ Contour Hardened ReactionInternal Gear
------ Input Carrier & Gear Asm. with lube grooves
------ Shot-peened, Black-oxided Input Carrier Pinions
------ Shot-peened Reaction Carrier Pinions
- Shot-peened Final Drive Sun shanft
- Upgraded Drive sprocket Thrust washers (new for high speed capability)

[RCL]

Hey thanks guys for all info, greatly appreciated. One last Q? Does anyone know if it is true you lose your factory/GM warranty if something goes wrong with your car and you take it in and it has say a K&N c/a on it? I have heard different things, but my gm goodrench mechanic who really is more of good friend and hooks me up all the time said it depends on the mechanic working on your car. Like he told me if he was working on it, he wouldn't care, but if another guy was, they could report whatever damage you have to your car say tranny/engine and attribute it to your non stock air-intake mod. Anyone have any real facts on this?

[F14CRAZY]

Found this...

http://store.knfilters.com/warrantyletter.htm

You could probably get a PCM "burn" to unlock performance. I'm certain that there's torque management in place to limit power going through the tranny.

The 4T65-HD mostly just has a bigger differential. Evolved from the 4T60-E, from the 4T60, and from the 440-T4, created for 2.8L V6s.

Wonder how many miles those 400hp 3800 guys can go without needing a rebuild.

As mentioned, I think you need a GTO.

[zabolots]

Vector Motorsports PCM performance tune:

http://************/2575pw

[zabolots]

Don't know why it was filtered like that:

http://www.vectormotorsports.com/ind...mart&Itemid=28