90 Firebird 3.1 motor is in the shop now getting bored. I just got a crane cam 1500-4500rpm, and a flowmaster catback. I figure ill also bump up my fuel pressure about 5psi or so to help that cam breathe. Top it off with some light head work, do you think this will make a difference? I know it wont be a 13 second ride but i was hoping to push that v6 over 180-190hp at least. Ideas?

 

Custom CAI/Ram Air. that loks to be teh choking point so far. Hold out for the headers to finish the package off.

 

But, with a good porting job, who knows? While you're having the heads worked on, you might as well have the chambers welded a little (tell them you want to increase the compression). Let them know that you want to run pump gas too. You will probably be making close to 160 horses, of course, AM91 would know better than me. Enjoy the buildup and let us know how it turns out.

 

1.6 ratio roller rockers will help give you a little more as well with the new cam.

 

i don't want to sound rude but i think 180 hp is out of the picture for that combo unless you get a really good P&P job and that cam is bigger than i'm guessing it to be. what are the specs on it? just by looking at the things you said above, i'd guess about 160 horses at the crank. i have many more mods than that and i think i'm getting about 180-185 to the ground; about 210 at the crank probably.

 

I suppose 160 isnt all that bad. I never thought about doing a CAI mod. Do those really perk it up?

 

and relocate the inlet to a good location outside of the engine bay. Don't pull a R1ce and put a KN on the end of a tube right over your exhaust manifold and call it a "cold air intake" lol. When done properly, they really help throttle response.

 

I have that same cam, and I think you should send it back and do a little more research. It does help, but it doesn't make incredible gains. In retrospect, I think I may have gone with a bit more radical of a cam, maybe one of the Crower Cams.

 

5 pounds is quite a bit to bump your fuel pressure dude. You're gonna FREAK the computer out, and run rich as hell. My 8 cyl with 100hp more than it has stock can't even handle an extra 5 psi without acting all screwy and leaving black smoke trailing behind me on the interstate. That's on a stock computer chip too, with full exhaust, a high-lift cam, and expensive heads. Adjusting the fuel with a custom chip will net you much better and SMOOTHER power.

But if you wanna go the cheap route like me and do the AFPR...I wouldn't advise much more than a 2-3 psi increase.

As far as the CAI topic goes....yes, it will help, but only if done properly. Don't route it all the way down to the bottom of the car....because the length and amount of bends in the system will probably negate any increases you get from the cold air. DO IT EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. The shortest distance possible to get the cooler air. And avoid running it near any heat sources (exhaust, upper rad tube, etc.)