Intake and exhaust done... what's next

[PlasticCarsRock]

I have a '95 SL2 automatic with 100k miles. I'm looking for some mild performance gains (completely realistic... I'm not expecting to get an extra 50hp or something). I already have a short ram intake (can't fit a cold air, with the auto tranny). I may custom make something in the future, but for now, I'm just going to make a shield to block it from the hot air around the exhaust. I have an OE '92 header and downpipe with the stock catcon and a Thermal R&D cat-back exhaust--2.25" stainless pipe, resonator, and straight through muffler (which may eventually be exchanged for something a bit quieter).

I'm not looking for anything super expensive or difficult (like a turbo). I'm also not going to swap to a manual transmission. No nitrous. This car is a daily driver and needs to stay that way (ie nothing that requires frequent work/tuning).

So... what else is there that I can do to get a bit more power? I know it's possible to replace the exhaust cam with an intake cam 180 degrees off or something, but from what I understand, that mod looses a lot of torque down low in exchange for some power up top--I don't race or anything, so I'd prefer the torque in the rpm band that I actually use. Are there any other cam mods?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[PurdueGuy]

safcII & WBO2 to tune.

[PlasticCarsRock]

Originally Posted by PurdueGuy

safcII & WBO2 to tune.

I was considering that...I know it makes a huge difference and is basically necessary for a boosted setup, but will it actually make much of a difference on a nearly stock engine (completely stock engine, just intake and exhaust)?

If so: recommendations on what kind, and where to buy them?

[PurdueGuy]

Originally Posted by PlasticCarsRock

I was considering that...I know it makes a huge difference and is basically necessary for a boosted setup, but will it actually make much of a difference on a nearly stock engine (completely stock engine, just intake and exhaust)?

If so: recommendations on what kind, and where to buy them?

No, SAFC is terrible for a boosted setup, as it doesn't do partial throttle tuning well. If you can learn to tune it well, it's likely make more of a difference than anything else you could do n/a.

[Ikiris]

Just buy a more powerful car. Maybe with a V6 or V8 in it. And be happy that your AUTOMATIC Saturn gets 35+ mpg

[getz_999]

+1 to SAFCII with a wide band.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by Ikiris

Just buy a more powerful car. Maybe with a V6 or V8 in it. And be happy that your AUTOMATIC Saturn gets 35+ mpg

I'd say +1 (and my suggestions would be Ford panther platforms and GM B/C/D-body cars), except I think the OP is looking for small and easy HP/torque gains, not a boatload of HP/torque.

even still, a new car might be in order though (but with small/moderate HP gains while staying 4cyl and no turbo/supercharge). hell PT Cruisers get 16 more HP than a DOHC Saturn. and that's WITHOUT the turbo.

[02SC2drvr]

might sound cheesy but i actually just did this today.. wrap your exhaust pipes back to the cat. sure youre not turbo-ing but keeping the hot air where it belongs = one very happy engine. i noticed mine running alot smoother and a tad bit power gain(colder air gettin into the engine). worked for me pretty well.. and only took about 30 minutes to do the job.