Pontiac GTO 2004-2006 The Modern Goat

Best way to get horse power out of 04 gto????

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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 10:01 AM
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Red face Best way to get horse power out of 04 gto????

I was wander what the best upgrades for my 04 gto and if a programmer would increase my horse power in it stock?
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 10:07 AM
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id say intake, headers, and a dyno tune and you'll probably see around 350whp. you'll be keeping up with LS2 goats no problem (probably even beating them) those are good first mods, but if your looking to keep a quiet ride, go with an intake and DYNO tune will put you in the 325hp range. I say dyno tune because for the price of a handheld tuner you can have someone do a real tune that will make more power overall.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 11:21 AM
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1st,

trade it in for an LS2 (2005/06)



if that's not possible,
then I'd start with Headers, exhaust, custom tune (a good shop with LS1Edit or HPTuners)
if you have the money,
heads and Cam

and if you wanna go really fast,
Magnacharger or Nitrous kit


and for bang for your buck (just to go faster)
it's hard to beat a set of gears
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by ExTurbo
I say dyno tune because for the price of a handheld tuner you can have someone do a real tune that will make more power overall.
+1 on the custom tune

where are you located?

go to the local (regional) forums at the bottom of the main LS1tech page
(also at LS2GTO.com)

and click on your region,
then ask about local tuners


good luck
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 12:37 PM
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LT's and a tune first, maybe a crank pulley, but I'd save that for a cam change. Then worry about the good-sounding stuff like hot-air induction and a catback.

Gears are a great option as well. Problem is, everything you do will be expensive. Save by looking on the boards for the many fire-sales that are going on at any given time.

Good luck!
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by legend56
I was wander what the best upgrades for my 04 gto and if a programmer would increase my horse power in it stock?

Do not buy a handheld programmer. I did and sold it within 2 months. A dyno tune/street tune will be spot on vs tune in a can.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 06:26 AM
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Hand held tuners are crap. A professional dyno tune is the way to go. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with a 2004 LS-1 GTO. I've gotten plenty of power without crying about "needing" and LS-2. I've also beaten plenty of LS-2 GTO's at th track in both stock and modded form.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 08:41 AM
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What kind of power are you looking for? Just dyno numbers or actual track numbers?

With headers/cats, CAI, and tune, I ran 12.9 on the stock BFG's launching at idle. With drag radials, it would have been an easy 12.7. I added a LPE GT2-3 cam(a little hotter than a LS6 cam) and drag radials and went 12.5.

Power at that point was 368/360. You don't need much to start running good times in these. Just takes practice.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 11:21 AM
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Why change the intake? I am pretty sure 04s came with an LS6 intake.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by qwk93ta
Why change the intake? I am pretty sure 04s came with an LS6 intake.
Not change the manifold, cold air intake. And yes, the '04 is an LS6 intake.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 08:40 PM
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headers intake exhaust cam tune will put you in 350-400 range
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Old Jan 30, 2008 | 12:30 AM
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Headers, full exhaust, intake maybe a ported the throttle body........and tires.
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Old Jan 31, 2008 | 10:49 PM
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supercharger, heads, cam bigger injectors, and ohh ya a tune might help
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Old Feb 1, 2008 | 04:57 PM
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8 pounds of boost. sts got my friend up to like 500 wheel
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Old Feb 1, 2008 | 05:14 PM
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COLD air intake, Catback and a tuner from SLP pre programmed with their settings.
and maybe change out those tires for some GS3 goodyears. v groove tread. You'll hook like crazy. and if your just trying to get off the line quicker. change out the gear.
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Old Feb 1, 2008 | 10:00 PM
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I had an '04 GTO. Heads and Cam are the best low cost route. Add some good headers and exhaust and you'll be at 450 rwhp.
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Old Feb 3, 2008 | 12:46 PM
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So what would it take to run low 12's to high 11's? could you do it with exhaust, cam, CAI, tune...maybe some heads?

The reason I ask is I am looking at a 04 GTO with the red int. (which I love) this weekend. And I had a camaro that ran a 12.0 at 117 with a shitty 60 ft. Do you think I will be disappointed with a GTO? I am looking for something that is more "comfy" than a camaro.
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Old Feb 3, 2008 | 02:16 PM
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IF your wanting an 04 gto for sure over an 05 i think youd be disapointed seeing how most z's and trans am's with Ls1s would most likely outrun. Idk id say 05 goat or no goat.
I think it'd take a lot for you to get high 11's. your talkin bout the power of a new z06. And you know how light that car is and huge the rear tires are etc etc. That goat is heavy and not to fast with an ls1. and fugly in my opinion. BUt its all about what u want. you'll be driving it not me
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Old Feb 3, 2008 | 05:23 PM
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The weight difference between a Corvette and GTO is probably around 500 lbs. It takes about seven horsepower per hundred pounds to overcome a weight difference. Go with some 3.91 gears as well and you should be in the 11's with drag radials.
Check out LS1GTO.com for the ways other guys did it.
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Old Feb 3, 2008 | 06:13 PM
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I would say LT's, cat back, CAI, and dyno tune. I put in a cam as well because I figured there was no point in getting a tune when a few months later I would want a cam and need a retune. do it right the first time. putting down 394 rwhp and 371 rwtq with that. depends on ur goals though. also dont worry about all that ls2 talk. yeah their getting about 20 more rwhp. but u have a ls1 under ur hood. one of the best engines built. the potenial of the engine is great. soon I plan on getting heads and should be around the 450 range.
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