Today my Thrasher CAI came today, I didn't know there were options on it, Like getting a real 9in. K&N filter with it not the *&B filter (K&N type) and theres also a IAT relocation Kit, which I also got. Moves the sensor away from next to the TB to Bottom of box. Comes with 7 page instructions. Pretty cool. That will be going on tommarrow.

Now, What 3.4 pulley to order? And is it better to get the ZZP tensior or get a smaller belt? I read that Gatorback belts are good but what Part # should I order and from where?

I also called around at shops to see how much they'll charge to install the pulley. one shop said 2 hrs of labr and $150. I laughed at him on the phone, he said they work on a lot of GTPs and people pay it, not me, click.

So then I stoped by the dealer hoping to talk to a tech and find a good shop that works on the 3800SC II. Got to find some one to do some 1.9 rockers later. Probably intense rockers. Anyways, the service manager said they would do it for 1/2 hr labor. Deal. Just need to order one now. So, which pulley and gator back belt#?

As for the belt I would get a Gatorback 4060715. This is 1 inch shorter than stock and perfect for a 3.4 pulley. You can get the belt at any autoparts store such as Autozone. All you do is go in and ask for a goodyear gatorback belt #4060715, and they should be able to help you. They may have to order the belt for you, but they will probably have it in stock.

As for the pulley. A 3.4 Pulley Boys or Thrasher pulley will be just fine. The both do the same thing for performance they just look different. The Pulley Boys is flat on the outside, whereas the Thrasher looks more like the stock pulley. Neither pulley looks stock, so it doesn't much matter, and they both do the same thing. I wouldn't really worry about it. Just buy one. BUT...One thing you may want to look at is a modular pulley system. Since I know you are going to be doing more mods later, it may be perfect for you. That way you get the pulley system pressed on to the snout, and then you can change pulley sizes at will by just taking out a few bolts. It makes it really easy to switch to a smaller pulley after you do mods, or just for the track. If you want to do that instead of the regular pullies, I would recommend the ZZP Modular Pulley System, because it is upgradeable to 8 rib if you start having problems with belt slip, and it has sizes in 1 tenth of an inch increments, so you can get the exact pulley needed for your mods. The system costs $139 with 1 pulley, and additional pullies are $66 each, but it isn't a bad deal if you consider the advantages.

As for the pulley, and any other mods you want installed, I can do them for you for free if you want to take the drive the Holt. I am experienced even though I am only 15, and I will do it correctly, I know what I am doing, and I just hate to see people pay for what could be done for free. As I said before, I can autotap your car for you also, and do basically any mod you want done. I can install rockers if you want also. I have already done 2 sets of 1.9 rockers, and it is fairly easy to do, it just takes a while because there are a lot of things you have to remove from the back of the engine. I know it is quite a drive, and I know you may not like the sound of a 15 year old working on your car, but I am very experienced and it is free, besides the fact that you get a free autotap log done also (if you want). If you want to do this let me know. As I said before, I am available basically any time.

dbtk2, thanks for the offer, I haven't yet ruled that out. I checked out map quest and Holt is 3 hrs 51 min from my house That isn't exactly convinent. Although, I am going to the girlfriends family cottage which is in White Cloud, Mi by Big rapids farther North from you, leaving on the 20th, Wed and coming back on Sunday the 24th. I was thinking I could maybe stop by on the way back on Sunday. What you think? If that date dosen't work out, I'll go the dealer route.

Originally I was thinking a TEP 3.4 but that ZZP modular system has crossed my mind. I know that further down the line, probably next spring time, I'll get TOG headers and 1.9 rockers. Haven't decided If I want to go the cam route yet. But anyways so I know next spring I should be able to run a 3.25 so the zzp kinda makes sense. The question is will I go any futher with engine mods? I don't know. But I do think I'll be getting a shift kit shortly, and the idea behind limited slip sounds good to me. But wonder if it'* worth it for my 2nd level of spring time mods?

So I wonder, buying two press on pulleys is still cheapier than the ZZP system, what to do?

The weekend of the 24th I don't believe I am doing anything, so I should be available if you want to come that weekend.

Now about the pulley system. The pulley system is never going to be cheaper than buying the seperate press-on pullies because the pullies are the same price as the press-on pullies, plus you have to pay for the hub. The difference is you don't have to use a tool to remove your pullies, you can swap them anytime you want by removing 5 little bolts, so it saves you time and money (for the pulley tool or the install). It literally takes 3 minutes to change a pulley. Besides the fact that you can get pullies in 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and many sizes even smaller than that, with a press-on you get 3.4, 3.25, 3.0, and then you have to order custom pullies for sizes smaller or in-between. If you have the modular system you can run the 3.4 with just a few mods, and if you decided to go to the track and run race gas you can swap on the 3.3 or 3.2 depending on conditions and whatnot without doing any other mods and gain yourself 10-20hp. Then if you do lets say rockers, you may be able to run the 3.3 on the street, and then the 3.2 or 3.1 at the track on race gas. Then once you do headers you could probably go to a 3.2 pulley on the street, and run a 3.1 or 3.0 pulley at the track. That is the nice thing about it. You don't have to take the time to go get a pulley swap done, you don't have to pay to buy your own tool, and you don't have to pay to have someone do a pulley swap for you. In my opinion if you are going to be doing future modding, or you are going to ever run your car at the track on race gas, it is the best way to go, because you can swap pullies for conditions whenever you want very easily.

A limited slip would help with traction, but what you have to decide is if the $500 for a LSD is worth it for the other mods you can get for the money. It isn't going to help your car perform much better on the street unless you get the Quaife which is high dollar, so basically it only helps at the track, and it isn't much stronger than the stock one. So is $500 (or $1100 for the quaife) worth what it is going to gain you. Personally, I would do some other mods for $500, there is a lot you can do for that much money. The shift kit would be a good idea, and those are simple to install.

Hope this helps your decision.

dbtk2- Thanks for all your help, What'* your name? Sunday the 24th will work for me, if that'* good for you. I fugure that Holt is about 2.5hrs form Big rapids area. So let me know what time. You'll get to meet the girlfriend.

So the update about my TEP CAI is that I attemepted to install it and wasn't happy with the fit/placement. I started out with 2 cardbaord mock ups to size up the engine bay and I just didn't like what I came up with. It was getting dark and started to rain so I just put the stocker back in for now, project on hold untill next weekend were I'll have a couple of fresh mock-ups to start with. The Thrasher directions are as clear as mud and copied on some cheap paper, with terriable photos that I can't make out. Only thing not clear on is where does the IAT relocation sensor go?

Then I think it'* zzp pulley system, you talked me into it. Going to order a 180 thermo and an intense shift kit too.

My name is Shawn. I will PM you with my address and phone number (in case you have any problems getting there). I would post it here, but its never a good idea to put your address out on the web where anybody can read it.

Installing the TEP CAI is easy in a GTP. I would imagine that since you have to modifiy it to fit an SSEi it would be a little more difficult, but still simple I would think. If you want, you can wait until you come and I can see if I can help you out with it. Another good thing to do is insulate the open spaces around the airbox so the engine heat can't get in, that way you will only be getting outside air, and your air intake temps will be lower, and the car will make more power.

I think you will definately like the pulley system, I truly believe that if you would've decided on a press-on you would be dissapointed in the future. Which pullies are you going to get for it??? The 180 t-stat and shift kit are definately a good idea, and I can help you install those also if you want. You'll just have to bring the 8 (I can't remember, I think it is 8) quarts of transmission fluid to fill it back up with.

Thanks again Shawn, I sent you a PM back.

The TEP kit isn't hard to install at all. I just didn't like how my mock up fit and I ran out of time due to dinner time. I think I'll end up using it and making some little fender scoop to direct the air into the box. The only other thing I didn't like about the fit was that the top lid dosen't fit snug against the frame, there'* a gap in the middle, don't think I't is that way in a GTP. Tracked down some pictures of somebody elses install pics of a TEP CAI in a 00 SSEi. The second picture show the gap I'm talking about.




I think I can live with that. I'll try to make mine better.
Responses?

Forgot to ask, Where does the IAT relocation go to? Doesn't go in the intake tube now, guessing I should move it to in front of the box?

Also going to give Intense a call tomarrow and order ZZP mod pulley system with 3.4, intense shift kit, and 180 thermo. Can't wait, like my sig says, Is it here yet?

Thats how it fits in a GTP too, that is the problem with it. There are plenty of GTP owners (including us) who insulate that so engine bay heat can't get in there. I can show you exactly what we did on the GTP when you come over so you know what I am talking about. The CAI looks damn good though. Really dresses up the engine bay.

Yup, thats exactly right. It goes in the front of the box.