Originally Posted by Blue07V6

TRUE

Bulding a "fast" car requires a lot more engine work that most first time owners are capable of. F/I, top end kit, etc. Depending on your definition of fast. Anything my 5.0 F150 (a rolling box) can outrun isnt fast. 15sec isnt fast. 13sec is fast, and that cant be easily done with the 3.8. It depends on your definition of fast and how much WORK you are willing to put into it.

With an auto a good tune can make a world of difference, ask Jthorn9, he has great results from tuning up the auto. I think "faster" is a better word than "fast"

Personally I wouldnt say a KandN cold air intake does nothing, I think its a very worth while swap, unoless you like swapping in a cheepo factory filter ever couple of months. though not a "go fast" goodie it def is worth adding IMO.

My point is that making a 3.8 into a street car to not be taken lightly requires a lot of know-how and time. And more work than I would do to a daily driver. Im not knocking the cars, mine has been great, but a $2500 1998 3.8 isnt worth spending the time and $$$$ to supercharge, or build.

I have 2 3.8s, one I will build for a 68 hotrod, the other in my 98 will remain very close to stock. BUT they serve 2 very different purposes, one is a hot rod, the other is a cheap realiable daily drive. One I plan to M112 and mild build, the other just drive. I have decided against doing anything magor to my daily driver.

Also (speaking from expirience) I do not find it wise for a newbie to dive headlong into a complex build on their daily driver, IMOP take it simple to start with, learn you car, then take it slow, you can NEVER research too much before you mod. For a daily driver that is both fun and still reliable I (and I practice what I preach) say:
Tune up (I have had great luck from Autolight Platnum plugs)
True duals
K&N filter
Tune


I believe that your money will be MUCH MUCH MUCH more wisely spent making sure everything is maintained, making sure the car has a good set of tires for your driving conditions, making sure the fluids are fresh or still in their life span, and just making basic mods.

Has the car every been tuned up? Tranmission flushed? Coolant flushed? What shape are the tires in? thats more important in a daily driver. Most people choose the SN95 3.8 because its cheap, this said they probably dont have money for expensive mods. YES there are some FAST 3.8s, it can be done, but frankly the car isnt worth dumping a lot of $$$$$ into. Yes you can build a turbo kit yourself and use junkyard parts and friend help to build a nice hotrod, BUT this is totally out of the ability of most newbies. Again, not trying to belittle people just being honest.