'06 Real Power Improvement
 

I just came from a fairly long trip, 3.3k miles, Southern California, Oregon, Nevada, Southern California. Mixed on/off road, but mostly on. It was often over 100 deg temp. I noticed that the only things that didn't pass me up hills were Winibagos and 18 wheelers. Even the little Honda Elements were buzzing by me. I read about boosting the power via cold air intakes and different exhausts, but don't know what to believe. Could you guys advice me, preferrably through real experience? I would be most appreciative. Right now I am ready to sell....

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

:rolleyes:
This always facinates me.

Did you test drive it before you bought it????? It's got 220 hp....and only 220 hp. It's a Hummer, not a race car. Sure it struggles a bit if you pull out in front of someone and need to hit the gas, but if you're you're just driving along, it moves along just fine.

Were ya driving uphill or into 50 mph winds or what?

Don't get me wrong - more power would be nice....but it is what it is.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

guess the joke is on you man. all that stuff is snake oil.
when it's hot it's a little worse but you own a brick with wheels.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

With all due respect and a welcome to ya, let me say this, if you bought the H3 looking for power and speed you bought the wrong vehicle. Sometimes we have to sacrifice on road performance to gain off road performance. I dont think we have sacrificed to much on the road, I love the way the H3 rides, comfort and everything about the interior. Also at the same time I just recently drove to San Francisco and did 70mph pretty much all the way up the grapevine and thats fast enough for me. Anybody doing more the that up a 6-8% grade is just plain killing their car. To your question: The gains you would see from exhaust and intake are not going to satisfy your needs. First off our intake is very efficiant as it is. Exhaust will give you all of what 10hp+ if your lucky? There is an ECU upgrade available too, but again what are you looking for? 300whp/tq? Either wait for the Alpha or buy a Land Rover. We 5 cyl may be slow, but I am content driving slow knowing that I can crawl up the side of the mountain when I finally get there. :beerchug:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Almost troll-like.

Note: don't try wheelin an Element, could result in some very expensive damage.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

LOL:jump:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Yep, your not driving an S2000 or a F250... there are "Under powered" flags written up and down every consumer report review for the 06. I drive in so much ****ing traffic that it does not bother me, but I really notice it on road trips when I'm doing 70mph and climbing a 2,000ft. Mountain in WV with the cruise control on and I start cooking off at 5,000 RPM and have to disengage the cruise control to drop my speed as the Tank can't climb mountains that fast.

What it lacks in speed saves you in speeding tickets.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

for mall crawlin , get the jeep with a hemi :giggling: :giggling:




its a freakin HUMMER :twak:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

I always try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt at first, but yeah, I generally try to educate myself on a vehicle before buying it. Not like we are driving an 07 that cost $12,995...cough cough..Kia. :twak:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Does the approx 10% power improvement in the 3.7L '07 make much diffrerence over the 3.5L '06?

Also, on another thread, someone mentioned his 07 running a little hotter than normal? Is this typical of the 3.7L I5?

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to do the Corsa/Volant exhaust, Volant CAI and ECM upgrade. Each of these upgrades is small by themselves, but the total of them together should get you close to what an 07 has. We have the 07 and it is just right (any less and I would be unhappy).

Not sure if there's a header available for the H3, but if there were and I had an 06 - I would do that too.

Keep in mind that driving that many miles in any vehicle will have you wanting to sell. I get sick of driving after that many miles:crying:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Points well taken Tomp. I am coming from driving pre 75 rigs FJ40s, Scouts and CJs with 5.0+ gears, 3 and 4 speeds and big motors. 55mph max on the highway at 4200rpms was common. Anything beyond that is luxury for me, so I could care less. Ability to travel at 65+ mph and get gas mileage better than 8mpg? Stoked! . :dancingbanana:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Trade it for a euro $50K SUV that burns premium only and gets 16mpg for ability to win the pink slips on the elements you been racing...

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

I went from the 06 to 07 and there is a little improvement but not enough to get excited about. The heat issue I am still waiting on but it's been 100+ at 5,500 ft so any vehicle has a tough time with the thin air.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

Only the V8 will cure the need for power. Regarding the 3.5 to 3.7 difference, it sounds like most are saying the difference is small.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

it is small. but the v-8 seems like overkill. i will buy a H2 if i want a v-8.
the I-5 has character and I love watching faces when I say "it's a 5 banger":jump:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

H2 is too big for wheelin in the city, burbs, or woods for me. H3 is the right size for those with small families. H3 handling is nimble enough to be fun.

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

I just drove back from Moab last week. 350 miles, 5+ miles over the speed limit the whole way except for Vail and Loveland passes. They slowed me down but I still passed plenty of cars. It helps to have a 5-speed ... just put it in 3rd.

I don't believe in snake oil for more HP. You might get some oomph from exhaust headers and a good cat-back, or even a PCM tune (according to some). But not much bang for the buck, imo.

Your truck is what it is ... accept it. What did you expect from a brick-shaped SUV with high ground clearance and a 5-cyl engine?

Tried and true tips:

Reduce parasitic losses (friction and wind resistance) - synthetic engine oil, street tires, correct tire pressure, minimum exterior accessories

Reduce weight - minimum cargo and accessories

Do regular maintenance - replace air filter, change oil on time (engine, transmission, transfer, diffs), all other maintenance on schedule

Mods harmful to performance:

Airflow modifiers like the "tornado", homemade or ebay "turbos", generic brand or homemade intake pipes

Mods harmful to engine:

Oil additives, fuel additives (except injector cleaners), oiled air filters (allow more dirt and may damage MAF if overoiled)

Questionable mods (your results may vary):

Throttle body spacers, PCM re-program, electric engine fan, exhaust headers and cat-back (if tested and tuned for power instead of sound on the 3.5 or 3.7L application).

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

I don't think you have driven an H2 enough. With proper Pilot it is very nimble. You mean H1:giggling:

Re: '06 Real Power Improvement
 

That's perfect J! We should add it to the FAQ!