Lately i have noticed a whine in my engine. It isnt the alternator, or the
idler, the whine gets louder as the engine turns up rpms, and is present
while the car is idling. I have been told that some gm cars develop sounds
that are just unique to the car and you cant really do anything about it. But i
am not convinced. Any Ideas????

ive had good success with those 5-10 dollar mechanic stethescopes. it will help you narrow exactly where the sound is coming from.

Can i pick one of those up from an autoparts store like napa, or carquest, or
schucks???

yessir. nice little tool for the garage