legend56

I was wander what the best upgrades for my 04 gto and if a programmer would increase my horse power in it stock?

ExTurbo

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.

KrautBurner

iTrader: (5)

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

KrautBurner

iTrader: (5)

+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

geeteego

iTrader: (1)

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!

ArklaTexan

iTrader: (24)

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.

oct03gto

iTrader: (15)

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.

Rob

iTrader: (6)

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.

qwk93ta

iTrader: (13)

Why change the intake? I am pretty sure 04s came with an LS6 intake.

Rob

iTrader: (6)

Not change the manifold, cold air intake. And yes, the '04 is an LS6 intake.

03blackZ06

iTrader: (4)

headers intake exhaust cam tune will put you in 350-400 range

AlexLs1

iTrader: (1)

Headers, full exhaust, intake maybe a ported the throttle body........and tires.

navydiver2323

supercharger, heads, cam bigger injectors, and ohh ya a tune might help

trans99am

iTrader: (1)

8 pounds of boost. sts got my friend up to like 500 wheel

TransFan

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.

Gregory

iTrader: (4)

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.

slowmc

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.

TransFan

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

Gregory

iTrader: (4)

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.

GTO8522

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.