hollywoodSS

looking for some advice on what to do next to my 96 z/28 (or fake ss as my buddy with a real 02 ss calls it) automatic with 65k miles.... current modifications are:
ram air intake in the hood scoop
58mm throttle body w/slp air foil
de-screened MAF
pacesetter shorty headers
ORY with true dual exhaust, Magnaflow mufflers

i have a jegs gift card burning a hole in my pocket so im eager to keep adding power to the car...i have at least try to keep up with the 02 ss LS1

any advice would be appreciated!

tbag_skywalker

GEARS! Throw a set of 3.73's in there, and I'm sure you'll be able to hang with a stock LS1 automatic.

You would have seen more of a gain with long tube headers instead of shorties, but shorties are better than nothing. Also probably couldn't hurt to get the car tuned, whether it be on a dyno or atleast a mail order tune. I know my car ran a heck of a lot better with a mail order tune when I put my headers on.

tbag_skywalker

Forgot to mention in my last post, you might have better off putting your stock throttle body back on. A 58mm throttle body wouldn't really show any benefit unless its for a built motor, or atleast a motor with a good heads/cam setup.

This is because the LT1 factory intake and throttle body already flow well stock. You might see a bit of a gain with a 52mm throttle body I guess, but a 58mm throttle body (and I'm assuming you ported the opening on your intake manifold to match it) will just shift your powerband upwards. You're probably sacrificing a bit of low end power only to not see any gain in high end power.

rufrntn

Get a different torque converter.

hollywoodSS

awesome thanks for the ideas

93M6Formula

Some people recomend a stall converter before gears, but I assume you have 2:73's so 3:73's would be a real nice purchase and you would definately tell a difference! And yes a 58mm TB is overkill for a stock car, even a bolt on car in my book, bigger isnt always better, especially with a cam.
And if you plan to do gears, allow for about $500 if you do it yourself and $600-700 if you have a shop do it.

bowtienut

iTrader: (1)

The only thing the 58mm TB is hurting is your trans! Get a tune if you haven't already!!!!
The other things to do: Yank SS3600 converter, Transgo HD2 kit, 3.73 gears.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Where are you from in NJ?

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

Id sell that SS intake and do the lid conversion as well as the stall/shift kit/gears. Maybe a few suspension parts (springs, LCAs)

hollywoodSS

im in union county...definitely going to get a tune, just looking for a good programmer....

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

Don't need a programmer to tune the LT1's.

Put the screen back in the MAF, usually that does more harm than good. I would also put the stock TB back in the car unless your going to have it tuned asap because it is harming your transmission right now.

If I had your car I would do the following to just to give you an idea. I would first ditch the horribly designed "SS" cold air intake for an LS1 lid, then would ditch the shorties for some LT's. After that I would get a converter and maybe a set of gears and then a good mailorder tune. A converter is the single best mod for an automatic car period you will see why once you get one. Suspension wouldn't be a bad idea at that point either.

tbag_skywalker

Power programmers are completely worthless for tuning, I know from experience.

You'll see a much greater benefit from mailing your PCM out to get tuned, and an even greater benefit than that if you can find a shop nearby that tunes LT1's on a dyno.

Once again, don't waste your money on a power programmer, they're about as useful as **** on a wheelbarrow.

cj56

+1 on stall, gears, and a tune