DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Ok, I have a 98 Trans Am, A4, just got it Saturday, all it has is a Flowmaster cat back on it. It's a street car of course, but for now it's just a weekend car until a few months from now.

With a $1400 budget, what would be the things you did?



I'm thinking about getting a full exhaust set up, but I'd hate to throw my whole budget into the exhaust.

Thoughts/Advice?


I"m also thining about going with a lid and stall, but scared it'd snap the 10 bolt. Then my car would be out of commission for a very very long time. I know it's safe but you never know.

Drokkers

iTrader: (2)

i would get a new exhaust setup fo sho or maybe some konis, hell theres so many choices, but i have other things done to my car already.

for you it depends what your plans are (i.e. drag racing, autox, just a badass street car, dd, etc.)

these cars have so many things that can be done to them for 1400. so whats your goals for this car?

ws602

iTrader: (2)

Stall,lid,Nitrous,and a cut-out..

Camaroking1996

There are so many different ways to spend 1400 that you need to narrow down what u want to do first..

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

I'd do TSP LTs, motor mounts, ORY, O2 sims, Magnaflow catback and a lid if it were mine Heck, you may even be able to recover $40 from that Flowmaster if you can sell it on Craigslist...

Theblacknightls1

iTrader: (1)

Stall Cam and LT

02 NHRA

Headers and ORY, lid, stall and frost tune.

If possible, lurk on the classifieds and see if you can find some stuff for cheap.

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for not being descriptive.

I'm basically going for a bad *** street car that will be daily driven. My long term goal is 11.50 by next summer.

Personally I've been wanting to go the true duals route if I do get exhaust this time around. Do you all think it's worth the extra $200? I"m starting to think more budgetly, OR/Y isn't looking too bad now..

Are headers hard to install? I only have basic tools, a torque wrench, ratchet/socket set.

And before yall start assuming that I don't do my research, I do. I just want some real opinions from people who've done these things, stickies can't tell you everything.

As for getting a stall, I'd get a Yank SS4000 most likely, maybe a SS3600, and have a shop install/tune it. Wouldn't that basically take up my entire budget?

MikeWS6

Ya not on a $1400 budget

bad_408_vert

iTrader: (6)

Summer is coming up, I'm sure You 'll enjoy the exhaust with the Ttops/windows down.

I 'd say search for good parts in classifieds here, craigslist, local lsx boards, tax sales from sponsers here on tech.

Pretty sure you can get Lid/ headers/ORY/Catback plus a tune for $1k with deals.
Installation is a whole different story.

Instaling headers isn't tough, but just hard if you are working without a lift.

Getting Tru duals over a ORY pipe is a long debate, generally most people dont see any gains with one over the other.
Tru duals always hang low, so keep that in mind when you think about how the roads are in your area.

Complete Exhaust is best bang for buck mod in our cars, considering you don't even have to tear into the motor for the 20-30 rwhp...

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

Lid- $ 70
LS6 Intake- $350
P&P Trottle Body- $125 - Shaner S2 (for an A4)
TSP Headers- $499
TSP ORY- $139
Prothane Motor Mts- $59.99
Prothane Trans Mnt- $28.95
FROST mail order tune- $166 shipped

All total, around $1,437.94

Sell your cats for $150 and you've pretty much covered all shipping, so you should be right at the 1400 budget limit.

There's nothing I've listed that you cant install with basic tools, a jack, and jack stands.

Theblacknightls1

iTrader: (1)

Sure. If he buying parts on a 1400$ budget why would you buy new? LT 250$ stall 400$ cam 250$ springs 150$ (depends) push rods 80$ tune 400$ damn I went a little over I think :/

Of course if you do your own work tho

_max_POWER

iTrader: (11)

I would find some way to work subframe connectors in your list.

njmaster

iTrader: (5)

This is a good makeover for $1400

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Dr Whigham: That sounds like an overall good start. If I went that route, I'd definetely be getting a stall the next month. These 2.73 gears kill me. How do you like your TSP headers/ OR/Y? That's the exact set up I've been looking at besides the MagnaMouth.

Bad Vert 408: Yea now that you've said that, OR/Y all the way. Hampton roads is notorious for potholes and terrible roads.

And a stupid question, but is there anyway I can disable the TCS?



And I'm not looking to do a cam yet, when I do I want to have it matched to whatever heads I get to go with it.

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

buy used parts..... exhaust, cam/springs, lid, tune.
Buy new springs actually..... everything else can be used!

z28clark

iTrader: (2)

I read a post on here a few days ago about turning off tcs then unplugging it. I haven't tried it myself but I guess it's worth a shot. There is also a thing from I believe slp that disables it, but again for the price it costs... I'd just push the button.

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the advice yall. I'm a little bit iffy about buying used because of the horror stories with paypal, but I'll give it a shot with a cheaper part like a lid.

I guess I'll go lid, OR/Y + LT's, and any good intake mani/ tb that I can find used. I was wanting to go with the BBK SSI.


Oh, and has anybody done any of the free mods? From what I read they're useless. Anyone think any differently?

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

I personally think differently. I already had the free RA mod done, but I needed to do it anyways when I put in the Chrs1313 RA.

I know you have a 98, so that means you have EGR. There's a mod for that where you can cut come of the fitting that goes down in the intake. Do these it help? I'd like to think so, as you're eliminating a restriction in the air delivery system.

As for the headers, I love them! The only other company I'd consider is ARH, but I'm a street car, not chasing a number. I'm positive the ARH's are good for a few more ponies, but at twice the price..... HP per dollar simply isnt there for me.

I seriously believe with the list I've compiled for you, you'll have a fun, peppy car that's fun to drive, and still good on fuel economy. Don't forget the Frost tune also tweaks the transmission.

_max_POWER

iTrader: (11)

How are your tires? Suspension?

No sense making more power in a car that can't put it to the ground.