Hi new from Oklahoma
07-14-2013, 01:30 PM
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Hi new from Oklahoma I have an 04 gto 5.7 a4, it is completely stock other than K&N CAI. I'm new to the car world and I'm wanting to make my goat alot faster. Hoping to get it up to about 425 whp. My budget is $6,000. I've been driving myself crazy trying to find a setup that will work well with my goat, seeing how I really don't know what to look for. Any of your guys advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
07-14-2013, 01:56 PM
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Sounds like a good budget, that will give you lot's of options. From bolt ons to a new engine..... Thing is you're gonna have to distribute some to suspension and brakes to make it perform safely. There is lots of information here if you search. I've had my 06 since new and have upgraded everything on it, let me know if I can help with anything.
07-14-2013, 02:13 PM
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I definitely don't want a new engine. I think I want to go the bolt on route. With my budget is it possible to get to my goal whp? If anyone know a good setup for my car to get to my goal whp that would be awesome! I want to do headers, exhaust, better intake, cam, heads, a stall, and a tune.
07-15-2013, 07:22 AM
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Start with general maintenance. No sense modding a car that is not a solid foundation for the increased power. If you haven't done so, start with all new fluids form oil to differential and everything in between. Next, give your suspension a thorough inspection. If there is any weakness that is common to our GTOs it is there. Check all bushings, struts, mounts, etc. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, find a competent shop. It is money well spent and your suspension needs to be up to par to handle your increased power. Then mod in the following order 1) long tube headers, 2) upgrade cats and catback, 3) cam/heads/valvetrain (a set of 243s from an LS2 is a great mod here, 4) gears. Don't worrry about an intake manifold until later, your intake is a good one. Ditch the K&N, it is a heat soak magnet and horsepower killer. You will need a tune after each mod. Hand helds are OK, a computer based tune is much better if you have time to learn (it is not hard, just time consuming..but it is fun to learn). Or ask your car buddies to recommend a good shop that does a street and a dyno tune. Avoid places that dyno tune only. This is just a basic over view, lots more that I have left out. I avoided mentioning specific brands. Ask some of our sponsors to the right>>>> what they recommend and why. Also, see what has worked and not worked for other GTO (or F-body) owners in your area. Finally, accept the fact that when you mod a car, stuff is likey to break. Just a fact of life. So budget for that as well. Good luck!!!
07-15-2013, 10:00 AM
#17
You will have to decide what brands you want; there are many good ones. When new to the game, you should find a specialist that takes care of induction, that way they can easily piece together a nice combo for you from experience. AI, TEA, and MAST are some of the bigger players- google them. I think the best deal and experience seems to be AI from dealing with them in the past. Another specialist is West coast cylinder heads in CA, they are fairly well known too.
Good luck.