New T/A owner
07-12-2010, 07:06 PM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New T/A owner I just purchased a 1998 trans am. its all stock with auto and T-tops. It has 140k on the motor and trans but runs and shifts good. I want to start modding it. I don't have a specific HP goal in mind. Id like to get it into the 12's (no nitrous) I don't plan on doing any work besides intake and exhaust until October when it gets parked for the winter. I have a few questions for you fellow ls1 guys.
1) I want to do LT's, can i do a catback now and work on the LT's later? Would it be more expensive doing it that way?
2) I want to do a H/C package. Any recommendations? with the high miles should I wait on that and rebuild the engine first? Maybe purchase a 383 stroker kit?
3) What kind of power is the drive train good till? What is the weakest link in the drive train i should upgrade first?
4) personal opinion on what the best lid is?
Thanks for all the help ahead of time.
1) I want to do LT's, can i do a catback now and work on the LT's later? Would it be more expensive doing it that way?
2) I want to do a H/C package. Any recommendations? with the high miles should I wait on that and rebuild the engine first? Maybe purchase a 383 stroker kit?
3) What kind of power is the drive train good till? What is the weakest link in the drive train i should upgrade first?
4) personal opinion on what the best lid is?
Thanks for all the help ahead of time.
07-12-2010, 07:10 PM
#2
Congrats on the new ride.
Cat back 1st is fine...
Slp lids fit well others seem to have issues
The 10 bolt it the weak link
Trannys are tough but there is always room for improvement. The block is good til about 450-500rwhp.
Cam should be ok just make sure you replace the oil pump springs etc...if it breaks you have a reason to go stroker...
Cat back 1st is fine...
Slp lids fit well others seem to have issues
The 10 bolt it the weak link
Trannys are tough but there is always room for improvement. The block is good til about 450-500rwhp.
Cam should be ok just make sure you replace the oil pump springs etc...if it breaks you have a reason to go stroker...
07-12-2010, 07:18 PM
#3
Staging Lane
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
congrats on the ride man! dont worry about blowin her up these motors are great motors and i bet yours has lots of life in it. i just put down 350whp today at straight line and mine has 213,800 miles on the original motor. start the mods! Ls6 intake a lid and headers would really open that baby up....
07-12-2010, 07:27 PM
#4
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It kinda sucks I bought it and drove it str8 to the shop my buddy works at. I work 7 days a week plus being a full time student so saving a little time letting him do all the maintenance for me. So after buying the car i only drove it for about 50 miles before dropping it off. He's going to check everything out for me. So pictures will come soon.
so to do list in the next few weeks...
slp lid
cat back
electronic cutout
MSD parts
U/D pulley
by next spring:
Heads
cam
headers
I was reading a few forum posts and saw some people saying ls6 intake if you dont have a cam.
besides synthetic oil, plugs, wires and t-stat are there any other supporting mods anyone can think of I should put on the list? Trying to make a shopping list now so I don't have to do all the research then.
so to do list in the next few weeks...
slp lid
cat back
electronic cutout
MSD parts
U/D pulley
by next spring:
Heads
cam
headers
I was reading a few forum posts and saw some people saying ls6 intake if you dont have a cam.
besides synthetic oil, plugs, wires and t-stat are there any other supporting mods anyone can think of I should put on the list? Trying to make a shopping list now so I don't have to do all the research then.
07-12-2010, 07:29 PM
#5
A good budget build; if you happen to find used parts like a used UD pulley the total below will be even less, but this list is an excellent starting point. *Note: Add $100 if you upgrade from Painted Headers to Ceramic Coated. Recommended for humid areas*
This build should be good for strong low 12's and maybe even 11.8's to 11.9's at sea level on a good day.
$200 Underdrive Pulley
$200 Fast Toys Ram Air
$90 Lid
$65 Ported Throttle Body (by one of the sponsers on this site)
$300 LS6 Intake Shipped (classifieds on LS1tech)
$478 Pacesetter Painted Headers Shipped (with spark plugs, plug and play 02 extensions, off road y-pipe and all necessary hardware for install)
$37 Manual Cut out
$125 Mail Order Tune by LS1tech sponser "Frost"
$725 3200-3600 Stall Convertor
$80 Tranny cooler
$80 Pair of Pick and pull 4th Gen wheels for Drag Radials
$400 Pair of Mickey Thompson or Hoosier Drag Radials
$270 3.73 Ring and Pinion with complete install kit
$2,970 Total
This build should be good for strong low 12's and maybe even 11.8's to 11.9's at sea level on a good day.
$200 Underdrive Pulley
$200 Fast Toys Ram Air
$90 Lid
$65 Ported Throttle Body (by one of the sponsers on this site)
$300 LS6 Intake Shipped (classifieds on LS1tech)
$478 Pacesetter Painted Headers Shipped (with spark plugs, plug and play 02 extensions, off road y-pipe and all necessary hardware for install)
$37 Manual Cut out
$125 Mail Order Tune by LS1tech sponser "Frost"
$725 3200-3600 Stall Convertor
$80 Tranny cooler
$80 Pair of Pick and pull 4th Gen wheels for Drag Radials
$400 Pair of Mickey Thompson or Hoosier Drag Radials
$270 3.73 Ring and Pinion with complete install kit
$2,970 Total
07-12-2010, 07:40 PM
#6
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So that package would put me around 400+ to the rear wheels right?
I like that total... Id actually have another 1-2k left over in funding. I really want heads and cam. Nothing compares to the sound of a LS1 camming. If I add heads and cam to that package id start breaking drivetrain parts wouldn't I.
I like that total... Id actually have another 1-2k left over in funding. I really want heads and cam. Nothing compares to the sound of a LS1 camming. If I add heads and cam to that package id start breaking drivetrain parts wouldn't I.
Trending Topics
07-12-2010, 08:26 PM
#12
So that package would put me around 400+ to the rear wheels right?
I like that total... Id actually have another 1-2k left over in funding. I really want heads and cam. Nothing compares to the sound of a LS1 camming. If I add heads and cam to that package id start breaking drivetrain parts wouldn't I.
I like that total... Id actually have another 1-2k left over in funding. I really want heads and cam. Nothing compares to the sound of a LS1 camming. If I add heads and cam to that package id start breaking drivetrain parts wouldn't I.
07-12-2010, 09:23 PM
#13
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd save the 200 bucks and skip the FastToys Ram Air. I have one on my car, and I didn't notice any difference with it. No SOTP or mileage improvement at all.
Just get a lid and do the free ram air mod.
Just get a lid and do the free ram air mod.
07-13-2010, 06:19 PM
#14
12 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brick N.J. ( Jersey Shore )
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All I have is a Magnaflow c/b ,SLP lid ,Yank ss4000 stall with 373's and nitto drag radials . I can run mid 12's all day 
07-13-2010, 08:25 PM
#15
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A tune is a good idea . You can turn down your torque management and fine tune everything else .
07-13-2010, 10:36 PM
#17
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well what i want to do to it is lid, heads, cam, headers, catback, gears, ud pulley, stall and tires. Hope its still streetable lol. wonder what kind of power ill be pushing and what times.
07-14-2010, 12:03 AM
#19
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
none yet. Car went straight to my buddy to do all the fluids and go over the car. I would do it but atm im workin 70-80 hours a week plus going to school full time. Thank god I have my iphone so I can keep up with the forum.
07-14-2010, 02:16 PM
#20
Depending on the head and cam package you choose, you'll probably be pushing close to 440rwhp and be pulling low 11's. There was a guy on here not long ago that have a full bolt on camaro with a stall and drag tires. He sprayed a 100shot and managed a 10.9 before getting kicked off the track.