00redta88

Hey guys been looking around on texas speed and doing some misc research. I have a 2000 trans am ls1 with a six speed. have around 3500 bucks to put towards mods. Was looking to get over 400 rwhp. Is there a certain combo you guys recommend headers,exhaust,cam,intake,etc etc? Juts going to be a fun street car. got around 70k on the clock. thanks guys! was thinking texas speed 1/7/8" headers with off road y pipe and their true dual exhaust system. ls6 intake manifold,torquer v3 cam. anything else?

xX-Z28-Xx

iTrader: (4)

That's def. a good setup u have in mind. Def. go headers and other exhaust first. You will most likely hit your goal without problem, with a good tune. Throw some prc stage 2.5 5.3 ltr heads and you're looking at 410-440 depending on if u go porting and polishing, etc. As for price, are u doing the install urself? If so, you might run close but hopefully under your budget. If u have a shop do it for u, ur gonna be over ur budget. Best of luck!

Tobias05

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget to buy the LS6 intake used, you'll save 2-3 hundred dollars over buying a new one.

zracer323

iTrader: (12)

Looks like you've got a pretty good list together. Don't forget to budget for a tune after everything is installed.

Ballinonabudget

iTrader: (12)

If you want 400hp don't bother considering a cam! You can do easy bolt ons that a cheap and super effective and get to 400hp in no time.

LT Headers, full exhaust, LS6 intake, a good cold air intake or SLP lid, and a tune will get you to 400hp easy. Total cost for all that would be only a 1000-1500 depending on what/where you buy.

Edit : Just noticed you wanted 400rwhp... you will be close with the things I mentioned and you can do a few other easy bolt ons for more power. Consider just doing bolt ons and doing a rear gear swap to 373s for auto or 410s if you are a M6 and a torque converter. your car will be a MONSTER and super fun to drive while being very street friendly still!

Don't forget suspension as well. It may not add HP numbers but the right suspension upgrades will make your car considerably quicker and much more fun to drive! Suspension IMO makes the car more than hp.

00redta88

appreciate the help guys! A friend of mine is doing the work on the side and recommended that combo. would you guys consider after market throttle body? going with 4.10's because it is a M6.

xX-Z28-Xx

iTrader: (4)

not a whole lot of gains from aftermarket tb. You could port it and maybe polish it, you would see some hp increase, but I don't think it's worth it IMO. If you were going to a FAST intake setup though, I would get a FAST or other aftermarket tb to match it.

JohnS Z28

iTrader: (1)

if your on a budget...
Ported stock TB-$50, maybe less
Used Lid $50-$75
tsp 1-7/8" headers are great for the money-$500
True duals, TSP has a "bolt on" system, but you can probably find a local exhaust shop to do this for $100-$200 less...so $350ish
Used ls6 intake-See them go $300-$350 on here
Camshaft package-$700 or whatever
Used set of 243 heads-$400, maybe less
4.10 gears-best way to feel all that power you just put in.
That leave you with about about a grand of your 3500 left.
If you can install everything yourself...yay, invest in suspension+supporting mods (which you should be doing anyway..)If your paying a shop to do it all, just pay them and get the tune. save for suspension mods..
Id think you would make more than your 400 goal with this setup, probably 430ish
LIST OF THINGS YOU NEED IN LONG RUN
drag radials, clutch to handle all your power,a new tranny..trust me itll break.

Keep posting questions were glad to help

00redta88

johns z 28 thank you. Just basically lookin for a fun street car. so the t56 m trans in these cars are not great? I have read about the rear ends needing to be up graded which I will put a moser in it around tax time for sure. going to go with a spec clutch to handle the 400+ hp

wayne33

iTrader: (11)

00redta88,

this is about the same setup im going with in my 68 camaro. im also adding 799 heads. ive heard good thing hope it works as well as the recommendation..

00redta88

best of luck wayne33!

f00rmy

iTrader: (1)

with the right cam and bolt ons you could get very close to the n/a 400rwhp mark . with some spray you will be well well well over your goal however, you will have something for anything else that may pull up next to you. If you leave street tires you will have a hard time hooking up but you may be able to runb the stock ten bolt (as well as get your driving skills down) . good luck with the build, and have fun.

NVUSZ28

iTrader: (5)

I love it how everyone says "BUY A CAM, THEY'RE ONLY 400$" But you're forgetting that a good tune is about 500$

OP, What is your ultimate goal. I see some good mods here, but we must ask the OP what he wants when it's all said and done. 3500 isn't a lot to work with, but it's a great start. If you're going to do it right, and to attain your ultimate goal, then, pay for it once, instead of "upgrading an upgrade". You'll spend a ton less money that way.

Suggestion:
Full Exhaust
Lid
MAF
Save your money for more mods later, you won't regret waiting, if you do it right the first time. (this comes from regret)

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

400- Used LS6 and P+P TB
400- Torquer V3 Cam
100- Pushrods
250- Dual springs
125- Melling oil pump
70- LS2 timing set
50- misc gaskets
300- 4.10 gears and install kit
3-400- Installation of gears
3-500- tune
550- TSP 1 7/8 LTs

That should make your car a lot more fun, now start saving for a rear end or go easy on launches and shifts.

BOBS99SS

iTrader: (2)

used pro charger kit, honest i wish i would have went fi from the start , and i have seen some very good d1sc kits go for around 3500, thats what i would do anyway, fi cost more but listen its better to go for the gold now and you will save money down the road , everyone has said some great mods, i just wish nothing more than i would have started with boost in mind

JohnS Z28

iTrader: (1)

FI is really rough on stock internals, and is goanna wear out stuff faster, requiring LOTS of TLC. And unless you have supporting mods your goanna ruin stuff really fast, the actual cost of FI is typically far more than expected.

CETAWS6

iTrader: (2)

Yep, I agree with this.

BStowers023

iTrader: (1)

Intake: LS6 Manifold, SLP Lid, 85mm MAF (off of a truck) - about $600
Exhaust: Pacesetter 1 3/4" LTs, TSP 3" Y pipe, Magnaflow Catback - about $900
Valvetrain: Your choice of a cam + valvesprings, retainers, locks, seals and pushrods, LS7Lifters - about $800
Drivetrain: Spec Stage 3 clutch, Motive 4.10 gears - about $600
Tune: Dyno $400 or Street $200
Tires: Nitto 555Rs or MT ET/Streets - $300-400.

That list right there is almost exactly - $3500. Depending on your cam you should have no issues making right around the range on 400whp, but dont get caught up in horsepower numbers, a more mild cam will give you more midrange and be strong throughout more of your powerband.

bonestock_442

iTrader: (1)

As most have said headers, intake and cam with a tune will get you there easily. Definately save up for some good drag radials and rear end.

bstuby

iTrader: (36)

How close is close? Full "bolt-on's" isn't going to get you anywhere close to 400rwhp. I would figure 350ish tops with a decent tune. Your going to need a cam or a shot to get it the rest of the way.

With $3500 you can do full bolt ons, and full suspension if you buy quality used parts. Then just save up some more money and buy your cam at a later date.
What's the point of having 400whp if your can't it to the ground?
FWIW I would buy suspension first. I'm kinda regretting not going that route in the first place