Hey guys I am new this whole V8 thing lol. Just bought a 98 Trans AM about 2 months ago. I am not looking to build a monster here, just want to put some more power into the car. Really I only plan on doing headers a under driven pulley and maybe a LS6 intake and a larger throttle body and maybe a spacer. what would you guys recommend doing that would not be over the top lol. I did do a search but I really don't know what parts are good and that kind of thing. I would like the headers to be stainless lol.
Mike

 

Everything listed there is a good start, except for the TB spacer, not necessary. I would also look into an ORY pipe and a catback exhaust. Do all the mods at once, then get a good dyno tune to really dial the car. You'll be happy for a while until you want more power, have fun bro!

 

it dose not take too much to make good streetable power with these engines, also take into consideration all suspension upgrades.

 

All what you listed is a good place to start...and even if you wanted to, you could get a baby cam for the time being. That would make you happy for the time being.

 

Of all the engine mods I did to my previous '00 Z28 I honestly enjoyed the suspension mods just as much if not more. I would highly suggest going with some simple mods like sways, strut tower brace, lowering springs, etc.

 

After you put the mods on your engine, get a good tune done to the car. That is the most important part of keeping you happy with the car. If you don't get a good tune the car runs like *** and you won't enjoy it. I am not talking about a hypertech or superchip programmer. Take it to a shop that has a dyno and they can tune it on there or take it to a person who will street tune it with HP Tuners or EFI live.

 

you got a good idea on what you want but be careful speen is addicting and you will catch yourself wanting to go faster and faster

 

I started off with long tube headers (Kooks), an Off Road Y (Kooks), A Volant CAI, if I was going to do it again I'd get a SLP lid instead of the Volant Hooker Catback and an LS6 intake, BMR strut tower brace, MSD wires and new plugs. I then got it dyno tuned and was very happy with the results.

 

have you seen this sticky in the external engine room? good read:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...e-posting.html

 

Yeah I definitely will get it all tuned. My friend does tuning at a shop so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't know if I read this incorrectly or not but is it true the 97-98 ECU's cant be re-flashed? The thing is a lot of the tuning I had done to my cars in the past was open source. Also I assume the ORY pipe is the pipe after the headers? I have a catback on the car from the previous owner however its an Edelbrock and I really don't like the sound it gives off lol

 

i highly agree with this. if you put al of your money into just your motor without doing any suspension mods, you will have alot of power and not alot of control. just a few suspesion mds will really help out and you can tmake that power and put it where you need it. i suggest towers, sways, about a 2 inch drop and some stiffer shocks. this will really help when cornering and take alot of the body roll out.

 

i would also suggest SLP headers, a larger MAF sensor, k&n air filter, and taller filter lid. these wll help your engine breathe better for not a whole lot of money freeing up some horses.

 

The Kooks set up I have is stainless and went in flawless. They did a very good job designing the headers. They were more expensive than the SLP's so if your on a budget, they'd (SLP) probably be a good deal. My hooker catback sounds great, not too loud, not tingy, when I step on it WOT it sound sweet.

I wouldn't waste my $$ with the MAF. My opinion is there are better bang for your buck items. Get a upgraded MAF if you go with some upgraded headers, TB and intake but until then our stock MAF is excellent.

Once you get all the bolt ons a rear end gear upgrade is a good investment.

 

Yeah the car does have a lot load of body roll, I think I will tackle the suspension next year tho. I think for now I am gonna start off with the basic suggestions on here. This seems like it will be good enough. I don't know about a small cam, the car only has 15K on it and I really don't want to open the engine up yet lol. I don't plan on racing the car either Its more of a weekend toy. But being the gear head I am I got the "mod bug" for this car already lol