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Just found out that as an anniversary gift, work will put $2,500 towards any gift for myself - naturally I want to put it into my car. I'd be willing to an extra $500 or so towards whatever upgrades I do, so let's call it an even $3,000.
So the question is, what are the best modifications for that price range?
Brief overview of the car:
2000 Z28 mostly stock, 80,000 miles, M6. Has SLP airbox, K&N filter and Flowmaster exhaust. It is NOT a drag/track car so maximum power isn't the only important thing. It was my daily driver for 3 years, and now it's mostly a summer car, but I want to keep it usable for the long term and the occasional road trip. Also, located in VA, so long tubes are sadly out of the question (I know some people in VA get away with it, but talking to the local shops, none of them can pass the car with aftermarket/moved cats)
Also, while I'm willing to do a bit of work, to be on the safe side I want to assume the cost includes labor in case I get in over my head.
TL: DR - Have about 3K to put into a mostly stock 2000 Z28. Main goals to make it louder and somewhat faster, but long term drive-ability is important.
So, what's best? Upgraded cat-back? Cam? LS6 intake?
I'll definitely start with a good set of headers and gears !!
Well he said headers are out of the question and shorties are all just a waste of money.
Gears however are a great recommendation, and OP you will get those from many people. Throw in some 4.10s and your car will feel worlds better accelerating and cruising.
An LS6 intake is also a good idea like you mention and it's cheap. Don't bother with a catback, just get some new muffler(s) and call it a day about loudness.
I'd throw in some money to the suspension first especially if you haven't touched it in 80,000 miles. After that a small cam to pass the inspection ***** in VA will be next.
you'll get 1000 different answers but since you cant legally add long tubes consider jba or edelbrock coated shorties plus a random tech Y pipe with high flow cats in stock location. save your stock cats they have platinum inside & are worth a few bucks. 224 / 228 cam, ls6 intake & ls6 heads. sub frame connectors (welded) LCA's. (for traction). magnaflow catback (not too loud) . an old article may 2004 super chevy mag ls1 do's & dont's has some good info. cheers
-Kooks 1 7/8 headers and True Duals with high flow cats.
-Gears
- Pick up a used fast 90/92 intake being you can find them almost as cheap as a LS6 and you will get another 10hp over a LS6 even on a bolt-on car.
-Next step would be a cam, something like a 224/228 112 will pick up 35-40whp and still drive like stock. Check out BTR, his stage 1 with the btr platinum spring kit would be a nice setup for you.
This is the order I would start, but you will have that 3k spent before you get to the cam.
id say some ls6 heads, small cam, ls6 intake, decent cat back and a tune. but a lot of that will probably be restricted by your exhaust but it would def make more power
The labor is what's going to kill your budget. If you could do the work yourself, you should be able to do headers, duals, cam, and intake within that budget.
Labor is definitely the killer, but my extent of experience is limited to oil changes, belts/pulleys, air pump replacement etc... The simple maintenance. I'm up for trying some more, but don't want to get to the point where I need it towed somewhere.
I'll start looking into new rear ends and intakes - what's the best brand for gears? I know that's definitely a good place to start as I've heard if you sneeze to close to the (S10 based I believe?) rear end it will snap.
The stock clutch sucks, that was one of the first things I upgraded because I broke it when my car was pretty much bone stock.
Since headers are out of the question, I would suggest an electric cut out or two. You can have them installed with the clutch install since the y-pipe has to come off anyways to drop the transmission.
Personally I would be running a set of ported/milled stock 241 castings (or 799/243s if funds are available), a Dorman repop LS6 intake or the like, a ported stock throttle body, and OEM cam (like the LS2/6) plus some SLP 1.85 rockers or a suitable CARB legal cam (w/freshened up valve train pieces), some CARB legal shorty headers and maybe some upgraded CARB legal aftermarket cats - and an electric cut out on the I-pipe. And a tune. Basically go as "stock appearing" as possible.
Originally Posted by Magnafow
2000 5.7L ALL YGMXV05.7083 LEV1 LEV DUAL 2 ASSEMBLY LEFT 46477 D-193-89
2000 5.7L ALL YGMXV05.7083 LEV1 LEV DUAL 2 ASSEMBLY RIGHT 46489 D-193-89
2000 5.7L ALL YGMXV05.7083 LEV1 LEV DUAL 2 ASSEMBLY LEFT 448477 D-193-113
2000 5.7L ALL YGMXV05.7083 LEV1 LEV DUAL 2 ASSEMBLY RIGHT 448489 D-193-113
To that end, I would say that it is all relative to how legitimate you want to be about this.
Here's what we did (the cats were swapped back on at time of E-test; took 30mins with hand tools):
Not sure if GM makes a 4.10 gear but if so, get them.
Clutch and flywheel swap. Don't get the crappy LS7 junk, that ADDS weight. You want to remove weight from the drive train.
You already have a flowmaster, I'm assuming the 80 series dual outlet? Get a 3in cutout and put it just before the I pipe goes over the rear axle. With stock manifolds and cats it sounds great, not raspy at all.
LS6 intake is a good piece, but people want more than there worth now'a days. Either LS6 or even a BBK SSI intake if it's around the same price.
Springs/shocks and rear LCA's.
Replace all the bushings as well.
IF you can manage, some 243/799 heads will help.
Tune by a reputable tuner.
With your limitations in your state, that's the cheapest way to do it and have a good noticeable differance. People most often overlook the small things. You will be happy with the differance.
You already have a flowmaster, I'm assuming the 80 series dual outlet? Get a 3in cutout and put it just before the I pipe goes over the rear axle. With stock manifolds and cats it sounds great, not raspy at all.
Yep, that's exactly what it is - I'll look into that, never even crossed my mind before!
Originally Posted by Tuskyz28
Virginia must be strict on gearheads?
Yeah, not quite California, but not far behind unfortunately...
Yep, that's exactly what it is - I'll look into that, never even crossed my mind before.
Yeah, they have terrible flow but the cutout does away with that issue. It sounds great to me, and instead of blowing money on a catback, the cutout can be had for as little as $30.
You don't have a 98-99 so yes shorties are sort of a waste. I'd say do some 243 heads and a small "smog legal" cam. With a good tune you should be able to pull 70-80rwhp with those.
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