RyanJ

Ive talked to a few of yall before...but here goes. I see a lot of "help me spend.." threads so I though I'd put one up of my own. I'm looking to spend some cash on the car pretty soon and be done for a while. At least until October or so.

Here's what I have:
-1998 Trans Am A4, 57,740 miles
-Ghetto MTI lid/Dirty K&N
-Ported MAF flipped backwards (more on that in another thread)
-Fernco bellows
-Mildly ported and somewhat polished TB with TPS mod
-TB Bypass
-Stock wobbly pulley
-Stock plugs/wires
-Stock sized cutout under the car
-Vigilante 3200 stall (i think, but who knows for sure really), stock trans, crappy cooler
-Stock suspension, one or two worn shocks
-Goodyear radials

I go to the track once every week or three and would like to see 11's when I'm done, but I definately dont want a cage yet. Its my only car and it may get a baby seat in the near future.

Here's my specifications:
-No slicks...it just too much trouble with my limited budget. Nitto's will be it for now
-Stock manifolds...I have no sniffer tests, but there is a visual inspection once a year and I need cats....oh, and Im not spending $1200 freakin dollars on headers
-Driveability is relative and I will consider changing converters, looseness doesnt bother me
-Nitrous is fine with me, as long as its somewhat safe (window, wot, fpss), and under $700-800 complete...but that will likely come later
-Fast is also relitive...Id like to have an automobile that is faster than some, but mostly just as fast as it should be, I dont need a monster right now
-Again, this is my ONLY car, and must be reliable and I dont want to have to ATap every other week...there has to be an emphasis on daily driver-ability

Ok, what would you all do? And why? What have you done in the past that you wouldnt bother with now? Best mods? Worst mods? Bang for the buck? Dream street setup? Thoughts????

(BTW, Bob2of3's car was cool back in the day before his headers and slicks...Nitto's, stock exhaust, etc., like low 12's i think.)

Ryan <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" />

Black Sunshine/ 00SS

iTrader: (1)

To start: You can easily get an idea of what kinda converter you have. I have a Vig 3200, so I can tell you that it will generally flash up to 3800 when you hammer the throttle, just watch the RPM's, anything from 3200 to 3800, and good chance you have a Vig 3200.
Dont worry about the stock plugs & wires. I would change them if it were me, just because of the amount of miles on it, but I would keep stock wires (prob get almost free in the classifieds), and NGK TR55, or TR6 if you go with nitrous.
I would freshen up everything that can be freshened, the basics:
wires
plugs
air cleaner
fuel injector cleaner
change oil
change fuel filter

If you dont plan on going with headers, then leave the exhaust the way it is, it will get good results from the cutout. But a cheap way to puck up some power, where exhaust is related, is to get a flowmaster collecter, and increase the size to 3.5, to a 3.5 cutout, and then connect to your stock exhaust. You will get a better flow, and I bet pick up an additional 8-10 hp over what you are running now. Figure out a way to remove the cats & pic up even more.
Nittos are a good street tire. If you really want it safe & reliable, I would get a 75-100 dry shot. That would work nice. You would have to ATAP once, and you should be safe from there, esp with the 75 shot.
Lower control arms, and poly torque arm bushing would be good updates. If you are limited in funds, I would keep it simple & freshen up the things that need freshening, get good tires, and the 75-100 shot. That right there would be a nice ride. Good luck. <img src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" border="0" alt="[chug]" />

BIGBOS

What he said.... <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

RyanJ

thanks guys..

need....more....input...

c'mon guys, i want everyone to respond to what they would do.


Ryan

BIGBOS

Well my friend for instance with a 3200 vig, FLP headers, LS6 intake, SLP lid w/K&N, nittos, running through cats, loudmouth exhaust...

He ran a 12.2@110 <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> The converter is the big et one....it will drop you down a lot...if you spray from there you will be mid to low 11's...your motor is probably a little old to start to spray on, unless you want to do a rebuild...you could do a full suspension...keep the stock springs/shocks in the rear and go with the HAL's in the front...or you could do heads/cam and use a torque converter with that and run mid 11's on a stock rear... <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">

RyanJ

yeah...heads/cam...mid 11's...all that's cool, but a little unreliable and prone to breakage. I like the idea of 75-100 on top of a bolt on car. The reason I want to keep manifolds it to pass inspection and not spend 1200 bucks. Now if FLP will give me an uncoated set for 600-700 and I could borrow cats once a year (hint...hint...Trevor) Id do long tubes.

Also, I was thinking of pulling the verter and spending the money cleaning the car up and detailing it (Firebat stuff, tint, white gauges) and get the motor running REALLY well. With a 75 dry or so I'd easily pass up what I have now.


Any more ideas/suggestions??

RyanJ

[quote]Originally posted by Black Sunshine/ 00SS:
<strong>To start: You can easily get an idea of what kinda converter you have. I have a Vig 3200, so I can tell you that it will generally flash up to 3800 when you hammer the throttle, just watch the RPM's, anything from 3200 to 3800, and good chance you have a Vig 3200.
</strong><hr></blockquote>


ill address this so i can put the thread up top.

actually when i hammer the throttle, from anything below 35 or so, i SPIN. it will go all the way to the revlimiter. now, from a roll, 40+, i dont look, i drive safe <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> I shift as high as 6100 or a little more and it drop to 4550-4650 according to atap.

Ryan

RyanJ

cmon people, i dont need expert experience, just honest opinions...

BIGBOS

Your "show and go" idea sounds great...get it detailed real nice work on the interior, and give it a nice little NOS shot..I like it.. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

RyanJ

ttt before i go to bed

2000LS1Z28

If you already do have the Vig 3200 I would just keep it. Great at the track, good on the streets, and offers solid drivability. If you want headers, look at the new Hooker longtubes. An uncoated set is supposed to be in the low $400 range, although that does not include a y-pipe(have a cheap custom one made). Also look at the MAC's(uncoated) which are very cheap with orp's. Fast Toys Ram Air kit is a great cheap proven bang for the buck modification. Add a 75-100 shot of NOS and some Nitto DR's for a strong yet reliable daily-driven street set-up.

Don't forget to give the car a nice tune-up like everyone else said.

Or you could just do a complete appearance overhaul with a new makeover and worry about performance later on like you said.

Either way you'll have a nice plan.

Hope that helps,

Mike

BlownC5

iTrader: (81)

If your going with nitrous, definately get some headers. What is your rear axle ratio? I'd use a 3.42 gear with that converter and would be fun stoplight to stoplight. If your looking to run 11's and do it without a power adder, you'll have to go into the motor. If you can do all the work yourself, its not that expensive. Good luck! <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">


<img src="graemlins/z06.gif" border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" />

WILWAXU

iTrader: (6)

If your sticking with stock manifolds, I suggest getting some 00 & up cast ones with Y-pipe. They flow very well. My car went 12.07@111 with them.

You can checkout my website for what I have done to my car. Outside of the big converter and ET Streets, my car somes exact like what your looking to do.

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: WILWAXU ]</p>

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

What are you going for?

IMO, I would get used 2000 exhaust, manifolds, cats, and ORP.

I would then buy some !cat pipes from www.ls1speed.com. They swap in place of the 2000 cats. These !cat pipes are cheap as hell too.

I'd get 16" Nitto Drag radials.

I'd get HPP3.

I'd get an ASP crank pulley. I don't like your wobbly crank comment. That's not good for a motor and it's unsafe! Don't be lazy fix that stuff. What would happen if your wife was driving the car.

mid 12's no problem.

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</p>

RyanJ

[quote]Originally posted by Pro Stock John:
<strong>What are you going for?

---11's eventually..but really just 12.doh in any weather. No cage for me right now. And Id like to bring home a trophy in that new NFRA class.

IMO, I would get used 2000 exhaust, manifolds, cats, and ORP.

I would then buy some !cat pipes from www.ls1speed.com. They swap in place of the 2000 cats. These !cat pipes are cheap as hell too.

---mufflex ones are like $200 i thought. Ill look into it.

I'd get 16" Nitto Drag radials.

---Yep

I'd get HPP3.

---Yep

I'd get an ASP crank pulley. I don't like your wobbly crank comment. That's not good for a motor and it's unsafe! Don't be lazy fix that stuff.

---im not lazy, just poor, w/o labor pulleys cost 175+

What would happen if your wife was driving the car.

---she'd get pissed off and call me. not exactly something i wish on anyone...but she'd probably end up laughing at me before long. shes cool like that.

mid 12's no problem.

---lets hope so...

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

Skelton

Since you already have a great street converter, I would recommend the following as must have:
Asp pulley, good functional ram air, Nitto's, Ls6 intake, Hpp3 and you didn't mention gears so if you have 2.73 you need 3.23-3.73. The 00 up exhaust is cheap and you can make me an offer on my take off 01's if you want them. You can really make these cars fly. I consider my 11.44@119.59 stock internal run to be flying for a stock motored car.Also remember that less weight is = too free hp. Every 100lbs off will get you an easy .1 Good luck <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: Y2K Blackbird ]</p>

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

The Speed Inc. ones are much cheaper than that!

I'd do the crank pulley before I would do anything, fix that stuff that's NOT NOT NOT NOT good for the motor. [Wince]Please use your head.

I'd say 12.2-12.4 no problem.

You should be able to find 2000-2002 exhaust for free. If I get a 2nd LS1 I will be doing this. I would want to see if I can get into the 11's NA for $2000.

RyanJ

[quote]Originally posted by Pro Stock John:
<strong>[Wince]Please use your head.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

what are you trying to say john?

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

If your crank pulley wobbles you have to take it off. Or it's not on right. I can't see how they would bend. Since you are one part of the crew I will send you the tools to do the pulley swap if it would help. I really worry about stuff like that Ryan.

Add some front hal's and you will hit 11's IMO.

RyanJ

wow, thanks for the help johnny. IM me and ill take car of shipping. Trevor offered me a stock pulley but like you said i have no way to put it on. I am limited by my pocketbook thats all. I know i need to change it...but i have a feeling that it stabilizes at higher rpm and it doesnt seem to be that bad since have no excessive false knock. Im in the process of working 12-15 hour days to pay off my credit card i loaded up after i got laid off. when its down, the mods will be forth with.


Now...on to more suggestions. This is what Ive gathered. 2000+ manifolds/cats with possible removable cats/offroad pipes, pulley, plugs, nittos, a stock maf, and HALS (may be coming sooner than later). Anyhthing else? Should I move up to a TP4400 (looseness doesnt bother me that much) to maximize my possibilities with stock manifolds, or stay with the 3200 and spray down the road? SHould I move to a 3-1/2" cutout over my 2-3/4 or buy a Hooker catback? I want it to be quieter (or at least exit out the back from now on).

Ryan