LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

I just got it

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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 12:22 PM
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Default I just got it

Yesterdsay i got my 94 trans am. It runs really good. will I dont know what to do to it i have time and money to spend on it what should i do to it.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 12:32 PM
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Well it all depends on what your goals are....

Is it stock right now? Do you want to daily drive it but want it to have some more *****? Or do you want it to be a high HP weekend / stip car?

If you just want some more power and don't want to get crazy, go with a good cold air intake, long tube headers, exhaust, tune, ect. If that's not enough for you, the biggest bolt on gains to be had is to upgrade to a higher stall torque converter, rear end gears, or go with nitrous.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 12:37 PM
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Give us a budget number and then we can go from there
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 01:11 PM
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Insure the car is running properly, do a tune up if neccessary.
As far as performance, always start with bolt ons, they are the foundation of any build.

The "Must do's" as I see them:

Cold Air Intake (anything works K&N, SLP, Lingenfelter...just find the best deal and go with it)
Long Tube Headers (if you don't have emissions, otherwise shorties or mid length headers)
Remove the Catalytic converter (again, if you don't have emissions)
Cat-Back exhaust (Magnaflow, Hooker, or GMMG)
Drag Radial Tires (Mickey Thompson or Nitto)
Mail order tune (Madtuners or pcmforless)
For an automatic get 3.73 gears, for a manual get 4.10 gears.

A few other things to consider:

-If it's automatic, get a tranny cooler.
-Handheld "programmers" (like hypertech) are a joke for performance
-If it's an automatic, get a stall 3400-3600. If it's a manual get a skip shift eliminator and a short throw shifter
-Subframe connectors do a gret job of stiffing up the car, these would be a good idea.
-If you have the stock '94 rims (the swirly birds) get rid of them asap for something, anything, else.

These items should get you well into the 12's if set up properly.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 01:55 PM
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leave it stock and spray it. stock with a few mods (intake, muffler, gutted cat) was when i had the most fun in my car. and no one knew they had an *** kickin comin when we raced
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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will i all ready done the tune up and got a "MSD" it runs like a champe. i have like 5,000 dallers to spend. Im not going to us it as a daily drive its going to weekend car and for the speed way. I dont want to spray its.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 03:09 PM
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5k, hm. contact LE or AI.

If you do not want to do extensive engine work then heres what i would do

Long tube headers
cat back of choice
Ls1 Lid swap
1.6rockers
Auto > 3200-3600 stall converter/trans cooler, 3.73 gears
Manual > 4.10 gears
Throttle body bypass
Tune

5 grand could also buy you a nice Turbo setup or supercharger as well.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by trilkb
5k, hm. contact LE or AI.

If you do not want to do extensive engine work then heres what i would do

Long tube headers
cat back of choice
Ls1 Lid swap
1.6rockers
Auto > 3200-3600 stall converter/trans cooler, 3.73 gears
Manual > 4.10 gears
Throttle body bypass
Tune

5 grand could also buy you a nice Turbo setup or supercharger as well.
With the Advanced Inductions or Elliot Portworks setups you'd need bolt ons to support the mods to the motor. Thus, why you start with bolt ons for pretty much any build.

Turbo/supercharging a stock motor is a great way to waste money. These are high compression motors not built to take boost with the stock bottom end.

No labor, new parts, average prices with shipping, ect. in mind
Bolt ons should cost you ABOUT:

CAI $300
Headers: $500
Cutout: Very little to nothing
Catback: $300-$600
Gears: $200
Drag Radials: $300-$500
Tune: $150
Tranny cooler: $75
Stall: $600-$800 (dont cheap out here)
Subframe Connectors: $180

That's nearly $3000 give or take (assuming it's an automatic with the price of the tranny cooler/stall), also without many supporting mods you'd want for a Heads/cam setup. You'd still probably want a timing set, fuel pump, injectors, ect. All that and assuming the 17 year old tranny, driveshaft, and rear end hold up to the setup as well...not likely

BTW:
Do not put 1.6 rockers on stock springs! The previous owner of my car did and it caused me to drop a valve a few years ago with the stock A4 rev limiter. A stupid chance to take for just a few ponies...aftermarket springs can be expensive, and IMO all that head work should just be left alone for when a Heads/cam setup is done.

Last edited by MasterTomos; Jan 14, 2011 at 04:31 PM.
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