Where to start with upgrades?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Where to start with upgrades? Alright so my ultimate goal is to go for 400whp. I plan on working on getting my brakes and suspension upgraded to give me the extra stopping power and launch control. I was going to go with wilwood brakes but there pricey so if anyone has other alternative suggestions feel free to suggest.
I plan on getting long tube headers and GMMG exhaust sometime soon. I also considered 4.10 gears for my M6 but not sure if money would be better spent other places and if those gears would be good for a procharger in the distant future.
My main confusion is where I should go after this with upgrades? I want to get forged internals but I don't even know what to look for. I also want to get LE2 heads and cam but I am not sure if there are other upgrades I should do before doing the H/C upgrade.
I am looking for any advice because I am trying to compile a list of upgrades I want to work towards so I can knock out stuff one after the other and have them work together.
I plan on getting long tube headers and GMMG exhaust sometime soon. I also considered 4.10 gears for my M6 but not sure if money would be better spent other places and if those gears would be good for a procharger in the distant future.
My main confusion is where I should go after this with upgrades? I want to get forged internals but I don't even know what to look for. I also want to get LE2 heads and cam but I am not sure if there are other upgrades I should do before doing the H/C upgrade.
I am looking for any advice because I am trying to compile a list of upgrades I want to work towards so I can knock out stuff one after the other and have them work together.
Alright so my ultimate goal is to go for 400whp. I plan on working on getting my brakes and suspension upgraded to give me the extra stopping power and launch control. I was going to go with wilwood brakes but there pricey so if anyone has other alternative suggestions feel free to suggest.
I plan on getting long tube headers and GMMG exhaust sometime soon. I also considered 4.10 gears for my M6 but not sure if money would be better spent other places and if those gears would be good for a procharger in the distant future.
My main confusion is where I should go after this with upgrades? I want to get forged internals but I don't even know what to look for. I also want to get LE2 heads and cam but I am not sure if there are other upgrades I should do before doing the H/C upgrade.
I am looking for any advice because I am trying to compile a list of upgrades I want to work towards so I can knock out stuff one after the other and have them work together.
I plan on getting long tube headers and GMMG exhaust sometime soon. I also considered 4.10 gears for my M6 but not sure if money would be better spent other places and if those gears would be good for a procharger in the distant future.
My main confusion is where I should go after this with upgrades? I want to get forged internals but I don't even know what to look for. I also want to get LE2 heads and cam but I am not sure if there are other upgrades I should do before doing the H/C upgrade.
I am looking for any advice because I am trying to compile a list of upgrades I want to work towards so I can knock out stuff one after the other and have them work together.
1). C5 brake conversion is the least expensive way to get better stopping power.
2). Start the mods back to front, get the suspension in order then trans and finally engine.
3). Stock internals and blowers do not play well together. what is your budget?
4). Nitrous is the easiest way to 400 whp without tearing into the motor.
5). LE and AI heads are nice but be prepared with a heavy check book
6). Have you considered a rear mount turbo, set to 6lbs or less?
7) Long tubes are a must for most applications but not needed with a turbo set up.
8). GMMG has a sound from the gods but it's the bark not the bite.
9). 4:10 are no fun if you can't hook. After suspension 4:10 gears for aM6 are the next thing.
10). You would get more responses if you said what you were planning to do . You would be offered more advice on what parts not to use.
Good luck with your build.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Man your all over the place in that post, what is your budget, is it street or more track and what are your current mods? .....I'll take a swing at it.
1). C5 brake conversion is the least expensive way to get better stopping power.
2). Start the mods back to front, get the suspension in order then trans and finally engine.
3). Stock internals and blowers do not play well together. what is your budget?
4). Nitrous is the easiest way to 400 whp without tearing into the motor.
5). LE and AI heads are nice but be prepared with a heavy check book
6). Have you considered a rear mount turbo, set to 6lbs or less?
7) Long tubes are a must for most applications but not needed with a turbo set up.
8). GMMG has a sound from the gods but it's the bark not the bite.
9). 4:10 are no fun if you can't hook. After suspension 4:10 gears for aM6 are the next thing.
10). You would get more responses if you said what you were planning to do . You would be offered more advice on what parts not to use.
Good luck with your build.
1). C5 brake conversion is the least expensive way to get better stopping power.
2). Start the mods back to front, get the suspension in order then trans and finally engine.
3). Stock internals and blowers do not play well together. what is your budget?
4). Nitrous is the easiest way to 400 whp without tearing into the motor.
5). LE and AI heads are nice but be prepared with a heavy check book
6). Have you considered a rear mount turbo, set to 6lbs or less?
7) Long tubes are a must for most applications but not needed with a turbo set up.
8). GMMG has a sound from the gods but it's the bark not the bite.
9). 4:10 are no fun if you can't hook. After suspension 4:10 gears for aM6 are the next thing.
10). You would get more responses if you said what you were planning to do . You would be offered more advice on what parts not to use.
Good luck with your build.
2) Thats kind of how I planned on focusing on my mods. Which is why I want to get brakes and suspension out of the way.
3) My budget is me saving up for each mod which is why I plan on compiling a list of mods in order.
4) I was looking into direct port nitrous but am cautious. Nitrous has a bad rep for blowing motors up.
5) I saw LT1 LE2 head and cam is $1600 on there site. Plus of course I know I have to add in a tune. Know internals should be upgrade as well tho
6) I have considered rear mount turbo but how will internals hold up to that? What kind of power could I expect? Supporting mods?
7) I still have stock manifolds which is why long tubes is in my to do list.
8) What do you mean by "not the bite"?
9) I have 295 tires in the rear but I understand suspension is needed to put it to the ground with 4:10s
10) I am mainly just trying to get it set up for road racing, auto cross, street dominator. I wouldn't expect me to be at the drag strip none stop but I want it to be able to hang if I do.
I was looking into a Moser 9" but all the technical **** confuses me with what I need and what I don't as far as options but I would like to upgrade this before I make big power or I will just be a sitting duck with a broken 10bolt when I do make power.
Nitrous has a bad rep for blowing motors up.
6) I have considered rear mount turbo but how will internals hold up to that? What kind of power could I expect? Supporting mods?
I have 295 tires in the rear but I understand suspension is needed to put it to the ground with 4:10s
10) I am mainly just trying to get it set up for road racing, auto cross, street dominator. I wouldn't expect me to be at the drag strip none stop but I want it to be able to hang if I do.
Last edited by SS RRR; Mar 8, 2012 at 10:39 AM.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 543
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From: New Hampshire
And people break the 10 bolts with sticky tires and a hard launch stock, its luck of the draw and how you drive, if your ginger and slip the clutch at the track it might live. some people are lucky, others arnt.
Personally, if I had an M6 a rear is the first thing I'd upgrade. 12 bolt and 9" are close to the same price, 9" can hold more power but is less efficient and heavier.
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
6 Psi
Idk I will have to read up more on the 9 and 12 bolt. From what I read the 9 is easier to work on but people have there own opinions
Do a search of the forums, lots of good threads about 9" swaps, I'm pretty sure you can buy direct swap ins but someone else would have to verify that for sure.
And people break the 10 bolts with sticky tires and a hard launch stock, its luck of the draw and how you drive, if your ginger and slip the clutch at the track it might live. some people are lucky, others arnt.
Personally, if I had an M6 a rear is the first thing I'd upgrade. 12 bolt and 9" are close to the same price, 9" can hold more power but is less efficient and heavier.
And people break the 10 bolts with sticky tires and a hard launch stock, its luck of the draw and how you drive, if your ginger and slip the clutch at the track it might live. some people are lucky, others arnt.
Personally, if I had an M6 a rear is the first thing I'd upgrade. 12 bolt and 9" are close to the same price, 9" can hold more power but is less efficient and heavier.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
The best advice I can give is read read read. I've spent countless hours reading **** of forums seeing what people have had to say and make a judgement based off that, so far I havnt been upset. Knowledge is your friend when it comes to modding cars, ive found.
You also might be able to find a used rear in the for sale section as well and get one for "cheap" if you go that route.
Best of luck with your build!
The only benifit to running a rear turbo is they are cheap used and they sound bitchin'. I have a rear mount turbo, Nitrous and Supercharger sitting on the shelf. When all is said and done the nitrous is the least expensive (about $1200 done right), followed by the rear mount ($1500 used with injectors) and most expensive being the supercharger ($2000-$2500 used). If you need to save for the mods know the costs before jumping one way or the other. I have done much research on nitrous and I have come to the conclusion that a 100 shot is about as safe as any option out there so long as the safetys are in place.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
The only benifit to running a rear turbo is they are cheap used and they sound bitchin'. I have a rear mount turbo, Nitrous and Supercharger sitting on the shelf. When all is said and done the nitrous is the least expensive (about $1200 done right), followed by the rear mount ($1500 used with injectors) and most expensive being the supercharger ($2000-$2500 used). If you need to save for the mods know the costs before jumping one way or the other. I have done much research on nitrous and I have come to the conclusion that a 100 shot is about as safe as any option out there so long as the safetys are in place.
The things I do know is I do plan on getting long tube headers, exhaust, suspension, clutch, and a new rearend. As for the big power adders I am still debating on where to start with those upgrades.
You could give Carl at CRP a call about the S60, he is a great guy to deal with. Call AI or LE about the heads/cam, they've always had great results! I have a 150shot on my TA and i feel that nitrous is as safe as most things if you set it up right (tuning/timing box/etc)
i wld spend ur money on heads and cam ,brakes ,gears thats fine 400rwhp i wldnt b afraid to run a stock btm end w the right head cam combo u wont need 2 spray or anything else.....gd luck
You don't need a 12 bolt or 9" rear to autocross or road course race....the 10 bolt will handle street tires fine; drag racing and launching with slicks is another story lol....BOOM! I have a 6spd 383 with 4.10's in the 10 bolt with a girdle and it handles the abuse no problem with 315mm street tires.
LS1 brakes are an huge upgrade over stock for the money. I would stay NA if I were you if budget is of concern...or your build will quickly snowball with all necessary upgrades.
LS1 brakes are an huge upgrade over stock for the money. I would stay NA if I were you if budget is of concern...or your build will quickly snowball with all necessary upgrades.