Well, I should have my car in a week or two and im trying to get a very definate plan laid out before I start buying and modding *****-nilly.

I'm looking for a mid 12 second setup without nitrous. I dont have any issues with the bottle, dont get me wrong, but I want power on tap, not on the bottle because I know how i drive and I cant keep the bottle(s) filled, lol. Suspension and brakes will be addressed first actually, but power will come SOON.

'97 M6, little 'mystery' exhaust work, otherwise stock. T-tops (if the weight is enough to make a real difference). Power just about everything and the Monsoon sound system.

Lets assume two things, one, I'm running a mid-grade sport tire. I cant afford the super duper bad-*** **** tires, so its gonna be a mid level sport tire, not the cheapest but far from the best. and two, that I know how to drive. I dont, mind you, but I'll work on it.

I'm looking for a street trim mid 12 second car, in other words something i can drive to school then to work then to the track and drop my target times and drive her right back home. Not stripping, slicks, gutting or oddity.

Just wondering what kind of setup you would recommend. I'm not the least bit scared to get my hands dirty, I'm a fair hand with a wrench but would like to avoid any bottom end work if at all possible, I want to save that for when I toast this motor.. and I know me, I will. Obviously I would like to do this as 'cheap' as possible but I do understand that speed costs money and i wont cheap out, but the most efficient path to my times is always helpful.

Thanks folks!

 

Do some searches on this subject -- it has been asked quite a few times. There is actually a thread on the first page (I just responded to it) talking about this exact same subject. Read the LT1 FAQ up top as well -- that'll give you a lot of info on the basic (and more hardcore) mods to get you to your ultimate goal.

As far as my car's setup -- I'm running the LT4 Hot Cam kit with full exhaust and a moroso intake. Built 4L60E with a 3000 Stall converter, with some lower control arms and relocation brackets. With a baseline tune (waiting for a dynotune) the car is running 12.70s on motor and 12.0s on the bottle. I'm cutting a somewhat-par 60' of a 1.8, which is more realistic with street tires and some okay driving.

This is in full street trim -- I drive the car to class and work, and don't change anything taking the car to the track.

 

I have run 12.7 with the slicks and tools in the trunk meaning easily 4300lbs going down the track, BUT the b-body tends to hook a whole lot better than the average f-body.
Without a sticky tire I think your goal unreasonable or you will need an engine build and get it done with a soft launch and HIGH mph, a set of Hoosiers will be cheaper than the shortblock build.

Most effiecient would be heads/cam, stickies, lot of stuff goes into supporting heads and cam, fuel system, headers, good catback, TB, tuning.

 

I got 12.7's with my old Engine, stock Drivetrain except for 3.73's, on street tires. I have the Hotcam kit with a really agressive tune. With my new Engine, I am probably sitting low 12.6's. Full Intake and Exhaust mods have been done, and the AC, Back Seats, and some of the extra stuff have been removed. Haven't had a chance to run it cause it broke, so I am upgrading the broken parts, and hopefully be close to the 11's with Stall & sticky Tires on that Hotcam, no bottle.

 

I would use nitrous oxide in your case and let me explain why...First off your looking for a street trim mid 12 car, which N2O will get you there. Next you want to use your car for daily driving which probably means no camshaft. I know you probably want to get the best gas mileage out of our car as well. Thus leaving nitrous oxide the winner. Open the bottle at the track, for a quick 12 sec pass. Then close it to return your car to its stock gas saving manor. You can't beat it.

 

Remote bottle opener is not just for the lazy but is a good safety should a solenoid stick.