Hey guys! Im about to pick up a 1999 trans am. It has the ls1, 130000 miles and is completely STOCK. I have prob a $3500 budget. And i want to go fast on the street and on the track. Id like to be in the low 12s on the track and spank some gt500s on the street. Will 3500 do it. Come on guys give me a build list of what i should do!

 

With that kind of cash I wouldn't think about messing with internals or a rebuild just yet. A cam swap would cost you a bit more than half of that $3500.

IMO, I would do bolt ons and suspension mods. Get some Strano springs, a set of bilstein shocks, good tires, a set of headers, Y pipe, and catback, and a stall will really help. If you have cash left, get tubular parts, like subframe connectors, lower control arms, panhard bar, a good tune, etc.

Source as many parts as you can used, especially the parts that don't take much wear and tear. Headers, tubular suspension parts, springs if you can find them with low mileage, you get the idea, that saves tons of money for other mods.

As for beating the GT500, it will take a good bit more cash than that.

FIRST and foremost, focus on bolt ons, suspension, brakes, exhaust, things of that nature that maximize the potential of the stock motor and it's ability to put the power to the ground efficiently, it will also be much safer as a result.

 

How much does the seller want for the car? I would look for something with a little less miles. But if you are dead set on it, then the list above is a good starting point.

 

He wants 5000 for the car. Should i rebuild the engine?

 

I don't think I would jump into a rebuild. You can probably put the money together and get a better car with less miles for 8500 bucks. After you get it, then just slowly mod it. No rush. Put a little in here and there. Do full bolt ons and work up to the exhaust, cam, ect. That's just me though.

 

I just dont see how thats to many miles.

 

VERY well said. When you get it, get acquainted with your LS1 by changing your oil/filter, air filter, spark plugs, and anything else that needs attention. Don't dive into adding power first. Make sure your brakes don't need changing, the trans fluid has good color/smell, and the diff is full. Just knowing what's around you next time you open the hood is going to dramatically decrease your chances of breaking stuff when you work on your car. Typical first mods are a cat-back and a lid. From there, it is a GOOD idea to address suspension stuff or you will end up like I am. All I did was added power on a stock chassis and now it twists like no tomorrow and I can't hook. SFCs and a good set of springs/shocks are a good place to start. At this point you will know how to use LS1Tech (because you asked questions about each thing before you bought it ) and will be good to go on your own with the rest of your bolt-ons.

 

Some people don't think it is. However, you can get something with a lot less miles. These cars are pretty stout (even stock), so you can just take your time doing mods. If you like the car, and you are good with the miles, then go for it. I don't want to talk you out of it, by any means. Hell, you can go get a car with 45xxx miles on it, and have it break on you a couple of weeks later. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

You can always find an F-Body with less miles. Always. The price on yours is right, but a modified LS1 around that mileage takes special attention. Now, the LS1 is VERY reliable and can be run into 200k EASY. But if you're racing on it and modifying it, it will be harder making it last. If you stay on top of maintaining the LS1, it will reward you greatly with power and reliability. But it's not a Honda. If you let it go 50k without an oil change, it will die. If you let it overheat, it will warp. If you don't install parts correctly, they will cause damage. I have been doing my own work on my car since I got it and have zero complaints. Just don't expect to get the car, add a ton of power and drive it till the wheels fall off without caring for it. Be sensible.

 

Im just wondering at what point id have to do a rebuild? So if i buy it... I should go with longtubes, catback, tb, lid, ram air hood, short thrower, stall, 373 gears and spend the rest on suspension mods? Guess thats pretty good right lol. With that mod list, me being a pretty good driver, how do you think id do in the 1/4 in the high elevation of thunder valley drag in bristol tn?

 

Ram air hood would be an apperance mod more than anything. Short thrower?? I'm guessing you are talking about a shifter. Is it an M6?? If so, you can take the "stall" off your list.

 

Ive had ton of cars... and i take car of my ****. Never had a ls1 and its time i get to take part of, what ive heard to be, the greatest type of car for street and strip

 

lol idk why i said sts... its an auto my bad. Where u think that would put me in a 1/4 at bristol?

 

You can't get a short throw and a stall... The rear ends in these cars are very weak, so I would just save your money with the gears and put it towards a new rear. A stall without a transmission cooler isn't what you want to do. The ram air hood adds a negligible amount of power. A TB without an LS6 manifold isn't going to add much power.

I don't want to insult your knowledge, I knew less than you do at one point, but you need to sit down and just flip through the newbie section. That is going to help you out a ton. As far as the 1/4 goes... You're not there yet...

 

Not sure, never been to Bristol. But my guess would be, maybe a 13.0-13.2.

 

Okay im a newb... but i just read through the newb section. Im going with a lid, underdrive pulley, Electric wp, texas speed headers, borla catback, fast intakel, fast tb, 3500 stall and sf connectors. This will run me roughly 3500 bucks. With those bolt ons i could see maybe a low 13! Im going to get the car this weekend and then taking out loan the same day to get parts lol. Then ill start saving for the susp. work. Im guessing that 4000 in susp and then start on the motor?

 

skip the electric water pump... why the F would you buy that if you have a $3500 limit?

baby steps my friend.
-stall
-tires
-LCAs
-Torque Arm
-Cam
-Exhaust
-Tune

 

Power means nothing without traction. Suspension mods need to be on the list or you will be disappointed.

 

Hello , how are You today ? I used to own a 80' Z-28 that as far as engine was concerned was stock but "everything" else was not . It had a built 700 r4 with the "Gil Younger" No Yo Yo Sisco Cal complete recalibration kit and 9 clutch high heat/friction clutches , 7vein pump , hardened pump rings , rear planetary with dam . KYB gas adjusts fr and re , poly fr bushings brand new T/A big block coils , T/A fr and re sway bars , T/A posi/limited slip gear carrier , rear disc brakes , BFG 275-50-15 rear and 265-50-15 fr , killer stereo , blah blah blah but I'll tell You what that car handled , stopped on a dime and was no slouch as far as acceleration , on paper nowhere near as much power but I raced an LS1 Camaro once and it was pretty close . Anyway there is alot to be said for suspension , brakes , tranny and so forth . Good luck

 

You've got to build the foundation before you build the house. So suspension first. Suspension also makes the car more fun to drive.