Stock 99 Trans Am, order of upgrades?
#1
![Post](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi All! New to LS1Tech!
I read through the forum "So You Wanna Be Fast..." & I had a few questions, (Very Informative BTW).
First off I have a 99 Trans Am WS6 BONE STOCK w/ 109,xxx miles.
What would you do first when it comes to upgrades?
I saw an aftermarket Lid was very highly emphasized so I'll shoot for that first, but after that, any recommendations on where to go?
Not looking to do a turbo or supercharger.
Just minor bolt-ons or tuning.
Thanks!
I read through the forum "So You Wanna Be Fast..." & I had a few questions, (Very Informative BTW).
First off I have a 99 Trans Am WS6 BONE STOCK w/ 109,xxx miles.
What would you do first when it comes to upgrades?
I saw an aftermarket Lid was very highly emphasized so I'll shoot for that first, but after that, any recommendations on where to go?
Not looking to do a turbo or supercharger.
Just minor bolt-ons or tuning.
Thanks!
![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)
#2
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,312
Likes: 0
Received 1,740 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech20year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well, the usual next step after (or with) a lid would be an exhaust. Your options range from a cutout (manual or electric) in the stock system, to a muffler swap or full catback, to a complete system including headers.
Before you make changes to the exhaust forward of the cats, make sure you understand what type of emissions testing you have in your area (if you have any at all), and what you can get away with.
Before you make changes to the exhaust forward of the cats, make sure you understand what type of emissions testing you have in your area (if you have any at all), and what you can get away with.
#3
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you just purchased the car, make sure you start up with all the proper maintenance. Change ALL the fluids, fuel filter, plugs + wires also if you're not doing headers right away. Are you A4 or M6? Also look up the "free mods" and do whichever of those you prefer.
#4
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Longbeach, CA
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you just purchased the car, make sure you start up with all the proper maintenance. Change ALL the fluids, fuel filter, plugs + wires also if you're not doing headers right away. Are you A4 or M6? Also look up the "free mods" and do whichever of those you prefer.
Do a tuneup first, then your free mods. You don't know the previous owner's habits. Get his old oil out of there, his cheapy oil filter, get new plugs n wires, pop off the Tb and clean it up from the EGR crud coated on the back, clean the MAF and the IAC, replace the fuel filter.
My next move as far as mods from that point is a lid.
Lids are fairly inexpensive in terms of the cost of most of the mods for these cars, so if you want to make that part of your tune-up I don't see where that's a problem.
Honestly.. I haven't gotten one yet.. but I find it REALLY hard to believe that an air intake lid makes any significant difference.
We'll see tho. Mine's on order.
#5
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: alabama
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You won't fill anything really from the lid alone.
But lid combined with TB, intake, headers will be noticable.
Only thing I could tell form lid was maybe a quicker throttle response.
But lid combined with TB, intake, headers will be noticable.
Only thing I could tell form lid was maybe a quicker throttle response.
#6
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm actually in the process of purchasing the vehicle, it will be mine on the 15th of November.
I actually drove it for maybe an hour on Saturday, (Handled very well), its a 1-Owner at 109,000 miles.
Its an A4. - I'll definitely swap everything out and start with a clean slate :]
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Yeah I would like to get a lid, then do a cat-back exhaust.
I actually drove it for maybe an hour on Saturday, (Handled very well), its a 1-Owner at 109,000 miles.
Its an A4. - I'll definitely swap everything out and start with a clean slate :]
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Yeah I would like to get a lid, then do a cat-back exhaust.
#7
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Longbeach, CA
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
at 109k miles, may as well save up a bit moer and do full exhaust. New headers, catted Y, and muffler setup.
Cats are right around the corner at that mileage for goin out and you'll pick up some power with the swap, even if it is a bit of a pita to do. A shop can probably do it for ya for not TOO much if you bring em the parts. that's what I plan to do.. cept.. I don't want a loud exhaust note..
I figured as much on the lid. Just an air baffle.. won't make any real difference.. still.. if it's easier to remove then that's something I suppose.
Cats are right around the corner at that mileage for goin out and you'll pick up some power with the swap, even if it is a bit of a pita to do. A shop can probably do it for ya for not TOO much if you bring em the parts. that's what I plan to do.. cept.. I don't want a loud exhaust note..
I figured as much on the lid. Just an air baffle.. won't make any real difference.. still.. if it's easier to remove then that's something I suppose.
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Being its an A4, my first modification would be to upgrade the Torque Converter.
I don't have any experience with this modification (my car is an M6), but everything I've read on this site has me confident that this will be the first thing I do to my future Convertible A4 T/A.
An aftermarket converter is supposed to take a stock F-body and turn it into a ridiculously fun car.
Air Lid, and Catback would be some easy first mods, but before going any further, I would seriously consider looking into a Converter.
I don't have any experience with this modification (my car is an M6), but everything I've read on this site has me confident that this will be the first thing I do to my future Convertible A4 T/A.
An aftermarket converter is supposed to take a stock F-body and turn it into a ridiculously fun car.
Air Lid, and Catback would be some easy first mods, but before going any further, I would seriously consider looking into a Converter.
#9
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Longbeach, CA
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
if you do a converter do a cooler too. a cooler is a good idea for longevity no matter what really..
I looked into converters, didn't seem like a lot of fun to me for a DD, but I haven't gotten all that serious about transmission mods yet. (I'm sure I'm wrong on this somehow.. but when I've seen videos of people driving on converters it's like watching someone pour wine down the drain, needless revving for bumper to bumper traffic..)
I looked into converters, didn't seem like a lot of fun to me for a DD, but I haven't gotten all that serious about transmission mods yet. (I'm sure I'm wrong on this somehow.. but when I've seen videos of people driving on converters it's like watching someone pour wine down the drain, needless revving for bumper to bumper traffic..)
#11
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,312
Likes: 0
Received 1,740 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech20year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Air lid + good catback is usually good for as much as ~15-20rwhp.
![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
On the highway, or any time you're in lock-up, it will behave 100% stock, with zero loss of MPG or any change in driving feel at all.
#12
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Longbeach, CA
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well, my lid came in today and after some uh.. creative engineering (space heater+rubber hammer=maf finally fits.. slp lid..) it's in.
I'll have a report on it soon.![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
I've done "air intake" kits before on other cars. I mean the stock lid must be AWFUL if we get more than 1HP at the flexplate from it, much less at the wheels.
either way, it's a good supporting mod, and it's fairly easy to do, so I think it's a good place to start your mods after your tuneup.
I'll have a report on it soon.
![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
I've done "air intake" kits before on other cars. I mean the stock lid must be AWFUL if we get more than 1HP at the flexplate from it, much less at the wheels.
either way, it's a good supporting mod, and it's fairly easy to do, so I think it's a good place to start your mods after your tuneup.
#13
Launching!
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yank ss3600 stall well worth it! I went with pacesetter ceramic coated headers tsp y pipe, fast 102mm intake manifold and bigmouth 92mm throttle body. Also getting ready to cam and heads swap, est over 420hp after tune. Def go with a new intake manifold and thottle body amazing response(ls6 or fast 102mm)
#14
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission-13/
Good luck.
![Thumb](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies2/thumb.gif)
#15
Launching!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you can fork out the money, Id go with the obvious air lid, Long tubes with a catted Y pipe if you have to have cats, catback of your choice, being its a 99 id start looking for an LS6 intake manifold as well. All of those with a proper tune should get you somewhere between 315 to 330 at the rear wheels, being an A4 probably more so on the lower end. Im a M6 guy so i really have no advice on stalls but youd probably want one of those as well.
#17
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sweet lots of good information guys!
Well, I guess from what I've been reading before doing mods do a Tune-up, change fluids, etc.
THEN = Lid -> Cat-back exhaust.
Any recommendations for cat-back exhaust?
I prefer something with a "throatier" sound to it, I do like SLP loudmouths but don't want something that loud
![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
Well, I guess from what I've been reading before doing mods do a Tune-up, change fluids, etc.
THEN = Lid -> Cat-back exhaust.
Any recommendations for cat-back exhaust?
I prefer something with a "throatier" sound to it, I do like SLP loudmouths but don't want something that loud
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
#18
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Longbeach, CA
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've been chewing on that very thing lately.
My AIr pump is throwing P0410 and I'm sick of the orange light staring me in the face. I want the air pump and EGR gone. Best way tod o that and benefit? LT/Y pipe, catback.
it's pricey.. I really like the corsa system's LOOK.. but not the sound. I'd much prefer to keep the sound stock really.. but I want the power benefit.
My AIr pump is throwing P0410 and I'm sick of the orange light staring me in the face. I want the air pump and EGR gone. Best way tod o that and benefit? LT/Y pipe, catback.
it's pricey.. I really like the corsa system's LOOK.. but not the sound. I'd much prefer to keep the sound stock really.. but I want the power benefit.
#19
Launching!
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I went with SLP loudmouth II which is louder than the loud mouth I...as long as your not romping on it any areas you shouldnt be...you wont have a problem with local PD. If money is not a issue I would go with KOOKS long tubes, KOOKs true duels all the way back. I went with pacesetter ceramic coated long tubes, TSP Y-pipe and the slp cat back which is plenty good.
#20
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I went with SLP loudmouth II which is louder than the loud mouth I...as long as your not romping on it any areas you shouldnt be...you wont have a problem with local PD. If money is not a issue I would go with KOOKS long tubes, KOOKs true duels all the way back. I went with pacesetter ceramic coated long tubes, TSP Y-pipe and the slp cat back which is plenty good.