Buff

I will be looking at a 02 WS6 with a auto this week and already thinking about modding it up. The car has roughly 55,000 miles on it.


What would be the best bank for the buck for 3k. I don't care about ruling the drag strip, I just want a fun little car to play with .

Sorry for the newbie question, but I have been in the LS7 world too long.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

You want more power or better handeling?

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

If A4 go with a Torque Convertor.
If M6 go with gears.

$3K doesn't go far when you add in labor. With the above suggested you will have money left over.

Otherwise go suspension as mentioned above.

98redorangeta

iTrader: (10)

Full exhaust, lid, torque converter and a tune could be done for 3k and will make the car feel and sound way better.

SouthernRex

Yeah, with an automatic, a full exhaust, torque converter, and tune make a huge difference in the car. The lid should be an automatic thing, it's under $100 and is literally like 10HP to the wheels. So much better than the stock baffles.

Buff

Thinking nothing but HP at this point.

Buff

sounds like a plan. I want a streetable car so I am thinking probably nothing bigger than a 2800 stall, maybe less. What you think?

ramairetransam

iTrader: (18)

speed engineering 1 7/8 headers and then a catback of your liking . lid . underdrive pulley , smooth bellows . tune and converter . that should make a big difference

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

2800 = Waste of money. Google "yank ss3600 ls1tech" and do some reading.

You're gonna need to do a lot to make it feel like that vette in your sig, lol.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Lots of great info on this topic in the auto trans section, plenty of reading/research can be done.

Sub-3k stall speeds really aren't even worth mentioning when dealing with an LS1/4L60E combo.

one sweet ws6

Cam, tune, headers, full exaust, slp lid, coukd all b done for under 3k if u do the labor urself. And u would notice a hude differance.

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

A good tune up, fixing aging parts and likely putting in a new fuel pump will bring you close just in reg maintenance really.
Good tune up would be plugs, wires, air filter, new O2s, actual on car fuel inj clean, fuel filter, worn bushings, ball joints, shocks, springs, brakes, brake lines etc and prob fuel pump and hotwire harness would get you a good dependable ride to put more in to later on.
I would recommend starting there first then going to catback and tune then a few suspension mods. Check motor mounts and trans mount make sure the arent torn to pieces.
Maybe egr and air delete if you can and a cooler tstat.
That would make for a fun dependable ride without too much into it.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

At 55k miles/15 years old, it shouldn't need a ton in the way of maintenance. If it does, then the car has been abused/poorly cared for/neglected in a way that should negate the price premium usually found on low mileage examples such as this. At that point, I'd just take a pass and look for a better example unless the deal was really great.

As it appears the car is an auto, I wouldn't suggest a cam swap before upgrading the torque converter. A cam that's small enough to work well with the stock TC isn't going to offer nearly as much noticeable gain as getting a ~3500 stall speed and keeping the stock cam (if budget only allows for one.)

Docrocket1967

iTrader: (1)

Air lid, all free mods you can do, full exhaust, good set of rear tires, tune, delete some unnecessary stuff like A.I.R./EGR if you can get away with that in your state. You could run a small cam for that money too, Shift kit if your auto, the options are endless.

Buff

Thanks to everybody for their input.

Gearhead1

I made the mistake (one of many) of buying a 3000 stall for my Z. I thought I knew better than what people on here kept recommending.(second mistake!) My Son installed a Vig 3600 in his SS about the same time and whooped my *** at the strip (one too many times) until I finally saw the light and purchased a 4000 stall for my Z. Don't get me wrong, I picked up 1/2 second with the 3000 stall, but after I installed the 4000 I picked up an additional 4/10th's.(and could lift the left front tire about 4 inches ) Listen to what they recommend on Tech. They've already done all the homework for you.....all you have to do is sit back and reap the rewards.
Also, maybe I missed it, but nobody has made mention of the fact that you need to include the cost for a new pair of rear tires....you're going to need them in short order!

SouthernRex

How does the 4000 feel driving to the grocery store? I still want my wife to be able to drive it without half the RPMs feeling like their in neutral.

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

There is almost no way a 4k isnt a dog down low. maybe with 390+ gears but thats it. Ive driven built and tuned so many.
3000 to 3200 vig would be fine

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

The ~4k rpm stall range is sort of a breaking point for most in terms of driveability/looseness perception. I wouldn't hesitate to go as high as 3400-3600 for anyone looking to prioritize performance in their street LS1/4L60E combo, especially with a 3.23 or numerically higher gear. For most, a combo like this, using a good quality converter, will feel nearly stock at part throttle after about a week of driving. Some of the more sensitive folks might find a ~3500 a tad loose with a 2.73, but many of us are even fine with that (assuming a top shelf converter.) For 4k and up, I'd definitely want at least a 3.23 gear, and if it's going to be a true daily driver then it's probably best if you take a ride (or test drive, if possible) in one before committing (assuming you've never experienced high stall speed converters before.)

Gearhead1

Honestly, it does feel more loose than I would prefer, however, mine isn't driven every day. I drive it maybe a couple of times a week to go run to the hardware store or to just go out and 'play' a little. Also, mine has 3.42's' which help a bit more, too. When I drove mine daily is when I had the 3000 in it. If the significant other is going to get behind the wheel, then yes, I would want more of a compromise TC in it. She'll be more apt to find it more appealing in normal driving situations. If and when it becomes more of a toy and you move away from daily driver mode, if you feel the need, you can switch to a higher stall for the fun factor.